Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t12: Soma Siddhānta
Bhāratīya Jyotiḥśāstra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t12
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Soma Siddhānta
v2.c12.s2.t12.1
The Date
v2.c12.s2.t12.2
This Siddhānta has been described by Candra to the sage Śaunaka. It mentions the number of years elapsed from creation up to the beginning of the present Kaliyuga and directs us to "add the desired number of years elapsed from the present Kaliyuga". This proves that this Siddhānta has been compiled in the Kaliyuga. The real date of its compilation is the same as that established for the modern Sūrya Siddhānta or one somewhat later than it.
v2.c12.s2.t12.3
It has 10 chapters and 335 verses in 'anuṣṭup' metre.
v2.c12.s2.t12.4
A work, entitled Jyotiṣa Darpaṇa, mentioned above, gives a verse from the Soma Siddhānta. The Raṅganātha's commentary on the Sūrya Siddhānta gives at one place a verse from this (viz. Soma Siddhānta). Kamalākara, the author of the Siddhāntatatvaviveka, has referred to the Soma Siddhānta in the following verse :—
v2.c12.s2.t12.5
ब्रह्मा प्राह च नारदाय हिमगुर्यच्छौनकायामलं ।।
माण्डव्याय वसिष्ठसंज्ञकमुनिः सूर्यो मयायाह यत् ।। ६५ ।।
v2.c12.s2.t12.6
भगणमानाध्याय.
v2.c12.s2.t12.7
"(65) That pure (science of astronomy) which was revealed to Maya by the god Sun, was described to Nārada by Brahmā, to Saunaka by Himaguru (Moon or Soma) and to Māṇḍavya by the sage Vasiṣṭha."
v2.c12.s2.t12.8
—Chapter on elements of revolutions.
v2.c12.s2.t12.9
The Chapter on mean places in this Siddhānta gives the following two couplets as "verses quoted from Gārga".
v2.c12.s2.t12.10
अथ माहेश्वरायुष्ये...ब्रह्मणोघुना ।। सप्तमस्य मनोर्याता द्वापरांते गजाश्विनः ।। २८ ।।
खचतुष्केभनागार्थशररत्ननिशाकराः १६५५८८०००० ।। सृष्टेर्त्तीताः सूर्याब्दा
वर्तमानाकलेरथ ।।
v2.c12.s2.t12.11
"1955880000 solar years have elapsed from the creation up to the (beginning of the) present Kaliyuga, which begins from the end of the Dwāpara yuga and which is 28th (yuga) in the 7th-Manu period, belonging to the present Brahmā's day—during the life of God Śiva".
v2.c12.s2.t12.12
These very verses occur in Romaśa Siddhānta also, as "quoted from Gārga". The former half of the first verse in this runs thus,
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"परार्धप्रथमाहेस्मिन्वायुषे ब्रह्मणोघुना"
v2.c12.s2.t12.14
—meaning—"in the latter half of the present day of Brahmā's life."
v2.c12.s2.t12.15
The word Nanda occurs at one place in this Siddhānta. It has already been pointed out above that this Siddhānta resembles the Sūrya Siddhānta in all respects.
Cites (3)
- Sūryasiddhānta — Maya, Sanskrit
- Siddhāntatattvaviveka — Kamalākarabhaṭṭa 1633, Sanskrit
- Somasiddhānta — Sanskrit