05-09-2007, 09:23 PM
Regarding astronomical dating, many scholars of Mithraism have connected the "Mithraic tauroctony scene" (Mithra slaying the bull), to the constellation of Orion/Taurus. They also imply that the age when Mithraism arose must have had special astronomical significance for the Orion/Taurus constellation.
B.G. Tilak had identified astronomical significance of "mR^igashira" (Orion) in Rgveda and had claimed that the earliest parts of Rgveda could be as early as 5000BC.
Even Mithraism scholars propose dates upto 4000BC for the Tauroctony scene.
Vernal/spring equinox happened in Taurus at about 4500BC.
In Vedas Mithra or mitra is a solar deity. Mitra or Sun slaying the bull perhaps meant Sun crossing through mR^igashira/Orion/Taurus region during an equinox.
This is an external corroboration of old age of Rgvedic deities.
B.G. Tilak had identified astronomical significance of "mR^igashira" (Orion) in Rgveda and had claimed that the earliest parts of Rgveda could be as early as 5000BC.
Even Mithraism scholars propose dates upto 4000BC for the Tauroctony scene.
Vernal/spring equinox happened in Taurus at about 4500BC.
In Vedas Mithra or mitra is a solar deity. Mitra or Sun slaying the bull perhaps meant Sun crossing through mR^igashira/Orion/Taurus region during an equinox.
This is an external corroboration of old age of Rgvedic deities.