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Astronomical Dating of the Ramayan

By Dr.P.V.Vartak

 

Introduction

It has been believed that there is no evidence to determine the dates of

events in the Ramayanic era. Some historians of the past even refuse to

acknowledge that Rama and other characters from the Ramayana even existed.

However, Sage Valmiki has recorded the dates if events in detail, albeit by

describing the positions of stars and planets. To decipher the astronomical

encodings has not been a trivial task, and not many have attempted to do so.

It should be noted that the ancient Indians had a prefect method of time

measurement. They recorded the 'tithis', days according to the nakshatra on

which the moon prevailed, the months, the seasons and even the different

Solstices. By therefore noting a particular arrangement of the astronomical

bodies, which occur once in many thousand years, the dates of the events can

be calculated. Dr. P.V. Vartak has thus attempted to calculate the dates of

important incidents that occured during the Ramayanic Era. The correct

astronomical records goes to show that Valmiki's has chronicled an account

of a true story and also, that the an advanced time measurement system was

known to the Hindus (Indians) atleast 9000 years ago. Please refer to Dr.

Vartak's celebrated book "Vastav Ramayan" for further reading.

Before coming to the astronomical method, it should be noted that the

Mahabharat has recorded a number of facts about Ramayan (and not otherwise).

The precedence of the Ramayanic era to that of the Mahabharat can therefore

be inferred. An attempt to fix the dates of the events in the Mahabharat

era, mainly based on internal astronomical records. The Mahabharat Era has

already been dated by Dr. Vartak to 5561 B.C. [Reference: Dr. Vartak's book

"Swayambhu"].

Genealogical links available from the Mahabharat and Puranas, Yuga

calculations and some archaelogical findings also provide clues to the

dating of the Ramayanic era. Also, literary references to the characters

from the Ramayanic Era provide limits after which the Ramayan could not have

occured. For example, Guru Valmiki (the author of Ramayana) is refered to in

the Taittiriya Brahmana (dated to 4600 B.C) and therefore Ramayana must have

before the Brahmana was composed. However, archaeological and literary

methods can only provide approximate datelines and for determining the

precise time of the Ramayanic events, astronomical calculations may alone be

useful.

 

Astronomical Dating

Mahabharat states that Sage Vishwamitra started counting nakshatras from

Shravana (Aadiparva A.71 and Ashwamedha A.44) and a new reference to time

measurement thus initiated. According to the old tradition, the first place

was assigned to the nakshatra prevelant on the Vernal Equinox. Vishwamitra

modified this and started measuring from the nakshatra at the Autumnal

Equinox. Sharvan was at this juncture at about 7500 B.C, which is therefore

the probable period when Vishwamitra existed and also that of the Ramayanic

Era.

Formerly, the year initiated with the Varsha-Rutu (season) and therefore was

termed "Varsha". Ramayan shows that the flag was being hoisted to celebrate

the new year on Ashwin Paurnima (Kishkindha 16/37, Ayodhya 74/36). Ayodhya

77 mentions that the flags were defaced and damaged due to heat and showers.

These descriptions point to the fact that their new year started on the

Summer Solstice when heat and rain simultaneously exist. The Summer Solstice

fell on Ashwin Full Moon, so the Sun was diagonally opposite at Swati

nakshatra. This astral configuration can be calculated to have occured

around 7400 B.C.

Kishkindha 26-13 describes the commencement of the rainy season. In shloka

14, refers to Shravan as "Varshika Poorva Masa". Kishkindha 28/2 clearly

shows that the rainy season began in Bhadrapada Masa. Further description

"Heated by the Sun and showered by new waters, the earth is expelling

vapours" (Kish.26/7) points to Bhadrapada as premonsoon. Kish.28/17 tells

that there was alternate sun-shine and shadowing by the clouds. Kish.28/14

describes the on-coming rainy season. Thus Bhadrapada was the month of

pre-monsoon, that is before 21st June or Summer Solstice. Naturally, months

of Ashwin and Kartika formed the rainy season. It is therefore concluded

that Ashwin Full Moon coincided with Summer Solstice, that year being 7400

B.C.

Rama started forest-exile in Chaitra and ended it in Chaitra. He was

coronated in the same month and one month later, proceeded to Ashokavan with

Seeta (Uttar 41/18) when the Shishira Rutu terminated. So it seems that

Vaishakha Masa coincided with Shishira. So the Winter Solstice was at

Vaishakha with the Sun at Ashwini. At present, the Winter Solstice takes

place at Moola. Thus a shift of 10 nakshatras has occured since the

Ramayanic Era. Precession has a rate of 960 years per nakshatra. Therefore,

Ramayan must have occured 9600 years ago, which is 7600 B.C approximately.

 

Shri Rama's Date of Birth

Now we shall proceed with the astral route. Valmiki records the birth of

Rama as Chaitra Shuddha Navami (9th), on Punarvasu Nakshatra and five plants

were exalted then; Sun in Mesha upto 10 deg., Mars in Capricorn at 28 deg.,

Jupiter in Cancer at 5 deg., Venus in Pisces at 27 deg. and Saturn in Libra

at 20 deg. (Bala Kanda.18/Shloka 8,9).

Ayodhya 4/18 states that Sun, Mars and Rahu were at Dasharatha's nakshatra.

It was the month of Chaitra, so the Sun was in Revati, Ashwini or Bharani.

Naturally, either Rahu and Ketu was in any one of these nakshatra (Rahu and

Ketu are diagonally opposite).

The planetary positions on 16th October 5561 B.C., the date of commencement

of the Mahabharat War, have been calculated and known [Dating of the

Mahabharat, by Dr. P.V. Vartak]. Therefore, calculating further backwards

for the astral combination noted above, the date concludes to be 4th

December 7323 B.C. On this date, Saturn was at 205 deg., Jupiter at 94 deg.,

Mars between 283 and 298 deg., Rahu at 179 deg. and Sun at 2 degrees. 4th

Dec. 7323 therefore is the date of birth of Rama, when the aforementioned 4

planets exalted. Venus is always within 47 degrees from the Sun, and might

be in Pisces in an exalted state. Thus Rama's date is confirmed.

 

The Date of Exile

Rama completed 17 years of age (Ayodhya 20/45) and his coronation was fixed

on Chaitra Shuddha 9th on Pushya day. However, he had to proceed to the

forest on the same day, at the behest of Kaikeyi. At this time, Dasharatha

states that Rahu, Mars and Sun were disturbing his nakshatra (Ayodhya 4/18).

Calculating 17 years from Rama's birth date, the location of Mars can be

determined at 303 degrees in Dhanishta nakshatra. From here, Mars casts its

fourth-sight on Krittika. Rahu, after 17 years had been at 211 degrees in

Vishakha, and so was in opposition to Krittika. Being Chaitra masa, the Sun

was at Mesha and so it could be at Krittika. This the planetary positions

agree with Valmiki's statement. Dasharatha's nakshatra appears to be

Krittika.

