Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t2: Foreward
Bhāratīya Jyotiḥśāstra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t2
- Language
- English
Foreward
v2.c12.s2.t2.1
As mentioned in the INTRODUCTION,[*] the author proposes to discuss the History of the science of Astronomy from about 500 years before Śaka era to this day; and in the beginning, this first chapter of the Madhyamādhikāra (i.e. a section on mean places) under the GAṆITA SKANDHA (i.e. a Branch of Mathematics) will deal with the history of astronomical works and the question of computing the mean motions and places of planets.
v2.c12.s2.t2.2
The knowledge of astronomy as developed during the Vedic and Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa periods and described in Part I, was considerable as compared with the pace of general progress during the period; but it would appear very meagre, when compared with the ability (developed in a later period) to predict the true positions of planets. It appears that some works might have been compiled during the interval between these periods. There may be some Saṃhitā works of that type; but they are either not available now or have not been seen by him. The period of Siddhāntic astronomy can somehow be linked with the ancient period. This point will be discussed later on; but we have no information as to how the knowledge of astronomy reached the highest stage of calculating the true motions and places of planets, how observations used to be taken and how the motions of planets were finally fixed after comparing the different observations. The oldest of astronomical (Siddhānta) works reveal a sudden rise in the standard of astronomical knowledge. Those who raised the standard of such knowledge through their works were naturally regarded as superhuman, and thus arose the popular belief that the available ancient works on mathematical astronomy are regarded as ‘apauruṣeya’ (i.e. not compiled by any mortal man), and it is clear that this belief has been formed later.
v2.c12.s2.t2.3
Because these works were regarded as superhuman, they naturally did not include the description of subjects like observations. There seems to be another very strong reason for this omission. Looking to the conditions of those days when as a rule ‘shorter the works, the easier they were to commit to memory’, such works dealt with only the rules of calculating the motions and places of planets, and they appear to have avoided length by omitting the underlying theory.
v2.c12.s2.t2.4
∗ Pulished in part I of the book
v2.c12.s2.t2.5
The author proposes to deal with all works on astronomy in chronological order in this chapter on mean places. Their points of differences, if any, with matters pertaining to other Adhikāras from different works, as also some special points worth mentioning, have been treated in subsequent chapters ; otherwise, all information about the works has been given in this very chapter on mean places. Some works are considered divine while some authors have more than one book to their credit ; hence, the following account is arranged under the names of authors, and at places, under the titles of their works.
v2.c12.s2.t2.6
The oldest known works on astronomy are the five Siddhāntas—the Sūrya Siddhānta and others. These are regarded as divine. They are again of two kinds. The Pañcasiddhāntikā of Varāhamihira mentions the Saura and other four Siddhāntas ; but at present they are not available. The Pañcasiddhāntikā simply provides clues to their elements. The author calls them the ‘ancient Siddhānta Pañcaka’ or ‘group of five ancient Siddhāntas’. There are five other Siddhāntas likewise entitled the Saura, which are at present available. He calls them ‘the modern group of five Siddhāntas’. These will presently be dealt with. First he takes up for consideration the group of five ancient Siddhāntas. These belong to the 5th century before Śaka era. Some of them may belong to an even earlier period.