There are a number of misconceptions regarding the approach of Dec 21, 2012. The concept of end of days commencing on this date is taken from ancient Mayan calendar. Let us take a closer look at it.
The Mayan calendar is based on the premise that Sun is not a stationary star, and that it revolves along with the solar system around a fixed point in our galaxy called the point of light. One complete orbit of Sun around this fixed point takes 25625 years. One complete cycle is called a galactic day and is divided into two halves of 12812.5 years. These are called day and night.
Mayans also divided the galactic day of 25625 into five segments of 5125 years each and assigned specific symbolism to each segment.
The first cycle was called galactic morning. This refers to the point when our solar system is just coming out of darkness and is about to enter light.
The second cycle was called mid day. During this second cycle, our solar system comes closest to the central fixed point called the point of light.
The third cycle represents afternoon. During this phase, our solar system begins to come out of the light and move away towards darkness.
The fourth cycle is the late-night, and at this point our solar system has reached furthest from the central light.
The fifth and the last cycle is the period before dawn. During this phase our solar system is in its final years of darkness before starting again. This is the cycle that we are currently coming out of.
The Hindu Vedic calendar
With only some minor variations the Hindu or Vedic calendar which predates Mayans by a few thousand years states exactly the same thing. Here is what Manu Smriti (teachings of sage Manu) says.
Four thousand years is said to be the Satya Yuga. Its morning has as many hundreds, and its evening is of the same length. (400+4000+400 = 4800).
In the other three ages, with their morning and evening twilights, the thousands and hundreds decrease by one. (i.e. 300+3000+300 = 3600 and so on…).
That fourfold cycle comprising twelve thousand years is called an Age of the gods. The sum of a thousand divine ages constitutes one day of Brahma, and of the same length is its night. Manu specifically mentions earth years.
The Mayan calendar is based on the premise that Sun is not a stationary star, and that it revolves along with the solar system around a fixed point in our galaxy called the point of light. One complete orbit of Sun around this fixed point takes 25625 years. One complete cycle is called a galactic day and is divided into two halves of 12812.5 years. These are called day and night.
Mayans also divided the galactic day of 25625 into five segments of 5125 years each and assigned specific symbolism to each segment.
The first cycle was called galactic morning. This refers to the point when our solar system is just coming out of darkness and is about to enter light.
The second cycle was called mid day. During this second cycle, our solar system comes closest to the central fixed point called the point of light.
The third cycle represents afternoon. During this phase, our solar system begins to come out of the light and move away towards darkness.
The fourth cycle is the late-night, and at this point our solar system has reached furthest from the central light.
The fifth and the last cycle is the period before dawn. During this phase our solar system is in its final years of darkness before starting again. This is the cycle that we are currently coming out of.
The Hindu Vedic calendar
With only some minor variations the Hindu or Vedic calendar which predates Mayans by a few thousand years states exactly the same thing. Here is what Manu Smriti (teachings of sage Manu) says.
Four thousand years is said to be the Satya Yuga. Its morning has as many hundreds, and its evening is of the same length. (400+4000+400 = 4800).
In the other three ages, with their morning and evening twilights, the thousands and hundreds decrease by one. (i.e. 300+3000+300 = 3600 and so on…).
That fourfold cycle comprising twelve thousand years is called an Age of the gods. The sum of a thousand divine ages constitutes one day of Brahma, and of the same length is its night. Manu specifically mentions earth years.
In our next Blog, we shall go into the simple math of it. . . . .
Rajiv Sethi
Your questions and comments are very welcome. I also look forward to hearing from you about topics you want discussed. Please write to me at amvedin@yahoo.com or visit my website at http://indian-vedicastrology.com
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Hey Rajiv,
ReplyDeleteI like this blog. Do you think there is a direct correlation between the Mayan and Vedic calendars and, more specifically, to the Yugas and divisions of the Galactic day as you explained?
I read somewhere that the pyramids of Mexico resemble some of the structures found in southern India. We do know that Maya is known as the goddess of illusion in the Hindu pantheon. Do you think there may be a connection?
-WS
WS, thaks for writing. Mayans and we go back a long way. Our south American connection is mentioned once in Ramayan when Maya Danav married his daughter Mandodri to Ravan and also built the fort and palaces in Lanka.
ReplyDeleteThe second reference to Maya occurs in Mahabharat when Maya clear up the Varnavrat forest and make the spanking new capital of Indraprastha for Pandavs.
Mayans have been excellent architects and building of Indraprastha seems to be the earliest example of outsourcing a process.
The Vastu architecture prevalent in south India is very closely related to the Pyramid formation in south America. It differs slightly from that of Egyptions who were late entrants to the pyramid building scene.
The ability of a pyramid to focus the universal energy is undisputed and our temples take full advantage of it. The Garbh Grih is placed directly under the focal point and remains replete with the universal energy.
Mayan and Indian calendars share the same basis but differ slightly as I have pointed out in my second and third blog.
Thanks for writing back.
Rajiv