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ERROR: type should be string, got "https://sites.google.com/site/kalyan972/dateofmahabharatawar\nUsing astronomical observations recorded by Veda Vyasa in the text and Planetarium software\nSee updates at Reclaiming the chronology of Bharatam\nReclaiming the chronology of Bharatam:\nNarahari Achar\nB.N.Narahari Achar had presented the date of Mahabharata war and related observed events described in the epic with extraordinary accuracy by Veda Vyasa in an international colloquium (January 2003).\nFurther researches by him have established the Mahabharata as the sheet-anchor of the history of Bharatam. The textual references (Critical edition of Bhandarkar Institute) of observed events are related to either planets or comets. In this note (July 2006), Achar establishes that some references are emphatically to comets (mentioned as such in the text itself; graha means both 'planet' and 'comet' and has to be interpreted in context). This brilliant insight resolves the centuries' old problem of apparent inconsistencies within the critical edition of the text. In fact, there are no inconsistencies. Mahabharata is astonishingly accurate, making it the most authentic historical document in human civilizational history.\nContinuing the path-breaking use of planetarium software (of the type used by NASA to launch satellites into cosmos), Achar also validates the date of Nirvana of the Buddha. This date is consistent with the Tibetan Bauddha tradition which notes that Gautama the Buddha lived in 19th century BCE. The skymaps of the 3067 and 1807 BCE map the important dates in Hindu civilization: the Great War and the Nirvana of the Buddha, respectively.\nKalyanaraman (20 July 2006).\nVyasa-Dhritarashtra Samvada\nby BN Achar\nAnnals of BORI, LXXXIV, (2003), pp 13-22).\nThis document establishes\n1) the concordance between Atharvaveda Paris'is.t.a andon to the accounts related to comets and\n2) internal consistency of astronomical observations recorded in Udyogaparvan and Bhishmaparvan.\nS. Kalyanaraman (28 July 2006).\nMahabharata as the sheet-anchor of Bharatiya Itihaasa\nS Kalyanaraman\nThe following pages describe some details of the path-breaking colloquium held in Bangalore on 5th and 6th January 2003:\nHistoricity of Mahabharata\n​ (An analysis of Dr. BN Narahari Achar's presentation by Dr. S. Kalyanaraman)\nMahabharata Planetarium Project\nOverview of the International Colloquium (together with links to papers presented)\nThe following key dates are found to be consistent with the sky inscriptions observed by Veda Vyasa:\n- Krishna's departure on Revati Sept. 26, 3067 BCE\n- Krishna's arrival in Hastinapura on Bharani Sept. 28, 3067 BCE\n- Solar eclipse on Jyeshtha amavasya Oct. 14, 3067 BCE\n- Krittika full moon (lunar eclipse) September 29, 3067 BCE\n- War starts on November 22, 3067 BCE\n(Saturn in Rohini, Jupiter in Revati)\n- Winter solstice, January 13, 3066 BCE\n- Bhishma's expiry, January 17, 3066 BCE\nMagha shukla ashtami\n- A fierce comet at Pushya October 3067 BCE\n- Balarama sets off on pilgrimage on Sarasvati\non Pushya day Nov. 1, 3067 BCE\n- Balarama returns from pilgrimage on Sravana day Dec. 12, 3067 BCE\n- On the day Ghatotkaca was killed moon rose at 2 a.m.,\nDec. 8, 3067 BCE\nThese dates, in particular the occurrence of Winter solstice which is a critical celestial event, gets corroborated by the chronology of Kaus'i_taki Brahmana which should not be far-removed from the date of S'atapatha Brahman.a which has been established by Dr. BN Narahari Achar based on the Brahmana observations that the Kritthika (Pleiades group) rose exactly at the east point (eta_ ha vai pra_cyai dis'e na cyavante: S'Br. II Kanda, Ch. 1, Br. 2,3).\nIn Kaus'i_taki Brahmana there are two statements:\nsavaima_ghasya_ma_vasya_ya_mupas'asatyadangabha_vai sannupeme (KBr. XIX,3 mukham va_ etat samvatr.sarasva yatr. pha_lguni_ paurn.ama_si_ mukhamuttare puccham pu_rve (KBr., V,1)\n[cf. S'Br. VI.2.2.18; Taittiriya Br. 1.1.2.8].\nThese observations indicate that\nthe sun reached the winter solstice at the full moon Ma_gha\nthe year was considered to be at its end at the full-moon at the star group Purva Phalguni_.\nDr. Phanindralal Gangooly notes: \"From all of which we gather that the summer solstitial colure of the earliest Brahmana period when this was the case was 3100 BCE (PC Sengupta, Age of the Brahmana, in Indian Historical Quarterly, Vol. X, No.3, 1934).\nThe vernal equinoctial colure passed through the star Rohini or Aldebaran. In the later Vedic times the sun's turning north very probably took place a fortnight earlier. The S'atapatha Brahmana says that 'some want to have a few nights more; if they want some more then they should begin the sacrifices on the night on which the moon becomes first visible before the full moon at the Phalgunis.' (S'Br. II,6.4 Br. 11).