Jain Journal 1984 01

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

Page 19

92
situated 180 Y (stretch of 65 solar mandalas in Jambudvipa as per Jaina canonical texts) inside the sea coast of the inhabited land. Consequently the innermost mandala (Sun's diurnal circle on Summer solstice day) whose projection on earth coincides with circumference of Jambudvipa (as per our exposition) was considered to be situated 180 Y inside the coast of Lavanasamudra. But due to later interpolations it became customary to consider as if the innermost solar mandala (Sun's diurnal circle on Summer solstice day) were situated 180 Y inside Jambudvipa. Consequently the error was introduced due to subtraction of 180 Y from 45000 y (radius of Jambudvipa minus radius of Meru's base on flat earth) while calculating distance of innermost solar mandala from periphery of Meru's base on flat earth (NPD of innermost solar mandala) (see eq. No. 9). It is our speculation based on the dictum : exitus acta probat (result proves the act). Secondarily, a further error crept in while the rate of variation of Sun's declination from zero to 510 Y was equated with the rate of variation of NPD without making any allowance from compatibility between the two diverse scales of measurement of length. Such an intermingling of units Y (Yojana, TP unit) and y(ätmayojana, ADS unit) has hitherto remained as a crux of immense confusion for research into this field.
(iv) Dimensions of Solar Mandalas:
As regards the dimensions of solar mandalas (Sun's diurnal paths), it is explicitly stated in SP.1.8 as:
48 "All the (solar) mandalas are Yojanas thick each. The distance 61 between any two (consecutive) mandalas is 2 Yojanas. The distance of 510 Yojanas is to be treaded upon (by Sun) in 183 days.
"What is the distance between the inner limit of the innermost mandala (Sun's diurnal circle on Summer solstice day) and the outer limit of the outermost mandala (Sun's diurnal circle on Winter solstice day) ?
"(The answer is) 510
=
48
61
This shows that the average velocity of Sun in the north-south direction across the solar mandala
48 11 Y 61
JAIN JOURNAL
Yojanas."
510 Y 183 days
days.