Valmiki has beautifully described the sky (Ayodhya 41/10), when Rama left

for forest exile. He states, "Crux (Trishankhu), Mars, Jupiter and Mercury

have cornered the Moon. Vaishakha and Milky Way are shining in the sky".

Crux is on line with Hasta (Corvus) on the southern side. On the eastern

side of Hasta, there are Chitra, Swati and Vishakha. As seen earlier, Mars

was at 303 deg. in Dhanishta. Calculations show that Jupiter was in

Poorvashadha at 251 deg. Pushya was at the western horizon with the setting

Moon. On the southern side, from the west to the east, all the other planets

were situated. So poetically Valmiki describes the sketch as if the Moon was

cornered by the planets. The description of the sky, 17 years after the

birth-date of Rama, is perfect astronomically.

After 14 years of Rama's stay in the forest, Valmiki tells that Rohini was

imprisoned (6-24-7, 6-93-60, 6-92-60), Mars marched on Rohini (6- 93-46 or

6-92-45) and mars was torturing Rohini (5-17-24 or 5-15-22, 5-19-9, 6-113 or

116-2). The bracketed seven statements show the vicinity of Mars with

Rohini. Calculations reveal that 14 years later, Mars was at Ardra and was

retrograde. Mars therefore moved in the reverse direction (from Ardra) to

Rohini, resided at the "gate" of Rohini, thus in a way imprisoning the

latter. It is to be noted that the constellation of Rohini is V-shaped. The

apex of the angle points to the west and the two limbs towards east, and

therefore appears like a "gate". Mars was situated in between the two limbs

(or two doors) of the gate and appeared like a guard. Thus can the simile be

explained.

Amavasya (No Moon Day)comes 10.883 days earlier each successive year. 25th

November 7323 B.C., 9 days before Rama's birth, was a Amavasya. In 17 years,

the Amavasya shifted by 185.011 days backwards. It means that 6 Amavasyas

(each 29.53 days) were completed and a shift of 7.8 deg. was noticed. The

original Amavasya before Rama's birth took place at 353 deg. Deducting 7.8

deg. from it, we obtain 345 deg. as the position of this Amavasya which

falls in the Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra. Naturally, the next month was

Chaitra, when the coronation was arranged on Pushya day at 104 degrees. One

'tithi' contains 12 degrees. So the moon was in Pushya on 29th November 7306

B.C., when Rama proceeded to the forest. Calculations show that this day was

a Thursday, so said by Seeta as well(Ayodhya 26/9).

Rama left for the forest on a Thursday, the 29th Nov. 7306 B.C. He completed

the required 14 year period in the forest and returned on 5th Shuddha 9th

was over, and the 5th tithi refered to must have been Chaitra Krishna 5th.

Amavasya recedes by 10.883 days each successive year. So in 14 years it must

have receded by 152.3 days. Deducting 5 Amavasya periods (29.53 days each),

4.7 days remain which implies that Amavasya came 4 days days earlier on 15th

November 7292 B.C. Calculating backwards for 14 years from 29th November

7306 B.C, when the Amavasya was at 345 deg., the Amavasya falls at 340 deg.

(receded by 4.7 days in 14 years). This is Uttara Bhadrapada, the month

being Phalguna. Since the next month was Chaitra, Krishna 5th tithi happens

to be 5th December 7292 B.C. when Rama entered Bharadwaja Ashram.

 

Hanuman's visit to Lanka

Hanuman set out to Lanka in the hopes and mission to search for the

kidnapped Seeta. He reached this destination at night, roamed around a

little until he located Seeta the next morning. While describing Hanuman's

return in Sunder Kanda (S.56 or 57 /1/2), Valmiki states using a simile of

sea to the sky:

" The Moon was attractive like a lotus, Sun like a good crane and a span

from Pushya to Shravana was seen. Punarvasu appeared like a big fish, Mars

like a crocodile, Airavata like an island and Swati like a swan."

Even though a poetic simile, Valmiki provides a plot of the nakshatras from

the west to the east. When Hanuman started from Lanka it was early morning,

because Seeta tells him to rest for a day in some hiding place (Sunder

56/3,11; 57/18). Since it was morning, the Sun was rising and appeared like

a crane and the moon like a lotus. As both the moon and the sun were present

simultaneously in the sky, it probably was a Paurnima (Full Moon Day) with

the moon on the western horizon and sun on the eastern. The span of

nakshatras streched from Pushya to Shravan, that is from 104 deg. to 281

deg. Punarvasu was also seen. Aairavat connotes an elephant, and it is

possible that Scorpio was seen like an elephant showing its trunk. The span

of nakshatra's from Punarvasu to Sharavan is seen early in the morning of

Krishna paksha of Pushya Lunar month. Sun-rise could also be seen. Hence,

most probably, Hanuman returned from Lanka of Pushya Paurnima or Pushya

Vadya paksha.

Hanuman had set out for Seeta's search after Ashwin masa as he himself says

in Kishkindha 53/21,22. So he must have started the campaign in Kartika

masa. One month, that of Margashirsha was spent in the cave of Swayamprabha.

Some more time was spent in the search upto the South sea, after which

Hanuman entered Lanka, possibly on Pushya Shuddha 14th. Thus it highly

probably that he returned on Pushya Paurnima or Pushya Krishna 1st.

Ravana had abducted Seeta in the season of Hemant (Aranya 16/1) and had

given a period of 1 year, that is upto the next Hemant to consider marrying

Ravana (Aranya 56/24, Yudh 12/19). Had Seeta not accepted this offer, Ravana

would have killed her in Hemant. Hemant is composed of 2 months. Sunder

58/106 or 108 state that Seeta told Hanuman that only 2 months of her life

remain, after which she will die. Seeta therefore must have conveyed this to

Hanuman before Hemant began, that is, in the season of Sharad. Thus Pushya

lunar month coincided with the season of Sharad.

According to the above description, Mars was near Punarvasu and Pushya. It

was noted that during the (Lanka) war, Mars was at 102 deg. in Pushya.

Naturally, since Mars many a time becomes stagnant, Mars would have been

near Punarvasu and Pushya two months earlier.

The distance from Kishkindha (Vijayanagar to Hospet) to the centre of Lanka

is about 600 miles. An army can travel about 20 miles a day, therefore

accordingly, Rama's army would have taken a month to reach Lanka. Even

assuming a pessimistic speed of 30 miles per day, Hanuman may have covered

the distance in 20 days. Also, it is known that the army of Vaanar tribe

were searching for Seeta in many directions, and therefore, may have taken 2

months to reach Lanka. This army had started searching for Seeta in

mid-Kartika, and would have reached Lanka in mid-Pausha. The assumption that

Hanuman returned from Lanka in the month of Pausha therefore appears to be

reasonable. The Vanar army hurriedly returned to Kishkindha and could have

spent 20 days in the interim and the date falls at Maagha Shuddha 5th. Rama

marched to Lanka in one month and reached there on Phalguna Shuddha 5th

(22nd Oct. 7292 B.C). Rama observes, "Today is Uttara Phalguni. Tommorrow

when the moon will rise on Hasta, we will proceed to Lanka" (Yudh s.4).

