Summary of astronomical evidence in Udyoga parva

Today is the month of Karthika and the day of Pushya. This is the day in Mahabharata when the peace talks fails. Duryodhana orders his troops to march to Kurukshetra on this very day. This is the day when Krishna rushes back to Pandava's camp in Upaplavya, gathers them and leaves for war. Balarama also leave for pilgrimage in disgust on this eventful day. This also marks the end of Udyoga parva.

Today we will look at the 9 verses of Udyoga parva that provide astronomical evidences for dating the war. These 9 verses by themselves are necessary and sufficient to date the Mahabharata war to 1504B.C.

Necessary and sufficient evidences to date the war

In the previous blogs we saw that four main evidences are crucial to date the war. All the four evidences are available in the Udyoga parva. These are

1. Winter solstice in the month of Magha: A corollary of this evidence is the autumnal equinox in the month of Karthika three months earlier. The winter solstice is not recorded in the Udyoga parva. But the Autumnal equinox is recorded as shown in the verse evidence 1. The change of season from Autumn (Sharad) to Dew (Hemant) happens around autumnal equinox. This puts the lower limit of 3000B.C and an upper limit of 800B.C for the war.

Evidence 1: Krishna leaves for mission of peace 
कौमुदे मासि रेवत्यां शरदन्ते हिमागमे । स्फीतसस्यसुखे काले कल्यः सत्ववतां वरः ॥ 5-82-7
Translation: The month was (Kaumuda Kartika) under the constellation Revati. It was the season of dew, Autumn having departed. The earth was covered with abundant crops all around.


2. Saturn in Rohini:

The verse evidence 2 from Udyoga parva clearly states that the Saturn was in Rohini during the war.

Evidence 2: Saturn afflicting Rohini nakshatra
प्राजापत्यं हि नक्षत्रं ग्रहस्तीक्ष्णो महाद्युतिः । शनैश्चरः पीडयति पीडयन्प्राणिनोऽधिकम् ॥5-143-8
Translation: That fierce planet of great effulgence, Sanaischara (Saturn), is afflicting the constellation called Rohini, in order to afflict greatly the creatures of the earth.

3. Mars retrogrades near Jyesta:

This is shown in evidence 3.

Evidence 3: Mars retrogrades from Jyesta to Anuradha 
कृत्वा चाङ्गारको वक्रं ज्योष्ठायां मधुसूदन। अनुराधां प्रार्थयते मैत्रं संगमयन्निव । 5-143-9
Translation: The planet Angaraka (Mars), wheeling, O slayer of Madhu, towards the constellation Jeshthya, approacheth towards Anuradhas, indicating a great slaughter of friends.


Now combining evidences 1, 2 and 3 reduces the possible years to 858 B.C,1300 B.C,1504 B.C, 1741 B.C, 1946 B.C, 2183 B.C and 2625 B.C. If we attribute observational error on noting the exact month for autumnal equinox (and winter solstice) then we may include 2831B.C and 3067B.C. But any other combination such as 3273B.C and beyond will be very hard to justify as an observational error.

4. Solar eclipse at the end of Karthika and seven days from Pushya:

The final evidence which down selects 1504 B.C is the solar eclipse. When Krishna is riding back with Karna after the peace talks fails it is the month of Karthika as pointed in the verse evidence 1. The day talks breakdown and he is riding back, the moon is at Pushya. This is from verse evidence 4 where Duryodhana directs his troops to march to Kurukshetra since the talks have failed and Krishna returned.

Evidence 4: Duryodhana orders troops to march to Kurukshetra on the day of Pushya
आज्ञापयच्च राज्ञस्तान्पार्थिवान्नष्टचेतसः । प्रयात वै कुरुक्षेत्रं पुष्योऽद्येति पुनः पुनः ॥ 5-150-3
Translation: King Duryodhana then repeatedly ordered those wicked-hearted rulers, saying, 'Today constellation Pushya is ascendant--march ye (this very day) to Kurukshetra.’

Besides this verse 4, there are verses from Shalya parva that reinforce that Krishna reaching Upaplavya leaves with Pandavas to war on the day of Pushya. Hence the day of Krishna riding with Karna is also the day of Pushya.

During the ride Karna gives indication that a solar eclipse is approaching at the end of Karthika month. This is given in the verse evidence 5 by pointing out that the Rahu (lunar node) is approaching the sun. This is also reiterated by Vyasa to Bhishma in the Bhishma parva.

