Jain Journal 1987 01

SR No.: 520085
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 40
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 31

98
JAIN JOURNAL
2. Cosmography
Like many other ancient peoples, in an effort to understand the real world around, Jainas had developed a unique mathematical model comprising of some peculiar notions, viz. the notion of circular fiat earth, the notion of the theory of two suns and two moons, the notion that the moon is 80 yojanas higher than the sun. Besides, different accounts about the dimensions of the mount Meru are found in Pauranic literature, but the unique dimensions as extant in Jaina canonical literatures form a mathematically consistent picture implying the notion of obliquity of ecliptic.'
3. Gnomonics
In Atharva Veda Jyotişa, an attempt had been made to measure shadow-lengths as a function of time wherein muhũrta (=48 minutes) was standardised as the fundamental unit of time.10 Jainas measured time as a function of shadow-lengths11 and employed the use of shadowlengths for the determination of seasons.12 It is worthy of note that the evolution of the science of gnomonics in India is well-traced through the study of Jaina astronomical system. Moreover, Jainas had advanced
? Lishk, S, S. (1982), "Some Strange Notions in Jaina Cosmology", Tattva Jnan
Smarika, pp. 11-17 (English section), Sri Vardhaman Jain Pedhi, Palitana, Sau
rashtra. 8 Jaina canonical literature comprises of sacred texts of the Jaina sect in India.
Its present recension is generally ascribed to the council of Valabhi under the presidency of Devardhi Gani which met in 5th or 6th Century A.D. The principal sources of Jaina astronomical texts are Surya-Prajnapti, Candra-Prajnapti, Jambudvipa-Prajnapti and also Sthananga-Sutra, Anuyogadvara-Sutrd etc. Some later works like Tiloya-Pannatti and Trilokasara etc. are also of much interest. However, for more details, see our paper "Sources of Jaina Astronomy". The
Jaina Antiquary. Vol. 29 Nos. 1-2, pp. 19-32. 9 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. 10 Lishk, S. S, and Sharma, S. D. (1980), "Standardization of Time-Unit Muhurta
through the Science of Gnomonics in Atharva Veda Jyotisa", IJHS, Vol. 15
No. 2, pp. 134-143. 11 Lishk, S. S. and Sharma, S. D. (1976), “The Time of Day Measured. Through
Shadow-Lengths in Surya-Prajnapati", The Mathematics Education, Vol. 10 No. 4,
pp. 83-89. 12 Lishk, S. S. and Sharma, S. D. (1977), "Seasons Determination through the Science
of Sciatherics in Jaina School of Astronomy", IJHS, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 33-34.