Bharata” - According to Indian Astronomers

1. The day of the Guru is the Gurudivasa i.e, Thursday.

2. From that Thursday, the end of Bharat (war) and the starting of Kaliyuga are reckoned.
3. Whatever Aryabhata told earlier is different, the Yugas had gone.
4. As the Yugas had gone, so also the parts of the Yugas.

Somesvara (f.1040 CE) in his commentary take1s the expression bharatat purvam is taken as “before the commencement of (Maha)bharat (battle)”. Therefore, Bhaskara and Someswara had known the significance of the association of Bharat War with the starting of the Kaliyuga. This is further confirmed by the elaborate explanation of Suryadeva Yajvan (c.12^th cent.CE). Suryadeva Yajvan⁷ (b.1191 CE) has interpreted as meaning bharatat purvam “before Yuddhistira”:

1. Out of the four parts, three parts of Yugas have gone. After the expiry of 27 yugas, three quarter of a yuga has also gone. The 28^th yuga has come.
2. Thus, the first day is Gurudivasa i.e, Thursday. From that day onwards, the Kaliyuga starts.
3. In Bharat, the Bharatas like Yuddhistira witnessed the Thursday.
4. The heroes of the (Maha)bharat who witnessed such Thursday relinquished their royal life and started their "Mahaprastanam", the "Great Renouncement of Mundane Life".
5. Thus, the Thursday is famous as "Bharatagurudivas", the Great Thurday of Bharats or Bharat War.
6. That Thursday is also the last day of Dvaparyuga.
7. Thus, the Kalyuga starts with a Friday.

Therefore, the Indian astronomers and the commentators have consistently taken "yuga" as "Kaliyuga", Bharat as Mahabharat War or associating with Mahabharat.

Modern scholars like P. C. Sengupta⁸ (1927) and W. E. Clark⁹ (1930) have also taken the meaning of the expression bharatat purvam as “before the commencement of Mahabharat battle”.

From the literary and epigraphical evidences, it can be noticed that the usage of such concepts related to Brahmana period (c.1800-1400 BCE) and Mauryan period (300 BCE) has only been used in the astronomical works dated later period. For example, the vyatipada principle used by Aryabhatra is found in Vedanga Jyotisha of Lagadha¹⁰ (c.1400 BCE). These evidences prove the continuity of the Vedic astronomy through Siddhantic and later astronomical works.

How It is Linked with the Dates of Indian astronomers? 

The ancient Indian astronomers perhaps purposely linked the determination of their dates of birth, composition of their works, calculation of number of years elapsed, etc., based on two eras Kali and Saka. Therefore, without the significance of these two eras, the dates cannot be determined specifically.

Shastabdhanam shastardha vyatitastrashyam yugapadha|

Trayadhika vimsatirabdhastdheha mama janmanoatita||

“When sixty times sixty years and three quarter yugas (of the current yuga) had elapsed, twenty three years had then passed since by birth” (K. S. Shukla).

“Now when sixty times sixty years and three quarter Yugas also have passed, twenty increased by three years have elapsed since my birth” (P. C. Sengupta).

“I was born at the end of Kali 3600; I write this work when I am 23 years old i.e, at the end of Kali 3623" ” (T. S. Kuppanna Sastry¹¹).

Here, though only Yuga is mentioned, Kaliyuga is implied and its starting of 3102 BCE is taken for reckoning purpose. Thus, the date of Aryabhata is determined as follows:

The year of birth = 3600 – 3102 = 488 / 499 CE. This has been accepted by most of the scholars and generally accepted date. Had the commencement year 3102 BCE is a myth or not astronomical one, the year of Aryabhata cannot be historical date.

Bhaskara I in his commentary to Aryabhatiya mentions as follows (Ch.I.verse.9):

Kalpadherabdhnirodhadhayam abdharashiritiritaha:

khagnyadhriramarkarasavasurandhrenadhavaha: te cangkkairapi 1986123730 |

“Since the beginning of the current Kalpa, the number of years elapsed is this: zero, three, seven, three, twelve, six, eight, nine, one (proceeding from right to left) years. The same (years) in figures are 1986123730”.

