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notation for the smaller decimal units." He also finds that the Arabic form for zero symbol (a little circle with a bar over it and related forms) is simply taken from the Greek astronomical manuscripts, as recognised by F. Woepoke in 1863.2 However, he felt that no definite answer could be given to the question when the zero sign was introduced in Babylonian mathematics, which did not exist before 1500 B.C.E., but was in full use from 300 B.C. E. onwards.3
Needham and Ling find that in the far east, the Shang Oracle bone numeral forms (14001100 B.C.E.) and the method of writing numbers with them were based on the decimal place-value ideas continued in the rod numerals. This suggests the possibility of the discovery of zero in south-east Asia where Indian culture "met the southern zone of the culture of the Chinese." They also opine that ancient systems point to a date well before +500 for the development of place-value and the zero concept, it was never entirely convincing due to uncertain chronology of Indian history and the difficulty of dating literary and epigraphical evidence. Apart from this, there has been an emphasis on the "emptiness" of Tao mysticism and the "void" of Indian philosophy whicg are said to have contributed to the invention of a symbol for sünya (zero). To this, the Jaina annihilation of a karma existential matrix -- perpetuating transmigrations that lead to a zero or nil existence of the world culminating in an eternal life of bliss and unending power -- may be added. In this regard, the role of zero and decimal place-value system may be presented from the recentlypublished Digambara Jaina texts like the Tiloyapannatti, the Chakkaņdāgama,8 the Kasāyapāhuda,9 and the Mahābandha10 of Bhūtabali. Their summary texts by Nemicandracārya in his works - the Trilokasāra, the Gommațasāra, the Libdhisāra, 11 and the Kșapaņasāra along with its commentaries by Mādhvacandra Traividya, Keśavavarņi and Țodaramala may also be referred when required. These texts give an elaborate exposition of a systematic development of mathematical models for geography, astronomy, cosmogony, cosmology and karma theory; as well display the need for systems to express large numbers and set-theoretic manoeuvre.
The INSA research projects -- "Labhdisāra of Nemicandra Siddhānta Cakravarti" (1984-87) and "Mathematical Contents in the Digambara Jaina texts of the Karaņānuyoga Group (1992-96) conducted at Indian National Science Academy have shed more light on the use of zero in the form of a circular symbol and its application in he place-value system of the Digambara Jaina School of Mathematics. 12 Round about 1935, some stray material on zero and its use in the decimal
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