The launch of The Shackles of the Warrior - Tidbits from the Media Part XI

The launch of the Shackles of the Warrior was very successful. The media had quite a few questions to ask. Here, I share with you a few of them with my replies.

11. Mythology or History

Q:-  Is Mahabharat – a History or Mythology

It is a controversial question. Let me take it. There are groups of people – Believers – Non Believers
– Mid group. Each has their own views.

Our story The Shackles of the Warrior happened in the era 3100 BC and 15 creative characters of the story moved with Mahabharat real characters. Now is it mythology or History can be addressed from –

1. Purans       
2. History       
3. Astronomy      
4. Archeology.

Purans are not considered as history by rationalists or western historians. From the research carried out by us for our book, we address this issue from the other three – Archeology, Astronomy and History.

Archeology –

Dr.S.R.Rao, Marine Archeologist – ‘Lost city of Dwarka’ writes about his under sea findings. These tallies with the Dwarka mentioned in the epic/Bahgwat/Vishnu Puran/Harivansh. The headed seals found confirm the existence of passport system to enter/exit Dwarka.

Astronomy –
 

War : 3067BC 22/Nov
On the day of war Sun, Moon, Rahu/Saturn, Guru, Mangala, Sukra positions are defined by Vyasa.

- Strange phenomenon occurred during war 

• Lunar cycle (Paksha 15 days) some time happens in 14 days, it may happen in 16 days also. But rare thing happened. Paksha got compressed to 13 days. This was mentioned in Bhisma purana. This condensation of that was described as a sign of destruction by Vyasa.
• Amavasya falling on the 13th day of Paksha - I have never seen before - says Vysya.
  Comet appearances.
• Full moon and lunar eclipse/solar eclipse 3 eclipses in a matter of one month – Lunar eclipse pairs.
• Several positive of stars derived.

Based on planetarium software simulations made. Dating was arrived at. (Research papers Dr.S.Balakrishnan of NASA)

History –

• Frist Recorded evidence 900 BC Chandogya Upanishad.
• Megasthenes recorded that 138 generations (4century) passed between Krishna & Chandragupta Maurya.
• Panini 5BC explains the word “Vasudevaka”
• Grammarian Patanjali 150 BC recalls Lord Krishna.
• 180 BC Greek Ruler Agathocles issued coins with images of vasudeva with chakra.
• Hellodorus – Greek 140/150 BC corrected a column praising Krishna.

Hence the fiction ‘The Shackles of the Warrior’ considered Mahabharat as History viz., events actually happened. ‘Ithihas’ means “writing as it happens” by a person living at the time of occurrence.