Orion Conclusion

  

The ORION

Or research onto

The Antiquity of the Vedas

Conclusion

 

Tilak summarises the logical conclusions, regarding the antiquity of the Vedic literature and hence the Aryans, arrived at by analysing the history / beginning of traditions and legends. He considers these legends across all of Aryans, Greeks and Iranians. The legends and traditions, of all these were similar and conveyed the same phenomena.

He claims that the best measurement of time for determining periods of antiquity is through reliable records of position of heavenly bodies in those days. Such records, when Hellenic, Iranians and Aryans lived together, were preserved in Rigveda. He states, as per passages in Taittiriya Samhita Brahmana’s there were two traditional year beginnings, which point to the remotest period of antiquity. Such a record is available, in very vague traditions, in Vedas. However the Greeks and Parsis have not preserved these.

Tilak explains that, as per sacrificial literature all sacrifices must commence and end with Aditi (Sun) who is also ruling deity of the nakshatra, Punarvasu. He explains the the nakshatra “Abhijit’ its importance and why it was dropped from the list of 27 Nakshatra.

He derives and suggests the following periods of Vedic literature, based on his analysis, and considers only what has been recorded in Vedic works, including, but not limited to, the astronomical allusions, references, facts and legends

1. Aditi or Pre-Orion Period- 6000-4000 BCE. The Greeks and Parsis have not retained any traditions of this period because they carried with them the calendar of the time when they left /migrated away from Aryans. Therefore you will not find any oldest Greek and Parsi traditions during this  Period.

2. Orion Period-4000-2500 BCE. The Greeks and Parsis leave common home with Aryans and move away.

3. Krittika Period-2500-1400 BCE. It appears that during this period the Chinese came in contact with Indians and borrowed the Nakshatra system

4. Old Sanskrit Literature Period-1400-500 BCE.  Pre -Buddhist period, or till birth and rise of Buddhism.

He comments that, the position of equinoxes which can safely be made the nuclei of different periods of antiquity, based on the Vedic records, as shown earlier. The literary/linguist method can now be used to supplement to determine the duration of each period. See results of comparative Philology / Mythology and notes by Max Muller.

He shows that the rate of precession of equinoxes (50”) was correctly determined by Hindus, by keeping a continuous record of different positions of equinoxes. Prof Whitney claims it was a lucky hit, and doubts the capability of Hindus.

He summarises the traditions recorded in the respective periods. He highlights how the year beginning was changed from time to time, due to receding Vernal equinox and the seasons accordingly. For example, recession of rainy season from Bhadrapada (Aug/ Sept) to Jyeshta (May/ June) months.

His conclusions are consistent with traditions regarding the antiquity of Zoraster and the Vedas

Please refer to the diagram given on top to understand recession of solstice/ equinoxes.