________________
POST-VEDANGA PRE-SIDDHANTIC INDIAN
ASTRONOMY⭑
(STUDIES IN JAINA ASTRONOMY)
Abstract
Sajjan Singh Lishk and S. D. Sharma Department of Physics, Punjabi University, Patiala
Nothing is obscure about Vedäñga Jyotisa (Vedic astronomy) and Siddhantic astronomy but the post-Vedäñga pre-Siddhäntic Indian astronomy has hitherto remained as a forgotten chapter in the history of ancient Indian Astronomy. The paper renders a simple probe into this field. These studies are based on mathematical analysis of astronomical texts as extant in Jaina canonical literature. It highlights the importance of astronomical analysis of Buddhistic texts and the Hindu literature like Puraras, Smptis etc. D. Pingrees views about Masopotamian origin of ancient Indian astronomy become questionable.
Theory
The history of astronomy owes its origin to a remote antiquity. In the cradle of human civilization, history reveals that man's place in nature has always been relevant to religion' and his curiosity for regulating the mode of periodic religious performances must have catered to the need for observation of celestial phenomena. It is interesting to note that in China, since the Han dynasty, calenderical reforms were considered indispensable in order to keep the political and cosmic orders in tune. Carruccio1 has rightly remarked that scientific problems in general and mathematical and astronomical problems in particular show their full meanings only when they are considered in their own historical backgrounds respectively. Most of the Western scholars believe that the Hindus borrowed much of their sciences from Greece.5 As a matter of fact, the facts and figures from earlier texts of India have as yet remained unexposed to the western windows due to several reasons. Primarily, as Dange opines that history was used by the English rulers of India to demoralise the rising freedom movement; to build a psychosis in the leadership of the people that compared world history, its age and its achievements, Indian history leads to conclude that this country and its people were historically destined to be always conquered and ruled by foreign invaders. Secondly, dazed by firearms and dazzled by the enterprise and material advancement of the
Jain Education International
Some results were reported at Summer School on History of Science, Vigyan Bhawan, INSA, New Delhi (Sept. 1974).
- 439
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