Kalpadherabdhanirodhat gatakalaha:

khagnyadhriramarkarasavasurandhrenadhavaha: te ca 1986123730

“The time elapsed, in terms of years, since the commencement of the current kalpa is zero, three, seven, three, twelve, six, eight, nine, one (years written in figures) are 1986123730”.

Aryabhata gives the number of years elapsed since the beginning of the current yuga

= 6 Manus + 27 ¾ yugas

= 6 x 72 yugas + ¾ yugas

= 6 x 72 + 27 ¾ ) x 43,20,000 years

= (186,62,40,000 + 11,98,80,000) years

= 19,86,12,000 years.

From this, we can calculate the number of years elapsed since Bhaskara wrote his commentary

= 1986123730 –198612000 = 3730 years

= 3730 – 3102

= 628 / 629 CE.

Bhaskaracharya and others too imply Kaliyua/ era in their works as revealed through commentators, as their dates are determined with the calculations reckoning the date of starting of Kaliyuga / era as 3102 BCE.

Mahabharata and Kaliyuga

The starting of Kaliyuga has been associated with the following events¹²:

1. The end of Mahabharat war.
2. The death of Sri Krishna.
3. The deluge, which made Dwaraka, submerged.
4. Coronation of Yudhistira.
5. The renouncement of Yuddhistira.

In Indian astronomical works including Tantras and Karanas, the word yuga has been taken as Kaliyuga for calculating, illustrative and explanatory purposes. In a Tantra, the epoch is the beginning of Kaliyuga or 3102 BCE. In a Karana, any convenient epoch is selected by the astronomer.

“The Saka year (when the civil days are required) added to 3179 gives the solar years elapsed since the beginning of the Kaliyuga” (Sisyadhivrddhida -Tantra¹³ – hereinafter mentioned as ST - of Lalla.I.12).

Here, that the Saka year began 3179 after the beginning of the Kaliyuga is specifically mentioned. Moreover, in the calculation of days elapsed, solar years elapsed, Suddhi ertc., Kaliyuga is repeatedly mentioned and used for illustrations.

“…the solar months elapsed since the beginning of the Kaliyuga multiplied by 22,26,389 and divided by 21,60,0000 give the corresponding lunar months” (ST.I.15).

The commentators Bhaskara I, Somesvara, Suryadeva Yajvan and others have pointed out the relation between Mahabharata and Kaliyuga.

Mahabharata and Kali Era

The usage of Kali era by the astronomers with the Mahabharata, that too, with Mahabharat war in particular, has been consistent. Many astronomers mention Kali era and Saka era together.

“Since the birth of Brahma up to the beginning of the Saka era, 8 ½ years (of Brahma), ½ month (of Brahma), 6 Manus of the (current) day (of Brahma), 27 ¾ yugas, and 3179 years of the (current) Kali era had gone by” (Vatesvara Siddhanta¹⁴.I.10, K. S. Shukla).

Here, the number of years 3179 specifically mentioned is to obtain any year in terms of Saka, but it has been derived from the Kali era i.e, 3102 / 3101 + 78 = 3180 / 3179. As Vatesvara (c.880-960 CE) uses the notation, it is evident that even during the 9^th century it had been very popular among the astronomers and established one. He also records his year of birth in that fashion as explained below.

Kali Era and Saka Era

After Aryabhata, astronomers use the computation of years in Saka and as well as Kali Eras. The number of years to be reckoned in Saka with respect to Kali is given as 3179 and this is obtained by adding 78 to 3101 / 3102, thus, 3101 + 78 = 3179.

Thus, the Tantra directs: Navadhrirupagniyuttam mahibhujam shakendratnam gatavarshadaraham (I.4) meaning, "Add 3179 to the Saka years elapsed, the Kali years elapsed are obtained". Thus, it is evident that such method of reckoning of years in Saka Era related to Kali Era and vice versa had been in vogue before 6^th century.

