Chronological Systems of Gujarat

Author(s): Bharati K Shelat
Publisher: Pranav Shelat

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Vrddha Garga is the earliest among them53. In the Mahabharata (in its present form) he had already come to be regarded as the oldest astronomer54. He is dated earlier than Lagadha, the author of Yājūṣa Jyotiṣa55. Then come Garga and Parāśara56. In the absence of their works (which are now extinct), it is not possible to get any concrete idea of their contribution to Jyotiṣa.
Among the extant works on Jyotiṣa, the Aryabhatrya comes next to the Vedanga Jyotisșa. But from the Pañcasiddhantikā by Varāhamihira who was a junior contemporary of Aryabhata I, we learn that five different systems (Siddhantas) were already prevalent before his time. These Siddhantas treated by Varāhamihira are as follows: Paulisa, Romaka, Vāsiṣṭha, Saura and Paitāmaha.57
The scientific Indian astronomy is said to commence with Aryabhata I, whose work is known as Aryabhaṭiya. The work is dated S.E. 421 (499 A.C.). It represents a
53. P.C. Sengupta, "Hindu Astronomy", Cultural Heritage of India, Vol. III, p. 348
54. His name is found in Mahabharata at two places. Mbh., IX. 37, 14-17; XII. 59, 111
55. Cultural Heritage of India, Vol. III, p. 348
56. Names of some other astronomers occur in Bhattotpala's commentary on Bṛhatsamhita, but their periods cannot be fixed definitely.
57. Varāhamihira treats the Surya Siddhanta in detail and other Siddhantas in brief. The extant works on the five Siddhantas that are distinct from the old Siddhantas treated by Varahamihira are of later origin comparatively.