Indian Mythological roots of International Names:
The following is an abridged version of a paper presented at the Conference on Radical Archeological Phenomena (CRAP).
Abstract
Here we present some evidence to show the prevalence of ancient India on the rest of the world. The strategy is to trace the origins of the current names of places to Indian mythology. In view of brevity, only a few examples have been presented here.
Introduction
In recent years there has been increased interest in ancient Indian mythology and Aryan history. It has been shown by Bala et al. [BK 92] that the Indians had captured most of the world around 10,000 B.C. and used to freely travel around the world. Their influences have been found in Mayan temple architecture and sculpture in Mexico, in the Egyptian pyramids, the Kalahari Bushmen language, the bone structure of Ethiopian cows, the mating habits of Swedish men, among others.
Besides this, there is evidence that the ancient Indian society was technologically extremely advanced. Jones and Connery [JC 89] have provided convincing arguments based on archeological findings and the Upanishads that the Indians had developed sound-activated, plasma-powered air vehicles.
In this paper, we present some recent work showing the origins of names of places of widely varied geographical locations in the Indian mythology. This strengthens the recent theory that Indians ruled the world around 10,000 B.C.
Etymology
Australia:
The roots of this word have been traced to the great epic Ramayana. When Rama was trying to cross the ocean to go to Lanka, the ocean was not cooperating to build the bridge. In his anger, Rama pulled out his Astra (a powerful arrow like a missile) and threatened to dry the ocean. Samudra, the ocean God, realised his mistake and capitulated to Rama. Rama forgave Samudra. However, once taken out of the quiver, Rama's Astras have to leave the bow. Samudra meekly suggested that Rama shoot the Astra towards Antarctica hoping that the ice would melt and increase his volume. At that instant, Indra, the God of rain and thunder, was blowing a thunderstorm across the MahaSamudra. This steered the Astra's course away from Antarctica and it landed in the MahaSamudra and dried up a huge land mass. This land was consecrated and people built a temple at the place where the Astra fell. Just as Himalay = Him + Alay, meaning the home of Ice in Sanskrit, similarly, this temple of Astra was called Astralaya, which in time, degenerated to Australia.
Brazil:
The roots of this word have been traced to the greatest epic of all times, the Mahabharata. Jones and Connery have shown that the ancient Brazilian architectural style is very similar to the Yadava architecture of Gokul. It also says in the Mahabharata that Mathura was to the west of Gokul. Combined with the fact that all the continents formed a monolothic land mass at that time, we have conclusive evidence that Mathura and present day Brazil are one and the same. Lord Krishna's youthful escapades with the beautiful Gopis are well known even today as Ras Lila or Brij Lila. These escapades supposedly took place in Mathura. Hence Mathura was also popularly known at that time as BrijLila, which in time got corrupted to Brasilia.
California:
The roots of this word have been traced to the Shiv Purana. Sage Kapila was the Raja Maharishi of Raja Parikshit, the King of Gandhar (Note that this Raja Parikshit is not to be confused with the famous Parikshit, Arjuna's grandson). In the reign of Parikshit, Gandhar was prospering like a Banyan tree, the people were happy, except that Gandhar lacked a heir to the throne. Despite Maharaja Parikshit and Maharani Kamakshi's severe penances, the royal couple was fruitless. After all attempts failed, the Maharaja approached Raja Maharishi Kapila for a solution. Kapila agreed to bless Maharani Kamakshi with a child. In due course, a beautiful baby boy was borne by Kamakshi. Parikshit rejoiced with the rest of Gandhar. In his happiness, Parikshit loaded Kapila with lots of riches. As the child began to grow and its facial features assumed a distinct structure, people began to notice certain similarities between him and Kapila. Kapila, fearing the royal wrath, under the pretext of a sagely voyage, took off to a forest in the far far far east (so far east that it was nearly west) crossing seven seas and seven mountains. Aranya being the Sanskrit word for forest, this forest came to be known as Kapilaranya, which got disfigured to Kaliparanya and finally to Kalifornia.
Zimbabwe:
The roots of this word can be traced to the illustrious bear warrior Jambhavanta. He is one of the seven immortals like Hanuman, Ashwathama etc. He figures significantly in Ramayana and Mahabharata, fighting on the side of Rama in the former and against Krishna in the latter. It is said that in each Yuga, to defend the righteous, Jambhavanta emerges from his eternal resting abode, the Jambh-Bhavana (Bhavana being the Sanskrit word for palace). In time, Jambh-Bhavan was mutilated to Jimba-Bavan, and finally to Zimbabwe.
Here are a few more examples and the roots from which they are derived. For example, Germany from Jal Mani, Greece from Gir-Ish, Japan from Jap-Anth, Russia from Ras Shaiyya, Prussia from Parshu Shaiyya, Argentina from Arjun Sthana, Shanghai from Shankh Chaya, Arctic from Aarthik, Antarctica from Antar Aarthik, Atlantic from Atal Aantik etc.
Acknowledgements:
We would like to thank ASS (Archeological Society of Sumeria) and FART (Foundation for Archeological Research Tools) for financial support.