For long I didn't take seriously the book on
Mahabharata dating by Nilesh Nilkanth Oak, precisely because I
thought no one would take him seriously, particularly his proposition
that Arundhati, the icon of pativratātva, transgressed her
limits and went ahead of her husband Vasishtha in their celestially
representative stardom in the constellation of Big Dipper. But times are such
that not many know the value system epitomized by Arundhati and the
various other concepts ingrained in our scriptures. It appears that not many
don't even know that we do keep following a scientific calendar system
that is computed right from the beginning of Kali Yuga that started 5120 years
ago. Thirty five years before that Mahabharata war had happened.
In an atmosphere of absence of knowledge of even the basic features of our culture, I find the youth of today getting excited over the thought of long past for Vedic India and modern software being put into use to establish the past. But they should not be fed with faulty understanding of texts and concepts and mindless use of simulation for establishing the meaning of even scriptural concepts. Motivated by this factor I ventured into exposing the numerous errors and mistakes in Nilesh Oak's understanding of Mahabharata and his notion of the NON-EXISTENT Epoch of Arundhati.
This venture taken with the aim of transference from Tamas to Jyoti, seeks to achieve three-in-one over all - (1) busting the myth of Epoch of Arundhati, (2) establishing the traditional date of Mahabharata corroborated in a scientific and logical way and (3) establishing the fact that Skanda was the initiator of the first ever Vedic Homa heralding the Vedic culture thereby making irrelevant both the AIT and Tamil separatism.
Of these the busting of the Epoch of Arundhati
achieves twin objectives of demolishing both Mahabharata and Ramayana dates of
Nilesh Oak. Oak has made this 'Epoch' fundamental to his 'research' saying that
the 'Epoch' forms the limits of the dates of these two Epics. According to him
this 'Epoch' had run for more than 6000 years, from 11091 BCE to 4508
BCE. He has placed the date of Mahabharata war within this period, in 5561
BCE and Ramayana before this period. He claims that Ramayana did not take place
any time after 10,000 BCE and Mahabharata did not take place anytime after
4,500 BCE.
By demolishing the very concept of the "Epoch" which I have done in this book, both the dates of Nilesh Oak stands demolished. This is a must-read book for everyone, for I have shown why Oak is wrong for placing Mahabharata in this Epoch and thereby pulling the start of Kaliyuga also to 2000 years before the established date.
This book titled "Myth of The Epoch of
Arundhati of Nilesh Nilkanth Oak" can be read here:
The cover illustration and the date of Kali Yuga
(Gregorian) by deriving the correct ayanamsa and by aligning the Year, month,
tithi, star and week day are also given below. Following that, the complete
list of contents of this book is furnished.
Book cover
Kali Yuga start date.
Contents
Introduction
- The knotty issue of Arundhati
observation
1.
No test of elimination of other
descriptions of Arundhati
2.
Nimitta (Omen) nature of Arundhati
observation
3.
Not testing traditional Nimitta
concepts.
4.
Personal bias coming in the way of
research
5.
Non-acceptance of astrology amounts to
rejection of Vedanga.
- Astronomy simulator, the only
methodology of research
- Circumpolarity of
Arundhati-Vasishtha
- Voyager- Simulation Nyaya
- Analogies as astronomy
positions
- Analogy Nyaya
- Manipulations and lack of
fundamental knowledge
- Plan of the critique
1.
Symbolism of Arundhati
- Arundhati – an icon of third
Purushartha.
1.
Marriage vow of firmness in the name of
Arundhati
2.
The established position of Arundhati as
follower of Vasishtha.
- Meaning of the word Arundhati
1.
Earliest reference to unwavering
Arundhati.
2.
Arundhati in marriage mantra.
- Vyasa’s nuanced reference to
Arundhati
- Did Kunti wish her sons to tow
behind Draupadi?
- History of Arundhati within
the history of Mahabharata.
Purva
Paksha
2.
Nilesh Nilkanth Oak’s Theory of
Arundhati Epoch
- His assumptions.