Probably on Magha Krishna 1st (2nd Oct. 7292 B.C), Rama commenced his

journey and reached the shores of Lanka on Phalguna Shuddha 5th. Subsequent

three days were spent before Rama could cross the sea. Phalguna Shuddha 8th

ended. Thereafter, starting on the 9th, Nala built a temporary bridge

(Seetu) within 5 days. On Phalgun Shuddha 14th (31st Oct. 7292 B.C), Rama's

army crossed over to Lanka. On Phalgun Shuddha 15th, a full moon day, Rama

positioned his army at strategic points and surveilled the territory from

Mount Suvela (Yudh 38/18). Ravan also observed the approaching army from a

tower, held a meeting with his ministers and deployed his army for defence.

On Phalgun Krishna 1st (2nd November 7292 B.C.), Ravana arranged his troops

at strategic points.

 

The Great War started

On Phalgun Krishna 2nd, Rama's army seiged the gates of Lanka. Angada

proceeded as Rama emmisary on a peace mission to Ravana's court. However,

any peace proposal was rejected by Ravana and the next day (Phal.Kr. 3rd),

Rama-Ravana war commenced. The great war spanned 13 days and concluded on

Phalgun Krishna Amavasya, with the death of Ravana. The very next day,

Chaitra Shuddha 1st was celebrated as a Victory Day. This tradition still

continues to be a New-Years's Day and is marked by hoisting flags.

 

End of Rama-Ravana War. Ravana killed.

15th November 7292 B.C was then Phalguna Amavasya. Valmiki states that Ravan

came out for the last battle on the Amavasya day (Yudh. 93/66) and was

killed. In the description of the battle, Sage Valmiki writes, "Kosala's

nakshatra Vishakha is aspected by Mars" (Yudh. 103/37). The annual motion of

Mars is 191.405 degrees. In 14 years, it will progress by 159.58 degrees. At

the time of Rama's exile, Mars was at 303 deg. 159 deg. added to this

provides Mars at 102 deg. in Pushya. From Pushya Mars could cast its

fourth-sight on Vishakha. So, the calculations presented so far seem to be

correct. It also shows Valimiki's minute observations and time recording

capabilities. Thus the date of the last battle of the War is 15th November

7292 B.C.

 

Following are the dates of few events from the Ramayana:

 

 

Rama's Birth Date 4th December 7323 B.C

 

 

Rama-Seeta Married 7th April 7307 B.C

 

 

Rama Exiled 29th November 7306 B.C.

 

 

Hanuman enters Lanka 1st September 7292 B.C

 

 

Hanuman meets Seeta 2nd September 7292 B.C.

 

 

Seetu (Bridge) built 26-30th Oct. 7292 B.C

on the ocean

 

 

The War begins 3rd November 7292 B.C

 

 

Kumbhakarna is killed 7th November 7292 B.C.

 

 

Ravana is killed by Rama 15th November 7292 B.C.

 

 

Rama returns to Ayodhya 6th December 7272 B.C.

 

 

 

References

* Dr.P.V.Vartak, Vastav Ramayan in Marathi, Vedvidnyana Mandal, Pune

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Dear Kumar,

An excellent reference is provided by you. Thank you.

Chandrashekhar.

-

Kumar, Suneet

vedic astrology

Tuesday, January 14, 2003 9:39 AM

[vedic astrology] Astronomical Dating of the Ramayan

Astronomical Dating of the RamayanBy Dr.P.V.VartakIntroduction It has been

believed that there is no evidence to determine the dates ofevents in the

Ramayanic era. Some historians of the past even refuse toacknowledge that Rama

and other characters from the Ramayana even existed.However, Sage Valmiki has

recorded the dates if events in detail, albeit bydescribing the positions of

stars and planets. To decipher the astronomicalencodings has not been a trivial

task, and not many have attempted to do so.It should be noted that the ancient

Indians had a prefect method of timemeasurement. They recorded the 'tithis',

days according to the nakshatra onwhich the moon prevailed, the months, the

seasons and even the differentSolstices. By therefore noting a particular

arrangement of the astronomicalbodies, which occur once in many thousand years,

the dates of the events canbe calculated. Dr. P.V. Vartak has thus attempted to

calculate the dates ofimportant incidents that occured during the Ramayanic

Era. The correctastronomical records goes to show that Valmiki's has chronicled

an accountof a true story and also, that the an advanced time measurement system

wasknown to the Hindus (Indians) atleast 9000 years ago. Please refer to

Dr.Vartak's celebrated book "Vastav Ramayan" for further reading.Before coming

to the astronomical method, it should be noted that theMahabharat has recorded

a number of facts about Ramayan (and not otherwise).The precedence of the

Ramayanic era to that of the Mahabharat can thereforebe inferred. An attempt to

fix the dates of the events in the Mahabharatera, mainly based on internal

astronomical records. The Mahabharat Era hasalready been dated by Dr. Vartak to

5561 B.C. [Reference: Dr. Vartak's book"Swayambhu"]. Genealogical links

available from the Mahabharat and Puranas, Yugacalculations and some

archaelogical findings also provide clues to thedating of the Ramayanic era.

Also, literary references to the charactersfrom the Ramayanic Era provide

limits after which the Ramayan could not haveoccured. For example, Guru Valmiki

(the author of Ramayana) is refered to inthe Taittiriya Brahmana (dated to 4600

B.C) and therefore Ramayana must havebefore the Brahmana was composed. However,

archaeological and literarymethods can only provide approximate datelines and

for determining theprecise time of the Ramayanic events, astronomical

calculations may alone beuseful. Astronomical DatingMahabharat states that Sage

Vishwamitra started counting nakshatras fromShravana (Aadiparva A.71 and

Ashwamedha A.44) and a new reference to timemeasurement thus initiated.

According to the old tradition, the first placewas assigned to the nakshatra

prevelant on the Vernal Equinox. Vishwamitramodified this and started measuring

from the nakshatra at the AutumnalEquinox. Sharvan was at this juncture at about

7500 B.C, which is thereforethe probable period when Vishwamitra existed and

also that of the RamayanicEra. Formerly, the year initiated with the

Varsha-Rutu (season) and therefore wastermed "Varsha". Ramayan shows that the

flag was being hoisted to celebratethe new year on Ashwin Paurnima (Kishkindha

16/37, Ayodhya 74/36). Ayodhya77 mentions that the flags were defaced and

damaged due to heat and showers.These descriptions point to the fact that their

new year started on theSummer Solstice when heat and rain simultaneously exist.