Evidence 5: Solar eclipse
सोमस्य लक्ष्म व्यावृत्तं राहुरर्कमुपैति च।दिवश्चोल्काः पतन्त्येताः सनिर्घाताः सकंपनाः॥ 5-143-11
Translation: The spot on the lunar disc hath changed its position; and Rahu also approacheth towards the sun.

Finally Karna indicates that from the day of Pushya, there are only 7 days to Amavasya (eclipse day). This is in the verse evidence 6.

Evidence 6: After peace mission fails, Krishna returns riding with Karna  
सप्तमाच्चापि दिवसादमावास्या भविष्यति।सङ्ग्रामो युज्यतां तस्यां तामाहुः शक्रदेवताम्॥5-142-18
Translation: Seven days after, will be the day of the new moon. Let the battle commence then, for that day, it hath been said, is presided over by Indra.


Combining the verse evidence 4,5 and 6, we have a unique solar eclipse. In this eclipse month of Karthika moon traverses 10 stars from Pushya to Jyeta (position of sun at the end of Karthika) within a span of 7 days ending in a solar eclipse. 

This unique eclipse happens only in 1504B.C.


Chronology of events in the Udyoga parva

If we take 1504B.C as the date of Mahabharata war, with help of verse 1 through 9 we can piece together the dates of the events in the Udyoga parva.

Sep 27 1504B.C is the month of Karthika when moon is at Revati. This marks the day when Krishna leaves from Upaplavya to Hastinapura for the peace mission. The verse 7 shows that, on his way, Krishna stopped at Vrikasthala at the time of sunset. He is welcomed by the residents there. He decides to rests for the night. Interestingly Vrikasthala is one of the villages that Krishna asks for Yudhishtra during the peace talks. This village is identified with Bhagpat in Uttar Pradesh

Evidence 7: Krishna arrives at Vrikastala evening of Sept 27^th 
वृकस्थलं समासाद्य केशवः परवीरहा । प्रकीर्णरश्मावादित्ये व्योम्नि वै लोहितायति ॥ 5-84-18
Translation: When at last that slayer of hostile heroes, Kesava, came to Vrikasthala, the sun seemed to redden the sky by his straggling rays of light.

On Sep 28th Krishna leaves for Hastinapura as shown in the verse 8. He enters Hastinapura and stays at Vidura's place for the night. This is given in the verse 9.

Evidence 8: Krishna leaves for Hastinapura from Vrikastala on Sep 28^th 
प्रातरुत्थाय कृष्णस्तु कृतवान्सर्वमाह्निकम्। ब्राह्मणैरभ्यनुज्ञातः प्रययौ नगरं प्रति ॥ 5-89-1 
Translation: Rising up (from his bed) at day-dawn, Krishna went through his morning rites, and taking leave of the Bharatas, set out for the city (of the Kurus).

Evidence 4: Krishna spends the night of September 28^th at Vidura’s place in Hastinapura
तथा कथयतोरेव तयोर्बुद्धिमतोस्तदा। शिवा नक्षत्रसंपन्ना सा व्यतीयाय शर्वरी ॥ 5-94-1
Translation: In such conversation between those two distinguished persons(Krishna and Vidura), both of whom were endued with great intelligence, that night, lit with bright stars, passed away.


Now there is a gap of events and days when the negotiations and peace talks are going on in Hastinapur. From verse evidence 4 we come to know that on October 5th, the day of Pushya, talks have broken down. Krishna leaves for Upaplavya. Duryodhana orders his troops to march to Kurukshetra. This is the day when Krishna rides back with Karna, gather Pandavas and leaves for the battle. This eventful month ends with a solar eclipse on October 13th.


Summary:
-Sep 27th: Krishna leaves for Hastinapura. Stay in Vrikastala for the night
-Sep 28th: He leaves for Hastinapura
-Oct 5th: the talks breakdown. Krishna rushes back to Pandavas
-Oct 13th: Solar eclipse

Mahabharata could have happened only between 800B.C-3000B.C

Let us review the four crucial evidence that narrows the date of the Mahabharata war to only 8 possible candidate years between 800B.C to 3000B.C.

These four evidences are:
1. Winter solstice at Magha and Autumnal equinox in Karthika
2. Saturn in Rohini
3. Mars retrograde near jyesta

Winter solstice at Magha and Autumnal equinox in Karthika:
The evidence verse 1 from Udyoga parva mentions the change of season from Sharad (Dew) to Hemant (Autumn). This happens during the autumnal equinox. The verse mentions this change of season in Karthika month. Three months from Autumnal equinox will be winter solstice. Three months from Karthika is Magha. This corollory of winter equinox in Magha is confirmed in verse evidence 2 on Bhishma Nirvana. In the verse evidence 2 Bhishma clearly mentions the uttarayana/winter solstice in the month of Magha. 

