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224
Samavāyāngasūtra
days and nights. The length of the day shortens by 2/61 muhūrta per circle. As a result when sun enters the forty-fourth circle the day becomes shorter by 2/ 61 x 44 = 88/61 muhūrtas. Naturally, the length of the night increases by the same measure. On the other hand, on its northward movements, sun increases the length of the day by 2761 muhūrtas per circle and when, sun enters the forty-fourth circle the day becomes longer by 88/61 muhūrtas and the night becomes shorter by the same length.
Notes A. This aphorism propounds the families of the astral bodies, sun and moon. According to the commentator, traditionally, it is the family of the planet moon but as the sun is the lord of the astral body the moon's family belongs to sun also. B. Sun, on his southward journey makes a particular day of eighteen muhūrtas. The sun covers the distance between two circles in two days and nights. The length of the day shortens by 2/61 muhūrta per circle. As a result when sun enters the forty-fourth circle the day becomes shorter by 2/61 x 44= 88/61 muhūrtas. Naturally, the length of the night increases by the same measure. On the other hand, on its northward movements, sun increases the length of the day by 2/61 muhūrtas per circle and when, sun enters the fortyfourth circle the day becomes longer by 88/61 muhūrtas and the night becomes shorter by the same length“.
1. Abhayadeva, p. 94. 2. Ibid.
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