________________
194
on
btedly to pre Mahavirian times(62). Flete it may be emphasized that Jaina astronomy also followed the course of Jaina philosophy, for astronomy was considered as part and parcel of philosophy and the knowledge of astronomy, as Santichandragana states in his preface to his commentary on Jambudvip a Prajnapti was an indispensable accomplishment the part of a Jaina priest who was to decide the right time and place of religious ceremonies. Besides mathematics also played a great role in the development of Jaina Karmic theory (45), 50 it may be envisaged that Jaina astronomical system in, indeed a compendium knowledge amassed through belike a long tradition following the course of Jaina Philosophy However, Jaina school of astronomy. was established in its true perspective in the post-Vedanga pre-Siddhantic period in the history of ancient Indian Astronomy.
ned a period about 450 B.C.(25). Acc ording to Jaina canon, winter solsti ice coincided with Ahhijit (Lyrae) (23). Besides, Surya Siddhanta (system of the sun) one of the earliest sources of Siddhantic astronomy was probably written about 400 A.D.(54) or 5th Century A.D.(56). But the old Surya Siddhanta is assigned to about 200 B.C.(24). So Jaina canoni. cal texts may be tentatively assigned to a period from 450 B.C. to 200 B. C. However, according to Boyer(54) the age of Siddhantas or systems of astronomy followed about the second century. Should the period from 2nd. sentury B.C. to 2nd century A.D. be looked upon as a transitional period between Jaina astronomy and Siddhantic astronomy?
Cond
You Aidi
0.
(5) Vedanga Jyotisa has often been assigned to 12thcentury B.C.(24) gon the basis of the position among the naksatras (asterisms) that it assigns to winter solstice. In vedanga Jyotis period. winter solstice occurrcd in Dhanistha (B Delphini)(24), Mahabharata, gives the position of winter solstice in Srayana (Aquilae)
6. It may also be noted that no reference has as yet been found to point out that the order of basis signs began from a sign other than Mesa (sidereal Aris) or the Mesa sign began from a nakstra (asterism)other than Asvini (B Arietis). There is no doubt that these terms denoting ecliptic signs were not current in Vedanga Jyotisa period. Probably these terms came into vogue when Vernal equinox occurred in Asvini (B Arictis) nakshatra (asterism) and Mesa sign (sidereal Aries), at that
and the relevant text has been assig- time. The tropical longitude of the
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
