Chronological Systems of Gujarat

SR No.: 006798
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bharati K Shelat
Publisher: Pranav Shelat
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 422
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

Page 59

THE CHRONOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OF GUJARAT however, had a solar eclipse in the Pūrnimānta Vaišākha. This instance shows that the Valabhī kingdom followed the Pūrnimāntā system of months. 11
(ii) The Kaira grant of King Dharasena IV12 records Second Mārgasira in the (Valabhī) year 330. So Mārgasira must have been intercalated in 649 A.C. or thereabout. But the months Mārgasira and Pausa could hardly be intercalated in the true system of intercalations, as the lunar months are generally longer than the corresponding solar months in winter. It was only in the old system of mean intercalations that any month could be inter-- calated.13 The intercalation of Mārgasira, therefore, shows that the almanacs of Valabhī followed the old system of mean intercalations.14 The tables of mean intercalations15 mention intercalary Pausa in 648 A.C.16 The difference of one month in this case can be explained by the difference in the system of naming lunar months, for lunar months were named Caitrādi in two different ways, either according to the Minādi signs occurring at the commencement or according to the Meșādi signs occurring at their completion. Accordingly, the intercalary month that was named Paușa after the succeeding
11. JHQ, Vol. XXIV, pp. 238 f. 12. MG, Appendix I, No. 69; CG, p. 174 13. The mean lunar month is shorter than the mean solar month
in all seasons (IA, Vol. XV, p. 335). 14. Sripati's protest against the system of mean intercalations,
mentioned in his Siddhānta Sekhara (1030 A.C.) shows that the use of this system continued even as late as the time of Sripati
(Dixit, Bharatiya Jyotişa, p. 392) 15. Sewell-Dixit, Indian Calendar, Table I 16. Ibid., pp. 16 f.