Vateswara says: “When 802 years had elapsed since the commencement of the Saka era, my birth took place; and when 24 years had passed since my birth, this Siddhanta was written by me by the grace of the heavenly bodies” (I.21).

Thus, the year of birth = 802 + 78 = 880 CE and that of his work = 880 + 24 = 904 CE.

The astronomers use certain Sakas as illustrative examples in their works. For example Mallikarjuna Suri and Candesvara, an astronomer of Mitthila use 1100 and 1107 Sakas for illustrating rules.

Mahabharata and 3102 BCE

The above discussion about Kaliyuga and Kali era amply proves its astronomical importance in time reckoning. It also points to the well established date of such reckoning starting with 3102 BCE and its connection with Mahabharat. The Saka Era has also been associated with it as starting 3179 after the starting of Kali Era. The date 3102 / 3101 BCE is very often used by the epigraphists, numismatists, archaeologists, historians, astronomers and others, but, assert that Kali Era / Yuga is a myth! Therefore, the application of 3102 BCE to determine and calculate other dates should be explained properly, because, the modern scholars use the same date, but even condemn and criticize it unwittingly at many places.

That the astronomical interpretation of 3102 BCE continues with international scholars e.g, B. L. Van der waerden¹⁵ (-1996), Sepp Rothwangl¹⁶, B. N. Narahari Achar¹⁷ even today proves its continuance of its importance in the World astronomical research and studies, as now, they attribute the observation of such conjunction or planetary alignment to a non-Indian!

Roger Louis Billard¹⁸ (1922-2000) has graphically tried to show that most of the Indian astronomical works were written around c.500 CE. In fact, his scale does not go beyond 500 BCE, because that is the limit fixed for the antiquity. But, the fact is that this date has been only the date of corrections made according to the ayanamsa and other factors taking into consideration around 479 CE. Therefore, naturally, the works would appear to have written around such date. But, the original text attributed to Aryabhata and others go back to earlier period. The existence of astronomical works like Vedanga Jyotisa of Lagadha (c.1400 BCE), Suriyapannatti or Suya-prajnapti (c.300 BCE) etc., prove the fact. Similarly, B. L. Van der Waerden tried to show that the 3102 BCE calculations were worked backwards by Indian copying from the tables constructed based on Greek astronomy. He also attempted to show that the actual observation was made by a Greek around 3100 BCE and not by an Indian.

Some of the recent discussions are tabulated as follows for ready reference:

Was it a Thursday or Friday or Sunday? 

The controversy is age-old as the astronomers themselves. This is probably a confusion that has arisen in the minds of the intellectuals, because of the gap in their application of astronomical principles. However, as it has bearing on the determination of 3102 BCE and days connected, it is discussed here. Aryabhata applies the Ardharatrika system of reckoning that too specifically from Lanka. Many of his crucial verses point to actual observations made from Lanka, whereas, the later day astronomer-commentators interpret according to their positions or with reference to Ujjaini.

Brahmagupta criticizes Aryabhatra for his teaching in the above verse discussed, in which the expression bharatat purvam is mentioned. For convenience, it is reproduced as follows:

Kaho manvo da, manuyugaha: skha, gataste ca, manuyugaha: chuna ca|

Kalpadheryugapadha ga ca, gurudhivasacca, bharatat purvam||

The criticism and counter-criticism made with the gaps of 200 to 250 years each only proves the following:

1. The original texts were continuously changed and the originality of Aryabhata's system of observation, recording etc., slowly forgotten.
2. That there had been Smritis, which also had dealt with yugas, Kalpas and time reckoning.
3. Therefore, that Aryabhata only first introduced Kaliyuga concept, yuga reckoning etc., are not correct, as such principles were dealt with in Smritis also before Aryabhata.
4. The material period had been marked with critical study of astronomy and astronomical works without any political influence and disturbances.

