In the annals of history and mythology, tales of time travel and divine encounters have fascinated humankind for centuries. Among these intriguing narratives is the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, which offers a compelling account that some researchers believe could be one of the earliest records of time travel.
The Tale of King Ravana
In the Mahabharata, King Ravaita is described as embarking on an extraordinary journey to the heavens to meet the creator god Brahma. According to the legend, Ravaita travels to the celestial realms, only to return to Earth hundreds of years into the future. David Childress, a researcher, explains:
"There's the story of a king called Ravaita. And he is taken into space to see the gods. And when he returns to the Earth, he finds that many ages have gone by, and it's been hundreds of years.
And this is the kind of thing that would happen to space travelers and in time travel as well. You think you're gone for only a few days. But when you return to Earth, you find out that you've been gone for hundreds of years."
This captivating story is not unique to Indian mythology. Similar accounts of time travel can be found across various cultures worldwide.
The Legend of Urashima Taro
In Japanese folklore, the legend of Urashima Taro tells of a fisherman who visits the protector god of the sea, Ryujin, in an underwater palace. Believing he has spent only three days in the divine abode, Taro returns to his village to find that 300 years have passed. His home is in ruins, and everyone he knew is long gone. This narrative echoes the themes of time displacement seen in the Mahabharata.
Time Travel in the Hebrew Bible
Even in the Hebrew Bible, some descriptions mirror these accounts of time travel. One such story involves the prophet Jeremiah in Jerusalem. Childress recounts:
"Even in the Bible, the prophet Jeremiah was sitting together with a few of his friends. And there was a young boy. His name was Abimelech. And Jeremiah said to Abimelech, go out of Jerusalem-- there is a hill-- and collect some figs for us. The boy went out and collected the fresh figs.
All of a sudden, Abimelech hears some noise and wind in the ears, and he became unconscious. He had a blackout. After a time, he wakes up again, and he saw it was nearly the evening. So he runs back to the society, and the city was full of strange soldiers. And he said, what's going on here? Where is Jeremiah and all the others? And an old man said, that was 62 years ago. It's a time travel story written in the Bible."
The Mysteries of Agilkia Island and the Temple of Isis
In Southern Egypt, on Agilkia Island, stands the Temple of Isis. This ancient structure, built in the fourth century BC, was a significant worship center for the Egyptian goddess of fertility and nature. The legend of Isis and her husband Osiris is central to Egyptian mythology.
Philip Coppens elaborates on the importance of these deities:
"Isis became the most important deity which ancient Egypt ever had. She was married to her brother, Osiris. And together, they really became the popular husband and wife to which everybody wanted to be like. She is seen as a symbol of life, whereas Osiris is seen as the deity who rules over the death. And so whether you are alive or whether you're dead, you can always identify with Isis and Osiris."
The Divine Connection to Sirius
According to ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, the goddess Isis was believed to be the soul of the brightest star in the sky, Sirius. Mike Bara explains:
"To the ancient Egyptians, Osiris was Orion. That constellation actually was a literal living embodiment of the great god Osiris. Sirius was the representation of his wife, sister, and consort, Isis. Together those two essentially ruled the skies and the life of the Egyptian people themselves."
This divine connection to Sirius is not unique to the Egyptians. David Childress points out that many ancient cultures, including the Chinese, Greeks, and Japanese, held similar beliefs about the gods originating from Sirius. William Henry adds:
"This knowledge originally emerged in ancient Egypt and in Africa with the Dogon tribe, who taught that beings of light came from Sirius and created humankind."
Philip Coppens concludes
"It is clear that so many cultures possessed information about Sirius, and they single out Sirius apart from everything else. And it's got nothing to do with its brightness. It has to do with the fact that somehow Sirius is responsible for sending us emissaries who educate us."
Conclusion
These ancient tales, whether of time travel or divine encounters, reflect the profound mysteries and beliefs that have shaped human civilization. They offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of mythology and the enduring quest to understand our place in the cosmos.