The Summer Solsticefell on Ashwin Full Moon, so the Sun was diagonally opposite

at Swatinakshatra. This astral configuration can be calculated to have

occuredaround 7400 B.C. Kishkindha 26-13 describes the commencement of the

rainy season. In shloka14, refers to Shravan as "Varshika Poorva Masa".

Kishkindha 28/2 clearlyshows that the rainy season began in Bhadrapada Masa.

Further description"Heated by the Sun and showered by new waters, the earth is

expellingvapours" (Kish.26/7) points to Bhadrapada as premonsoon. Kish.28/17

tellsthat there was alternate sun-shine and shadowing by the clouds.

Kish.28/14describes the on-coming rainy season. Thus Bhadrapada was the month

ofpre-monsoon, that is before 21st June or Summer Solstice. Naturally, monthsof

Ashwin and Kartika formed the rainy season. It is therefore concludedthat Ashwin

Full Moon coincided with Summer Solstice, that year being 7400B.C. Rama started

forest-exile in Chaitra and ended it in Chaitra. He wascoronated in the same

month and one month later, proceeded to Ashokavan withSeeta (Uttar 41/18) when

the Shishira Rutu terminated. So it seems thatVaishakha Masa coincided with

Shishira. So the Winter Solstice was atVaishakha with the Sun at Ashwini. At

present, the Winter Solstice takesplace at Moola. Thus a shift of 10 nakshatras

has occured since theRamayanic Era. Precession has a rate of 960 years per

nakshatra. Therefore,Ramayan must have occured 9600 years ago, which is 7600

B.C approximately. Shri Rama's Date of Birth Now we shall proceed with the

astral route. Valmiki records the birth ofRama as Chaitra Shuddha Navami (9th),

on Punarvasu Nakshatra and five plantswere exalted then; Sun in Mesha upto 10

deg., Mars in Capricorn at 28 deg.,Jupiter in Cancer at 5 deg., Venus in Pisces

at 27 deg. and Saturn in Libraat 20 deg. (Bala Kanda.18/Shloka 8,9). Ayodhya

4/18 states that Sun, Mars and Rahu were at Dasharatha's nakshatra.It was the

month of Chaitra, so the Sun was in Revati, Ashwini or Bharani.Naturally,

either Rahu and Ketu was in any one of these nakshatra (Rahu andKetu are

diagonally opposite). The planetary positions on 16th October 5561 B.C., the

date of commencementof the Mahabharat War, have been calculated and known

[Dating of theMahabharat, by Dr. P.V. Vartak]. Therefore, calculating further

backwardsfor the astral combination noted above, the date concludes to be

4thDecember 7323 B.C. On this date, Saturn was at 205 deg., Jupiter at 94

deg.,Mars between 283 and 298 deg., Rahu at 179 deg. and Sun at 2 degrees.

4thDec. 7323 therefore is the date of birth of Rama, when the aforementioned

4planets exalted. Venus is always within 47 degrees from the Sun, and mightbe

in Pisces in an exalted state. Thus Rama's date is confirmed. The Date of Exile

Rama completed 17 years of age (Ayodhya 20/45) and his coronation was fixedon

Chaitra Shuddha 9th on Pushya day. However, he had to proceed to theforest on

the same day, at the behest of Kaikeyi. At this time, Dasharathastates that

Rahu, Mars and Sun were disturbing his nakshatra (Ayodhya 4/18).Calculating 17

years from Rama's birth date, the location of Mars can bedetermined at 303

degrees in Dhanishta nakshatra. From here, Mars casts itsfourth-sight on

Krittika. Rahu, after 17 years had been at 211 degrees inVishakha, and so was

in opposition to Krittika. Being Chaitra masa, the Sunwas at Mesha and so it

could be at Krittika. This the planetary positionsagree with Valmiki's

statement. Dasharatha's nakshatra appears to beKrittika. Valmiki has

beautifully described the sky (Ayodhya 41/10), when Rama leftfor forest exile.

He states, "Crux (Trishankhu), Mars, Jupiter and Mercuryhave cornered the Moon.

Vaishakha and Milky Way are shining in the sky".Crux is on line with Hasta

(Corvus) on the southern side. On the easternside of Hasta, there are Chitra,

Swati and Vishakha. As seen earlier, Marswas at 303 deg. in Dhanishta.

Calculations show that Jupiter was inPoorvashadha at 251 deg. Pushya was at the

western horizon with the settingMoon. On the southern side, from the west to the

east, all the other planetswere situated. So poetically Valmiki describes the

sketch as if the Moon wascornered by the planets. The description of the sky,

17 years after thebirth-date of Rama, is perfect astronomically. After 14 years

of Rama's stay in the forest, Valmiki tells that Rohini wasimprisoned (6-24-7,

6-93-60, 6-92-60), Mars marched on Rohini (6- 93-46 or6-92-45) and mars was

torturing Rohini (5-17-24 or 5-15-22, 5-19-9, 6-113 or116-2). The bracketed

seven statements show the vicinity of Mars withRohini. Calculations reveal that

14 years later, Mars was at Ardra and wasretrograde. Mars therefore moved in the

reverse direction (from Ardra) toRohini, resided at the "gate" of Rohini, thus

in a way imprisoning thelatter. It is to be noted that the constellation of

Rohini is V-shaped. Theapex of the angle points to the west and the two limbs

towards east, andtherefore appears like a "gate". Mars was situated in between

the two limbs(or two doors) of the gate and appeared like a guard. Thus can the

simile beexplained. Amavasya (No Moon Day)comes 10.883 days earlier each

successive year. 25thNovember 7323 B.C., 9 days before Rama's birth, was a

Amavasya. In 17 years,the Amavasya shifted by 185.011 days backwards. It means

that 6 Amavasyas(each 29.53 days) were completed and a shift of 7.8 deg. was

noticed. Theoriginal Amavasya before Rama's birth took place at 353 deg.

Deducting 7.8deg. from it, we obtain 345 deg. as the position of this Amavasya

whichfalls in the Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra. Naturally, the next month

wasChaitra, when the coronation was arranged on Pushya day at 104 degrees.

One'tithi' contains 12 degrees. So the moon was in Pushya on 29th November

7306B.C., when Rama proceeded to the forest. Calculations show that this day

wasa Thursday, so said by Seeta as well(Ayodhya 26/9). Rama left for the forest

on a Thursday, the 29th Nov. 7306 B.C. He completedthe required 14 year period

in the forest and returned on 5th Shuddha 9thwas over, and the 5th tithi

refered to must have been Chaitra Krishna 5th.Amavasya recedes by 10.883 days

each successive year. So in 14 years it musthave receded by 152.3 days.

