Ramayana – 14: Ravana killed, Rama returned from exile

After getting briefed by Hanuman about the Sita in Ashoka Vana and the strength of Ravana, Rama started moving out of Kishkindha at Abhijit Muhurta (midday) (VR:6-4-3) on the day of Uttara Phalguni in the month of Magha in the year Subhanu. It was Krishna Pancami. The corresponding Gregorian date was 25^th October, 5077 BCE.

Twice it is mentioned that they were heading towards ‘Dakshinam Disham’. This is noted  here to remove any doubts on the location of Lanka. (There are references from Azhwars that Lanka was to the South of Srirangam. So, readers need not be influenced by versions that Lanka was somewhere in Central India).

Rama was carried by Hanuman and Laskhmana by Angada. Though they started the journey at mid-day, they seemed to have travelled during night. Generally, travels were undertaken at night time and pre-dawn and early hours of the day before the day became hot. This can be noticed in the references made by Lakshmana on the celestial sightings. Lakshmana said the following verse:

उशना च प्रसन्न अर्चिर् अनु त्वाम् भार्गवो गतः || ६-४-४८

ब्रह्म राशिर् विशुद्धः च शुद्धाः च परम ऋषयः |

अर्चिष्मन्तः प्रकाशन्ते ध्रुवम् सर्वे प्रदक्षिणम् || ६-४-४९

(Meaning: The planet (Venus) born of Bhargava is following behind. Brahma Rashi (another name for Abhijit) becoming clear and bright. And the great sage (Parama rishi-s – a reference to Saptarishi Mandala) are pure. Together they circumambulate the Dhruva nakshatra) (VR: 6-4-48 & 49)

This verse has been misinterpreted by some that the Brahma Rashi  (Abhijit) was the Dhruva nakshatra. Abhijit also known as Vega can never be a pole star in Vedic concept of the cosmos. Only the western astronomy simulators which tuns the zodiac 360 degrees will show it to be so 14,000 years ago.

But, the verse clearly differentiates between Brahma Rashi as a separate star and along with the Para rishi-s it was circumambulating the Dhruva nakshatra. The verse shows that Polaris, the Dhruva Nakshtra was the pole star in Rama’s times. So, apart from the month- seasons being the same, the Pole star also was the same in Rama’s times indicating without doubt that we are looking at the same part of the sky as Rama had seen. This is possible in the limited oscillatory model explained in part 12.

The verse also says that Venus was following. Since they were proceeding towards the South, this could not mean that Venus was coming behind them. Venus would appear in the western sky in the evenings and eastern sky at pre-dawn. Thus, it can no way be said that it was coming after them who were going towards South.

When we look at the sky map at that time, it showed that Venus was behind the Sun. It was in the eastern sky and had risen before sunrise.

Venus towing behind the Sun when they started.

The above shows the day they started off. Venus can be seen behind the sun. If they had been travelling at late night, they would have seen Venus-rise and this made them say that Venus was following. Lakshmana had also looked at the northern sky to say that Abhijit and sapta Rishi mandala were circling Dhruva.

Lakshmana also looked at the southern end and remarked that the parental ancestor, Ikshvaku and his preceptor (Vishvamitra) were shining in his front. (VR: 6-4-50)

This is also evidence for the same month- season as they are now. Only from Magha to Caitra, Trishanku will be seen at night right in front of the observer facing South.

Lakshmana also says that Vishakha, the Kula nakshatra of the Kosala kingdom (Ikshvaku) was shining clearly. (VR: 6-4-51). Vishakha rises past midnight (or pre-dawn) in Magha. These verses therefore make us understand that they were travelling at early hours before dawn.

Comet in Moola star

Lakshmana also refers to a comet (Dhuma Ketu) in the Moola nakshatra in the tail of Scorpio, but which is part of the Sagittarius constellation. (VR: 6-4-52). Moola lorded by Nirruti portends trouble for Rakshasa-s. Though I will write about this comet in my upcoming book, Comet Kohoutek having 6+ years of orbital revolution passes through Moola in its path. So far, no other comet has been found to go through that region. Normally comets take more or less the same orbital route. Comet Neowise also has an orbital span of more than 7000 years. It is likely to have been sighted by Ramayana people. Anyway, I am not committing anything now. Just indicating.