The importance of origin of fixation of the Indian Prime Meridian at Ujjaini is to be taken into cognizance. The dating of Ujjiani with Prime Meridian goes back to 59 / 58 BCE associating with the starting of Vikrama Era. As already pointed out, the Aryabhata's observations must have taken place at Lanka, which has to be located on niraksha 0⁰ latitude i.e, equator, during his days. Though, he has been associated with Asmaka, his relation to the South has also been significant. His observations made from Lanka is in consistent with the following:

1. The observation made on 17^th / 18^th February 3102 BCE.
2. The Grand / Great Conjunction of planets.
3. Deluge occurred at some parts of the world, particularly at the Mediterranean area.
4. The destruction / catastrophe took place after a Great War.

The Popularity of the Astronomers in South and North

Bhaskara I (c.550 – 628 CE) was not heard of in the north, whereas his work had been very popular in the South. Again, the atronomy was practiced in Kerala till 18^th century from fouth century CE. Sundraraja (c.1500 CE) of Tamizhagam in his commentary on the Vakya-karana mentions Vatesa (Vatesvara) along with Aryabhata I, Lalla and other Indian astronomers. There has been claims that Aryabhata belong to Kerala, Tamilnadu and so on. In any case, the importance of South India is noticed. Incidentally, it has to be that the Kali Era reckoning starting with 3102 BCE had been famous in South India and the astronomical tables and charts of 3102 BCE taken to Europe and studied by the European scientists, astronomers and other scholars, were also from South India.

Was the date 3102 BCE attributed to Mahabharat War was an observed one or Worked Backwards? 

Of late, as more and more scholars, particularly, the astronomers started accepting the date 3102 BCE, some counterclaims are made to stress that the said date is not associated with any actual observation, but on calculations worked backwards. Then, the argument is extended as, even if such calculations were worked backwards by the Indians, the actual observation might have been made by a Greek. This is similar to the old controversy nourished by the British / European scholars earlier since 17^th century and developed by John Bentley.

John Playfair (1748-1819), a Scottish geologist and mathematician at Edinburgh University read a paper Remarks on the Astronomy of Brahmins on March 2, 1789. Mathematically, in which he proves that the calculation starting with 3102 BCE is correct. In 1797, he published another paper Observations on the Trigonometrical Tables of the Brahmins. Based on the confirmations of Bailly, Cassini and De La Place, he enumerated the following astronomical elements, to which the Indian tables and modern tables agree each other:

Even today scientific methods, statistical and empirical methods are applied to arrive at some conclusion. For example, Fred Espenak¹⁹, in his Six Millennium Catalog of Solar Eclipses (from 1999 BCE to 4000 CE), has shown that during every century interval, the number of eclipses occurred / occur varied / vary from 222 to 225, Partial eclipses from 73 to 96, Annual eclipses from 62 to 92, Total eclipses from 54 to 71 and Hybrid eclipses from 0 to 25. Such results obtained based on certain factors which in turn based on calculated from empirical fits, published observations and extrapolation values. However, he has not gone beyond 2000 BCE. Therefore, if data are obtained up to 4000 BCE, the facts about 3102 BCE can be verified. Similarly, the Conjunction could be an alignment, which could be also simulated to cross check.

Had it been an observed one, that person must have known the Mahabharat war also. Incidentally, scholars forget or ignore to note the evidence given by Aryabhata (Kalakriya.11):

Yuga varsha masa dhivasa: samam pravruttastu caitra shukladhe|

Kalo ayamnodhyanto gruhabairanumiyate cetre||

This is the next verse, in which he gives his year oif birth reckoned from the Kali. The meaning of this verse is:

“The yuga, the year, the month, and the day commenced simultaneously at the beginning of the light half of Caitra. This time, which is without beginning and end, is measured with the help of the planets and the asterisms on the Celestial Sphere”