These two verses clearly places the months for equinox and solstice. Any Mahabharata date cannot brush aside this crucial evidence.

Evidence 1: Autumnal equinox in Karthika
कौमुदे मासि रेवत्यां शरदन्ते हिमागमे । स्फीतसस्यसुखे काले कल्यः सत्ववतां वरः ॥ 5-82-7
The translation: The month was (Kaumuda Kartika) under the constellation Revati. It was the season of dew, Autumn having departed. The earth was covered with abundant crops all around.

Evidence 2: Winter solstice in Magha
दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोसि कौन्तेय सहामात्यो युधिष्ठिर।परिवृत्तो हि भगवान्सहस्रांशुर्दिवाकरः॥13-273-26
अष्टपञ्चाशतं रात्र्यः शयानस्याद्य मे गताः। शरेषु निशिताग्नेषु यथा वर्षशतं तथा॥ 13-273-27  
माघोऽयं समनुप्राप्तो मासः पुण्यो युधिष्ठिर। त्रिभागशेषः पक्षोऽयं शुक्लो भवितुमर्हति॥ 13-273-28
The translation: 'By good luck, O son of Kunti, thou hast come here with all thy counselors, O Yudhishthira! The thousand-rayed maker of day, the holy Surya has begun his northward course. I have been lying on my bed here for eight and fifty nights. Stretched on these sharp-pointed arrows I have felt this period to be as long as if it was a century. O Yudhishthira, the lunar month of Magha has come. This is, again, the lighted fortnight and a fourth part of it ought by this (according to my calculations) be over.'


Saturn in Rohini and Mars retrograde in Jyesta
The evidence verse 3 and 4 are from Krishna-Karna samvada in the Udyoga parva. These two verses mention a rare coincidence of two events. The two events are Saturn in Rohini and Mars retrograding in Jyesta.

Evidence 3: Saturn in Rohini
प्राजापत्यं हि नक्षत्रं ग्रहस्तीक्ष्णो महाद्युतिः । शनैश्चरः पीडयति पीडयन्प्राणिनोऽधिकम् ॥5-143-8
Translation: That fierce planet of great effulgence, Sanaischara (Saturn), is afflicting the constellation called Rohini, in order to afflict greatly the creatures of the earth.

Evidence 4: Mars retrograding in Jyesta
कृत्वा चाङ्गारको वक्रं ज्योष्ठायां मधुसूदन। अनुराधां प्रार्थयते मैत्रं संगमयन्निव । 5-143-9
Translation: The planet Angaraka (Mars), wheeling, O slayer of Madhu, towards the constellation Jyesta, approacheth towards Anuradha, indicating a great slaughter of friends.

Candidate years:
The unique position of Saturn and Mars happens roughly 200-2500 years. Together with the evidence of equinox and solstice only following years are a possibility 
858 B.C,1300 B.C,1504 B.C, 1741 B.C, 1946 B.C, 2183 B.C and 2625 B.C

Any combination after 858 B.C the winter solstice will happen in the Pushya month and Autumnal equinox will happen in the Ashwini month. Any combination before 2625B.C the winter solstice and autumnal equinox will happen in the Phalguna month and the Mrigashira month respectively. 

If we assume observation error by Bhishma for winter solstice, we can possibly add two more possible combination 2831B.C and 3067B.C. But any other combination such as 3273B.C and beyond will be very hard to justify as an observational error.

The year 1504B.C predicted in the previous blog, the date of Bhishma nirvana falls exactly on the winter solstice.

Sri Krishna's departure and The year of Kali Yuga: 1468BCE

Let us continue our series on Mahabharata. In this blog I will take up few interesting topics. First I will present an independent verification of the Mahabharata war date from the Puranas. Next we will discuss the year of Kali yuga from Puranas and Mahabharata. 

Year of Mahabharata war from Puranas:

Bhagavat Purana is composed as a conversation between King Parikshit (Son of Abhimanyu and Grand son of Arjuna) and sage Suka. It not only mentions when Kali Yuga started, but goes on to relate various kings and dynasty in the Kali Yuga. The most interesting observation on the year of Mahabharata war is the reference Suka gives on the birth of Parikshit.

