Rigveda based on astronomical references

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An examination of the chronology of Rigveda based on astronomical references using planetarium software (B. Narahari Achar, 19 April 2009)http://www.scribd. com/doc/14390717 /An-Examination- of-the-Chronolog y-of-RgVeda-

Based-on-Astronomic al-References- Using-Planetariu m-Software http://sites. google.com/ site/kalyan97/ rigveda Posted the link to the monograph of Narahari Achar. http://tinyurl. com/d23rhf Rigveda

 

An

examination of the chronology of Rigveda based on astronomical

references using planetarium software (B. Narahari Achar, 19 April 2009)Rigveda (Text in devanagari and English translation)mandala1mandala2mandala3mandala4mandala5mandala6mandala7 mandala8mandala9mandala10Griffith's translation (1889)Rigveda is

Pre-HarappanRigveda

and Sarasvati-- Hindu (Sindhu) Civilization

SARASVATI RIVER

The discovery of the ancient

courses of the Sarasvati river is the discovery of the millennium and the date

of desiccation of this great river is fundamental in providing a broad range of

dates for the Rigveda. Rigveda refers to the might of this river flowing from

the mountain to the ocean and relates to a period when the river was in full

flow, fed by the glacier waters from three sources: (1) Mt. Kailas (S’atadru),

(2) Yamuna (erstwhile Chambal river) fed by the glacier waters of Yamunotri and

(3) Tons and Giri rivers fed by the Har-ki-dun glacier complex (Rupin and

Supin) of the Bandarpunch massif (20 kms. NW of Yamunotri, in W. Garhwal, UP)

The desiccation of the river over

an extended period of about 300 years (ca. between 1700 to 1300 B.C.), is the

central cause for the migration of the peoples eastward, northward and

southward from the settlements on the banks of the Sarasvati river which had

nourished the civilization ca. 3000 to 1700 B.C. (See web: http://www.probys. com/sarasvati)

The river also binds the Rigvedic

culture and the Sarasvati-Sindhu civilization since the Sarasvati river is the

locus of over 1200 ancient archaeological settlements and sapta-sindhu is the

Rigvedic domain.

Archaeology has provided C-14

dates for the settlements on the banks of the Sarasvati river and work in

historical metallurgy has established the antiquity of the Ganeshwar mines in

Rajasthan which provided the mineral sources to sustain the bronze age

civilization.

Tritium (hydrogen isotope)

analysis of deep water samples taken by BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre)

has provided a broad spectrum dating for the waters of the Sarasvati river now

revealead as groundwater sanctuaries and aquifers. The waters range from 4000

to 8000 years Before Present (B.P.).

Glaciological studies have shown

the secular sequence of desiccation of the Sarasvati river: (1) the streams

were flowing through Markanda river; (2) the streams migrated towards the

Drishadvati river; (3) Drishadvati river migrated eastwards, linked up with

Chambal which captured the Tons river stream flowing into Sarasvati river at

PaontaSaheb (H.P.); (4) S’atadru river stream which had joined Sarasvati river

at Shatrana migrated westwards with a 90-degree turn at Ropar and ultimately

became a tributary of the Sindhu river. Glaciological studies have also showed

the existence of quartzite and metamorphic rocks in Paonta Doon valley and near

Ad Badri in Siwalik ranges attesting to the existence of the mighty Vedic

Sarasvati river which had brought in these signature rocks.

After the rise of the Himalayas,

S’atadru became the anchorage river

of Sarasvati; what is now

called Yamuna joined the Sarasvati river at PaontaSaheb. Ganga which had

emerged from Gangotri received Chambal (now Yamuna) as its tributary at Prayag,

Allahabad. An

important glaciological dating tool is the fact that each glacier can supply

waters into a major stream like the Ganga for

a period of 10,000 years. The conclusions from these earth science perspectives

are that when the Sarasvati river was in its mighy flow, it had carried the

glacier waters which are now carried by S’atadru and Yamuna.

RIGVEDIC CULTURE: SOMA

AND MAHA_VRATA

Rigvedic culture was governed by a

cooperating society among the yajn~ikas and others, both endeavouring to

generate wealth:

sama_ne

u_rve adhi sangata_sah sam ja_nate na yatante mitha-s-te te deva_na_m na

minanti vrata_nyamardhanto vasubhir-ya_ dama_na_h (RV. 7.76.5)

Being united with common people

they become of one mind; they strive together as it were, nor do they injure

the rituals of the gods, non-injuring each other they move with wealth.

(Sa_yan.a explains sama_ne u_rve as cattle --common property of all: sarves.a_m

sa_dha_ran.e go-samu_he).

The Sarasvati-Sindhu rivers

supported the cultivation of wheat and barley, as evidenced by the

archaeological finds. ( John Marshall, Mohenjo-daro and the Indus Civilization,

vol. 1, p.27) s’unam nah pha_la vi kr.santu bhu_Umim... suns_s’i_ra_

s’unam-asma_su dhattam: the ploughshare ploughing makes the food that feeds us

and with the feet cuts through the path it follows (RV. iv.57.5-7).

Many vedic people were herdsmen,

pastoralists: ja_to-yad-agne bhuvana_ vyakhyah pas.un na gopa_: agni looks upon

the people of the world as a herdsman watches his cattle. (RV. x.19.3-5).

The vedic period was a nascent

material culture: the period had weavers; the words siri_ and vayitri_ denote a

female weaver. (RV. x.71.9; PB, I.8.9); tasara is reffered to which is a

shuttle (RV. xiv.2.51). Reference to women workers engaged in weaving is

provided: tantum tatam samvayanti (RV. ii.3.6).

Like the people of the

Sarasvati-Sindhu civilization who were fire- and metal-workers, the people of

the Rigvedic culture were fire-workers par excellence. Gold (hiran.yapin. d.a_n,

hiran.yayuh) was highly valued (cf. RV. vi.47.23, vii.78.9). Divoda_sa gave

golden treasures to the r.s.i Garga. Rigveda refers to nis.kagri_va (RV.

v.19.3) which is a golden ornament on the neck and necklaces of gold reaching

down to the chest.hiran. ya (pl.) means gold ornaments (RV. 1.122.2). Gold was

smelted from the ores (PB, xviii.6.4, JB I,10) which evoke the Indian

alchemical tradition enshrined in the soma rasa, later elaborated as the

science of alchemy: rasa-va_da. In Tamil soma-man.al means, sand containing

silver ore. In Egyptian, assem means electrum; in Gypsy, somnakay means gold.

Gold was won from the river-beds: Sindhu is called the hiran.mayi_ (RV.

x.75.8); Sarasvati_ is called hiran.yavartani_ (AV. vi.61.7). [cf. the

reference to vasati_vari waters in vedic hymns related to soma, an apparent

reference to panned-gold from the Sarasvati_ river-bed.] Thanks & Regards,Sudhir SrinivasanArchitectMobile: +353-87 285 9086