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Astronomical references to comets in Mahabharata: Narahari Achar

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IndianCivilization, "S.Kalyanaraman"

<kalyan97@g...> wrote:

 

Click on files. Click on file: AcharMBhastronomy.pdf

Consistency of astronomical ref. in MBh.

 

In the following paper, Prof. Narahari Achar provides an explanation

on the consistency of astronomical references in Mahabharata,

without

having to take recourse to special pleadings such as different time

periods of compilation of the texts. He notes that some references

to `graha' are NOT to planets, but to comets (grahaputra).

 

Consistency of Astronomical References the Bhishmaparvan of

Mahabharata (BORI vol LXXXXIV, pp.13-22 (2004).)

 

It is clearly demonstrated by Prof. Narahari Achar that the

description is very systematic and that the references to

astronomical phenomena are quite consistent in the context of ill

omens within the parvan and that the only true references to

planetary positions are consistent with those in the udyogaparvan

also.

 

slokas (20-23) and sloka (32) in chapter 2, and s'lokas (11-17) and

s'lokas (24-29) in chapter 3.

 

The tradition of recognizing astronomical ill omens can be traced to

Atharvaveda and its Paris'is.t.as and the ill omens described in

the

epic are consistent with the tradition.

 

MB(VI. 2. 32) "Oh King, Saturn is harassing Aldeberan and the spot

on

the Moon has shifted from its position. Something terrible will

happen."

MB(VI. 3. 11) "The Earth is experiencing tremors intermittently and

Rahu has seized the Sun. s'vetagraha has transgressed citragraha

here

refers to a comet and not to planet Mercury as is generally

translated.

 

MB (VI. 3. 24) `the two grahas blazing with coppery and red hair'.

It

may be noted that the word comet itself derives from the Greek word

for hair. The word graha with red hair in the context here can only

refer to a comet.

 

Vyasa names specifically twelve comets, s'veta, dhumaketu,

mahagraha,

parus.a, pa_vaka, dhu_ma, lohita_nga, ti_vra, pa_vakaprabha,

s'ya_ma,

ghora, and dhruvaketu. All these names can be found in the list

given

by Varahamihira Br.hat Samhita_, in `ketuca_ra' ,Ch. XI]

 

I hope this paper will induce scholars to rethink their positions on

consistency and integrity of MBh. astronomical references without

making assumptions about dates of compilation of the texts.

 

Kalyanaraman

--- End forwarded message ---

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