Refutation of Nilesh Oak’s Astronomical Dating of Mahabharata to 5561 BCE
Part 3 of 18 — Arundhati in Mahabharata
The observation of Alcor (Arundhatī) moving ahead of Mizar (Vasiṣṭha) as described in Mahābhārata Bhīṣmaparva 2.31 is central part of the dating of Mahābhārata to 5561 BCE by Mr. Nilesh N. Oak [1]. Oak insists that the dating of Mahābhārata must fulfil this condition. However, as discussed in previous article in this series, the context of this observation clearly shows that exactly opposite is meant in Mahābhārata.
In fact, there is evidence in Mahābhārata that Vasiṣṭha was ahead of Arundhatī during that time. For this purpose, a list of verses from Mahābhārata featuring Arundhatī is presented in this article. I electronically searched for Arundhatī in Mahābhārata and found Arundhatī mentioned 31 times in Mahābhārata. I am presenting the list of these verses mentioning Arundhatī along with context and time of observation of Arundhatī as evidence to show that Sage Vedavyāsa does not mention Arundhatī walking ahead of Vasiṣṭha anywhere else in Mahābhārata. (Note: Independently, my good friend Śri Ashish Naredi has also compiled the list of Arundhatī in Mahābhārata and shared with me. My list matches with his list.) For each verse, Sanskrit original from Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI) Critical Edition of Mahābhārata, corresponding verse from Gītā Press Edition of Mahābhārata with Hindi translation, and English translation of corresponding verse by Manmath Nath Dutt is presented. It has taken a lot of time to search for these verses and finding corresponding verses in BORI edition, Gītā Press Edition, and English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt. In some cases, verses are not present in BORI Edition.
1. List of verses mentioning Arundhatī in Mahābhārata
i. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Ādiparva 191.6
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Ādiparva 198.6
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Ādiparva 201.6 [2]
“As Vadra to Vaisravana, as Arundhati to Vasishtha and as Lakshmi to Narayana, so be you to your husbands.”
Context: Kuntī blesses Draupadi after marriage and gives example of Arundhatī and Vasiṣṭha.
Time: Close to Mahābhārata war
ii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Ādiparva 224.27
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Ādiparva 232.27–28
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Ādiparva 235.26–28 [2]
“As regards women, there is nothing that destroys their happiness more in this or the next world than a co-wife and a clandestine lover. They inflame the fire of hostility and cause great anxiety. Even the auspiciously blessed and well-behaved Arundhati, ever renowned among all creatures felt jealously against the illustrious and pure minded Vasishtha, ever devoted to the greatly good of his wife.”
Context: Sage Mandapāla talks to Jaritā whom he had abandoned for younger Lapitā. The dialogue took place during burning of Khāṇḍava forest. Sage Mandapāla gave example of Arundhatī and Vasiṣṭha.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
iii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Vanaparva 82.37
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Vanaparva .84.41–42
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Vanaparva 84.41–42 [2]
“O ruler of men, then the pilgrim should go to Arundhativata. Bathing at Samudrava with concentrated soul and with Brahmacharya life. And fasting there for three nights, a man obtains the fruits of Ashwamedha sacrifice. He obtains the fruits of giving away one thousand kine and saves his own race.”
Context: Sage Pulastya described the benefits of pilgrimage to Bhīṣma. Arundhatīvaṭa is described as one of the pilgrimage sites.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati as it describes a pilgrimage site named after Arundhati.
iv. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Vanaparva 113.23
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Vanaparva 113.23
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Vanaparva 113.23 [2]
“O king as the blessed Arundhati waits upon Vasishtha or as Lopamudra waited upon Agastya. She was to Rishwasringa as Damayanti was to Nala or as Sachi was to the wielder of the Vajra (Indra).”
Context: Sage Lomaśa tells the story of Sage Ṛṣyaśṛṅga to Yudhiṣṭhira that took place a long time ago.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
v. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Vanaparva 130.14
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Vanaparva 130.17
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Vanaparva 130.17 [2]
“Here is the sacred tirtha called Uyanaku where the holy Rishi Vasishtha with his wife Arundhati and also the Rishi Yavakri lived.”
Context: Sage Lomaśa tells about the pilgrim site to Yudhiṣṭhira.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
vi. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Vanaparva 214.14
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Vanaparva 225.13–15
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Vanaparva 224.13–14 [2]
“That excellent lady threw the seed into a golden well. Then assuming successively the forms of the wives of the illustrious seven Rishis, she held intercourse with Agni. But she could not assume the disguise of Arundhati.”
