Posted on 09/15/2007 1:38:27 PM PDT by blam
Until proven, a myth: Historians
CHARU SUDAN KASTURI & SUDESHNA BANERJEE
New Delhi/Calcutta, Sept. 12: Ram cannot be considered a historical figure despite references in ancient literature because crucial material evidence to authenticate his existence has not been found, historians have said.
“A textual reference necessarily needs to be corroborated by inscriptions engraved in stone or other long-lasting material or by archaeological evidence,” said Nayanjot Lahiri, professor of ancient history at Delhi University.
Until such evidence is found, a character or event in texts or literature is considered mythological, historians said.
Historians have traced the original texts of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana to a period between 400 BC and 400 AD.
“But it is extremely difficult to date these ancient texts exactly as they were written over a long period of time. The Mahabharata for instance, has been changed over the centuries,” professor Upinder Singh of Delhi University said.
Remains of black earthen pots found at archaeological sites referred to in the Mahabharata — Hastinapur, for instance — have been dated back to the 13th century BC.
But King Ashoka, whose rule — 272 BC to 233 BC — coincided with the period ascribed to the writing of these texts is accepted as part of history.
“Inscriptions written by Ashoka himself have been found, which support the numerous mentions he finds in texts,” Lahiri said.
Another textual reference to Ashoka has been validated through inscriptions found at the site.
Historians caution, however, against accepting all that is written in texts about historically proven characters as well. There are aspects of the lives of the Maurya dynasty — that included Ashoka — which, though mentioned in texts, are yet to be established.
In contrast, the life of King Harshavardhana — 590 to 640 AD — that the Harshacharita talks about is almost completely documented, experts said.
“The earlier texts are naturally harder to date. The characters and events they mention are even harder to track down archaeologically,” historian Shahid Amin said.
But Nyayacharya Pranabeshwar Smrititirtha, who teaches at the Sitaram Vaidik Mahavidyalaya, near Dakshineswar, laughed out aloud on being told about the affidavit.
“Will we forget the shastras because of someone’s random comment? Shall we forget Valmiki? Is the timing of Durga puja meaningless?” the Sanskrit scholar asked.
“We clearly utter, during the invocation, mantras on how Ram performed the puja to kill Ravana. Is that false? Let them prove it first. An epic will carry an allegorical element, but that does not mean the entire work is imaginary.”
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev said the affidavit was an insult to the Hindu faith. “Does the government have the courage to deny the existence of the important figures of other religions?” he asked.
It didn't make any sense to me either until I read the article linked below:
As a Creationist, sympathetic with a religious group being mocked for their beliefs. Though will also state that this 'bridge' does seem to be a natural formation and that monkeys aren't intelligent enough to be construction workers (don't diss construction workers), and that Creationists can back up their models with science (not trying to start a crevo-spat, just explaining).
The BBC should have been more respectful--while stating that the vast, vast majority of people would probably consider the feature to be natural.
As for the actual topic, could a canal be built, and then a very high (but short in length--sort of an arch) bridge be built and dirt from the natural formation put on top? That way, ships could still pass through, and Hindus still have their bridge.
CHARU SUDAN KASTURI & SUDESHNA BANERJEE”:
“What do these silly Hindus know? Us Commie intellectuals know much more!”
Some of these condescending Bengali closet commies and self styled intellectuals are simply disgusting creatures. Try saying Muhammad and Jesus are myths if you really have the stones.
I’m with him. Sometimes the text is all the evidence that still exists.
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Thanks Blam. I believe this is related to the demolition of that mosque which was constructed centuries ago after the temple of Ram was demolished by moslem occupiers and hoodlums. |
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The Bridge itself, formed by the shoals between Rami-ceram and Mannar, is Rama's Bridge; and in Rami-ceram is Ramar-Koil, the temple of Ram. This Koil or temple (Koil means temple in Malayalim) is undoubtedly the origin of Koru; and the repetition of it three times in Ptolemy is in perfect correspondence with the allusion to Ram at the present"".
Mrs.Ambika Soni, the disgraceful Union Minister for Culture, soaked and steeped in her self-chosen, imperious, insolent, comfortable, cozy, and self-confident ignorance, may not be aware of the fact that there are exquisite sculptures of Rama Setu carved in the 9th and 10th centuries AD at Prambanan Temple, Java, Indonesia. Also known as Loro Jongrang Temple (Temple of the Slender Maiden), Prambanan Temple was built in the 9th century and is the largest Hindu temple complex in Indonesia.
This is the largest temple compound dedicated to Shiva in Indonesia. The UNESCO (a non-saffronized International Organization!!) has declared this temple complex as a World Heritage Site. Rising above the centre of the last of these concentric squares are three temples decorated with relief's illustrating the epic of the Ramayana, dedicated to the three great Hindu divinities (Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma) and three temples dedicated to the animals who serve them.
One of the most beautiful sculptures at Prambanan Temple is the one depicting the Vaanara Sena carrying stones, in their arms and on their heads, to build Rama's Bridge or Rama Setu or Nala Setu to Sri Lanka, followed by SRI RAMA, carrying a sword.
Thanks Fred!
Interesting, very interesting. So very many ‘myths’ turn out to be truths.
Neat !
“Oh oh oh oh
I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
She’s everything to me
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
I’ll never set her free
For she’s mine, all mine
Oh oh oh oh
I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong,
She’s fine to me,
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
You don’t believe that she’s mine, all mine
I love her,
Love her, love her so.
That I’ll never, never let her go.
You may be certain she’s mine, all mine,
She’s mine all of the time.
Oh I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
She’s everything to me
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
I’ll never set her free
For she’s mine, all mine”
Sounds like a personal problem to me
of course he existed.
Legends have a basis, even though they may be changed with time.
As for “gods”, well let’s just say they were superheroes of the ancient world...not GOD...
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