\nThese sacrifices were begun as soon as the sun turned north. It shows that the solstices had preced by about 15 degrees and that the date when this took place was 2000 BCE. The earliest Brahmana period may be called the Rohini-Phalguni_ period. Even at this time the five early luni-solar cycle was known. (pancas'a_radauyo va_ eva yajn~a iti: TBr. 2.7.11). The calendar was luni-solar in characte. The chief signals for the beginning and the end of the year were the full-moon at the U. Phalguni_ and that at the Purva Phalguni_ respectively; from which the intercalary month were detected.\" (Phanindralal Gangolly, ed., The Surya SIddhanta, a text-book of Hindu Astronomy, Delhi, Motilal Banarsidass, first edn. 1860, repr. Delhi 1989,\nIntroduction, pp. xxxv-xxxvi).\nS. Kalyanaraman\nHistoricity of Mahabharata;\nDiscovery and Rebirth of\nRiver Sarasvati\nSarasvati is ground-truth. So is Mahabharata an account of the ancient history of Bharat. The dating of this epic is fundamental in establishing the historical chronology of ancient Bharatiya Itihaas.\nVeda Vyasa who wrote the Mahabharata observed the sky inscriptions from the banks of River Sarasvati. The epic describes a pilgrimage of Balarama (elder brother of Krishna) from Dwaraka-Somnath(Prabhas Patan) to Mathura along the banks of River Sarasvati in 200 shlokas in the S'alya Parvan.\nThis date of Mahabharata War is crucial in determing the chronologies in the ancient history of Bharat since many epigraphs and inscriptions with a historical import, refer to time-reckoning based on the starting date of Kaliyuga which is close to the date of the Mahabharata War.\nDating Mahabharata events using astronomical references\nUsing a set of modern technology tools such as Planetarium Software (Sky Map Pro 5, Red Shift), Panchanga Software compiled by a Japanese professor to produce the equivalence between Kaliyuga dates and dates of the Christian era, Dr. Narahari Achar has tried to authenticate the accuracy of observations made by Veda Vyasa in the Mahabharata.\nIn the epic, Veda Vyasa himself says that day in and day out he is watching the planetary positions on the skies. His recording of over 70 such planetary events are almost like a record of celestial inscriptions within the text. These celestial events are used to date the events which occurred on the banks of River Sarasvati -- events which are described in the epic poem. Since the planets on the sky and the celestial events are remarkably accurate and follow a precise pattern of cyclical movements, to a rhythm of time, the determination of planetary positions as observed by Veda Vyasa will help determine the date of events described in detail in the shlokas of Mahabharata.\nIn the past, many scholars have attempted to arrive at the date of the war based on one or two celestial events mentioned in the text. But, the contribution made by Dr. Narahari Achar is unique in that he tries to find a series of dates which is consistent with almost ALL the 150 plus astronomical references contained in the text.\nAkhila Bharateeya Itihaasa Sankalana Yojana has published a reference work by Shriram Sathe as a compendium of astronomical references in the Mahabharata. This work has provided the basis for this International Colloquium.\nIn a paper presented at the international colloquium held in Bangalore on Jan. 5 and 6, 2003 and organized by Akhila Bharatiya Itihasa Sankalana Yojana, Mythic Society and Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts Southern Chapter, Dr. Achar conclusively proves that the observed celestial events on the sky, observed by Veda Vyasa were based on a variety of observations:\n1. Lunar-solar-lunar eclipse sequence occurring within a period of one month and one lunar-solar eclipse sequence occurring within just 13 tithi-s;\n2. A comet (Haley's comet) is observed on the sky;\n3. Bhishma waits for the uttarayana punya kaala (winter solstice) and ashtami tithi to arrive before his soul departs from the mortal body;\n4. Karna describes to Krishna the observatin of unusual planetary conjunctions -- almost all the seven planets coming together;\n5. Balarama's pilgrimage starts on a particular tithi and nakshatra and ends after 42 days on a particular tithi and nakshatra. All such observations are found by Dr. Narahari Achar to be consistent with only one date: about 3000 BCE, i.e. about 5000 years ago. No other date matches so consistenly with all the astronomical observations or, what may be called, celestial inscriptions.\nThis finding is historic and constitutes a watershed in our understanding of chronology in ancient itihasa of Bharat.\nFirstly, it establishes the historic authenticity of Mahabharata as a sheet anchor of Bharatiya Itihas.\nSecondly, Veda Vyasa should have recorded only observed celestial events when he provides precise astronomical details in the text. The observations should have been made from the banks of River Sarasvati close to Kurukshetra. Dr. Narahari Achar reconstructs the skies as seen by Veda Vyasa from this location close to Kurukshetra.