Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c15.s3: Duties Ahead
Bhāratīya Jyotiḥśāstra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c15.s3
- Language
- English
Duties Ahead
v2.c15.s3.1
We have already studied the question of calendar reform in elaborate detail and three possible modes of reform have been suggested (P .323). It is highly desirable that all people should carefully consider and decide by the profound and interesting aspects of that science. On the contrary the printing press has proved to be a new menace to the growth of astronomy, for, the almanac-makers who were once to be found practically in every town are fast vanishing, being no longer in demand. In these circumstances who would care to study theory works like those of Bhāskarācārya? However, the mathematical branch has somehow managed to remain alive because the necessity of muhūrtas, and the ardent desire of the people to know the future in the light of astrological works persist even to-day and are bound to persist in future to the same degree as before, and the Joshis are compelled to do at least some planetary calculations. Natal astrology is in a fairly good condition, if not flourishing as vigorously as before, but that can hardly add to our credit.
v2.c15.s3.2
∗ See Jyotirvilāsa, (2nd edition) pp. 51 and 52.
v2.c15.s3.3
Copernicus compiled his work in Śaka 1465. Prior to this date European astronomy was practically in the same condition as astronomy in India. The great difference between the two, however, was that the European science was progressive while ours was stagnant. It was not very long before Copernicus, that Gaṇeśa Daivajña and his father Keśava Daivajña, both of them research-loving scholars, were flourishing in our country. But with the advent of Copernicus, European astronomy passed through such a tremendous change that while the science of the by-gone days was comparable to the newly grown sapling of the Banyan tree, the latter-day-science was the Banyan tree itself, towering in the full-grown majesty of centuries, yielding shade and shelter to thousands. Ours has merely clung to the status quo ante .*
v2.c15.s3.4
One of the important reasons why the science of astronomy has attained the highest degree of excellence in Europe to-day is navigation. This does not hold good in our country, still there are other reasons that necessitate the study of astronomy. The first of these is the need of compiling the almanac, which includes the needs of both Dharma śāstra and Muhūrta. Astrology is the second reason and curiosity the third. Some are of opinion that our old astronomy has become utterly worthless, that nothing would be amiss if the almanac is lost. But even a little enquiry will show them that none of the ancient nations put in as much effort as our ancient ancestors did in the sphere of astronomy, and that they could achieve much greater success in it than in any other empirical science like medicine. Again, if they give some thought to the state of things in the villages, they will come to know that 90 or even 95 per cent of the population do require the almanac. The educated modernist may choose to ignore the almanac, but that does not mean that the common man would follow suit. In fact our astronomy owes its origin to the necessity of the almanac which serves as the mirror of the heavens. The educated people, however, would be justified in demanding that the almanacs should be reformed and in wishing that our feeling of veneration towards astronomy should be directed to some more desirable channel. But they are not justified in repudiating the almanac itself or the sense of veneration which it inspires.
v2.c15.s3.6
We have already studied the question of calendar reform in elaborate detail and three possible modes of reform have been suggested (P .323). It is highly desirable that all people should carefully consider and decide by the vation and to give them information about the history of our ancient works, in order to induce them to study the astronomical theory by the old or new methods! Efforts made in the way to awaken the nation as a whole are bound to have a more lasting, even if slow, effect as compared with the isolated action taken in this respect. If our ancient instruments and ancient works are collected together and preserved in some principal cities in our country and if observatories are built for taking observations both by the ancient and modern methods, and institutes for study are established, the science of astronomy once brought to a splendid condition by our ancestors will not only recover its former splendour but even grow more brilliant. The threefold duty suggested above for Śaṅkarācārya and others in respect of the question of calendar reform is only the first step towards curing the malady. But we ought to aim at some achievement of lasting value rather than ephemeral results. This tree of astronomy was planted in excellent soil in our country and was growing very vigorously in ancient times. It was being watered from time to time. People used to feel gratified on tasting its fruit. The fragrance of its flowers had not only spread far and wide not only in this country but had also reached even the remote lands of the earth. And although in very ancient times some wind-borne clouds of distant skies—the foreign astronomers—may perchance have let a few drops of water fall into its basin, history shows beyond doubt that the seed thus begotten was wafted back to those foreign lands and a new tree of astronomy began to grow there, or the old one was revived. Glorious and flourishing as our tree was, its growth was arrested in course of time. It ceased to receive water; and naturally its tender foliage has withered. The tree is now feebly clinging to life somehow, thanks to the water received in ancient times and the few drops that trickled down later on rare occasions, and it is still yielding fruit of a sort, sour and bitter. As we look abroad, however, we find that the sapling which owes its origin or revival to this tree on the Indian soil has grown and is still growing so vigorously that thousands of people are getting shelter in its shade. The astounding expansion of the offspring would hardly lead one to suspect that it had ever any kinship with the parent tree in India.
v2.c15.s3.7
∗ See Jyotirvilāsa, (2nd edition) pp. 51 and 52.
v2.c15.s3.8
The reason why such a glaring contrast has arisen is mainly that the science abroad has been nurtured on the labours of the observatories. May Savitā the Almighty inspire all of us to endeavour in order that observatories may be established in India, and that our science, revitalized and set on the path of progress, attain the acme of perfection. And now that the time is ripe for planting the seeds of knowledge, as already remarked, may we have facilities for renovating the science as was sought to be done from time to time in the past, in the guise of empirical corrections (*bījasamskāra*) and is still being done to some extent. And may there arise, men inspired by the self-evolved Savitā, who would bring about such consummation through original works on the science.