Reached the shore

Finally the troop reached the shore. The description shows that it was a Full Moon Day or nearing the Full Moon. There is a mention that “ocean surged when the moon rose. The image of moon was reflected limitlessly in it.” (VR: 6-4-114).

But the systematic calculation of days after this show that they might have reached the shore on Shukla Trayodasi or so when the moon would be near full causing the sea surge. I am however, showing here the Full Moon day of Magha to know the days of travel.

They left on Krishna Pancami on Magha (25^th October, 5077 BCE) and reached the shore 19^th November 5077 BCE. The new month was Adhika Phalguna!

Taking the above date as the maximum time taken to travel, it is seen that they had travelled for 25 days. It could have been less than that, but the moon description makes me bring it up to Pournami. But there is no explicit reference to Pournami in the text.

Getting ready to cross the sea.

Probably, the next day Vibhishana arrived. (20^th November, 5077 BCE)

On his advice, Rama did penance by lying down on a bed of Darbha grass for 3 nights. Let us assume that he started the penance on the same night of Vibhishana’s arrival. (night of 20^th, 21^st and 22^nd)

With no response from Varuna Bhagavan, he decided to shoot at him on the 4^th day. (24^th November, 5077 BCE)

Varuna Bhagawan appeared and advised Rama to build the Setu.

Setu was built in 5 days. From 24^th to 28^th November, 5077 BCE.

Totally 8 days were over by now.

Immediately they moved to Lanka.

So, by 29^th November 5077 BCE, they landed in Lanka.

This is a probable date of landing in Lanka. Any difference can happen if we reduce the travel period from Kishkindha to the sea shore. Let me emphasise that there is no clue on how long they travelled, but they travelled for days together. On the assumption that they reached the seashore on a Full Moon Day we have constructed the date as above. Apart from the moon related descriptions, Rama expressing how he missed Sita on arrival at the seashore makes me think that the Full Moon tormented him on the loss of his wife. Earlier too, Rama lamented that he could not enjoy the rainy season with his wife like other couples.

Death of Indrajit

It seems war started immediately on reaching Lanka. Rama reached on Krishna Ekadasi on Adhika Phalguna. Only the death day of Indrajit is being told in Ramayana. It was Krishna Caturdasi day!

On hearing the death of Indrajit, Ravana got furious and ran to kill Sita. At that time, his minister by name Supaarshvan stopped him and told him to avenge Rama instead. At that time he said that it was Krishna caturdasi day. The next day was Amavasya. Ravana must kill Rama on Amavasya.

अभ्युत्थानं त्वमद्यैव कृष्णपक्षचतुर्दशीम् || ९२-६-६६

कृत्वा निर्याह्यमावास्यां विजयाय बलैर्वृतः |

(Meaning: “Making yourself ready today itself, the fourteenth day of the dark half of this month, you along with the armies, sally forth tomorrow, the moonless day, to victory.”) (VR: 6-92-66)

Death of Indrajit

Ravana heeded his advice and went to the battlefield the next day, the day of Amavasya. This was the Amavasya of Adhika Phalguna.

Ravana started the war with Rama

The war started on Amavasya, the day after Indrajit’s death. The corresponding Gregorian date was 3^rd December, 5077 BCE. It was a Wednesday, Shatabhishak Star.

At sunrise on that day a terrible war broke out, but Rama killed many rakshasas within three hours (one eighth of the day) (VR: 6-93-30).

This infuriated Ravana who started killing many Vanaras.

At that time many ill-omens were seen. They were in the nature of meteor showers only. We will see the important descriptions verse-wise. I am skipping animal behaviour and only highlighting seismic, atmospheric and celestial sightings. This appears in Sarga -95

Verse 38: Sun lost its radiance. The earth trembled.

Verse 39: The cloud rained blood. Horses tumbled.

Verse 42: A meteor with a sound similar to a thunder, fell down from the sky (Ulaka = meteor)

War intensified.

