Jayasree Saranathan

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:

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07YVFNQLD/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_unuNDbFWYGMVS%20via%20@amazonIN (India)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YVFNQLD/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_DnuNDbBRDTFVM%20via%20@amazon (US)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YVFNQLD/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_MnuNDbKKE32J0%20via%20@AmazonUK (UK)

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
Evidence of Kali Yuga date in Saptarishi cycle.
Saptarishi Era at Kali Year 25.
Epigraphic evidence for Kali Yuga date.
Evidence from Aihole inscription.
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.
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.
"Fall" of Abhijit deciphered.
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)