Jain Journal 1980 01

SR No.: 520057
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1980
Total Pages: 37
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 2 MB

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JANUARY, 1980
83
part of zodiacal circle). Consequently the concept of 360 modern degrees of arc might have been developed.
2. Cosmography
Like many other ancient peoples, Jainas had also some peculiar notions viz. the notion of circular flat earth, the notion of the theory of two Suns and two Moons, the notion that the Moon is 80 yojanas higher than the Sun.° As regards the dimensions of the mount Meru placed at the centre of Jambudvipa (an isle of Jambu tree), different accounts are found in Puranic literature. But the dimensions as extant in Jaina canonical literature form a mathematically consistent picture. 10 It may be emphasized that such strange notions were the outcome of their constant striving for the formulation of the real world around. 11 For delving deep into the secrets of scientific concepts implied in the development of such strange notions, one has to develop a framework of mind alike to that of exponents of Jaina School of Astronomy.
3. The Science of Sciatherics
However, we find the earliest gnomonic data in Atharva Veda Jyotisa wherein an attempt had been made to measure shadow-lengths as a function of time and muhürta (=48 minutes) was standardized as the fundamental unit of time. 12 Jainas measured time as a function of shadow
Lishk, S.S. and Sharma, S.D. (1976), 'Notion of Circular Flat Earth in Jaina Cosmography', The Jaina Antiquary, Vol.28, No. 1-2, pp. 1-5, Arrah. According to L. C. Jain, the theory of two Suns and two Moons was surely devised for certain mysterious calculations. (See Jain, L.C., 1975, 'Kinematics of the Sun and the Moon in Tiloya Pannatti', Tulsi Prajna, Vol.1, No.1, pp.60-67. Now this theory is being properly resolved. Since the length of an year does not consist of whole number of ahoratras (days and nights), so in order to account for the phase difference in southward and northward journeys of the Sun, this theory of two Suns was formulated. For more details, see Sanskrit and English Commentaries of Surya Pannatti, under the principal investigation of Dr. S.D.Sharma, financed by Vardhamana Kendra, Ahmedabad. Lishk, S.S. and Sharma, S.D. (1975), 'Latitude of the Moon as Determined in Jaina Astronomy', Sraman, Vol.27, No.2, pp. 28-35, P.V. Research Institute, Varanasi. Lishk, S.S. and Sharma, S.D. (1978), 'Notion of Obliquity of Ecliptic Implied in the Concept of Mount Meru in Jambudvipa Prajnapti', Jain Journal, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 79-92. Lishk, S.S. and Sharma, S.D., 'Some Strange Notions in Jaina Astronomy'. Paper presented at Seminar on Jaina Studies, Mahavira Chair for Jaina Studies, Punjabi University, Patiala (October, 1979). Lishk, S.S. and Sharma, S.D., 'Standardization of Time-Unit Muhurta through the Science of Gnomonics in Atharva Veda Jyotisa', Indian Journal of History of Science (to appear).
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