Ravana fought like mad. It was so terrible that Valmiki made a significant statement as follows:

विषेदुर्देवगन्धर्वा दानवाश्चारणैः सह || ६-१०२-३१

राममार्तन् तदा दृष्ट्वा सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः |

व्यथिता वानरेन्द्राश्च बभूवुः सविभीषणाः || ६-१०२-३२

रामचन्द्रमसन् दृष्ट्वा ग्रस्तन् रावणराहुणा |

(Meaning: “Seeing Rama afflicted, the gods, Gandharvas the celestial musicians, Charanas the celestials bards along with the demons, as also Siddhas the demi-gods and the great sages felt dejected. Seeing the moon in the shape of Rama eclipsed by Rahu in the shape of Ravana, the monkey-chiefs too, along with Vibhishana, felt perturbed.”) (VR: 6-102-31 & 32)

He continues to say in the next verse:

प्राजापत्यन् च नक्षत्रन् रोहिणीं शशिनः प्रियाम् || ६-१०२-३३

समाक्रम्य बुधस्तस्थौ प्रजानामशुभावहः |

(Meaning: “Prajapati’s star Rohini is the beloved of the Moon. Mercury is assaulting him causing fear to people”) (VR: 6-102-33)

There are two info given in this verse. The moon in the shape of Rama (Ramachandramasam) caught by RavanaRahuna is not an analogy. Similarly, in the next verse, Mercury is afflicting the Moon.

There is another info in the same sarga that Mars was afflicting Vishaka, the Kula nakshatra of the Ikshvakus.

कोसलानान् च नक्षत्रन् व्यक्तमिन्द्राग्निदैवतम् || ६-१०२-३६

आक्रम्याङ्गारकस्तस्थौ विशाखामपि चाम्बरे |

(Meaning: “The planet Mars stood assailing in the sky, the constellation Vishakha, presided over by the gods Indra and Agni (the god of fire), which is adorned by the kings of Kosala.:) (VR: 6-102-36)

Analysing all these together, the first day of direct war between Rama and Ravana was an Amavasya. Only in Magha a lunar eclipse occurred indicating that the nodes were in Sagittarius – Gemini axis. Now just a month had passed, and Adhika Phalguna was running. By now another eclipse could not have happened because the movement of the nodes is in anti-clockwise direction and therefore Rahu which caused the lunar eclipse in Sagittarius would have moved in the direction of Scorpio and not Pisces. So, there is absolutely no chance for an eclipse on that day.

The expression must be either descriptive or about something else. The sky map on that day is produced to check what it conveys.

Rama- Ravana Yuddha

Sun and the moon were together afflicted by Mars and Saturn. Rahu like Ravana afflicted Moon like Rama. This is possible by the 11^th aspect of Rahu on Aquarius. Rahu aspects 3^rd and 11^th house as well.

Vishaka is not directly affected by Mars. But Vishaka being the star of the Ikshvakus, Mars (the warrior) is said to affect if we take the rules of horary (prasna) astrology into account. These rules apply to the moment of the event. Rahu receives the evil aspect of Mars by its 11^th aspect and transfers it to Libra where Vishaka is located. This is known as Yamaya yoga. When there is no aspect between two lords (planetary / stars), the slower planet in between them will receive the aspect of the faster planet in the front and transfers it to the planet / star behind it. By that concept, the evil effect of Mars was taken by the slower moving Rahu by its 11^th aspect which  transferred it to Vishakha in the 3^rd house from behind Rahu.

Mercury also affected Moon. It was at 30 degrees from the moon. Moreover, in the next few days, Mercury started retrogression and moved towards Moon. Let me produce that also.

 

On 6^th December, i.e., Shukla Tritiya, just two days after the war began, moon shifted to Pisces and Mercury afflicted moon by moving towards it. Mercury was debilitated at that time as it was in Rama’s natal horoscope. Mercury dasa sent Rama to exile. Therefore, Valmiki made a mention of how Mercury continued to trouble him.

The war continued. Ravana was almost beaten on the first day. His charioteer drove back to safety and was rebuked by Ravana who wanted to come back to the war field. So the charioteer entered the war field and the war continued. Meanwhile sage Agastya met Rama and offered the upadesa of Aditya Hridaya.

The war resumed the next morning but bad omens started appearing which resemble the after effects of a meteor shower. Let me point them out. This is from 106^th sarga.

