Jain Journal 1977 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 43

JULY, 1977
from Summer solstice day upto Winter solstice day and vice versa. One diurnal circle is described by two suns, each describing one half. Similarly the two moons describe one diurnal circle in one lunar savana day i.e. the period. from moonrise to moonrise. A mathematical treatment of this data leads us to the view that Jaina astronomers did not orthodoxically believe, in its strictest sense, in the theory of two suns etc., but they had attempted in a scientific manner to develop a tentative astronomical model of the cosmos so as to make out a sensible interpretation of the phenomenon of the cycle of day and night etc.
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The concept of solar or lunar mandalas spread over 510 yojanas in the north-south direction with respect to Meru, implies a notion of declination. The mount Meru situated at the centre of diurnal circles of two suns etc. possesses some characteristics of the celestial north pole. The Meru has so far been an object of imaginary and fabulous size and shape but according to our treatment of the relevant data available in the Jaina canon, it has de facto meaningful dimensions. The Meru has a height of 99000 yojanas above the flat earth and a depth of 1000 yojanas below into that. It has a diameter of 10000 yojanas on flat earth and 1000 yojanas at its top. As a matter of fact, Jainas had three kinds of measures of length. Thus three kinds of yojanas viz. ātma yojana, utsedha yojana and pramāṇa yojana were prevalent in those times. The magnitude of a pramāṇa yojana equivalent to 500 ātma yojanas or 1000 utsedha yojanas. Besides, the yojana of Tiloya Pannatti, a non-canonical Jaina work of Yativrsabha (about 5th/6th century A.D.) is equivalent to oneeighth of a pramāṇa yojana. Keeping in view the diversity of relation between different types of yojanas (or Yojanas), if the dimensions of the Meru, radii of solar maṇḍalas, and radius of Jambudvipa etc. be converted into one and the same measure of yojana (or Yojana of Tiloya Pannatii), it may be scientifically seen that the celestial distances were measured with the help of a gnomon in corresponding distances over earth. Such a notion has not so far been unearthed anywhere else. Consequently, the circumference of Jambudvipa whose diameter is one hundred thousand (100000) yojanas, is coincident with the parallel of maximum declination of sun. The horizental plane of an observer situated at 23.5° North (maximum declination of sun) passes just over the top of Meru, This cannot be a matter of mere chance that the dimensions of the Meru fit into some astronomical constants of the Jaina school of astronomy.
Besides, if the distance of sun from the Meru on the Summer solstice day be taken as constant, the axis of the Meru describes an imaginary circular locus corresponding to the sun's motion on ecliptic.