The Historic Rama

(When did the Ramayana Happen?)

By
Nilesh Nilkanth Oak
The background
Numerous claims exist for the timing of Ramayana.
What is characteristically missing from almost all (if not all) these claims is evidence that can be tested by
anyone in a subject independent fashion. Even those few attempts that do offer some semblance of
testable evidence present their evidence in a selective fashion. Not surprisingly, a layperson, who is
otherwise enthused about all aspects of Ramayana, is frustrated in deciding between multiple choices for
the timing of Ramayana, and in the absence of straightforward scientific criteria, may not able to decide
which claim is closer to the truth and why.

The Framework
This is the reason, I formulated the framework that allows quick analysis of any claim (not limited to
Ramayana) based on two aspects of evidence and testability (Figure 1).
Preserver of a Tradition is a critical role and because of numerous such individuals, our ancient heritage
is preserved for our benefit. While Dharmic superstar is the desired approach, majority of research
works, on the timing of Ramayana, unfortunately, fall into the quadrant of Superficial manipulator.
Quadrant of Tamasic sceptic is full of those individuals who only focus on non-testable descriptions of
Ramayana.
It is important to remember that the categories described in 4 quadrants of my framework refer to
specific claim or research effort and not to the individuals who either made such claim or conducted
such research.

Method for scientific testing of evidence

While we dont know which evidence to test first, we should test all the evidence to identify those
evidences that allow us to set boundaries. For example, Valmiki Ramayana text provided 4 specific
astronomy observations that allowed me to set up lower bound of 10,000 BCE on the timing of Ramayana.
Another set of references to rivers, from Valmiki Ramayana, when combined with paleo-hydrology
research, allowed me to set up upper bound of ~50,000 BCE on the timing of Ramayana.
This method has numerous benefits. While this method may not be always useful to determine exact
timing of an ancient event, it can (again, with luck) decisively falsify all the claims that fall outside the
limits determined by relevant evidence.

Nilesh Nilkanth Oak 2005-2016

This does not mean that the inference is beyond criticism. All theories and inference are tentative and
they can be questioned including background knowledge employed to arrive at such inferences. However,
this approach forces all researchers to consider all relevant evidence and to test all evidence that is
testable. This leads to growth of knowledge.
The critical point being one must start broad, wide and deep, before testing evidence that is repetitive
and cyclical in nature. This may include days of the week, lunar months or seasons of the year, positions
and phases of the moon, positions of the planets, eclipses, etc.

Astronomy phenomenon: The precession of equinoxes

Precession of equinoxes is the phenomenon of the movement of the earths axis in a circular path that
takes about 26000 years to complete one cycle (Figure 3).
This results in:
(1) Change in the location of NCP (North celestial pole) and thus also the change of North Pole star
(2) Change in the position of the sun (with respect to reference frame of background Nakshatra) for
specific cardinal points
(3) Change (shift) of season with respect to calendar, by about one lunar month every 2000 years.
Thus, if we go backwards in time by about 13000 years (11000 BCE), i.e. about halfway through the cycle
of precession of equinoxes, the summer solstice had occurred around the lunar month of Margashirsha
(Figure 4).

Four Illustrations from Valmiki Ramayana

(1) Yuddha Kand 4:48

(Seven sages are making parikrama around Brahmrashi/Abhijit, the pole star) (Figure 3)
Brahmarashi (Abhijit/Vega) was indeed the pole star around 12000 BCE (+/- 2000)
(2) Ayodhya Kand 3:4

(This is the auspicious and pleasant month of Chaitra when forests are blooming with flowers)
We can eliminate seasons of late Grishma, early Varsha, Shishir and late Hemant season. This leaves us
with Vasanta and Sharad Rutu. Lunar month of Chaitra occurs in the second half of Vasanta rutu in our
times & it occurred in the first part of Vasanta rutu about 2000 years ago.
Nilesh Nilkanth Oak 2005-2016

Thus unless someone is claiming Ramayana (and there are few individuals) to have occurred in last 3000
years, we have to look for alternate explanation. If we go back by about 15000 years (before 11,000 BCE),
lunar month of Chaitra coincided with the timing of fall equinox (Sharad rutu) (Figure 5)
Do we have additional corroboration for this guess of ours? We certainly do! (Ayodhya Kand 2:17, 3:3637, 7:31, 15:32, 19.37, 44.21, etc.)
(3) Kishkindha Kand 53:9

(Angada to members of Southern Vanara party, This is the season of Vasanta and appears to be the
lunar month of Ashwin and even that is being elapsed.)
This would mean that the lunar month of Ashwini coincided with the Vasanta season during Ramayana
times. If we go back by about 16000 years (before 11,000 BCE), lunar month of Ashwini coincided with
the timing of spring equinox (Vasanta rutu). (Figure 6)
Do we have additional corroboration for this guess of ours? We certainly do! Kishkindha Kand, 53:3-5 &
Sarga 26 through 27: references to chronology and seasons
(4) Aranya Kand 16:12

(Laxmana to Rama, The sun sets on the western horizon, near Nakshatra Pushya, during this cold and
pleasant season of Hemanta)
In our times, the sun sets on the western horizon near Nakshatra Vishakha through Uttara Aashaadha.
The midpoint of Hemant season for Suns journey coincided with Nakshatra Pushya around 15,500 BCE
(before 11,000 BCE) and since the observation of Nakshatra Pushya, during Hemant season, is after the
sunset, the time interval during which this observation could have occurred range from 11,500 BCE
through 17,500 BCE, as extreme limits.

Conclusion
Testing of four specific astronomy observations, from four different kand of Valmiki Ramayana, lead to
the inevitable conclusion that Ramayana did not happen any time after 10,000 BCE.

Nilesh Nilkanth Oak 2005-2016

Figure 1

-Figure 2

Year, month, seasons, Nakshatra & cardinal points (show for year 2016 CE)

Nilesh Nilkanth Oak 2005-2016

Figure 3

Figure 4

Nilesh Nilkanth Oak 2005-2016

Figure 5

Figure 6

Nilesh Nilkanth Oak 2005-2016

Figure 7

Reference: The Historic Rama by Nilesh Nilkanth Oak (2014)

Nilesh Nilkanth Oak 2005-2016