\nThirdly, together with the scientific discovery of the River Sarasvati in north-west Bharat as ground-truth and not a myth, it is possible to state with authenticity that the modern history of Bharat begins with the historic document, the Mahabharata and the War which occurred on the banks of River Sarasvati.\nFourthly, Balarama's pilgrimage along the banks of River Sarasvati as described in 200 shlokas of Salya Parva of the Mahabharata was a historic event and provides a geographical account of northern Bharat.\nFifthly, the history of modern Bharat begins from about 3000 BCE, that is, from the Kaliyuga which is reckoned from this date, according to Bharatiya Kala Ganana.\nSixthly, there is no historic document in human history which records historical events with such astonishing accuracy, to the last tithi and nakshatra.\nSeventhly, this demonstrates the remarkable astronomical knowledge possessed by the rishis of Bharata, exemplified by Veda Vyasa as early as 5000 years ago and establishes Jyotisha which was evolved in Bharata, as an early astronomical scientific discipline.\nThus, using modern astronomy computer-based software tools, it is now possible to state that Mahabharata of Veda Vyasa is the earliest recorded history of Bharat and the modern history spans from over 5000 years of continuous, indigenous civilization. The chronology of Bharatiya Itihas should be reconstructed from this date and based on this historical document, and need not be based on foreign travellers' accounts or theories propounded by western indologists.\nIt is proposed to transport this presentation onto Planetaria in many cities of the country and abroad; the presentation will show Veda Vyasa's text juxtaposed to the celestial inscriptions. This will be an effective means of popularising jyotisha and itihas, i.e. by reaching the research findings in Bharatiya Itihas to a large number of school children and scholars all over the world and promoting further studies in Mahabharata as a sheet-anchor of Bharatiya Itihas. Hopefully, the findings will also be recorded on CD's and distributed to all schools as part of the value-based revised curricula.\nBrief introduction of Dr. S. Kalyanaraman and his lecture-Power-point presentation:\nThe rebirth of River Sarasvati by using the waters of River Sutlej, River Beas and River Sharada (called Mahakali-Karnali in Nepal) is ongoing together with the development of the river basin as a world heritage basin. This has been the catalyst for the project to network Himalayan and Peninsular rivers of the country to solve the twin problems of frequent floods in some parts of the country and recurrent drought situations in other parts of the country. The work of the National Water Development Agency, Min. of Water Resources with 200 engineers who have worked for the last 20 years to prove the feasibility of these links almost entirely by gravity flows is a magnificent engineering project linking Brahmaputra- Ganga- Subarnarekha- Mahanadi-Godavari-Krishna-Pennar-Palar-Cauvery-Vaigai-Vaippar-Gundar-Tamraparni to ensure equitable distribution of water resources in the country mainly fed from the glacier sources.\nThe civilization which was nurtured on the banks of the river constituted the substratum of the Sarasvati-Sindhu (earlier called Indus Valley) Civilization dated to between circa 5500 to 3500 years Before Present. With the desiccation of the river, there were migrations eastward towards the Ganga-Yamuna doab, southwards towards the Godavari and western coastline, westwards towards Gandhara in the present-day Afghanistan. The neolithic cultures which are evidenced by the recent finds of the Gulf of Khambat Cultural Complex blossomed from a maritime culture into a riverine culture and emerged from chalcolithic to bronze age and the consolidation of the cultural traditions which are present in almost every facet of the heritage cherished all over Bharat and exemplify the cultural unity of the country from Mt. Kailas to Kanyakumari, from Somnath to Gawuhati. The civilization was most extensive and extended from Ropar in Punjab to the Tigris-Euphrates valley (Mesopotamian civilization area), from Caucus mountains to Daimabad on the banks of Godavari.\nThe discovery of the courses of Vedic River Sarasvati traversing a distance of 1,600 kms. from Manasarovar (Mt. Kailas) to Gujarat is an unparalleled discovery in the history of human civilization. Carrying the waters of River Sutlej and River Yamuna, the mighty river had drained most of North-west Bharat for thousands of years prior to 3500 year Before Present (i.e. prior to 1500 BCE).\nThe causes for the desiccation of the river have been established: tectonic events of the type which hit Bhuj in Gujarat on 26 Jan. 2000 which are plate tectonics (clash of Deccan Plate with the Eurasian Plate) resulted in river migrations and disappearance of the river into underground channels in many stretches. River Yamuna migrated eastward circa 4500 years Before Present (i.e. 2500 BCE) and River Sutlej migrated westward circa 3500 years Before Present (i.e. 1500 BCE) leaving the River Sarasvati entirely dependent upon monsoon waters of the Siwalik ranges, depriving her of the glacier waters of the Himalayas.