- His theory.
- Astronomy Basics.
- Mahabharata astronomy.
- Methodology
- Rejects traditional Kaliyuga
date
- The Epoch of Arundhati
- On Omens.
- Mystery of Arundhati
explained.
- Causes for Arundhati walking
ahead of Vasishtha.
Uttara
Paksha
3.
Evaluation of Assumptions of Nilesh
Oak.
- Mis-interpretation of the term
‘assumption’
1.
Accuracy of simulations.
2.
Faulty ideas of Nakshatra system of time
reckoning.
3.
Reliability of the Mahabharata text.
- Contradictory theses.
- Purpose of astronomy
references.
4.
Flawed views on Mahabharata
Astronomy.
- Mahabharata calendar.
- Funny concept of “Insertion”
of Adhika Masa.
(1)
Why Adhika masa is calculated?
- Oak clueless on year-
beginning in Mahabharata times.
- Astronomy observations not
always visual.
- Fundamental concept of Muhurta
not understood.
- Oak’s revolutionary discovery
of the meaning of ‘Vakri’ motion
(1)
What is Vakri motion?
- Faulty notion about Seasons.
- Vyasa had knowledge of newly
discovered outer-most planets?
- Traditional view on the Sun’s
journey in 8 directions in a solar day.
- Nilesh Oak sees Pluto in Tivro
nakshatra.
5.
Faulty concept of equinoxes and
solstices.
- Seasons never changed over
millennia.
- Understanding Precession of
Equinoxes.
- The Pendulum movement of the
equinox.
- Evidence of Precession concept
of Surya Siddhanta in other texts.
- Time factor deduced from Surya
Siddhanta concept of equinoxes.
- Deducing the equinoctial
position during Mahabharata.
6.
Methodology: Flaws in application
of Popper’s Falsification.
- Nilesh Oak’s research
justifies Kuhn’s criticism of Popper’s methodology that result is what one
wants to see.
- A-V observation is not a Basic
Sentence in Popper’s criterion.
- A-V observation is a
subjective observation and not inter-subjective observation mandated by
the theory of falsifiability.
- Inappropriateness of Popper’s
falsifiability as a methodology for proving A-V observation.
- Criticism of adhocism leading
to manipulation.
- Falsification does not apply
to astrological concepts.
- The Mother of Ironies.
7.
Methodology: Faulty concept of
Pramāna.
- Is A-V observation a valid
Shabda Pramāna?
- Nilesh Nilkanth Oak Sutra of
Pramānas.
- A model jingled with jargons.
- Pramāna is source of
Knowledge.
- Did Arundhati walk ahead of
Vasishtha? - Mimamsa explanation
- Did Arundhati walk ahead of
Vasishtha? – Pramāna based interpretation.
- Vyasa reports deviation in the
Pole star too.
8.
Nilesh Oak’s Faulty Understanding
of Prishṭha.
- Meaning of “prishṭha” (पृष्ठ) in the A-V
observation not established.
9.
Nimitta is non-falsifiable.
- Nilesh Oak’s Nimitta concepts.
1.
The A-V observation is not a unique
nimitta and it is just one among many.
2.
Nimitta is a non-regular, non-ordinary
phenomenon, but scientifically explainable.
3.
Nimitta is a sign and must not be
confused with ‘Bad omens’.
- Evaluation of Nilesh Oak’s
Nimitta concepts.
1.
Nilesh Nilkanth Oak is consistently
inconsistent in his explanation for nimitta.
2.
Nilesh Oak has no respect for traditions
and the “Indic minds” that stick to tradition.
3.
If omens are testable, why didn’t he
test other omens?
4.
Why A-V observation was not at all
mentioned by others as a nimitta if it was around for more than 6000 years?
5.
Can Nilesh Oak show any other omen that
ran for 6000 years as A-V did?
- What is a nimitta?
- Mahabharata, peak time of
Nimitta knowledge.
- Nimitta is a concept of
Astrology.