Deducting 5 Amavasya periods (29.53 days each),4.7 days remain which implies

that Amavasya came 4 days days earlier on 15thNovember 7292 B.C. Calculating

backwards for 14 years from 29th November7306 B.C, when the Amavasya was at 345

deg., the Amavasya falls at 340 deg.(receded by 4.7 days in 14 years). This is

Uttara Bhadrapada, the monthbeing Phalguna. Since the next month was Chaitra,

Krishna 5th tithi happensto be 5th December 7292 B.C. when Rama entered

Bharadwaja Ashram. Hanuman's visit to Lanka Hanuman set out to Lanka in the

hopes and mission to search for thekidnapped Seeta. He reached this destination

at night, roamed around alittle until he located Seeta the next morning. While

describing Hanuman'sreturn in Sunder Kanda (S.56 or 57 /1/2), Valmiki states

using a simile ofsea to the sky: " The Moon was attractive like a lotus, Sun

like a good crane and a spanfrom Pushya to Shravana was seen. Punarvasu

appeared like a big fish, Marslike a crocodile, Airavata like an island and

Swati like a swan." Even though a poetic simile, Valmiki provides a plot of the

nakshatras fromthe west to the east. When Hanuman started from Lanka it was

early morning,because Seeta tells him to rest for a day in some hiding place

(Sunder56/3,11; 57/18). Since it was morning, the Sun was rising and appeared

likea crane and the moon like a lotus. As both the moon and the sun were

presentsimultaneously in the sky, it probably was a Paurnima (Full Moon Day)

withthe moon on the western horizon and sun on the eastern. The span

ofnakshatras streched from Pushya to Shravan, that is from 104 deg. to 281deg.

Punarvasu was also seen. Aairavat connotes an elephant, and it ispossible that

Scorpio was seen like an elephant showing its trunk. The spanof nakshatra's

from Punarvasu to Sharavan is seen early in the morning ofKrishna paksha of

Pushya Lunar month. Sun-rise could also be seen. Hence,most probably, Hanuman

returned from Lanka of Pushya Paurnima or PushyaVadya paksha. Hanuman had set

out for Seeta's search after Ashwin masa as he himself saysin Kishkindha

53/21,22. So he must have started the campaign in Kartikamasa. One month, that

of Margashirsha was spent in the cave of Swayamprabha.Some more time was spent

in the search upto the South sea, after whichHanuman entered Lanka, possibly on

Pushya Shuddha 14th. Thus it highlyprobably that he returned on Pushya Paurnima

or Pushya Krishna 1st. Ravana had abducted Seeta in the season of Hemant

(Aranya 16/1) and hadgiven a period of 1 year, that is upto the next Hemant to

consider marryingRavana (Aranya 56/24, Yudh 12/19). Had Seeta not accepted this

offer, Ravanawould have killed her in Hemant. Hemant is composed of 2 months.

Sunder58/106 or 108 state that Seeta told Hanuman that only 2 months of her

liferemain, after which she will die. Seeta therefore must have conveyed this

toHanuman before Hemant began, that is, in the season of Sharad. Thus

Pushyalunar month coincided with the season of Sharad. According to the above

description, Mars was near Punarvasu and Pushya. Itwas noted that during the

(Lanka) war, Mars was at 102 deg. in Pushya.Naturally, since Mars many a time

becomes stagnant, Mars would have beennear Punarvasu and Pushya two months

earlier. The distance from Kishkindha (Vijayanagar to Hospet) to the centre of

Lankais about 600 miles. An army can travel about 20 miles a day,

thereforeaccordingly, Rama's army would have taken a month to reach Lanka.

Evenassuming a pessimistic speed of 30 miles per day, Hanuman may have

coveredthe distance in 20 days. Also, it is known that the army of Vaanar

tribewere searching for Seeta in many directions, and therefore, may have taken

2months to reach Lanka. This army had started searching for Seeta inmid-Kartika,

and would have reached Lanka in mid-Pausha. The assumption thatHanuman returned

from Lanka in the month of Pausha therefore appears to bereasonable. The Vanar

army hurriedly returned to Kishkindha and could havespent 20 days in the

interim and the date falls at Maagha Shuddha 5th. Ramamarched to Lanka in one

month and reached there on Phalguna Shuddha 5th(22nd Oct. 7292 B.C). Rama

observes, "Today is Uttara Phalguni. Tommorrowwhen the moon will rise on Hasta,

we will proceed to Lanka" (Yudh s.4).Probably on Magha Krishna 1st (2nd Oct.

7292 B.C), Rama commenced hisjourney and reached the shores of Lanka on

Phalguna Shuddha 5th. Subsequentthree days were spent before Rama could cross

the sea. Phalguna Shuddha 8thended. Thereafter, starting on the 9th, Nala built

a temporary bridge(Seetu) within 5 days. On Phalgun Shuddha 14th (31st Oct. 7292

B.C), Rama'sarmy crossed over to Lanka. On Phalgun Shuddha 15th, a full moon

day, Ramapositioned his army at strategic points and surveilled the territory

fromMount Suvela (Yudh 38/18). Ravan also observed the approaching army from

atower, held a meeting with his ministers and deployed his army for defence.On

Phalgun Krishna 1st (2nd November 7292 B.C.), Ravana arranged his troopsat

strategic points. The Great War started On Phalgun Krishna 2nd, Rama's army

seiged the gates of Lanka. Angadaproceeded as Rama emmisary on a peace mission

to Ravana's court. However,any peace proposal was rejected by Ravana and the

next day (Phal.Kr. 3rd),Rama-Ravana war commenced. The great war spanned 13

days and concluded onPhalgun Krishna Amavasya, with the death of Ravana. The

very next day,Chaitra Shuddha 1st was celebrated as a Victory Day. This

tradition stillcontinues to be a New-Years's Day and is marked by hoisting

flags. End of Rama-Ravana War. Ravana killed. 15th November 7292 B.C was then

Phalguna Amavasya. Valmiki states that Ravancame out for the last battle on the

Amavasya day (Yudh. 93/66) and waskilled. In the description of the battle, Sage

Valmiki writes, "Kosala'snakshatra Vishakha is aspected by Mars" (Yudh. 103/37).

The annual motion ofMars is 191.405 degrees. In 14 years, it will progress by

159.58 degrees. Atthe time of Rama's exile, Mars was at 303 deg. 159 deg. added

to thisprovides Mars at 102 deg. in Pushya. From Pushya Mars could cast

itsfourth-sight on Vishakha. So, the calculations presented so far seem to

becorrect. It also shows Valimiki's minute observations and time

recordingcapabilities. Thus the date of the last battle of the War is 15th

November7292 B.C. Following are the dates of few events from the Ramayana:

Rama's Birth Date 4th December 7323 B.C Rama-Seeta Married

7th April 7307 B.C Rama Exiled 29th November 7306

B.C.Hanuman enters Lanka 1st September 7292 B.C Hanuman meets Seeta

2nd September 7292 B.C. Seetu (Bridge) built 26-30th Oct.

