This is in continuation of the previous article on Methodology and methods of research for dating Mahābhārata
In dating the past, inscriptions are the primary sources of
evidence. The year of the Mahabharata war can be deduced from the inscriptions
of Janamejaya in whose presence Mahabharata was recited for the first time.
Vyasa, the author also being present at that time, makes the decrees of
Janamejaya the first rate primary evidence for dating.
Four copper plate grants issued by Janamejaya found in the district of Shivamogga in Karnataka are seen with time elements such as Shaka year, year name, month, tithi, star and weekday that help us in finding out the date of the grants. Two were given on solar eclipse days. Three of them were given to Brahmins of Shivamogga on the occasion of Sarpa-yaga done by Janamejaya.
One was given to a mutt at Bhimanakatte, presently following Madhvacarya's philosophy. The donated land was occupied by the Pandavas during
their exile. The boundaries of this grant are traceable to R.Thunga in the
east, R.Varahi (Pāṣāṇa in the grant) and R.Bhima in the north now lost. Agastyasrama
in the south is no longer seen.
This grant given on a day of eclipse contains Śaka year (89th Yudhishthira Śaka), year name (Plavanga) and Pancanga details. They match with each other for the date Nov 2, 3013 BCE in Surya Siddhanta settings and not for any other setting. Janamejaya donated this by offering the water of Thungabhadra in front of Harihara shrine.
This date exactly matches with the Kali Yuga begin year at Pramathi when Parikshit ascended the throne following the abdication of the throne by the Pandavas upon the departure of Krishna from this world. Though Kali Yuga date is confirmed in many other inscriptions and continues to be followed in India, this grant of Janamejaya comes as a primary evidence for the year of Mahabharata 35 years before that.
On the same date Janamejaya had issued a grant to Usha Mutt in Kedarnath. He must have handed over that personally when he visited Kedarnath. Both Bhimanakatte and Kedarnath are connected with Bhima. Bhima was said to have built a dam at Thunga, by which the place got the name Vrikodara-Kshetra (inscription), now known as Bhimanakatte.
Bhimanakatte (Source: http://bheemanakattemutt.com/photos/)
Closer analysis reveals that the Pandavas had visited the places related to Ramayana in Karnataka and they were identified by Janamejaya who made arrangements for the upkeep of those places. Krishkindha seems to be the seat of Vaali-guhe (Balligavi). From there Bhimnanakatte is only 320 km.
Other three inscriptions found at Begur, Kuppagede and Gauj in Shivamogga dt, reveal that the sarpa yaga was done in the 88th Kali year (Parābhava). Janamejaya gave these grants to the recipients in the 89th Kali year, while on a Dik-vijaya to this region. The dates exactly match with Kali Era beginning in the year Pramathi in 3101 BCE.
Surprise element is that Begur and Kuppagede (Pushpagade in
the grant) were given in Caitra maasa – both Adhika and Nija following each
other. This can be simulated only in Surya Siddhanta settings and not in any other
settings. This confirms the 7200y cycle of equinoxes and not 26k western
astronomy.
The Bhimanakatte grant with year name (Plavanga) and Śaka year (89th in Y. Śaka) confirms that Parikshit ascended the throne in 3101 BCE following the departure of Pandavas and Krishna. 35 years before that Mahabharata war was fought, i.e. in 3136 BCE in the year Krodhi.