This is repeated in Brahma-sputha-Siddhanta (i.4), Maha-Siddhanta of Aryabhata II (i.5), Siddhanta-sekhara (i.10), Siddhanta-siromani of Bhaskara II (I.i.15). Chaitra is “Thula – Vrischika”. The beginning of Yuga is defined as the time when all planets are simultaneously on the horizon at Lanka at the first point of Aries. Incidentally, Surya Siddhanta after explaining the passages of Yugas etc., clearly records that the current year bega with the light half of Caitra (Chap.IV, verse.48). Again, the starting of 3102 BCE with Caitra Shukla has been reckoning adopted by the South India school of astronomy. This is the day i.e, on the first day of Chaitra of the Prashhimathi, Lord Krishna left this world and present Kaliyuga started. Therefore, the observation of 3102 BCE conunction points tro South India, probably, in Lanka (not the present Sri Lanka), as has been asserted by Aryabhata himself. When the people of northern India and Dwaraka faced with Mahabharat War and deluge respectively, the people at Lanka at far South, must have existed and the astronomer among them noticed the Conjunction and recorded. Thus, Kali ra became famous in South India.

The Number of Verses

The so-called verse of Mahabharat has two lines. Therefore, the work has 2,00,000 lines, if one has to go by the claim that it contains 1,00,000 verses. Then, it is not at all any unbelievable or impossible act to write 2,00,000 lines. The number of verses in major works are as follows:

The reasons given by the scholars that certain verses are interpolated etc., can be grouped and are as follows:

1. Verses are repeated.
2. The same ideas / details / data are repeated.
3. The stories / narratives are childish or out of place.
4. The language used is not good.

If any work – poem, law,. Medicine or engineering is taken for critical study, we know that certain lines are repeated for understanding. Particularly, the “rules”, “axioms” etc., are repeated. Likewise, the reasons mentioned are very common in any work. Therefore, in such a voluminous work, these points mentioned are not at all mistakes, but inherent features. Even if the work is expanded with such descriptive verses, the theme is not changed or understood differently by Indians at any stage. However, the Jain and Buddhist versions of “Mahabarat” are entirely different, where, the main characters have been purposely distorted and changed topsy-turvy with ulterior motive.

Like Vedic tradition, the engaged groups and public are also recite Itihasas. The requirement of writing down in Indian context was necessitated only after the advent of alien invasions, distributed.

Much has discussed about the invention and of script in India, starting of writing in India as if they were illiterate, in spite of the existence of Vedas among them with the material and non-material evidences.

The only point of their doubt is that a single human being could not have composed or written 1,00,000 verses or 2,00,000 lines in his lifetime. This is definitely their own reflection of reality and not that of the Poet or Composer or Writer. There have been many examples, where Poets have composed lacs of verses. In Tanjavur Saraswati Mahal, a “Mahabharata” written by Madhvswami, an ardent disciple of Ramdas Swami, in Ovi-meter, Marasthi language to the extent of 1,20,000 verses is available. Besides, there have been four hand written copies of the volume. Recently, Sir Isaac Newton has been credited with writing of 50,00,000 words on different subjects. Then, he should have written 5,00,000 lines, if each sentence contains 10 words. Then, he should have composed 2,50,000 verses, had his writings been of poem of two lines! Why then one should doubt writing of one lakh verses / 2,00,000 lines? Therefore, this argument is not sustainable.

Conclusion

The date of Mahabharat and Mahabharat war in particular, has been an important event in Indian history, though, the modern scholars do not accept the historicity of it. The Indian astronomers knew “Mahabharat” and consciously recorded it, particularly, its date, as it coincides with many important events. As religious heads / gurus wanted ordinary people to understand its meaning, they gave theological meaning, astronomers wanted to give astronomical and chronological significance and recording. Without its mentioning, the history of Indian astronomy is not complete. As the Indian astronomical works had been corrected incorporating the periodical observations, certain changes have crept into the works. Therefore, the dates of such corrections cannot be taken as the dates of the original works. John Bentley earlier and Roger Billard now have attempted to project such view. This would only date the works in recent times. The unnecessary crowding of astronomers around c.500 CE appears to be artificial and not astronomical²⁰.

The dating of Kaliyuga / Era as 3102 BCE has been the sheet anchor of Indian astronomy, whether, one wants it or otherwise. Even, the scholars, who fix different dates for Mahabharat, have to depend on 3102 BCE for determining their differed dates. The Indian astronomers starting with Aryabhata to others have known the date of Mahabharat and its connection with Kali Yuga / Era and thus, their works and commentaries have been consistent. That the date 3102 BCE has been discussed by many astronomers, scientists and scholars of many fields even today proves its importance in the Indian and as well as world history.