7292 B.C on the ocean The War begins 3rd November 7292 B.C

Kumbhakarna is killed 7th November 7292 B.C. Ravana is killed by Rama

15th November 7292 B.C. Rama returns to Ayodhya 6th December 7272

B.C.References* Dr.P.V.Vartak, Vastav Ramayan in Marathi, Vedvidnyana

Mandal, Pune Archives: vedic astrologyGroup info:

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I find it very hard to accept the dates given by researchers based

only on *inferred* astrological data. Ancient Indian poetry (both

classical and scriptural) is well known for its poetic liberty in

describing natural objects and start.

 

The *fact* remains that there is not a single authenticative evidence

that I know of to date either Ramayana or Mahabharatha or to even

prove that they really happened. There is even a school of thought

that the Mahabharatha war never really happened by was a massive

background given by Vyasa to give the most profound scripture

(Bhagavat Gita) to the world. As per this school of thought, the

characters in Mahabharatha serve as symbolisms for higher spiritual

truth. Even Yoganandaji in his translation of Bhagavat Gita says so

(he doesnt openly say Mahabharatha didnt happen, but it is

inferable). Swami Yukteshwar mentions that Yuthistra ruled till end

of Kali Yuga (but this still does not prove that the war in

Mahabharatha really happenned or Duryodhana had 100 siblings) and he

gives a vastly different date.

 

If a hard proof cannot be obtained, the one way to figure out what

really happened could be to seek the help of highly attained yogis

that can see the past to ascertain whether they really happened and

if they did then in what dates. Everything else could only be

intelligent guesses.

 

-Siva.

 

vedic astrology, "Chandrashekhar"

<boxdel> wrote:

> Dear Kumar,

> An excellent reference is provided by you. Thank you.

> Chandrashekhar.

> -

> Kumar, Suneet

> vedic astrology

> Tuesday, January 14, 2003 9:39 AM

> [vedic astrology] Astronomical Dating of the Ramayan

>

>

> Astronomical Dating of the Ramayan

> By Dr.P.V.Vartak

>

> Introduction

> It has been believed that there is no evidence to determine the

dates of

> events in the Ramayanic era. Some historians of the past even

refuse to

> acknowledge that Rama and other characters from the Ramayana even

existed.

> However, Sage Valmiki has recorded the dates if events in detail,

albeit by

> describing the positions of stars and planets. To decipher the

astronomical

> encodings has not been a trivial task, and not many have

attempted to do so.

> It should be noted that the ancient Indians had a prefect method

of time

> measurement. They recorded the 'tithis', days according to the

nakshatra on

> which the moon prevailed, the months, the seasons and even the

different

> Solstices. By therefore noting a particular arrangement of the

astronomical

> bodies, which occur once in many thousand years, the dates of the

events can

> be calculated. Dr. P.V. Vartak has thus attempted to calculate

the dates of

> important incidents that occured during the Ramayanic Era. The

correct

> astronomical records goes to show that Valmiki's has chronicled

an account

> of a true story and also, that the an advanced time measurement

system was

> known to the Hindus (Indians) atleast 9000 years ago. Please

refer to Dr.

> Vartak's celebrated book "Vastav Ramayan" for further reading.

> Before coming to the astronomical method, it should be noted that

the

> Mahabharat has recorded a number of facts about Ramayan (and not

otherwise).

> The precedence of the Ramayanic era to that of the Mahabharat can

therefore

> be inferred. An attempt to fix the dates of the events in the

Mahabharat

> era, mainly based on internal astronomical records. The

Mahabharat Era has

> already been dated by Dr. Vartak to 5561 B.C. [Reference: Dr.

Vartak's book

> "Swayambhu"].

> Genealogical links available from the Mahabharat and Puranas, Yuga

> calculations and some archaelogical findings also provide clues

to the

> dating of the Ramayanic era. Also, literary references to the

characters

> from the Ramayanic Era provide limits after which the Ramayan

could not have

> occured. For example, Guru Valmiki (the author of Ramayana) is

refered to in

> the Taittiriya Brahmana (dated to 4600 B.C) and therefore

Ramayana must have

> before the Brahmana was composed. However, archaeological and

literary

> methods can only provide approximate datelines and for

determining the

> precise time of the Ramayanic events, astronomical calculations

may alone be

> useful.

>

> Astronomical Dating

> Mahabharat states that Sage Vishwamitra started counting

nakshatras from

> Shravana (Aadiparva A.71 and Ashwamedha A.44) and a new reference

to time

> measurement thus initiated. According to the old tradition, the

first place

> was assigned to the nakshatra prevelant on the Vernal Equinox.

Vishwamitra

> modified this and started measuring from the nakshatra at the

Autumnal

> Equinox. Sharvan was at this juncture at about 7500 B.C, which is

therefore

> the probable period when Vishwamitra existed and also that of the

Ramayanic

> Era.

> Formerly, the year initiated with the Varsha-Rutu (season) and

therefore was

> termed "Varsha". Ramayan shows that the flag was being hoisted to

celebrate

> the new year on Ashwin Paurnima (Kishkindha 16/37, Ayodhya

74/36). Ayodhya

> 77 mentions that the flags were defaced and damaged due to heat

and showers.

> These descriptions point to the fact that their new year started

on the

> Summer Solstice when heat and rain simultaneously exist. The

Summer Solstice

> fell on Ashwin Full Moon, so the Sun was diagonally opposite at

Swati

> nakshatra. This astral configuration can be calculated to have

occured

> around 7400 B.C.

> Kishkindha 26-13 describes the commencement of the rainy season.

In shloka

> 14, refers to Shravan as "Varshika Poorva Masa". Kishkindha 28/2

clearly

> shows that the rainy season began in Bhadrapada Masa. Further

description

> "Heated by the Sun and showered by new waters, the earth is

expelling

> vapours" (Kish.26/7) points to Bhadrapada as premonsoon.

Kish.28/17 tells

> that there was alternate sun-shine and shadowing by the clouds.

Kish.28/14

> describes the on-coming rainy season. Thus Bhadrapada was the

month of

> pre-monsoon, that is before 21st June or Summer Solstice.

Naturally, months

> of Ashwin and Kartika formed the rainy season. It is therefore

concluded

> that Ashwin Full Moon coincided with Summer Solstice, that year

being 7400

> B.C.

> Rama started forest-exile in Chaitra and ended it in Chaitra. He

was

> coronated in the same month and one month later, proceeded to

Ashokavan with

> Seeta (Uttar 41/18) when the Shishira Rutu terminated. So it

seems that

> Vaishakha Masa coincided with Shishira. So the Winter Solstice

was at

> Vaishakha with the Sun at Ashwini. At present, the Winter

Solstice takes

> place at Moola. Thus a shift of 10 nakshatras has occured since

the

> Ramayanic Era. Precession has a rate of 960 years per nakshatra.

