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 34

JANUARY, 1987
speaks of their originality in measuring the celestial distances in this
manner.
Conclusion
101
Jainas had a keen sense of observation. They generated a shadowclock through gnomonic-experiments still in use with the Buddhistic monks in Ceylon, observed lunar occultations, determined summer solstice upto one day only, studied kinematics of the luminaries and the phenomenon of heliacal combustion of Venus, determined latitude of the moon, determined a new eclipse cycle through observation of colours of (parva) Rahu denoting Jaina concept of shadow causing an eclipse, classified nakṣatras into three categories through a skilled observation of the celestial phenomenon. Besides gnomon, some sort of clepsydra (water clock), and star clock might have also been used.
Obviously, some aspects are similar to both Vedānga Jyotiṣa and Jaina astronomy, e.g. five year cycle; four time measures viz. sāvana (civil), saura (solar), lunar and nākṣatra (sidereal); use of zig-zag functions and variation of length of daylight21 etc. But Jaina astronomical system exhibits a stage far advanced than Vedanga Jyotișa period. Besides, there are several unique developments in Jaina Astronomical period, e.g. notions of declination, celestial latitude, obliquity of ecliptic, method of measurement of celestial distances projected over the surface of the earth, systems of units of time, length and arc-division, the use of shadow-lengths for the determination of seasons and time of the day elapsed at any instant etc. These developments appear to be made quite independent of any foreign influence and they had paved the way for the development of Siddhantic astronomy.22 Consequently Pingree's views about the Mesopotamian origin of ancient Indian mathematical astronomy become quite questionable. There exists ample scope for further research into this field so that the worth of native scholars in ancient India may properly be recognized.
21 The ratio 3:2 of maximum and minimum lengths of daylight as extant in Vedanga Jyotisa and Jaina canonical literature belongs to 19.6 N. latitude of Ujjain, a renowned seat of learning in ancient India and not to 35°N latitude of Babylon as advocated by D. Pingree. (See Pingree, D., "Mesopotamian Origin of Ancient Indian Mathematical Astronomy", JHS, Vol. 4, pp 1-12.) For more details, see Sharma, S. D. and Lishk, S. S. (1978), "Length of Day in Jaina Astronomy", Centaurus, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 165-176, Denmark.
22 Lishk, S. S. and Sharma, S. D. (1977), "Role of Pre-Aryabhatta-I Jaina School of Astronomy in the Development of Siddhantic Astronomy", IJHS, Vol. 12 No. 2, pp. 106-113.