Jain Journal 1977 07

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

Page 45

JULY, 1977
parts) and finally into 360 saura days (a saura day corresponds to the time taken by the sun to move on 1/360th part of the Zodiacal circle). Later an attempt to divide the Zodiacal circumference into 27 Naksatras (asterisms) of equal amplitude system is also hinted upon. However, we find that in China also, the Zodiacal circumference was graduated in the number of days in an year. But the Jaina theory of graduating the Zodiacal circumference is quite independent of any foreign influence.
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Jaina texts give an appreciable account of measuring the time. The time of day elapsed at any instant was found out by measuring shadow length with the help of gnomon. In the second annual seminar of Astronomical Society of India, held at Kodaikanal in March, 1975, I have presented an analytical study of three kinds of gnomon experiments. Firstly, the Atharva Veda gnomon experiment, as elucidated by the grammatical analysis of Dr. Shakti Dhar Sharma, was designed to standardize 'muhūrta' (muhūrta=48 minutes) as the fundamental unit of time. Secondly, according to Jaina texts, the time was measured as a function of shadow. Thirdly, Jainas has used gnomonic shadow-lengths in determination of seasons.
One more interesting point is that the time-units in Atharva Veda are 30-fold, viz. a month is divided into 30 days and a day into 30 muhurtas etc. We have called it as Trigesimal system of time-units. Jainas had used this system and served as a medium for its convertion into Sexagesimal system.
It is worth appreciating that kinematical studies of planets like Venus have also been reported in Jaina texts. The velocity of Venus in different parts of lunar Zodiac has been compared with nine conventional velocities like those of elephant, horse, snake and cow etc. Many interesting results like the phenomenon of heliocentric rising and setting of Venus have been obtained from the kinematical studies of Venus.
Consequently, it is obvious that Jaina canonical texts abound in many mysteries of ancient lore of astronomical thought and many of them are yet to be unravelled through an intensive investigation of some works like Karma Pāhuḍa, Bhadrabāhu Samhita, etc. The study of Jaina school of astronomy has initiated the cumbersome task of filling in the big gap in between Jyotiṣa Vedānga and Siddhānta astronomy. It has opened up new horizons for penetration into the contemporary Buddhist School of astronomy. An intensive project is the need of the hour so as to delve into the secrets of ancient Indian astronomy with the spread of Buddhism abroad. A well-known American scientist, Dr. Pingree, seems to have