Evidence 1: 1150 years between Parikshit and Maha Padma Nanda

(Suka says) Beginning from the birth of your good self (Parikshit) up to the coronation of king Nanda eleven hundred and fifty years will pass (Bhagavatam 12.2.26)

Archaeologist and historians assign a rough date of 350 BCE for the king Maha Padmananda's coronation. The year of Mahabharata war is also the year of birth of Parikshit. Adding 1150 years brings us to 1500 BCE. Our astronomical dating of Mahabharata war falls at 1504 BCE.

Hence the independent evidence from Puranas confirms our date of 1504BCE. 

Kali Yuga from Puranas :

Puranas mention that the Kali Yuga started when Krishna left his human body for his divine abode. Following is a text from Bhagavat Purana

Evidence 2: Kali Yuga and Krishna's departure

When Vishnu the Supreme Lord, the sun known as Krishna, returned to heaven, this world entered the age of Kali in which people delight in sin (12.2.29)

Evidence 3: Kali Yuga and Krishna's departure

The historians say that the age of Kali began the very day that Srî Krishna departed for the spiritual world (12.2.33)

Hence, if we can date the year of Krishna's departure in Mahabharata, we can arrive at the year of Kali Yuga.

Year of Kali Yuga from Mausala Parva in Mahabharata:

We have to turn to Mausala Parva to learn about Krishna's departure. Following are some verses from the chapter 1 in Mausala parva.

Evidence 3: Event of Mausala Parva happen 36 years after the battle

Vaishampayana said: "When the thirty-sixth year (after the battle) was reached, the delighter of the Kurus, Yudhishthira, beheld many unusual portents. (Mausala Parva Chapter 1) 

Evidence 4: Event of Mausala Parva happen 36 years after the battle

Vaishampayana continued: "When the thirty-sixth year was reached (after the great battle) a great calamity overtook the Vrishnis. Impelled by Time, they all met with destruction in consequence of the iron bolt." (Mausala Parva Chapter 1)

Evidence 5: Event of Mausala Parva happen 36 years after the battle

The slayer of Keshi, Janardana, thinking upon the omens that Time showed, understood that the thirty-sixth year had come, and that what Gandhari, burning with grief on account of the death of her sons, and deprived of all her kinsmen, had said was about to transpire. (Mausala Parva Chapter 1)

Hence the chapter 1 of Mausala Parva make it very clear that the events happened 36 years after the battle. With Mahabharata war dated to 1504BCE, the events of Mausala Parva would have happened at 1468 BCE.

Eclipse in the year 1468 BCE:

The tragic events of Mausala Parva include the deluge of the Dwaraka City, destruction of Yadavas and Krishna's departure. There is a very specific eclipse that Krishna observes the day before the catastrophe happens. It is given below

Evidence 6: Eclipse before Krishna's departure

Beholding these signs that indicated the perverse course of Time, and seeing that the day of the new moon coincided with the thirteenth (and the fourteenth) lunation, Hrishikesa, summoning the Yadavas, said unto them these words: ‘The fourteenth lunation has been made the fifteenth by Rahu once more. Such a day had happened at the time of the great battle of the Bharatas. It has once more appeared, it seems, for our destruction. (Mausala Parva Chapter 2)

Indeed in the year 1468, the eclipse like the one we saw in 1504 BCE does happen. There is a Karthika Pournima lunar eclipse on October 21 1468 BCE (Figure 1) just before the sunrise. This is followed by a solar eclipse on November 4th 1468 BCE at Jyesta just after sunrise. 

This confirms that 1468 BCE is indeed the year of Kali Yuga.

Figure 1: Lunar Eclipse on October 21 1468

Figure 2: Solar Eclipse on November 4th 1468BCE

Eclipses in Mahabharata

I am starting a series of articles today on the auspicious occation of Karthik Pournima. This was the day in 1504BCE when Bhagvan Sri Krishna entered Hastinapura with a mission of peace.

Eclipses in Mahabharata:

Descriptions of eclipses in the Mahabharata is a crucial evidence supporting the date of 1504 BCE. This blog discusses the verses on eclipse to show why only 1504BCE fits all these evidences.

Candidate years:

Three crucial evidences are necesarry to reduce the potential candidates for the date of mahabharata war. These are
1. Bhishma nirvana in the month of Magha
2. Saturn in Rohini
3. Mars retrograding in Jyesta

These reduces the field of candidates to 858 BCE, 1300 BCE, 1504 BCE, 1741 BCE, 1946 BCE, 2183 BCE, 2625 BCE etc. But the winning candidate has to pass the eclipse test. Following are the four unique charachterictics of the eclipses during the Mahabharata war

1. Lunar eclipse happens on Karthik Pournima.
2. The solar eclipse happens during the amavasya following Karthik pournima.
3. Only 13 days interval exist between lunar and solar eclipse
4. Seven days before the solar eclipse moon is at Pushya nakshatra.

the items 3 and 4 make the ecplise an extremely rare event. Only a date of 1504 BCE meets the criteria.