\nRiver Yamuna captured the waters of River Sarasvati at Paonta Saheb (Himachal Pradesh), near a yamuna tear in the Himalayas, and carried them to join with Ganga at Prayag (Allahabad) thus establishing the ground-truth of what is referred to in Bharatiya tradition as Triveni Sangamam where a kumbhamela is held every 12 years.\nThe discovery of the ancient channels which were as wide as 6 kms. over the entire distance has been substantiated by analyses of satellite imagery and by studies done by atomic scientists of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai (tritium analysis).\nThe tritium analysis was done in the wake of the Pokaran hydrogen-bomb blasts which occurred on 11 May 1998 to ensure that there has been no nuclear contamination of the ground-water aquifers. The most emphatic evidence that Sarasvati is not a myth but ground-truth came from archaeology of the last 50 years. Out of over 2,600 archaeological sites of the so-called Indus Valley Civilization, as many as 2,000 (i.e 80%) of the site are found on the banks of the River Sarasvati which flowed 300 kms. east of the River Sindhu. There are very large sites on this River banks: Rakhigarhi, Lakhmirwala, Bhatinda, Ganweriwala, each of which is larger than either Harappa or Mohenjodaro.\nThere are also culturally vibrant sites such as Ropar, Kunal, Kalibangan, Kotdiji, Dholavira, Surkotada, Lothal, Rangapura, Rojdi, Padri, Dwaraka attesting to the maritime-riverine nature of the indigenous origins and evolution of the civilization. The cultural traits found in this civilization continue into the historic periods of Bharat and are present even today in the cultural mosaic of the nation.\nSome examples are: finds of shiva linga at Harappa (dated to 4,500 years BP), finds of 50 seals and copper plate inscriptions carrying the swastika glyph, find of a burial site of a woman at Mehergarh dated to 6500 BCE (i.e. 8500 BP) with a wide bangle and ornaments made of s'ankha (turbinella pyrum); this s'ankha is a Rs.5 crore industry even today in the coastline of Bharat particularly in Gulf of Mannar and Gulf of Khambat; find of a terracotta image of a woman wearing red sindhu on the parting of her hair; find of a statuette of a priest wearing angavastram as it is worn even today by priests in Bharat; find of polished stone pillars at Dholavira like the stone pillars found in many architectural monuments all over Bharat; find of a rock-cut reservoir and a pushkarini at Dholavira and Mohenjodaro, like the pushkara-s which are present in many tirthasthana-s of the country; find of boat and cart similar to those used even today in the region.\nThe use of copper plate inscriptions continued into the historicla periods within the country. Such is the uniqueness of the River Sarasvati that there are 72 r.ca-s in the R.gveda adoring the river; one Rishi Grtsamada calls her ambitame, naditame, devitame sarasvati: i.e. best of mothers, best of rivers and best of godesses. There is only one reference to River Ganga in this document attesting to the fact that the oldest human document, the R.gveda was composed on the banks of the River Sarasvati. The vedic dharma and vrata traditions and the agama traditions which have their roots in the river basin, continue in the cultural mosaic of the nation.\nSuch a great river got desiccated which led to migrations of people eastwards towards the ganga-yamuna doab, westwards towards Gandhara, southwards hugging the coastline. Thus, it is conclusively established that the roots of bharatiya civilization were indigenously evolved and there were only contacts with neighbouring civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Caucasus for trade. This is attested by the finds of decimal series of weights used in the civilization also used in the Persian Gulf sites. A cuneiform cylinder seal found in Mesopotamia depicts a Meluhha merchant visiting a royal personage in Mesopotamia accompanied by his wife carrying a kamandalu. It is generally accepted that Meluhha referred to the Sarasvati-Riverine-Maritime civilization area.\nThe projects for reviving this river using check-dams and watershed management techniques to harvest the monsoon waters of Shivalik ranges, have started to ensure the availability of water in River Sarasvati from Adh Badri to Sirsa all the year round. With the dams on Sutlej (Bhakra and Nangal) and on Beas (Pong) providing the waters at the Harike reservoir, a Rajasthan Canal (also called Sarasvati Mahanadi Roopa Nahar) has transformed the desert areas into fertile lands over a stretch of 650 kms. Projects are ongoing to extend the Sarasvati Canal beyond Gedra Road (Barmer Dist.) upto Rann of Kutch. By augmenting this canal with the glacier waters of Mahakali-Karnali (Nepal) - Sharada (Bharat) which will be transferred across Yamuna, the Reborn Sarasvati will flow upto River Sabarmati.