The number 11,000 years is calculated from the Rāmāyaṇa: 10,000 years (Daśa Varṣha Sahasrāṇi) plus 1,000 years (Daśa Varṣha Śatāni Ca). However, this creates a tension with Vedic teachings. The Vedas state Śata Āyuḥ Puruṣhaḥ, meaning a man lives for 100 years, which defines the normal human lifespan. Furthermore, Rama himself declared Ātmānam Mānuṣhaṁ Mannē Rāmaṁ Daśarathātmajam, affirming that he considered himself a human, Rama, son of Dasaratha, thus confirming his human incarnation (Manushyāvatāram).

The Problem: If the Rāmāyaṇa contradicts the Veda (which is Veda Viruddham), the Rāmāyaṇa's authority (pramāṇam) is questioned. Scholars use several methods to resolve this apparent contradiction.

Commentator Nāgeśa Bhaṭṭar applies the Mīmāṁsā principle that varṣha (year) can be interpreted as dina (day) in contexts where time exceeds a human lifespan. The Mīmāṁsā Rule invokes the principle Aharvai Saṁvatsaraha (A year is indeed a day), which is applied to rituals like the Viśva Sṛij sacrifice, deemed impossible for humans (Tadāyuṣhām Asambhavāt).

The Calculation (11,000 Days)

Using this interpretation, 10,000 Years (Daśa Varṣha Sahasrāṇi) becomes 10,000 Days, which equals approximately 27 years and 9 months (using 360 days per year). This correlates with Rama's life from marriage until Sita's abandonment. Similarly, 1,000 Years (Daśa Varṣha Śatāni Ca) becomes 1,000 Days, equaling approximately 2 years and 9 months, representing the period of the Aśvamedha Yāga.

Conclusion: By this method, Rama's total lifespan until his final journey (Mahāprasthānam) is calculated to be between 55 to 70 years, which fits the Vedic norm.

Scholar Perukkāraṇi Chakravarthyāchār Swāmi uses the traditional Indian place value system (sthānas), where Units (1) equals 1, Tens (10) equals 2, Hundreds (100) equals 3, and Thousands (1,000) equals 4. Applying this system, 10 × Thousand (Sahasrāṇi) becomes 10 × 4, yielding 40 years. Similarly, 10 × Hundred (Śatāni Ca) becomes 10 × 3, yielding 30 years. The total lifespan is therefore 40 + 30, equaling 70 years.

Result: This interpretation also yields a figure (70 years) consistent with the normal human lifespan.

Rājaji suggests that large numbers in the Rāmāyaṇa are not literal measures of time but are symbolic or auspicious. Sahasram (thousand) is a mangaḷa āḍaimoḻi (auspicious adjective) attached to varṣam (year). Therefore, 11,000 years should be read as a symbolically large, auspicious, or prosperous period of rule, rather than a literal measure.

External evidence from the royal lineage supports a shorter timeline. There is a direct link to the Mahābhārata through Bṛihatbala, a king in Rama's lineage (about the 32nd after Rama's son Kuśa), who was killed by Abhimanyu in the Mahābhārata war. Timeline analysis shows that 32 kings, with a human lifespan average, would place the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata only 2,000 to 3,000 years apart. This figure demonstrates that the 11,000-year figure cannot be taken literally if the chronological relationship between the epics is to be maintained.

This blog post is based on notes taken from the following video : Video Source: Watch on YouTube For a more detailed explanation, I highly recommend watching the original video.

These articles are based on discourses by Sri Dushyanth Sridhar, who renders discourses in English & Tamil on Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata, Vishnu Purāna, Bhagavad Gitā, Vishnu Sahasranāma, and Divya Prabanda in the upanyāsam, pravachanam, or kālakshepam style. Visit https://desikadaya.org for more information. These notes are presented solely for educational purposes to help viewers download and benefit from these teachings. Any incorrect interpretations or inaccuracies are mine and unintentional—please forgive me. For any feedback, please send an email.