- Non-regular appearance of
Arundhati to be treated as nimitta – says Mahabharata.
10.
Nilesh Oak’s Kaliyuga-Dilemma.
- The Vyasa factor.
- Does Mahabharata give
inconsistent views on Yugas?
- Evidence for Yudhishthira
Shaka.
- Concept of Shaka is old.
- Janamejaya’s grant refers to
Yudhishthira Shaka
- The Aryabhata-headache of
Nilesh Oak.
- Aryabhata on Yuga, Bharata and
Kali Yuga
- Kali Yuga Date derived from
Aryabhatiya.
- Kali Yuga did start on a
Thursday
- The Sapta Rishi Yuga puzzle.
- Yudhishthira Shaka in Sapta
Rishi cycle.
- Deducing the beginning of
Sapta Rishi Cycle.
- Nilesh Oak’s faulty
understanding of Siddhanta (Indian Astronomy)
11.
The Myth of the Epoch of Arundhati.
- The strange scientific
discoveries of Nilesh Oak.
1.
Did North Pole make peculiar orientation
with A-V?
- Not for 6000 years, but only
for 16 hours a day – Arundhati walked in the front!
- Simulator-Nyaya shows
Arundhati lagging behind.
- Right Ascension, not always a
proof for movement ahead.
1.
Right Ascension not a valid test in
non-circumpolarity too.
2.
Cassiopeia for comparison.
3.
Setting time decides the final forward
position
- Episodes of Arundhati matching
with the A-V stars through the millennia.
1.
Arundhati stayed back when Sapta Rishis
went away.
2.
Arundhati was part of a migration of
Sapta Rishis.
3.
Arundhati insulted her husband and
became smoke coloured.
- The ‘Peculiar Orientation’ was
due to change in ecliptic obliquity.
- Scientific explanation for A-V
verse of Vyasa.
- Brief note on Atmospheric
refraction.
- Two nimittas on changed
refractive index
- Nimittas that suggest
asteroid-hit.
- Planetary nimittas in support
of asteroid-hit:
1.
Saturn afflicting Prajapati’s
star-planet
2.
Planet Mars wheeling backwards to
Anuradha
3.
The star Chitra is afflicted by Gara.
4.
The sign on Moon’s disc had changed
5.
Rahu moved towards the Sun.
- Planetary nimittas seen by
Vyasa at the time of asteroid-hit.
1.
Shyama graha in Jyeshtha.
2.
Vyasa’s Pole star nimitta.
3.
Parusha planet pointing at middle of
Citra and Swati.
4.
Two coppery red- topped planets at the
time of rise of Saptarishi Mandala
5.
Arundhati had kept her husband at her
Prishṭha
- Vyasa’s nimittas in support of
reversal of atmospheric density.
1.
At sun-rise flights of insects, by
hundreds seen.
2.
At both twilights, the cardinal quarters
seemed ablaze
3.
There was shower of blood and ash
4.
Frequent earthquakes and tectonic
disturbances.
5.
Tsunamis reported
6.
The tectonic movement has caused the
river to change direction.
7.
Release of rare gases from the surface
fissures.
8.
Strange coloured halos around the Sun.
9.
Two 13-day phases (Paksha) of the Moon.
10.
Temporary phenomenon of Arundhati
‘walking ahead’ of Vasishtha.
12.
Date of Mahabharata from Internal
Evidences.
- The 5-year Yuga of Mahabharata
times deciphered.
1.
The year of Mahabharata war in 5-year
Yuga cycle.
2.
Accounting the extra six days in exile.
- Reconstructing the start and
end date of Pandava’s exile.
1.
Deciphering the month of the end of
exile.
- Ritu-calculation of
Mahabharata Calendar.
- Date of Krishna leaving
Upaplavya on peace mission.
- Proof against Varsha season
proposed by Nilesh Oak for Krishna’s peace mission.
- Sequence of Mahabharata events
after the exile.
1.
Lunar Ashadha month: (Sun in Cancer)
2.