Context: The birth of Skanda.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
vii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Vanaparva 215.5
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Vanaparva 226.8
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Vanaparva 225.8 [2]
“The seven Rishis, hearing that a greatly powerful son was born (to them), abandoned their six wives except the adorable lady Arundhati.”
Context: The birth of Skanda.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
viii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Udyogaparva 109.12
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Udyogaparva 111.14
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Udyogaparva 111.14 [2]
“Have their abodes resembling the heaven and replete with all objects of enjoyment; and here live the seven Rishis and also the Goddess Arundhati.”
Context: Garuḍa talks to Sage Gālava describing north direction.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
ix. Mahābhārata BORI Critical Edition Bhīṣmaparva 2.31
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Bhīṣmaparva 2.31
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Bhīṣmaparva 2.31 [2]:
“O king, she who is celebrated over the three worlds and who is praised by the pious men, even that Arundhati (constellation) keeps Vasistha on her back.”
Context: Description of omens on the eve of Mahābhārata war
Time: The eve of Mahābhārata war
x. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Droṇaparva 69.44
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Droṇaparva 94.44
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Droṇaparva 94.44 [2]
“May Swaha, and Swadha and Sachi all bless you always! O sinless one, may Lakshmi and Arundhati also pronounce benedictions on you!”
Context: Drona prays to divine powers to protect Duryodhana during Mahābhārata war
Time: During Mahābhārata war
xi. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Śalyaparva 47.28
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Śalyaparva 48.33
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Śalyaparva 48.32 [2]
“In this very Tirtha, O auspicious, sinless, and highly blessed one, the seven Rishis had once left Arundhati (the wife of one of them) while they went to Himavat.”
Context: Told during pilgrimage of Balarāma before and during Mahābhārata war
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Śalyaparva 47.31
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Śalyaparva 48.36
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Śalyaparva 48.35 [2]
“Those ascetics, having made a hermitage for themselves, continued to live there. Meanwhile Arundhati devoted herself to ascetic penances.”
Context: Told during pilgrimage of Balarāma before and during Mahābhārata war
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xiii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Śalyaparva 47.32
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Śalyaparva 48.37
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Śalyaparva 48.36 [2]
“Beholding Arundhati practicing the austerest of vows, the boon-giving and three-eyed deity Mahadeva, highly gratified, came there.”
Context: Told during pilgrimage of Balarāma before and during Mahābhārata war
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xiv. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Śalyaparva 47.38
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Śalyaparva 48.44
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Śalyaparva 48.42–43 [2]
“Having collected fruits from the mountain, the seven Rishis returned there. The worshipful Mahadeva, highly pleased with Arundhati, said to her, — Approach as formerly, these Rishis, O righteous one! I have been satisfied with your penances and vows.”
Context: Told during pilgrimage of Balarāma before and during Mahābhārata war
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xv. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Śalyaparva 47.43
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Śalyaparva 48.49
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Śalyaparva 48.47 [2]
“Then addressing Arundhati, Mahadeva said, Pray for any boon, O auspicious dame, you like.”
Context: Told during pilgrimage of Balarāma before and during Mahābhārata war
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xvi. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Śalyaparva 47.46
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Śalyaparva 48.53
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Śalyaparva 48.51 [2]
“Indeed, the Rishis have been stricken with wonder on seeing the god and the chaste Arundhati herself as hale and hearty and capable of bearing hunger and thirst.”
Context: Told during pilgrimage of Balarāma before and during Mahābhārata war
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xvii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Śalyaparva 47.47
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Śalyaparva 48.54–55
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Śalyaparva 48.52 [2]
“Thus the pure-souled Arundhati, formerly obtained the highest success, like you, O highly blessed lady, for my sake, O damsel of rigid vows!”
Context: Told during pilgrimage of Balarāma before and during Mahābhārata war
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xviii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Śalyaparva 47.49
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Śalyaparva 48.56–57
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Śalyaparva 48.53–55 [2]
“O amiable maiden, you have practiced severe penances. Gratified with your vows, I shall also grant you this especial boon. O auspicious one, a boon that is superior to what was granted to Arundhati. Through the power of the great god who had granted that boon to Arundhati and through your own energy, O amiable one, I shall duly grant you another boon now, viz., that the person who will live in this Tirtha for only one night and bathe here with his mind concentrated, will, after renouncing his body, obtain many blissful regions that are difficult of acquisition.”
Context: Told during pilgrimage of Balarāma before and during Mahābhārata war
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xix. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Śāntiparva 305.9
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Śāntiparva 317.9
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Śāntiparva 318.9 [2]
“One who having previously seen the fixed star called Arundhati, cannot see it, or that other star called Dhruva, or one that sees the full moon or the flame of a burning lamp to be broken towards the south, has but one year to live.”