\nDr. B.N. Narahari Achar is a Professor in the Department of Physics, University of Memphis, USA. He obtained his Ph.D.in 1968 from Pennsylvania State University. His researches are in Theoretical solid state physics and in ancient tradition of Vedanga Jyotisha. He has published a number of papers in academic and scientific journals on the use of modern astronomical techniques for validating the astronomical references contained in the ancient texts of Bharat. He has reviewed over 150 years of scholarly works related to dating Mahabharata with particular reference to over 70 astronomical references contained in the Mahabharata itself. He has found a way to simulate the planetary positions on the skies and to validate the accuracy or otherwise of conflicting dates arrived at by scholars for the date of the Mahabharata War.\nDr. S. Kalyanaraman was a Senior Executive in the Asian Development Bank between 1978 and 1995 responsible for a disbursement portfolio of US Dollars 60 billion and world-wide information systems network of the Bank. Earlier he was a member of the Indian Railway Accounts Service and Chief Controller of Accounts, Karnataka Electricity Board.\nHe has compiled a multi-lingual comparative dictionary of 25 ancient Indian languages. He has set up a web-site on River Sarasvati and Civilization at http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati with over 30,000 files.\nHis presentation focussed on River Sarasvati, Civilization, Rebirth of River Sarasvati and National River Network Project. The discovery of Vedic River Sarasvati is a historic event unparalleled in the history of human civilization. The river is not a myth but is ground-truth and had drained in North-west Bharat over a distance of 1,600 kms. from Manasarovar, Mt. Kailas to Gujarat (Somnath, Prabhas Patan). The discovery has been made through analyses of satellite images, archaeological discoveries of over 2,000 archaeological sites on the banks of the river, tritium analysis by atomic scientists and geomorphological/glaciological studies.\nThe causes for the desiccation of this great river has also been established as due to plate tectonics and consequent river migrations over a period of 1000 years between 4500 to 3500 years Before Present. Projects have been started to make this river flow again. The river nurtured the civilization of Bharat on its banks and in the coastal areas surrounding Gujarat with emphatic evidences of indigenous evolution and continuity of culture in the historic periods of Bharat thus constituting the roots of Bharatiya Civilization\nThe objective is to demonstrate that over 70 sky inscriptions mentioned by Veda Vya_sa in the Mahabha_rata are remarkably scientific dates of the War. This demonstration will be presented in Planetaria all over the world simulating the skies as seen from Kurukshetra by Veda Vya_sa using astronomical computational software. This will validate the Maha_bha_rata as a historical document, a sheet-anchor of the modern history of Bharat which commences in 3012 BCE (Before Common Era, according to the Gregorian Calendar).\nFrom 22nd to 24th November, 2002 a national seminar was organized on History of India through Vedic Astronomy under the patronage of Dr. N. Mahalingam. On 5 and 6 January 2003, a colloquium will be held in Bangalore under the auspices of the Yojana, the Mythic Society and Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts Southern Regional Chapter on Date of Mahabharata using only astronomical references. Dr. Narahari Achar will be presenting his findings together with scientists and scholars.\nDr. Ramasubramanian, Professor of Theortetical Physics in University of Madras made a brilliant presentation on the purpose, and methodology of Indian Astronomy.\nI mentioned in the seminar about the path-breaking work done by Dr. Narahari Achar of Universit of Memphis, USA, validating, (using Planetarium Software, Sky Pro and Red Shift Sky computer software), Prof. Srinivasa Raghavan’s computations (using Vedanga Jyotisha, in 1979) on the astronomical references mentioned in the Mahabharata.\nDr. Sabaratnam and Shri V. Sundaram also associated with Dr. Mahalingam had arranged for a visit to the planetarium in Chennai. The director of the Birla planaterium, Dr. Ayyan Perumal mentioned during their presentation of the Haley’s Comet’s history that the planetarium has software which can reconstruct the inscriptions on the skies upto 26,000 years Before Present.\nThe proposed project\nNow, the idea is this. We will organize a team of young scholars to work with the Birla Planetarium, under the guidance of Dr. Ramasubramanian to make a presentation in the Planetarium demonstrating the inscriptions on the skies around circa 3000 BCE.\nWe have the textual references from the critical edition of the Mahabharata (Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute).\nReading selected inscriptions on the sky\nWe have the selected inscriptions on the sky as demonstrated by Prof. Srinivasa Raghavan (using Vedanga Jyotisha computations).