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Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t13: Vasiṣṭha Siddhānta

Bhāratīya Jyotiḥśāstra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t13

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English

Vasiṣṭha Siddhānta

v2.c12.s2.t13.1

Subject Matter

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It has already been pointed out above that there are two versions of Vasiṣṭha Siddhānta which are similar in principles but different only in form. Of these, the one, printed at Vārānasī, has five chapters, containing 94 verses in ‘anuṣṭup’ metre. It has been mentioned in the beginning and at the end that this Siddhānta was revealed by the sage Vasiṣṭha to the sage Māṇḍavya. This Siddhānta is very brief. Other Siddhāntas mention the numbers of revolutions and other elements in addition to the measures of orbital lengths also. This (siddhānta) gives only the orbital lengths and the numbers of the revolutions of planets in a Yuga have got to be calculated from them. These can be found and they agree with the Sūrya Siddhānta. This is also incomplete with respect to some other subjects. This does not mention* the number of ‘sāvana’ days in a yuga. It is not mentioned from what epoch the ahargaṇa is to be reckoned. While the use of utkramajyā (versine) has been mentioned, no lists of versines are given*. The aphelia and nodes have not at all been mentioned. The following lines are given about them :—

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∗ The copy in the Deccan College Library Collection gives the number of revolutions of stars, from which the number of ‘sāvana’ days can be found; but it has been pointed out (page 29) that they prove to be different (from those in the Sūrya Siddhānta).

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मन्दोच्चपातभगणानुपपत्त्यनयेद्युगे ।। यत्र मंदफलं शून्यं मंदोच्चस्थानमुच्यते ।। ३१ ।। याम्यकेंद्रफलं शून्यं पातस्तत्रविनिर्दिशेत् ।।

v2.c12.s2.t13.5

मध्यमाधिकार.

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“Calculate from theory the numbers of aphelia and nodes in a Yuga. The point at which the ‘equation of centre’ is zero, is called the ‘mandocca, (aphelion); the point at which the yāmya-kendra-phala (value of celestial latitude) is zero, is called a pāta (node).”

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The calculator has been asked to find out the aphelia and nodes by observation, and in a way, he has been asked to compile a new Siddhānta. It describes the method of finding a‘Karṇa’, but it is incomplete. It has five ‘adhikāras’ (chapters) which deal with only the following subjects :—(i) mean places (ii) true places (iii) Shadòw (three problems) (iv) miscellaneous and (v) geography. The miscellaneous chapter gives just a glimpse into the eclipses. Even the chapter on ‘shadow’ is very brief. A verse in the chapter on true places is given from the modern Sūrya Siddhānta. Regarding the ahargaṇa, it has been remarked that it is true for the midnight at Laṅkā ; this also proves its similarity with the Sūrya Siddhānta. The words Rāma, Nanda, and Siddha have been available in it.

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DIFFERENT VERSIONS

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Raṅganātha has taken a half-couplet from this as belonging to Laghu-vasiṣṭha Siddhānta. He has similarly given a verse regarding eclipses as “quoted by Vṛddha Vasiṣṭha” and at one place in his commentary on the chapter on true places he has mentioned the name of Vṛddha Vasiṣṭha. This leads me to suspect if there existed in Raṅganātha’s time a different Vṛddha Vasiṣṭha Siddhānta. The verse about the eclipse quoted by him is given in ‘upajāti’ metre and not in ‘anuṣṭupa metre. The Vasiṣṭha Siddhānta referred to by Kamalākara ( page 29 ) appears to be the Laghu Vasiṣṭha Siddhānta.

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The other version of Vasiṣṭha Siddhānta mentioned above as belonging to the Deccan College Collection, has only one chapter entitled ‘madhyamādhikāra’, which contains only the description of the formation of the Universe and orbital lengths of planets, and does not give other chapters generally found in other Siddhāntas. All verses are in anuṣṭup metre. The remark at the end runs “in Viśvaprakāśa, from the Gaṇita branch, compiled by Vṛddha Vasiṣṭha” followed by the words “the 4th chapter on orbits”. There is no hint or clue for finding where the remaining three chapters ended. This shows that the work remained incomplete. The references at the beginning show that this Siddhānta was revealed by Vasiṣṭha to Vāmadeva, and Māṇḍavya has not been mentioned.

Cites (3)