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Eclipses of the Sun and Moon according to
Jaina Astronomy
J. C. SIKDAR
Introduction
Jaina Astronomy, as revealed in the Jaina Agamas and post-Agamic works, throws a considerable light upon various aspects of astronomy in its unique manner by taking into account some ancient Indian astronomical views on them and deals with the problems like celestial sphere, the Earth and Sky, the Moon, the decrease and increase of the parts of the Moon, eclipses of the Sun and Moon, spectroscopy, the Sun, the solar sphere, the rise of the Sun and its setting, the path of the planets, the planets (graha), asterisms (nak satras), the stars (tārakas)--their classification, distance from the Earth and brightness, the motion of the stars, the decrease and increase in the length of muhurta of day and night in uttarāyana and dakşināyana, measure of length of muhurta, length and breadth of mandala (celestial sphere), conjunction of nak satras with the Moon and the Sun in their orbital motions at some mandalas etc.
· Sthananga Sutra, 2.3, published by Agamodaya Samiti, Mehsana, 1918.
Samavayanga Sutra, 56, 59-67, 71, 81, 88, published by Agamodaya Samiti, 1918. Bhagavati Vyakhyaprajnapti, 1.6.50 ; 2 12.6.4 ; 8.8.344; 10.1.394; 9.2. 363, published by Agamodaya Samiti, Mehsana, 1918. Jambudyipaprajnapti, Bhaga 16, vaksa 7 onwards ed. by Santicandra, published by Devachand Lalbhai, 1920. Jivabhigama Sutra, ed. by Malayagiri, published by Devachand Lalbhai, Bombay, 1919. Suriyapannatti, published by the Agamodaya Samiti, 1919. Camdapannatti, edited by Amolak Rsi, published by Sukhdev Jwalaprasad, Hyderabad, 1920. Vallabhiyacaryiyam Jyotiskarandakam Prakirnakam, Malayagiri, published by
R. K. Svetambara Samstha, Ratlam, 1928. * Brhat Samgrahani, Candrasuri, ed. by Yasovijaya, published by Lalchand Nandlal
Vakil, 1939. Lokaprakasa, Vinayavijayaji, part II, ch. 20, published by Agamodaya Samiti, Surat, 1932. Laghu Ksetrasamasa, Ratnasekharasuri, ed. by Pratapavijaya and Dharmavijaya, published by Lalchand Nandlal Vakil, 1934. Ganitanuyoga, Muni Kanhaiyalal Kamal', ed. by Mohanlal Mehta, Agama Anuyog Prakasan, Sanderao, 1970. Vallabhiyacariyam Jyotiskarandaka Prakirnam.
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