\nWe have Dr. Narahari Achar's demonstration and reading of these inscriptions, using computer simulation of the planetarium with reference to the dates (tithi, naksatra), planetary positions, Haley’s comet (dhu_ma ketu) and lunar-solar-lunar solar eclipse sequences occurring in two paks.a-s (one sequence occurring within 13 tithi-s). For example, the selected inscriptions relate to: Balarama’s start date of pilgrimage on River Sarasvati and return date; the day of beginning of the war; the date of injury to Bhishma on the 10th day of the war; the date of Uttara_yan.a (i.e. Bhishmashtami on ma_gha s’ukla which occurs after 58 days from the date of injury since Bhishma waits for the winter solstice to arrive); the planetary positions during the war as reported by Karna to Krishna; the occurrences of lunar-solar-lunar eclipse sequences; and the passing of the Haley’s comet on the skies.\nSimulating the sky as seen by Veda Vya_sa (from Kurukshetra, on the banks of River Sarasvati)\nA further demonstration of the planetarium with reference to these selected inscriptions on the sky can be made by using the Birla Planetarium facilities and the guidance of astronomers in the Planetarium and Dr. Ramasubramanian.\nThe idea is to display the texts in Sanskrit with translations which describe the events on the sky.\nThis display will be done together with the demonstration of actual positions of the planets, Haley’s comet, lunar-solar eclipses and the corresponding dates of the Gregorian calendar and Kaliyuga_bda.\nWe have a general idea of the advances made in computational software to go beyond 5000 years Before Present and also the limitations which have to be overcome to achieve greater reliability in computations by providing corrections, for example, for manda-gati ans s’i_ghra-gati of some planets and nakshatras.\nOnce the Birla Planetarium, Chennai, comes up with this programme, it can be replicated in planetaria all over the world demonstrating the historicity of the Mahabharata and the use of the sky inscriptions for treating this text as the sheet-anchor of the modern history of Bharat.\nSARASVATI NADI SHODH PRAKALP\nAKHIL BHARATIYA ITIHAASA SANKALANA YOJANA\n26/3 Vishali, Temple Avenue, Srinagar Colony, Saidapet, Chennai 600015\nTel. 2350557; Fax. 4996380 kalyan97@yahoo.com\nThe links:\nA Mahabharata Planetarium Project has been proposed by Dr. S. Kalyanaraman.\nMahabharata as the sheet-anchor of bharatiya itihasaDr. S. Balakrishna (NASA, USA) Two eclipses in thirteen days prior to Mahabharatha War\nProf. B.N. Narahari Achar (Dept. of Physics, University of Memphis, USA) The Date of Mahabharatha War based on simulation using Planetarium Software\nDr. S. Kalyanaraman (Sarasvati Nadi Shodh Prakalp, Chennai) Date of Mahabharatha War with reference to Bhishmashtami\nSri K.V. Ramakrishna Rao (Chennai) The Date of Mahabharatha based on Indian Astronomical WorksDr. S. R. Rao (Bangalore) Archaeological Evidence for Dating Kurukshetra War\nDr. Shambhu Shastry (Franklin, USA) and Dr. Venkateswar Reddy (Sunnyvale, USA) Natural Cycles in the Solar System and the Chaturyuga Cycles\nProf. Mohan Gupt (Ujjain University) The Date of Mahabharatha War: Puranic and Astronomical Evidence\nInternational Colloquium on the date of the Kurukshetra War, based on astronomical data\nheld in Bangalore on 5 and 6 January 2003,\norganized by Mythic Society, Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts and Babasaheb Apte Smaraka Samiti Trust, Akhila Bharatiya Itihasa Sankalana Yojana.\nOver 200 scholars and scientists participated in the deliberations which included presentation of well-documented and well-researched papers/power-point presentations with sky maps, by scholars from Bharat and from USA.\nBackground and Executive Summary\nThe colloquium was made possible by the critical edition of the text of the Mahabharata compiled by scholars of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute headed by the late Dr. Sukthankar.\nDr. Raja Ramanna, noted nuclear scientists inaugurated the colloquium. The colloquium included lectures on many facets of the use of jyotisha and bharatiya scientific tradition by Dr. KP Pandurangi, Dr. Suryanath Kamath, Prof. MKLN Shastri, Dr. SR Rao, Dr. BV Subbarayappa, Dr. A. Sundara, Dr. Nagaraju, Dr. M.A. Narasimhan, Dr. K.I. Vasu, Dr. Ramasubramanian.\nThe consensus reached in the colloquium was that there were over 150 astronomical references in the critical edition which could be classified by types of celestial events observed and recorded. The sky inscriptions or celestial epigraphs included:\nplanetary/constellation positions on dates of specific events related to the war and\nstarting nakshatra and ending nakshatra of the pilgrimage of Balarama along the River Sarasvati (described in the shalya parva),\nthe injury to Bhishma and his passing away on the winter solstice day on shukla ashtami tithi in Rohini,\nposition of S'ani in Rohini,\noccurrence of a solar eclipse on jyeshtha and an eclipse season of three eclipses in one month with a solar eclipse occurring between two lunar eclipses and the latter sequence of solar eclipse-penumbral lunar eclipse occurring within 13 tithis (a rare celestial event indeed),\nrecorded events of meteor showers and\noccurrence of comets (possibly including the Haley's comet mahaaghoraa) during the war which lasted 18 days.