2016, Vol. 2, Issue 4, Part B

author(s)
Satya Narain and Ratnakar Narale

abstract
Since its formation over 4.5 billion years ago, earth has been hit many times by comets. When a comet hits the earth, its impact is enormous similar to thermo nuclear explosion. Very few comet strikes are actually known to modern science. It is now widely accepted that comet impacts of the historical past have played a significant role in shaping the evolution of earth. In this article, we have attempted to decode an esoteric legend, namely “The Birth of Kārtikey” narrated by Sage Viśvāmitra inrnVālmīki Rāmāyaṇa which unravels a specific event of the impact (collision) of a giant comet (symbolized by male divinity Kārtikey कार्तिकेय) on earth together with its root cause and its ramifications on earth’s evolution. The root cause of giant comet impact event, mentioned in the ancient text of the legend, was abnormally intense cosmic interaction between Kuiper belt (an astronomical entity symbolized by female divinity Ākāśagaṅgāआकाशगङ्गा) and energy bursts from Sun (symbolized by male divinity Agniḥअग्निः). This super cosmic interaction was rare as it induced a giant comet within the band of Kuiper belt to cross its orbit and hit the surface of the earth with a massive force.
Without using any allegory or metaphor, the text of the legend precisely states that giant comet impact triggered volcanic eruptions which ejected metals from earth’s interior to its outer surface. Thus, this geothermal event enriched the crust of earth with metals and minerals. The text of the legend should be recognized as the most ancient scientific statements in the world which describes how the metals such as gold, silver, copper, tin and iron originated in the crust of earth.
This specific giant comet impact event have played vital role in the evolution of earth. The most significant ramification of this giant comet impact event was that it delivered life sustaining molecules on the surface of earth. Consequently, this comet strike accelerated evolution of diversified forms of life on the earth over a period of time.
This comet impact event occurred when earth had started sustaining early types of grasses and plants. According to modern history of earth, timeline of this giant comet impact event is considered to correspond to Devonian period of Phanerozoic Eon (416 to 359.2 million years ago). We have also contextually inferred that Lake Mānsarovar had been formed within the round crater formed at the spot of the comet strike near the base of a high mountain identified by two names, Kailāsa (कैलास) and Haimavate (हैमवते). Modern science has not yet conducted any systematic investigations into the origin of Lake Mānsarovar and Mount Kailāsa. The legend presents a definite geological point of view that Mount Kailāsa and Lake Mānsarovar had formed on the surface of earth much before the rise of Himalayan mountain range.
Despite of being allegorical, the legend reveals a consistent series of cosmic, impact and geothermal events logically linked with their cause-and-effect relationships. It is amazing to think how the ancient text could visualise astronomical entity Kuiper Belt known to modern science only from 1992. The legend strongly supports a modern view that comet strike also delivered life sustaining molecules from outer space. The series of specific events revealed by this legend are not yet hypothesized by modern science. The super cosmic interaction and giant comet impact revealed by this legend is ingrained with significant clues, ideas, and deep insights which can be used to develop a model for verifying its validity in the modern context.