A Concise History of Science in India c6.6

c6.6

The Jainas also claim considerable antiquity for their interest in, and study of, astronomy. The four branches of their canonical texts include *gaṇitānuyoga* (principles of mathematics), *saṃkhyāna* (arithmetic) and *jyotiṣa* (astronomy).c Like the Brāhmaṇas, the Jainas, too, demanded of their priests great proficiency in astronomy for the proper observance of their religious ceremonies. The Buddhists did not evince much interest in astronomy due probably to the degeneration in their time of astronomy into astrology, and to the difficulty of distinguishing between the two. We find in their literature the term *nakṣatra-pāṭhaka* (a reader of stars) which refers both to an astronomer and an astrologer. Buddha referred to astronomy and astrology as low forms of arts (*tiracchāna vijjā*) and advised Buddhist monks to refrain from the study of astronomy.a This opinion, however, was modified later on and the *bhikṣus* dwelling in the woods were advised to learn the elements of astronomy.