\nMahabharata is a historical document\nIt was also noted that the celestial inscriptions or sky epigraphs were observed events, observed by Veda Vyasa from the banks of River Sarasvati in the Kurukshetra region. This has been validated by the references to the mighty river in the Mahabharata. Recent scientific researches have established that the River Sarasvati of Vedic times and of the days of the epic was not a myth but a geo-physical reality as mentioned in the texts and has been established as ground-truth. [ http://www.hindunet.org/saraswati ]\nThus, the Mahabharata constitutes a historical document with a wealth of geographical, geophysical information and vivid pictures of the society and political institutions of the times (such as janapadas involved in nation-building), in continuation of the Vedic traditions which refer to Bha_ratam Janam. The consensus was that the determination of the dates of the war should be based on establishing the consistency of ALL the astronomical references contained in the text to make it a useful reference date for chronologies in ancient bharatiya itihaasa.\nMahabharata is sheet anchor of\nmodern Itihaasa\nAgainst this backdrop of consensus, scholars reached further consensus that the Mahabharata was a sheet anchor of the modern history of Bharat. Areas for further were identified as:\nthe concept of yuga and mahayuga\nknowledge of comets among ancient Bharatiya scientists\nthe need for compiling a critical edition of the Mahabharata astronomical references based on all variant readings and excluded verses listed as annexes in the Critical Edition and including the commentaries of Vadiraja and Nilakhantha and Madhvacharya's Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya\nfurther investigation of the reference to the occurrence of the war during night also on the 14th day of the war\ncompilation and research on astronomical references in the Vedas, Puranas and other astronomical texts.\nThus, the use of modern tools of planetaria software and satellite image analyses will help in re-writing of bharatiya itihaasa and reinforce the historicity of the great epics as basic reference documents for itihaasa, in terms of both kaalaganana and geography.\nParticipants of the Colloquium and their papers/presentations:\nDr. S. Balakrishna (NASA, USA)\nTwo eclipses in thirteen days prior to Mahabharatha War\nProf. B.N. Narahari Achar (Dept. of Physics, University of Memphis, USA)\nThe Date of Mahabharatha War based on simulation using Planetarium Software\nDr. S. Kalyanaraman (Sarasvati Nadi Shodh Prakalp, Chennai)\nDate of Mahabharatha War with reference to Bhishmashtami\nSri K.V. Ramakrishna Rao (Chennai)\nThe Date of Mahabharatha based on Indian Astronomical Works\nDr. S. R. Rao (Bangalore)\nArchaeological Evidence for Dating Kurukshetra War\nDr. Shambhu Shastry (Franklin, USA) and Dr. Venkateswar Reddy (Sunnyvale, USA)\nNatural Cycles in the Solar System and the Chaturyuga Cycles\nJai Shukra (Venus), Bless us Lord Shukra, bless us today Friday your day with your Bright Shinning Light. Lord of the Tantric's, Guru to the Assura's, Lord of Love, of Beauty, of Shukra.\nJai Shukra\nLORD SHUKRACHARYA.\nEach day of the week has a special significance and is apportioned to one or more Hindu gods or goddesses with folklore surrounding them. Vrats, fasting and observance of religious rituals are dedicated to the a particular god in the Hindu pantheon to appease Him or her. You see, ancient sages used observances such as these to spread the awareness of different gods. They would look into all aspects of life to introduce divinity in some way. Fasting and other rituals pave the path of the divine for the devotees to realize god, which is considered the sole purpose of human existence.\nNAVAGRAHAS represents the nine celestial influencers in Vedic Astrology. The seven days are named after the celestial bodies of our solar system - the Sun, Moon and the planets. Apart from these, mention should be made here of Rahu and Ketu, the two nodes of the Moon - the north and the south, the points of intersection of the paths of the Moon and the Sun. Lunar eclipses occur when the Moon and the Sun are at Rahu or Ketu. So, Navagraha comprises of 1.Surya –Sun; 2.Chandra –Moon; 3. Mangala –Mars; 4.Budha –Murcury; 5. Brihaspati –Jupiter; 6. Shukra –Venus; 7. Shani –Saturn; 8.Rahu and 9.Ketu.\nShukra is charming, has a splendors physique, is excellent or great in disposition, has charming eyes, is a poet, is phlegmatic and windy and has curly hair, says the sage Parasara. ‘Shukra’ means white bright or semen. Shukracharya is pulled by eight flaming horses. His consort is Dwarjaswini.