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JAIN JOURNAL
9. Observation of the Celestial Phenomena
Jaina astronomers had a keen sense of observation. They measured precisely the time as a function of shadow and determined time of the day through shadow-lengths of a gnemon. They observed lunar occultations, determined Summer solstice upto 30 muhūrtas or one day, studied the phenomenon of heliacal combustion of Venus in different parts of the lunar zodiac. The latitude of the Moon was also determined. Shapes (star figures) of nakşatras (asterisms) and their respective numbers of stars were also observed. The Jaina cycles of eclipses are based on the periodic observation of colours of (pārva) Rahu denoting Jaina concept of shadow causing eclipse. The categorization of mahägrahas (greatplanets) and tārakagrahas (star-planets), the classification of nakșatras into kula (category), upakula (sub-category) and kulopakula (sub-subcategory) in relation to their conjunctions with the Moon at different syzygies in a five-year cycle also exhibit their trends towards skilled observation of the celestial phenomena.32
10. Astronomical Instruments
Besides gnomon, some sort of clepsydra (water-clock) and starclock such as acronical risings of stars used in the determination of seasons etc. might have also probably been used. Description of construction of a water clepsydra is mentioned in Vişnu Purāna33 and Jyotişa Karandaka 34 (a Jaina non-canonical work).
Here it is worthy of note in the absence of knowledge of Jaina astronomy (the astronomy as expounded in Jaina canonical texts), a confusing link between Vedānga Jyotişa and Paitāmaha Siddhānta due to certain similarities between them 35 has often been disillusioning. Our findings in pre-Aryabhattian Jaina School of astronomy have opened up many new vistas of research in this field and thus the task of bridging the gap between Vedānga Jyotişa and Siddhāntic astronomy has been initiated in its true perspectives. The role of pre-Aryabhattian Jaina
3. See f. n. No. 15 (specially Chapter 7–Jaina Calendar). 33 See Visnu Purana 3.6.7-8. Hindi translation by Gupta, Muni Lal (Samvat 2026
Vikram), p. 514, Gita Press, Gorakhpur. See Jyotisa Karandaka (1928), Sanskrit commentry by Malyagiri, Jaina Bandhu
Yantralaya, Pipli Bazar, Indore. 35 See f. n. No. 27.
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