EVIDENCE OF ATLANTIS

With respect to ancient India, Dr. Leonard writes:

Present day scholars are so steeped in Greek and Roman (western) culture that Indian sources are too often ignored. The Vishnu Purana (2000 B.C.), the oldest of the Hindu Puranas, speaks of Atala, the "White Island," which is one of the seven dwipas (islands) belonging to Patala (Book II, chaps. i, ii, and iii). The Purana locates Atala geographically on the seventh (heat, or climate) zone, which according to Col. Wilford (the translator) is 24 to 28 degrees north latitude: which puts it in the same latitude as the Canary Islands just off the North African coast.

Another Sanskrit writing:

The Mahabharata contains more than one account of a powerful island empire in the Atlantic which sank to the bottom of the "Western Ocean" following a horrendous war. As in the Vishnu Purana, it is called "the White Island, Atala" (which can be linked linguistically with the word "Atlantis"). Atala is described as an "island of great splendor," and its inhabitants are said to worship only one God (Santi Parva, Section CCCXXXVII). “Another description is remarkably similar to Plato's, even down to its circular capital city, Tripura! Tripura is made in three parts, just as Plato's Metropolis is divided into three parts by circular canals. The famed "Triple-city", with all its inhabitants, is sent burning to the bottom of the ocean in a most unique manner (Mahabharata). Atala is said to be inhabited by "white men who never have to sleep or eat". (Santi Parva, Section CCCXXXVII) The Greek historian Herodotus (450 B.C.) describes a tribe of Atlanteans who "never dream and eat no living thing". (History, Book IV) Can this be coincidence? And just as the god Poseidon is very much involved in the Atlantis story, likewise in the Sanskrit accounts we find Varuna (the Hindu Poseidon) very much involved in Atala.

Dr. Leonard covers many other areas at his website and many other cultures. His knowledge of ancient writings I find important because it predates Plato’s writings on Atlantis.