Lunar Shravana month: (Sun in Leo)
3.
Lunar Bhadrapada month: (Sun in Virgo)
4.
Lunar Ashvayuja month: (Sun in Libra)
5.
Lunar Kartika month: (Sun in Scorpio)
6.
Lunar Margashirsha month: (Sun in
Scorpio / Sagittarius)
- A brief on Balarama’s
pilgrimage
1.
Lunar Margashirsha month Continued:
2.
Lunar Pushya Month (Sun in Sagittarius)
- Lunar eclipse after the war
began
- Did Bhishma fail to judge the
arrival of Uttarayana?
- Nilesh Oak’s views on Bhishma
Nirvana.
- Three verses on Bhishma’s
waiting period.
1.
Krishna assigned “remaining 56 days” for
Bhishma.
2.
Yudhishthira found very ‘few days
remaining’ for Bhishma.
3.
Bhishma declared that he waited for ‘58
nights’
- Month- Tithi-Nakshatra
alignment for 58 days.
1.
Points of synchronisation:
2.
Points of non-synchronisation.
- Counting Tithi-star-month from
lunar Kartika month.
1.
Krishna’s 56 days
2.
Bhishma’s 58 days
- Sequencing the days since
Bhishma started imparting knowledge to Pandavas.
1.
Day 1 of conversation with Bhishma.
2.
Day 2 of conversation with Bhishma
(Bodhayana Amawasya?)
3.
Day 3 of conversation with Bhishma.
4.
Day 4 of conversation with Bhishma.
- Did Bhishma live for 50 more
nights after the conversation?
- Sequencing the dates from end
of conversation to Bhishma Nirvana.
- Defects in Nilesh Oak’s
Bhishma Nirvana research
- Mahabharata Time-line.
- Corroborating left-out
planetary features given by Vyasa.
- Of Sequence (Anukrama) and
scientific acumen of Nilesh Oak.
13.
The ‘Fall’ of Abhijit and the Rise of Vedic culture.
- Nilesh Oak’s explanation in
his book.
- Problems with Nilesh Oak’s
theory of Fall of Abhijit.
- Contextual analysis of the
Fall of Abhijit.
- Birth of Vishakha
- Abhijit, wives of six rishis
and marriage of Svaha with Agni.
- Catastrophe from the sky.
- Decoding Markandeya’s
narration.
- Marriage of Svaha with Agni
conducted by Skanda signals the start of Vedic Homa
- Vedic Homa: Initiated by
Skanda and carried over by Vivasvan and Manu
- Date of Skanda from Tamil
literature
- Skanda’s location at Tiruchendur.
- Fall of Abhijit noticed from
Tiruchendur
- Fall of Abhijit impossible for
latitudes above 15 degree N until 9000 BCE
- Early evidence of rice in
Tiruchendur supports genesis of Vedic Homa around that region.
- Abhijit was the younger sister
of Rohini.
- Dhanishtha and Rohini were
foremost
- Abhijit Muhurtha.
- Ramayana references on Abhijit
- 10,800 BCE witnessed ‘Fall’ of
Abhijit and a comet-hit too.
1.
Krittika in, Rohini away, Abhijit out and Vishakha split!
2.
Krittika seemed to have fulfilled some important requirements.
3.
Krittika offered new identity for the spouses of six of the sapta rishis.
4.
Krittika ruled high in the Heavens when Abhijit ‘fell’ behind the forests.
5.
Krittika’s inclusion to match with the shower of fire from comet-hit.
- 10,800 BCE Comet-hit impacted
India too.
Appendix I: List of Manipulations done by Nilesh Oak to
‘corroborate’ his date of Mahabharata.
Appendix II:
Mathematical calculation of relative rise and set time of stars with particular
reference to Alcor (Arundhati) and Mizar (Vasishtha) in the period of Nilesh
Oak’s ‘Epoch of Arundhati’ done by Harish Saranathan, PhD (Aerospace,
Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering)
