Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t58: Dinakara

Bhāratīya Jyotiḥśāstra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t58

Language: English

Dinakara

v2.c12.s2.t58.1

The author has seen his two works, Kheṭaka Siddhi and Candrārkī, in the Deccan College collection (Nos. 303, and 308 of 1882-83). He remarks in the Kheṭaka Siddhi :—

v2.c12.s2.t58.2

विना चुबं दाशमृदुक्रियाच्चैः श्रीत्र ह्वसिद्धांतसमाश्च खेटाः ।। करोम्यहं तां गगनेचराणां
सिद्धिः ।। २ ।।

The epochal positions are given for the mean Aries Ingress of Śaka 1500. These positions and the motions of (planets) are in conformity with those computed from Brahma Siddhānta, together with the corrections mentioned by the Rājamṛgāṅka. The work describes only the method of finding the true places of planets. The total number of verses (in it) is 46. It appears that the works used to be accompanied by tables; but they were not found in the copy seen by the author. But one cannot do any calculation without such tables. The writer calls this work Laghu Kheṭaka Siddhi which indicates that he may have written another work called Bṛhat Kheṭaka Siddhi. Some verses attributed to Dinakara are given in the commentary on the Mahādevī Sāraṇī, but they are not found in this work. This also lends support to the surmise about the existence of a larger work. The writer has given his own account in the words.

v2.c12.s2.t58.4

श्रीमदगोत्रे कौशिक साग्निकोमुदु दाक्षोयं ज्ञातिमोढप्रसूनः ।।
जातो ग्रामे साभ्रमत्याः समीपे वारेजाख्ये विप्रवर्याश्रिते च ।। ३१ ।।
तत्पुत्रजो दिनकरः सकलानि खेटकर्माणि वीक्ष्य सततं हि सवासनानि ।।
चक्रे शके खवतिथि १५०० प्रमिते च संवत् पंचाग्निभूपति १६३५ मिते लघुखेटसिद्धं ।। ३२ ।।

v2.c12.s2.t58.5

The Candrārkī consists of only 33 verses and deals only with the calculation of the true places of the sun and moon.

v2.c12.s2.t58.6

This work also takes Śaka 1500 as its epochal year. It appears that the work may have been accompanied by tables giving the equation of centre for finding the true place of the sun and moon; and then these are to be used for calculating tithi and other parts. From this it appears that the Laghu Cintāmaṇi tables of Gaṇeśa Daivajñya were not in use in Gujerat in those days.

v2.c12.s2.t58.7

A correction stated to be in use in Gujerat is mentioned in both the works. The same correction is found also in the Graha Cintāmaṇi to be described (on page 151) later, and in the commentary on the Mahādevī Sāraṇī at some places, it is called ‘Rāmabīja’.

Cites (1)

Rājamṛgāṅka — Bhoja, Sanskrit