\nShukra is rajasik in nature. He is an embodiment of love and a benefic planet and governs refined attributes, romance, beauty, sensuality, passion, comforts, luxuries, jewelry, wealth, art, music and dance. The spring season and bedroom serenity and sex-life is said to be Shukra’s domain.\nShukra is a karaka or indicator of spouse, love and marriage. When Shukra’s sight is strong, it brings wealth, comfort, attraction to the opposite sex in early part of life. It makes its natives tender, gentle and considerate. They are lovers of jewelry, sour taste, white dresses, decorations, perfumes, tasty foods and fine arts.\nMYTHOLOGY: In Hindu mythology, Venus is known as Shukra. He is the son of the great seer Bhrigu and Usha. Bhrigu was an astrologer and taught Shukran all the spiritual sciences and scriptures. He becomes the teacher of the asuras due to enmity towards Brahaspati-Jupiter. In his position as preceptor of the antigods, Shukra prays to Lord Shiva to learn the art of brining on to life after they are killed in battle. This mantra of immortality is called Sanjivi Vidya.\nAsuras are the demonic aspect of the divine and locked in eternal battle with the Devas. The asuras-Shukra alliance gives the asuras an unfair advantage. So Brihaspati, the guru of the Devas, sends his son Kaca to study under Shukra. Kaca means brightness. There must be a love story somewhere for excitement so you have it! Shukra has a beautiful daughter by the name of Devayani. Her name means ‘way to the Gods’. She is attracted to Kaca and it is mutual. The asuras learn of this and kill him. Devayani goes running to the father and Shukra chants the immortality mantra to revive Kaca. The asuras kill him again and Kaca comes back to life. The asuras were undeterred. This time around they kill him, grind the corpse into fine powder and add to Shukra’s wine. He drinks it. With Devayani grieving again, Shukra chants the mantra only to get a stomach ache. Kaca speaks to the would-be father in law from inside him!\nThe asuras are happy that Kaca has been done for but it was not to be the case. Sukra reveals the mantra of immortality to Kaca internally.Then Kaca tears out from Shukra’s body. He then repeats the mantra to revive Shukra. This is the reason given for wine prohibition ‘which may cause stomach ache.’ But then on the other side Goddess Kali likes wine offering for Her reasons also but that is another matter!\nDEVI BHAGAVATA PURANA: Shukra is said to be the Bhargava rishi of the Atharvan descendent of sage Kavi. He was born on Sraavana Suddha Ashtami when Swati nakshtra is on ascent. He went to study the Vedas under rishi Angirasa but impeded by the guru’s favoritism towards his son Brihaspati. Then Shukra studies under Gautama rishi and performs penance to Lord Shiva for the Sanjivi mantra. He marries Priyavrata’s daughter Urjaswathi. They have four sons, Chanda, Amarka, Tvastr, Dharaatra and daughter Devayani. Brihaspati becomes guru of devas and Sukracharya to the Asuras. In this Purana, Deyanani is rejected by Kaca, Brihaspati’s son and marries Yayati who found the Kuru dynasty. Yayati is a Kuru king and the son of king Nahusha, ancestor of the Pandavas. So, the wine story is missing here!\nSUKRAVARAM. Friday or Shukravar is dedicated to Shakti. Mother Goddess Durga and Kali are worshipped with utmost devotion. Shree Shuktam or Durga Chalisa is recited during the prayers. Prayers are individual and regional so sometimes one has Goddess Lakshmi or Santhoshi Mata Arati also. Santhosi Maa is an incarnation of Shakti. Kali Arati is also common.\nShukravar fasting begins at sunrise and ends with sunset and devotees wear white dress and partakes in the evening meal that consists of white-colored food like 'kheer' or 'payasam' a dessert made of milk and rice. In Bengal and elsewhere in India importance is attached to the 'Solah Shukravar Vrats.' This is fasting for consecutive 16 Fridays dedicating it to Santoshi Mata, where a devotee fasts for 16 consecutive Fridays. Sour food is avoiding in this vrat. Goddess Santoshi Mata grants devotees any wish or desire if she is amply satisfied with the purity of their devotion. Lord Shukra provides happiness and material wealth and the period of Shukra in the devotees' astrological chart is considered to be most productive and lucky.\nZODIAC: Venus or Shukra rules Friday and is considered to be effective worship of Shukra. He is the Lord of Tula. Shukra takes one year to complete the zodiac cycle living one month in each Rasi.\nSHUKRA MANTRA: \"Om Dram Dreem Draum Sah Shukraya Namah\"\n\"Om Shum Shukraya Namah\"\nSHUKRA GAYATRI MANTRA\nOm Aswadhwajaaya Vidmahe\nDhanur hastaaya dheemahi\nTanno shukra prachodayaat\nNAVAGRAHA SHUKRA MANTRA\n\"Himkundmrinaalaabham Daityaanam Paramam Gurum\nSarvashastrapravaktaram Bhargavam Pranmaamyaham\"\nMeaning : I bow down to Shukra who is as white and fair as snow and who is the teacher of daithyas who are the enemies of Gods and who is knowledged of all scriptures.\nHara Hara Mahadeva\n(draft Navagrahas: Gods, Goddesses, Minor deities and Sages)\nby Yogi Ananda Saraswati :)\nwww.themysticeye.weebly.com"