PDF Sources for the Study of Greek Religion (Sources for Biblical Study #14) by John E. Stambaugh; David G. Rice in History

Description

A leading astronomer proves that India had a thriving civilization capable of sophisticated astronomy long before Greece; Egypt; or any other world culture. • Provides conclusive evidence that the Rig Veda is 12;000 years old. • Establishes actual dates and places for many of the events in the Hindu epics. For more than a century scholars have debated the antiquity of the Vedas and their related literature; the Brahmanas and Puranas. Relying upon a host of assumptions from linguistic theory; anthropology; and archaeology; they have agreed upon 1500 b.c. as the earliest possible date for the Rig Veda; itself the oldest extant example of Indo-European literature. But in this groundbreaking book; astronomer B. G. Sidharth proves conclusively that the earliest portions of the Rig Veda can be dated as far back as 10;000 B.C. By deciphering the astronomical events and alignments contained in mythical and symbolic form in these ancient texts; Sidharth calls into question many if not all of the assumptions governing Indo-European prehistory. He explores such subjects as the astronomical significance of many Hindu deities and myths; the system of lunar asterisms used to mark time; the identity of the Asvins; and the sophisticated calendar of the ancients that harmonized solar and lunar cycles. Sidharth provides incontrovertible evidence that such "advanced" astronomical concepts as precession; heliocentrism; and the eclipse cycle are encoded in these ancient texts; passages of which make perfect sense only if these astronomical keys are known. Based on internal evidence in the Mahabharata and Ramayana; he also becomes the first to establish likely dates--and even places--for the events described in these famous epics. The Celestial Key to the Vedas is sure to astonish anyone concerned with astronomy; India; or the roots of civilization.