Lunar eclipse on Karthika pournima:

In Bhishma parva Vyasa provides several astronomical observations before the war. He clearly mentions that a lunar eclipse occurse in Karthik pournima. The verse containing this information is given below


Evidence 1: Lunar eclipse on Karthik Poornima
आलक्षे प्रभया हीनां पौर्णमासीं च कीर्तिकीम् । चन्द्रोऽभूदग्निवर्णश्च पद्मवर्णे नभस्तले ॥ 6-2-23
Translation: On even the fifteenth night of the lighted-fortnight in (the month of) Kartika, the moon, divested of splendour, became invisible, or of the hue of fire, the firmament being of the hue of the lotus.

Evidence 2: Ketu at Krittika
कृत्तिकां पीडयंस्तीक्ष्णैर्नक्षत्रं पृथिवीपते । अभीक्ष्णवाता वायन्ते धूमकेतुमवस्थिताः ॥ 6-3-30
Translation: Of fierce deeds is also, O monarch, afflicting the constellation Kirtika. Rough winds, portending fierce danger, are constantly blowing.

The first verse says that the full moon is divested of its splendor  in the month of Karthika. If there is any doubt on why moon is divested of its splendor, the second verse clears the doubt. The second verse says that the fierce planet Ketu is afflicting Krithika. If the lunar node ketu is afflicting Krithikka then lunar eclipse would occur in the month of Kritthika.

These two evidences confirm that lunar eclipse occurred on Karthik Pournima.

Solar eclipse at the end of Karthika month:

As we know that a solar eclipse precedes or succeeds a lunar eclipse. The evidence of solar eclipse succeeding a lunar eclipse is provided by Vyasa. He mentions that solar eclipse follows lunar eclipse in 13 days. Following two verses provides the evidences for it.

Evidence 3: 13 full days between lunar and solar eclipse
चन्द्रादित्यावुभौ ग्रस्तावेकाह्ना हि त्रयोदशीम्। अपर्वमि ग्रहं यातौ प्रजासंक्षयमिच्छतः ॥ 6-3-28
Translation: On the thirteenth day therefore, from the first lunation, according as it is the day of the full moon or the new moon, the moon and the sun are afflicted by Rahu. Such strange eclipses, both lunar and solar, forebode a great slaughter

Evidence 4: 13 full days between lunar and solar eclipse
चतुर्दशीं पञ्चदशीं भूतपूर्वां च षोडशीम्। इमां तु नाभिजानामि अमावास्यां त्रयोदशीम् । चन्द्रसूर्यावुभौ ग्रस्तावेकान्हा हि त्रयोदशीम् ॥ 6-3-32
Translation: A lunar fortnight had hitherto consisted of fourteen days, or fifteen days (as usual), or sixteen days. This, however, I never knew that the day of new-moon would be on the thirteenth day from the first lunation. And yet in course of the same month both the Moon and the Sun have undergone eclipses on the thirteenth days from the day of the first lunation

Moon at Pushya nakshatra 7 days before the solar eclipse:

This is the most tricky charachteristics of the eclipses that seals the date for 1504 BCE. To arrive at this charachteristics few astonomical evidences from Udyoga parva and Shalya parva on the month of Karthika need to be studied.

The following evidences pieces together the story of the Karthika month. First Krishna leaves for Hastinapura in the Month of Karthika. Incidentally it is the month of autumnal equinox as sharad ritu gives way to hemant ritu. This is from the verse evidence 5 from Udyoga parva.

Evidence 5: Autumnal equinox in Karthika month
कौमुदे मासि रेवत्यां शरदन्ते हिमागमे । स्फीतसस्यसुखे काले कल्यः सत्ववतां वरः ॥ 5-82-7
The translation: The month was (Kaumuda Kartika) under the constellation Revati. It was the season of dew, Autumn having departed. The earth was covered with abundant crops all around.