Verse 21: Rains poured blood on Ravana’s chariot.

Verse 24: Large meteors, along with lightnings fell with great noise (Ulka is the word used to indicate meteor)

Verse 25: Earth trembled.

Verse 26: the rays of the sun appeared coppery, yellow, white and dark, like mineral ores on a mountain.

Verse 29: Even without the appearance of clouds, thunderbolts fell

Verse 30: All the quarters and intermediate points of the compass became covered with darkness and due to outpourings of dust, the sky became difficult to be seen.

These descriptions indicate meteor shower.

Two meteor-hits in two consecutive years

There was a terrible meteor shower at the beginning of war with Khara. The year was 5078 BCE. We found that the impact of that hit on global temperature level was found imprinted in the GISP2 graph. It is reproduced again.

Almost a year later in 5077 BCE, meteor-showers accompanied with red blood rainfall were reported during the war with Ravana. The above graph shows a continuous fall from 5078 BCE indicating that the 5077 BCE meteor-hit didn’t alter the rate of reduction in the temperature. There is no fresh drop in the graph immediately following the fall in 5078 BCE. This implies that the impact was not as severe as it was in 5078 BCE. In concurrence with this observation, the description in the text is also restricted to the region of Ravana. The physical impact of the meteor shower was on where Ravana was moving and on Lanka. In contrast, they were absent where Rama was standing. (VR: 6- 106-34).

War resumed 

The war resumed and went on for 7 days (VR: 6-107-65) It is said 'sapta raatram'.

On the 8^th day morning, Matali, the charioteer of Rama wondered why Rama was not using the Brahmastra.

Rama used it and Ravana was killed. The day was Shukla Shashti in Nija Phalguna. The date was 9^th December 5077 BCE. The star was Bharani. The day was Tuesday.

 

                       Ravana's death 

From the death time, I am constructing the horoscope of Ravana based on the old Tamil verse that Jupiter was in the 12^th house of Ravana’s moon sign when he died.

ராவணன் முடி பன்னிரண்டில் விழ்ந்ததும்

To have Jupiter in the 12^th, his moon sign must have been Scorpio. Rahu in 2^nd and Ketu in 8^th,  the 5^th lord Jupiter in the 12^th did him in. Note Saturn and Mars combination in the 4^th house.

Rama returned.

The next mention of date appears only when Rama landed in Bharadwaja ashrama.

We all believe that Rama returned quickly in a day to Ayodhya, but the date shows that it was not so. Though he used the Pushpaka Vimana, it was not as fast as it is believed to be. From Shukla Shashti in Nija Phalguna to Shukla Pancami in Caitra there was nearly a month. But by then he had completed his exile. This is told in a verse,

पूर्णे चतुर्दशे वर्षे पञ्चम्यां लक्ष्मणाग्रजः (VR: 6-124-1)

(Meaning: “Having completed 14 years, Rama arrived on a Pancami”)

The reference to Pancami appears again when Hanuman went to meet Guha to inform about Rama’s arrival. Then he said that Rama had arrived on Shukla Pancami in Bharadwaja’s ashrama. (VR: 1-125-24).

It was Tarana year, Caitra Shukla pancami, Jan 7^th, 5076 BCE Wednesday, Rohini star.

Then Hanuman reached Nandigram to inform Bharata. There he said that Rama would come the next day when Pushya would be running. So, we can make out the difference in time between meeting Guha and Bharata, which indicates the distance too. It also shows that the 14 year period was counted from Caitra Pushya to the Caitra Pushya after 14 years. 

The people of Ayodhya reached Nandigram on hearing the news of Rama's return. The next morning, when Pushya was running, Rama, Sita and Lakshmana along with others arrived at Nandigram. From there Rama proceeded to Ayodhya and was coronated on the same day.

            Date of coronation of Rama

It was Tarana, Caitra Shukla Navami, Pushya, Monday, 12^th January, 5076 BCE.

Thus ended my small effort to date Rama’s life.

The series ends here, but I will post a Time line for quick reference and the Dasa-Bhukti of Rama for different events in his life.

Following that I will post a write-up on the yuga issue during Rama's time that many are asking.

(Cont’d)