Therefore,

> Ramayan must have occured 9600 years ago, which is 7600 B.C

approximately.

>

> Shri Rama's Date of Birth

> Now we shall proceed with the astral route. Valmiki records the

birth of

> Rama as Chaitra Shuddha Navami (9th), on Punarvasu Nakshatra and

five plants

> were exalted then; Sun in Mesha upto 10 deg., Mars in Capricorn

at 28 deg.,

> Jupiter in Cancer at 5 deg., Venus in Pisces at 27 deg. and

Saturn in Libra

> at 20 deg. (Bala Kanda.18/Shloka 8,9).

> Ayodhya 4/18 states that Sun, Mars and Rahu were at Dasharatha's

nakshatra.

> It was the month of Chaitra, so the Sun was in Revati, Ashwini or

Bharani.

> Naturally, either Rahu and Ketu was in any one of these nakshatra

(Rahu and

> Ketu are diagonally opposite).

> The planetary positions on 16th October 5561 B.C., the date of

commencement

> of the Mahabharat War, have been calculated and known [Dating of

the

> Mahabharat, by Dr. P.V. Vartak]. Therefore, calculating further

backwards

> for the astral combination noted above, the date concludes to be

4th

> December 7323 B.C. On this date, Saturn was at 205 deg., Jupiter

at 94 deg.,

> Mars between 283 and 298 deg., Rahu at 179 deg. and Sun at 2

degrees. 4th

> Dec. 7323 therefore is the date of birth of Rama, when the

aforementioned 4

> planets exalted. Venus is always within 47 degrees from the Sun,

and might

> be in Pisces in an exalted state. Thus Rama's date is confirmed.

>

> The Date of Exile

> Rama completed 17 years of age (Ayodhya 20/45) and his coronation

was fixed

> on Chaitra Shuddha 9th on Pushya day. However, he had to proceed

to the

> forest on the same day, at the behest of Kaikeyi. At this time,

Dasharatha

> states that Rahu, Mars and Sun were disturbing his nakshatra

(Ayodhya 4/18).

> Calculating 17 years from Rama's birth date, the location of Mars

can be

> determined at 303 degrees in Dhanishta nakshatra. From here, Mars

casts its

> fourth-sight on Krittika. Rahu, after 17 years had been at 211

degrees in

> Vishakha, and so was in opposition to Krittika. Being Chaitra

masa, the Sun

> was at Mesha and so it could be at Krittika. This the planetary

positions

> agree with Valmiki's statement. Dasharatha's nakshatra appears to

be

> Krittika.

> Valmiki has beautifully described the sky (Ayodhya 41/10), when

Rama left

> for forest exile. He states, "Crux (Trishankhu), Mars, Jupiter

and Mercury

> have cornered the Moon. Vaishakha and Milky Way are shining in

the sky".

> Crux is on line with Hasta (Corvus) on the southern side. On the

eastern

> side of Hasta, there are Chitra, Swati and Vishakha. As seen

earlier, Mars

> was at 303 deg. in Dhanishta. Calculations show that Jupiter was

in

> Poorvashadha at 251 deg. Pushya was at the western horizon with

the setting

> Moon. On the southern side, from the west to the east, all the

other planets

> were situated. So poetically Valmiki describes the sketch as if

the Moon was

> cornered by the planets. The description of the sky, 17 years

after the

> birth-date of Rama, is perfect astronomically.

> After 14 years of Rama's stay in the forest, Valmiki tells that

Rohini was

> imprisoned (6-24-7, 6-93-60, 6-92-60), Mars marched on Rohini (6-

93-46 or

> 6-92-45) and mars was torturing Rohini (5-17-24 or 5-15-22, 5-19-

9, 6-113 or

> 116-2). The bracketed seven statements show the vicinity of Mars

with

> Rohini. Calculations reveal that 14 years later, Mars was at

Ardra and was

> retrograde. Mars therefore moved in the reverse direction (from

Ardra) to

> Rohini, resided at the "gate" of Rohini, thus in a way

imprisoning the

> latter. It is to be noted that the constellation of Rohini is V-

shaped. The

> apex of the angle points to the west and the two limbs towards

east, and

> therefore appears like a "gate". Mars was situated in between the

two limbs

> (or two doors) of the gate and appeared like a guard. Thus can

the simile be

> explained.

> Amavasya (No Moon Day)comes 10.883 days earlier each successive

year. 25th

> November 7323 B.C., 9 days before Rama's birth, was a Amavasya.

In 17 years,

> the Amavasya shifted by 185.011 days backwards. It means that 6

Amavasyas

> (each 29.53 days) were completed and a shift of 7.8 deg. was

noticed. The

> original Amavasya before Rama's birth took place at 353 deg.

Deducting 7.8

> deg. from it, we obtain 345 deg. as the position of this Amavasya

which

> falls in the Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra. Naturally, the next

month was

> Chaitra, when the coronation was arranged on Pushya day at 104

degrees. One

> 'tithi' contains 12 degrees. So the moon was in Pushya on 29th

November 7306

> B.C., when Rama proceeded to the forest. Calculations show that

this day was

> a Thursday, so said by Seeta as well(Ayodhya 26/9).

> Rama left for the forest on a Thursday, the 29th Nov. 7306 B.C.

He completed

> the required 14 year period in the forest and returned on 5th

Shuddha 9th

> was over, and the 5th tithi refered to must have been Chaitra

Krishna 5th.

> Amavasya recedes by 10.883 days each successive year. So in 14

years it must

> have receded by 152.3 days. Deducting 5 Amavasya periods (29.53

days each),

> 4.7 days remain which implies that Amavasya came 4 days days

earlier on 15th

> November 7292 B.C. Calculating backwards for 14 years from 29th

November

> 7306 B.C, when the Amavasya was at 345 deg., the Amavasya falls

at 340 deg.

> (receded by 4.7 days in 14 years). This is Uttara Bhadrapada, the

month

> being Phalguna. Since the next month was Chaitra, Krishna 5th

tithi happens

> to be 5th December 7292 B.C. when Rama entered Bharadwaja Ashram.

>

> Hanuman's visit to Lanka

> Hanuman set out to Lanka in the hopes and mission to search for

the

> kidnapped Seeta. He reached this destination at night, roamed

around a

> little until he located Seeta the next morning. While describing

Hanuman's

> return in Sunder Kanda (S.56 or 57 /1/2), Valmiki states using a

simile of

> sea to the sky:

> " The Moon was attractive like a lotus, Sun like a good crane and

a span

> from Pushya to Shravana was seen. Punarvasu appeared like a big

fish, Mars

> like a crocodile, Airavata like an island and Swati like a swan."

