Ancient Indian literature, particularly the Puranas and Vedas, has long been viewed through a strictly theological or historical lens. However, the work of Prof. R.N. Iyengar (Distinguished Professor, Jain University) has opened a third avenue: "Scientific Naturalism." Iyengar argues that Vedic seers were empirical observers who encoded celestial phenomena—eclipses, comets, and planetary motions—into allegorical poetry
In the text, the Fish warns Manu of an impending Pralaya (Dissolution). Astronomically, a "flood" often symbolizes the chaotic transition when the equinoxes shift constellations, rendering old calendars and star charts obsolete.
Matsya Purana (2.6):
Acirāt prabhaviṣyati mahān eṣa pralayaḥ |
Samvartako nāma megho yatra bhitti-samplavaḥ ||
Translation: "Very soon, a great dissolution (Pralaya) will occur... The clouds of destruction (Samvartaka) will gather, leading to the total inundation of the earth."
The Extrapolation:
This "clouds of destruction" and "inundation" likely represent the obscure period when the pole star (Thuban) began to drift away from true north. For an ancient astronomer whose calendar relied on a fixed pole, the "sky was falling"—the order of time was dissolving into chaos.
The Anomaly of the "Horn" (Sringa)
The most critical piece of evidence is the physical description of the Matsya. It is not just a fish; it is a unicorn-fish. Biological fish do not have horns. However, the constellation Draco (The Dragon/Serpent) does.
Matsya Purana (2.14):
Śṛṅge asmin mama tām nāvam pālāśe nibadhānuyām |
Utpāta-vāto abhihitaḥ pralaya-arṇava-sambhavaḥ ||
Translation: "When the winds of destruction arise from the ocean of dissolution... You shall fasten that boat to this horn of mine."
The Boat (Nau) as Ursa Major
In the Matsya Purana, Manu is explicitly accompanied by the Saptarishis.
● Identification: In ancient star lore, the Big Dipper is frequently visualized as a Boat, a
Chariot, or a Wain.
● Circumpolar Nature: For northern observers, Ursa Major is circumpolar; it never sets.
When the "waters" of the flood (the rising horizon due to precession or the Milky Way)
engulf the other stars, the "Boat" of the Saptarishis remains afloat. It is the only structure
that survives the dissolution of the age.
The Fish’s Horn (Shringa) as the Celestial Pole
Manu is instructed to tie the boat to the Horn of the Fish.
● The Fish: This corresponds to the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Bear), which was
visualized as a fish or sea creature in various ancient cultures.
● The Horn: The horn represents the Celestial Pole. The boat (Ursa Major) revolves
around the horn (Pole).
● Thuban: The most critical archaeoastronomical evidence is the identity of the Pole Star.
Due to precession, the pole star changes. Around 3000 BCE, the pole star was Thuban
(Alpha Draconis). Thuban is located in the tail of Draco, or visually, at the "horn" of the
celestial configuration involving Ursa Minor.
The Serpent Rope (Vasuki)
The Matsya Purana specifies that the rope used to tether the boat to the horn is the serpent
king Vasuki.
● Identification: This is an explicit reference to the constellation Draco (the
Dragon/Serpent).
● Visual Confirmation: The constellation Draco winds between Ursa Major (the Boat) and
Ursa Minor/Pole (the Fish/Horn). In the sky of 3000 BCE, Draco literally "connected" the
Big Dipper to the Thuban pole. The myth is a description of the night sky: The Boat (Ursa
Major) is tied to the Pole (Thuban) by the Serpent (Draco).
● Precessional Mechanics: As precession occurs, the pole moves away from Thuban. The
"rope" slips. The boat "wanders." The myth of the flood captures the epoch when the
stable polarity of Thuban was lost, and the heavens became "unhinged" until a new
frame could be established.
I have further extrapolations on Varaha Avatar, Narasimha Avatar, Vamana Avatar, and Parashurama Avtar as well.
I would like to get some help in getting these published, request the help of academics in archeaoastronmy-pls reach out to me at-
