The Orion, or Researches into the Antiquity of the Vedas c12.1

c12.1

Results of previous chapters—Winter solstice in Phâlguna and Mâgha—Successive year-beginnings in old times stated and explained—The second traditional year-beginning in the Taittirîya Sanhitâ—Winter solstice in Chaitra and vernal equinox in Punarvasu—Vedic traditions corroborating the same—The commencement of the sacrifice with Aditi, the presiding deity of Punarvasu—The asterismal Prajâpati with Chitrâ for his head—THE CONCLUSIONS—Periods of ancient Vedic literature stated and described—The Pre-Orion Period, 6000—4000 B. C.—The Orion Period, 4000—2500 B. C. The Krittikâ Period, 2500—1400 B. C.—Pre Buddistic Period, 1400—500 B. C.—Not inconsistent with the results of Comparative Philology or Mythology—Rate of the precession of the equinoxes—Correctly determined by the Hindus—Continuous record of the different positions of the equinoxes in Sanskrit literature—Traditions based upon the same—Prajâpati, Rohinî and Rudra—Meaning of Rohinî—The Krittikâs in the Taittirîya Sanhitâ and Vedânga Jyotisha—The equinox in Ashvinî in later works.—Story of Vishvâmitra—Notices of the recession of the rainy season from Bhâdrapada to Jyeshtha Conclusions shewn to be consistent with the traditions regarding the antiquity of Zoroaster and the Vedas.