Celestial Mechanics of the Mahabharata Era: An Astronomical Study of Planetary Conjunctions and Eclipses

This study presents a high-precision archaeoastronomical analysis of celestial descriptions in the Mahabharata, integrating traditional Hindu nakshatra references with modern astronomical frameworks. Using Stellarium with the NASA JPL DE430 ephemeris, we reconstructed the skies over Hastinapur, Barwala, and Dwarka for circa 3068–3067 BCE. The simulations reproduce three rare planetary configurations described in the epic: Jupiter in Purva Asadha (Sagittarius), a Mars Venus's conjunction near Purva Bhadrapada (Aquarius–Pisces boundary), and Saturn's approach to Rohini (Taurus). Each alignment is replicated within sub-0.05° positional accuracy, with Monte Carlo analyses indicating probabilities below 1%. Eclipse modelling confirms the absence of visible solar or lunar events from these locations during the proposed timeframe, underscoring the geographic specificity of the recorded observations. By mapping Sanskrit stellar terminology to IAU constellations, the study bridges cultural and scientific lexicons, enabling accessibility for both Indological and astronomical scholarship. All datasets, simulation scripts, and containerized workflows are openly archived, ensuring full reproducibility. The results demonstrate that the Mahabharata's astronomical records correspond to genuine, observable phenomena, providing a robust chronological anchor for the epic's narrative. This work establishes a transparent, computationally validated framework for dating ancient Indian texts and contributes to the broader field of interdisciplinary archeoastronomy.