Context: Dialogue between Yājñavalkya and Janaka
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xx. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Anuśāsanaparva 94.4
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 93.21
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 93.21–22 [2]
“Kashyapa, Atri, Vasishtha, Bharadwaja, Gautama, Vishwamitra, Jamadagni, and the chaste Arundhati (the wife of Vasishtha), all had a common maid servant whose name was Ganda. A Shudra named Pashusakha married Ganda and became her husband.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxi. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Anuśāsanaparva 94.32
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 93.45
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 93.49 [2]
“Some people hold that things of the world may be stored for spending them upon the acquisition of virtue. I think, however, that the acquisition of virtue is better than that of riches.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Anuśāsanaparva 94.42
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 93.55
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 93.59 [2]
“Vrishadarbhi said:- Go and follow the seven Rishis, as also Arundhati, and the husband of their maid servant, and the maid servant herself, and understand what the meanings are of their names.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxiii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Anuśāsanaparva 95.3
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 93.60
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 93.64 [2]
“Seeing that mendicant whose limbs were all well developed and beautiful, Arundhati exclaimed addressing the Rishis — None of you will ever be able to show such well grown features.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxiv. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Anuśāsanaparva 95.39
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 93.96
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 93.100 [2]
“Arundhati said:- I always live by the side of my husband and hold the Earth jointly with him. I always incline my husband’s heart towards me. I am, therefore, called Arundhati.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxv. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Anuśāsanaparva 95.70
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 93.127
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 93.131 [2]
“Let her who has stolen the lotus-stalks always humiliate her mother-in-law. Let her be always vexed with her husband. Let her eat whatever good things come to her house without giving a part to others.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxvi. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Anuśāsanaparva 96.5
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 94.5
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 94.5 [2]
“There were also the Rishi Galava and Ashtaka and Bharadwaja and Arundhati and the Valakhilyas, and Shivi and Dilipa and Nahusha and Amvarisha and the royal Yayati and Dhundhumara and Puru.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxvii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Anuśāsanaparva 96.38
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 94.38
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 94.38 [2]
“Arundhati said:- Let her who has stolen your stalks speak ill of her mother-in-law. Let her dislike her husband. Let her eat alone any good food that comes to her house.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxviii. Mahābhārata, BORI Critical Edition Anuśāsanaparva 124.20
Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 123.20
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 123.20 [2]
“That woman who, with rapt attention follows her duty, receives profuse honors in the celestial region like a second Arundhati.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxix. Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 130.1–2
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 130.1–2 [2]
“Bhishma said:- The diverse Rishis there assembled together with the departed Manes and the deities, then, with rapt attention, asked Arundhati who was gifted with great ascetic merit. Having penances for wealth Arundhati was equal to her husband the high-souled Vasishtha in energy, for both in vows and conduct she was her husband’s equal.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxx. Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 130.3
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 130.4–5 [2]
“Arundhati said:- The progress I have been able to make in penances is owing to your consideration for me in thus remembering my poor self. With your gracious permission I shall now describe duties that are eternal and are great mysteries. I shall describe them with the causes on which they depend. Listen to me as I describe them to you in full. A knowledge of these should be communicated to him only who has faith or who has pure heart.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
xxxi. Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Anuśāsanaparva 130.12
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Anuśāsanaparva 130.13 [2]
“After Arundhati had said these words, all the deities and ancestors applauded her, saying — Excellent, Excellent, — Indeed all the beings there were highly pleased and all of them adored Arundhati.”
Context: Dialogue between Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīṣma and other sages.
Time: Unknown for Arundhati
2. List of verses mentioning Arundhatī during Mahābhārata times
There are three verses mentioning Arundhatī during Mahābhārata times from the list above: i. Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Ādiparva 198.6, ix. Gītā Press Edition Bhīṣmaparva 2.31, and x. Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Droṇaparva 94.44. We have already discussed “Gītā Press Edition Bhīṣmaparva 2.31”, which describes the observation of Alcor (Arundhatī) moving ahead of Mizar (Vasiṣṭha). As discussed in previous article in this series, the context of this observation clearly shows that exactly opposite was normal before Mahābhārata war.
Oak claims that Mahābhārata took place between 11091 BCE and 4508 BCE as this was the period when Arundhatī was ahead of Vasiṣṭha [1]. Also, Oak claims that the Mahābhārata war took place in 5561 BCE. This means that Arundhatī was ahead of Vasiṣṭha for 5,530 years before the Mahābhārata war and for 1,053 years after the Mahābhārata war? This is not reflected anywhere else in Mahābhārata. Two other references show that normal order was Arundhatī being behind Vasiṣṭha as discussed below.
i. Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Ādiparva 198.6
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Ādiparva 201.6 [2]
“As Vadra to Vaisravana, as Arundhati to Vasishtha and as Lakshmi to Narayana, so be you to your husbands.”
