[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Jyotihshastra: Astral and Mathematical Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981) › c4.s4.2 # Jyotihshastra: Astral and Mathematical Literature c4.s4.2 Jyotiḥśāstra: Astral and Mathematical Literature c4.s4.2 - **Language:** English ### [c4.s4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c4.s4.2) Closely associated with \*karaṇas\* in North and West India since at least the twelfth century were astronomical tables (\*koṣṭhakas\* or \*sāraṇīs\*) which were intended to facilitate the computation of planetary positions and the cusps of the astrological places for those who cast horoscopes, or that of various calendaric functions such as \*tithis\*, \*nakṣatras\*, and \*yogas\* for the makers of almanacs (\*pañcāṅgas\*). Tables had much earlier been an integral part of astronomical writings, in which they were versified along with the mathematical formulae. But the composing of tables using numerical symbols arranged in columns was apparently introduced into India as an imitation of Islamic \*zījes\*. The Indian genius for mathematical computation led them to develop many ingenious ways to present the complex elements of their planetary and calendaric models in tabular forms very different from those in use in Islam, but the ultimate derivation of the idea from the West seems unquestionable. - [Previous: c4.s4.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c4.s4.1) - [Next: c4.s4.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c4.s4.3) - [Up: c4.s4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c4.s4) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c4.s4.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.pingree-1981.c4.s4.2) · Pramāṇa