Jain Journal 1986 07

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

Page 25

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the rate of flow of water trickling down does not remain uniform. Thus applying correction for Bernouli's theorem, Torricelli's theorem in particular, the ratio 3:2 of maximum and minimum quantities of water corresponding to the maximum and minimum lengths of daylight respectively actually works out to be 1.22 in the parameters of time. This ratio 1.22 belongs to 19°6 which is the latitude of Ujjaini, a renowned seat of learning in ancient India.
JAIN JOURNAL
But when we come to consider the ratio 3:2 of maximum and minimum lengths of daylight transferred in the ratio of areal parameters the atitude of the observer comes out to be 35° North if the corresponding areas of Jambudvipa were actually measured on the maximum and minimum lengths of daylight respectively. But it does not seem plausible to conceive that like measurement of quantities of water flowing through the water clepsydra they might have actually measured the area being illumined etc. by the Sun treading upon the innermost mandala (Summer solstice day) and the outermost mandala (Winter solstice day) respectively. But it seems convincing that the ratio 3:2 of maximum and minimum lengths of daylights was established through the use of water clepsydra and this ratio 3:2 was perpetuated through the use of areal parameters by applying simple arithmatic. This led to the growth of the simplest concept of dividing the total area of Jambudvipa in five circular parts.
Acknowledgement
Thanks are due to Prof. S. D. Sharma for helpful discussion and to Prof. L. C. Jain for encouraging comments.