This verse describes that Kuntī blessed Draupadi after marriage and told her to be like Arundhatī. If Arundhatī was ahead of Vasiṣṭha, the example of Arundhatī would not have been given.
Dr. Jayasree Saranathan writes the following about the implication of this verse [3]:
“Vasishtha was towing behind Arundhati at the time of Draupadi’s marriage, if we are to accept in Nilesh Oak’s version for the year of Mahābhārata war. If Nilesh Oak is right then Kunti was wrong, for, she advised Draupadi soon after her marriage to remain ‘anuvrata’ (devoted to her husband’s) like Arundhati.”
Thus, this verse is clearly against Arundhatī being ahead of Vasiṣṭha few years before Mahābhārata war.
x. Mahābhārata, Gītā Press Edition Droṇaparva 94.44
English translation by Manmath Nath Dutt of Mahābhārata, Droṇaparva 94.44 [2]
“May Swaha, and Swadha and Sachi all bless you always! O sinless one, may Lakshmi and Arundhati also pronounce benedictions on you!”
This verse describes Droṇa praying to divine powers including Arundhatī to protect Duryodhana during Mahābhārata war. If Arundhatī was ahead of Vasiṣṭha, Arundhatī would not have been asked to protect Duryodhana.
Dr. Manish Pandit has also listed 11 verses mentioning Arundhatī in his article and pointed out that nowhere in Mahābhārata Arundhatī is mentioned to be ahead of Vasiṣṭha.
“This leads to a peculiar insurmountable problem for the 5561BCE hypothesis. It cannot explain why the entire Mahabharata must go by without any mention of Arundhati walking ahead of Vasistha (instead as we see below, Arundhati is praised as a Pativrata walking behind Vasistha Mizar in many verses) and then suddenly in Bhisma Parva is it mentioned and that too in a single verse.” [4]
Thus, we can see that there is no supporting evidence for Arundhatī being ahead of Vasiṣṭha anywhere else in Mahābhārata. The only verse describing this phenomenon occurs amidst a number of happenings that are clearly out of ordinary. Although primary evidence itself is not reliable, I have still gone through the trouble of checking whether the scientific calculations and conclusions drawn by Oak are reliable. I will be presenting the details in forthcoming articles starting with the astronomy basics needed to understand these scientific computations.
References
1. Oak, N.N., “When did the Mahabharata War Happen?”, Bhim USA, 2011, page 221 (not numbered, counted from last numbered page).
2. A Prose English Translation of The Mahabharata, Edited and published by Manmath Nath Dutt, Printed by H.C. Dass, Elysium Press, Calcutta, 1897.
3. Saranathan, Jayasree. (2019). “Myth of ‘The Epoch of Arundhati’ of Nilesh Nilkanth Oak”, Rare Books, Thyagarayanagar, Chennai, India, pp. 38–39
4. Dr. Manish Pandit. “A Basic Logical Analysis of the Arundhati Vasistha Observation”, October 28, 2021. https://astronomyofindia.wordpress.com/2021/10/28/930/
Note: The content of this series of articles is based on the three-part presentation author made on Sangam Talks on the refutation of the 5561 BCE dating of the Mahābhārata War. Here are the links to these presentations.
1. Refutation of the 5561 BCE dating of the Mahabharata War, Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2YuGQRmZ9c
2. Refutation of the 5561 BCE dating of the Mahabharata War, Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DiLSUFrTx8
3. Refutation of the 5561 BCE dating of the Mahabharata War, Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eop31blDa2c
Here are three other presentations refuting Mr. Nilesh Oak’s dating of Surya Siddhanta to 12000 BCE and Ramayana to 12209 BCE.
1. Dating the Surya Siddhanta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55pvrTUWi94
2. Dating the Ramayana — Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S0PO3SzqBc&t=5s
3. Dating the Ramayana — Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKNkrgm1Tu0
More about the author
I am a seeker of historical truths and am deeply interested in the heritage of India. I have earned a B.Tech. in Metallurgical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur and a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from The Ohio State University, USA. I have a deep interest in ancient Indian texts. My research besides Materials Science covers several different areas: Vedic cosmology, Vedic astronomy, Jain astronomy, and ancient Indian history.
Email: rajarammohanroy108@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RamMohanRoy108
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