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JANUARY, 1978
85
(c) Astronomical Model of the Mount Meru :
Now let us make a simple probe into the concept of Meru from an astronomical point of view.
In fig. No. 3, let OFJC be the plane of flat earth and FC denote the diameter of Meru on it. Let ED and GB denote the diameters of Meru at its lowest base depressed inside the flat earth and its top respectively. RJH represents the axis of Meru. Join E, F, G and D, C, B respectively and extend them till they meet at A on the extended axis of Meru.
Now since we are given that GB = Diameter of Meru at its top = 1000 y,
where y = ātma yojana (Anuyogadvāra Sūtra units), FC = Diameter of Meru on flat earth = 10000 y, ED = Diameter of Meru at its lowest base depressed inside the
flat earth = 100901, y, HJ = Height of Meru above the flat earth = 99000 y, and JR = Depth of Meru inside the flat earth = 1000 y. Now in A AFC,
GB FC, AJ FC
or
(: AJ = AH+HJ)
AH GB AH+99000 10000
-=---
AH 100 or AH = 11000 y Similarly in AAED,
AR ED
...
(1)
GB || ED,
AH GB 111000 ED
--- (: AR = AH+HJ+JR 11000 1000
= 11000+99000+1000
= 111000 y) ED = 1009010 y
= same as given in JP, iv. 113.
or
This suggests that ED might have been theoretically generated through simple geometry as above, otherwise there seems to be no logic in taking this odd value (1009021 y) of ED. However it is portend ed against any hasty conclusions about the knowledge of Geometrical Proposition methods. It is desirable to make more investigations into
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