Krishna's peace mission fails and Duryodana announces his decision to leave for war when moon is at Pushya in the month of Karthika. This is from the verse evidence 6. Krishna rushes back to Pandava's camp in Upaplavya. Gathers them and leaves for Kurukshetra the same day. On the same day of Pushya nakshatra Balarama also leave for the pilgrimage to Saraswati river. This evidence is provided in the Shalya parva in the verse evidence 7. The Shalya parva also quotes Balarama in the verse evidence 8 after his return to Kurukshetra at the end of the war. Balarama repeats the fact that he left on the nakshatra Pushya.

Evidence 6: Duryodhana orders troops to march to Kurukshetra
आज्ञापयच्च राज्ञस्तान्पार्थिवान्नष्टचेतसः । प्रयात वै कुरुक्षेत्रं पुष्योऽद्येति पुनः पुनः ॥ 5-150-3
Translation: King Duryodhana then repeatedly ordered those wicked-hearted rulers, saying, 'Today constellation Pushya is ascendant--march ye (this very day) to Kurukshetra.’

Evidence 7:Balarama decides not to fight war and leaves under the star Pushya

न कुर्वन्ति वचो मह्यं कुरवः कालनोदिताः। निर्गच्छध्व पाण्डवेयाः पुष्येण सहिता मया॥ 9-35-11

रौहिणेये गते शूरे पुष्येण मधुसूदनः। पाण्डवेयान्पुरस्कृत्य ययावभिमुखः कूरून्॥ 9-35-16

Translation: 'Urged by Fate, the Kauravas are for disregarding my words! Come, ye sons of Pandu, with me (to the field of battle), setting out under the constellation Pushya!'  (Said Krishna). After the heroic son of Rohini had set out under the constellation Pushya, the slayer of Madhu, placing the Pandavas in his van, proceeded against the Kurus.

Evidence 8: Day 19 of war Balarama returns to witness Bhima-Duryodhana fight Nov 15
चत्वारिंशदहान्यद्य द्वे च मे निःसृतस्य वै। पुष्येण सम्प्रयातोऽस्मि श्रवणे पुनरागतः। शिष्ययोर्वै गदायुद्धं द्रुष्टुकामोऽस्मि माधव॥ 9-34-6

Translation: Two and forty days have passed since I left home. I had set out under the constellation Pushya and have come back under Shravana. I am desirous, O Madhava, of beholding this encounter with the mace between these two disciples of mine


While Krishna is heading from Hastinapura to Upaplavya, Karna rides with him for a distance. Here is where Karna mentions that there are only seven days to amavasya. He also says that moon on amavasya will be on Jyesta.  This is given in the verse evidence 9.


Evidence 9: After peace mission fails, Krishna returns riding with Karna
सप्तमाच्चापि दिवसादमावास्या भविष्यति।सङ्ग्रामो युज्यतां तस्यां तामाहुः शक्रदेवताम्॥5-142-18
Translation: Seven days after, will be the day of the new moon. Let the battle commence then, for that day, it hath been said, is presided over by Indra.


Karna also makes it clear that the amavasya in seven days is indeed solar eclipse. He hints at in the verse evidence 10. He says that rahu or the lunar node is approching the sun.

Evidence 10: Solar eclipse on Oct 13^th 
सोमस्य लक्ष्म व्यावृत्तं राहुरर्कमुपैति च।दिवश्चोल्काः पतन्त्येताः सनिर्घाताः सकंपनाः॥ 5-143-11
Translation: The spot on the lunar disc hath changed its position; and Rahu also approacheth towards the sun.

Without the evidences quoted above from udyoga parva and shalya parva, just from evidence verse 9, it would not be clear what day Karna rode with Krishna. At the same time this makes a very rare event. For an amavasya to occur after karthik pournima, the moon would be at Anuradha or Jyeshta. So in 7 days moon has to travel at least 9 stars from Pushya to Anuradha. The verse evidence 3 and 4 confirm this rare event. Vyasa specifically says that it is extremely rare that a solar eclipse follows lunar eclipse in 13 days. Of these 13 days we now know that moon spanned Pushya to Anuradha in 7 days.


1504BCE satisfies all the features of the eclipse:

When we consider the year 1504 BCE. The karthik pournima lunar eclipse happen on September 29th in the Delhi region. It is an interesting lunar eclipse as the moon rises with an eclipse at 6:30PM. The following solar eclipse happens on October 13th just before the sun set at 4:30pm. There are 13 full days between the two eclipses as mentioned by Vyasa. Finally 7 days before the solar eclipse is Oct 06. We can see that moon is at Pushya on October 6th.

The date of 1504BCE satisfies all the unique charachteristics of the eclipses mentioned in the mahabharata.