Suggested Further Reading

Notes and References

The astronomical works referred to with the dates of Indian astronomers are given as follows:

The other sources are as follows:

1. Andrew Stirling, An Account, Geographical, Statistical and Historical of Orissa Proper or Cuttack, in Asiatic Researches, Vol.15, 1822.

…………………, Journal of Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, Vol.VI, Part-II, 1837.

Here, the chronology is traced back to Yuddhistira who ruled 3095 – 3083 BCE.

2. M. Winternitz, A History of Indian Literature, University of Calcutta, 1978, Vol.I, Part-II, p.416.

3. Fatah Singh, The Vedic Etymology, The Sanskriti - Sadan, Kota, 1952, p.177.

4. Kripa Shankar Shukla, Aryabhatiya, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, 1976. Part I (Critical Edition with Translation).

5. Prabothchandra Sengupta (Trans.), The Aryabhatiyam, The Journal of the Department of Letters in the Calcutta University, Calcutta, Vol.XVI, 1927, pp.1-56.

6. K. S. Shukla, Aryabhatiya of Aryabhata with the Commentary of Bhaskara I and Somesvara, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, 1976. Part II (Critical Edition with commentary).

7. K. V. Sarnma (Ed.), Aryabhatiyam, commentary of Suryadeva Yajvan, INSA, New Delhi, 1976 (With Introduction and Appendices).

8. P. C. Sengupta, opt.cit, p.6-7.

9. Walter Eugene Clark (Trans.), Aryabhatiya of Aryabhata, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1930.

10. T. S. Kuppanna Sastry (Trans.), Vedanga Jyotisa of Lagadha, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi.

11. T. S. Kuppanna Sastri (Ed), Mahabhaskariya of Bhaskaracarya with the Bhasya of Govindasvamin and the Super-commentary Siddhantadipika of Paramesvara, Government Oriental Manuscripts Library, Madras, 1957.

12. Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana and other astronomical works.

Venkatesh Bapuji Ketkar, Indian and Foreign Chronology with Theory, Practice and Tables, Bombay Branch of Royal asiatic society, Bombay, 1923.

13. Bina Chatterjee (Tr.), Sisyadhivrddhida Tantra of Lalla, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, 1981. Part I (Critical Edition and commentary) and Part II (Translation and Mathematical Notes).

14. K. S. Shukla, Vatesvara-Siddhanta and Gola, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi, 1985. Part I (Critical Edition with text) and Part II (Translation and Commentary.

15. B. L. Van der Waerden, The Conjunction of 3102 BCE, Centaurus, 1980, Vol.24, pp.117-131.

…………………………., The Great Year of the Greek, Persian and Hindu History of Astronomy, Archive for History of Exact Sciences, Vol.18, 1978, pp.357-384.

16. Sepp Rothwangl, 300-year-fake – Is there a Medieval 300-year-time fake?, 2000.

………………….., In Search of Acquarius, available in Website.

17. B. N. Narahari Achar, A Critical Examination of the Astronomical References in Mahabharata and Their Simulation by Planetarium Software, a presented at University of Memphis on October 2, 1991.

……………………….., Date of the Mahabharat War Based on Simulations Using Planetarium Software, a paper presented at Colloquium on the Date of Kurukshetra War Based on astronomical Data held at Bangalore on Januaruy 5^th and 6^th, 2003. Available inWebsite.

18. Roger Billard, Journal of Indian National Science academy, New Delhi.

19. Fred Espenak, Six Millenium Catalog of Solar Eclipses, (from 1999 BCE to 4000 CE), http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/Secat/Secatalog.html

20. K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, The Significance of the Year 499 CE in the Indian Astronomy, Aryabhateeya ’99, Tiruvanathapuram, 1999, p.9.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCES CONNECTING INDIA WITH OTHER CIVILIZATIONS

FROM c.4000- 3500 BCE.