> Even though a poetic simile, Valmiki provides a plot of the

nakshatras from

> the west to the east. When Hanuman started from Lanka it was

early morning,

> because Seeta tells him to rest for a day in some hiding place

(Sunder

> 56/3,11; 57/18). Since it was morning, the Sun was rising and

appeared like

> a crane and the moon like a lotus. As both the moon and the sun

were present

> simultaneously in the sky, it probably was a Paurnima (Full Moon

Day) with

> the moon on the western horizon and sun on the eastern. The span

of

> nakshatras streched from Pushya to Shravan, that is from 104 deg.

to 281

> deg. Punarvasu was also seen. Aairavat connotes an elephant, and

it is

> possible that Scorpio was seen like an elephant showing its

trunk. The span

> of nakshatra's from Punarvasu to Sharavan is seen early in the

morning of

> Krishna paksha of Pushya Lunar month. Sun-rise could also be

seen. Hence,

> most probably, Hanuman returned from Lanka of Pushya Paurnima or

Pushya

> Vadya paksha.

> Hanuman had set out for Seeta's search after Ashwin masa as he

himself says

> in Kishkindha 53/21,22. So he must have started the campaign in

Kartika

> masa. One month, that of Margashirsha was spent in the cave of

Swayamprabha.

> Some more time was spent in the search upto the South sea, after

which

> Hanuman entered Lanka, possibly on Pushya Shuddha 14th. Thus it

highly

> probably that he returned on Pushya Paurnima or Pushya Krishna

1st.

> Ravana had abducted Seeta in the season of Hemant (Aranya 16/1)

and had

> given a period of 1 year, that is upto the next Hemant to

consider marrying

> Ravana (Aranya 56/24, Yudh 12/19). Had Seeta not accepted this

offer, Ravana

> would have killed her in Hemant. Hemant is composed of 2 months.

Sunder

> 58/106 or 108 state that Seeta told Hanuman that only 2 months of

her life

> remain, after which she will die. Seeta therefore must have

conveyed this to

> Hanuman before Hemant began, that is, in the season of Sharad.

Thus Pushya

> lunar month coincided with the season of Sharad.

> According to the above description, Mars was near Punarvasu and

Pushya. It

> was noted that during the (Lanka) war, Mars was at 102 deg. in

Pushya.

> Naturally, since Mars many a time becomes stagnant, Mars would

have been

> near Punarvasu and Pushya two months earlier.

> The distance from Kishkindha (Vijayanagar to Hospet) to the

centre of Lanka

> is about 600 miles. An army can travel about 20 miles a day,

therefore

> accordingly, Rama's army would have taken a month to reach Lanka.

Even

> assuming a pessimistic speed of 30 miles per day, Hanuman may

have covered

> the distance in 20 days. Also, it is known that the army of

Vaanar tribe

> were searching for Seeta in many directions, and therefore, may

have taken 2

> months to reach Lanka. This army had started searching for Seeta

in

> mid-Kartika, and would have reached Lanka in mid-Pausha. The

assumption that

> Hanuman returned from Lanka in the month of Pausha therefore

appears to be

> reasonable. The Vanar army hurriedly returned to Kishkindha and

could have

> spent 20 days in the interim and the date falls at Maagha Shuddha

5th. Rama

> marched to Lanka in one month and reached there on Phalguna

Shuddha 5th

> (22nd Oct. 7292 B.C). Rama observes, "Today is Uttara Phalguni.

Tommorrow

> when the moon will rise on Hasta, we will proceed to Lanka" (Yudh

s.4).

> Probably on Magha Krishna 1st (2nd Oct. 7292 B.C), Rama commenced

his

> journey and reached the shores of Lanka on Phalguna Shuddha 5th.

Subsequent

> three days were spent before Rama could cross the sea. Phalguna

Shuddha 8th

> ended. Thereafter, starting on the 9th, Nala built a temporary

bridge

> (Seetu) within 5 days. On Phalgun Shuddha 14th (31st Oct. 7292

B.C), Rama's

> army crossed over to Lanka. On Phalgun Shuddha 15th, a full moon

day, Rama

> positioned his army at strategic points and surveilled the

territory from

> Mount Suvela (Yudh 38/18). Ravan also observed the approaching

army from a

> tower, held a meeting with his ministers and deployed his army

for defence.

> On Phalgun Krishna 1st (2nd November 7292 B.C.), Ravana arranged

his troops

> at strategic points.

>

> The Great War started

> On Phalgun Krishna 2nd, Rama's army seiged the gates of Lanka.

Angada

> proceeded as Rama emmisary on a peace mission to Ravana's court.

However,

> any peace proposal was rejected by Ravana and the next day

(Phal.Kr. 3rd),

> Rama-Ravana war commenced. The great war spanned 13 days and

concluded on

> Phalgun Krishna Amavasya, with the death of Ravana. The very next

day,

> Chaitra Shuddha 1st was celebrated as a Victory Day. This

tradition still

> continues to be a New-Years's Day and is marked by hoisting

flags.

>

> End of Rama-Ravana War. Ravana killed.

> 15th November 7292 B.C was then Phalguna Amavasya. Valmiki states

that Ravan

> came out for the last battle on the Amavasya day (Yudh. 93/66)

and was

> killed. In the description of the battle, Sage Valmiki

writes, "Kosala's

> nakshatra Vishakha is aspected by Mars" (Yudh. 103/37). The

annual motion of

> Mars is 191.405 degrees. In 14 years, it will progress by 159.58

degrees. At

> the time of Rama's exile, Mars was at 303 deg. 159 deg. added to

this

> provides Mars at 102 deg. in Pushya. From Pushya Mars could cast

its

> fourth-sight on Vishakha. So, the calculations presented so far

seem to be

> correct. It also shows Valimiki's minute observations and time

recording

> capabilities. Thus the date of the last battle of the War is 15th

November

> 7292 B.C.

>

> Following are the dates of few events from the Ramayana:

>

>

> Rama's Birth Date 4th December 7323 B.C

>

>

> Rama-Seeta Married 7th April 7307 B.C

>

>

> Rama Exiled 29th November 7306 B.C.

>

>

> Hanuman enters Lanka 1st September 7292 B.C

>

>

> Hanuman meets Seeta 2nd September 7292 B.C.

>

>

> Seetu (Bridge) built 26-30th Oct. 7292 B.C

> on the ocean

>

>

> The War begins 3rd November 7292 B.C

>

>

> Kumbhakarna is killed 7th November 7292 B.C.

>

>

> Ravana is killed by Rama 15th November 7292 B.C.

>

>

> Rama returns to Ayodhya 6th December 7272 B.C.

>

>

>

> References

> * Dr.P.V.Vartak, Vastav Ramayan in Marathi, Vedvidnyana

Mandal, Pune

>

>

>

>

>

>

> To UNSUBSCRIBE: Blank mail to vedic astrology-

 

>

> ....... May Jupiter's light shine on us .......

>

>

>

> Terms of

Service.

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