Dr. Jai Maharaj
2016-05-16 22:57:12 UTC
ASTRONOMY IN VEDANGA JYOTHISHYA
By Dr. S. Balakrishna
vedicastronomy.net
Introduction
Vedanga Jyotishya is a 3400-year-old explicit Vedic
astronomical observation/estimation handbook for
practicing Vedic priests. Two versions, one attached a
Rig Veda- Arca-Jyotisham and other to Yajur Veda,
Yajusha-Jyotisham are available. The priest's handbook
was an almanac to perform Vedic Yajna's at correct time
relative to seasons based on Sun-Moon motion. The luni-
solar handbook provided algorithms to estimate linear
astronomical date with corrections every five years,
based on observation of solstices.
Jyothishya shastra evolved from this foundation and
always has been in use amongst followers of Jyotishya as
the calendar. However, from a European viewpoint, Capt
Jarvis, Weber and others were the first to note existence
of and astronomical significance of Vedanga Jyotishya in
19th century. Evidently they did not fully comprehend all
the algorithms. In late 19th century, traditional Indian
scholars Barhaspatya (Chotelal), Bal Gangadhar Tilak and
others were also active in study of the intricate
algorithms in Vedanga Jyotishya. A continuing study by
others, latest being by T S Kuppanna Sastry appears to
have provided a broad understanding of the algorithms in
Vedanga Jyotishya, despite corruptions, and omissions in
the many versions of the Vedanga Jyotishya available in
original form. Perhaps there is more work to be done.
This article is a presentation of significance of Vedanga
Jyotishya, with some modern astronomical graphic tools.
Vedanga Jyotishya provides a five year time-linear
mathematical model sun-moon movement in time covering
nakshatra, Thiti, Parva, masa, Ritu, Ayana (equinoxes,
solstices), year ending with a five year unit called
Yuga, which is eternally cyclic. The Yuga model is a 5-
year unit of 1830 days starting when Winter solstice
coincides with sun and moon being in conjunction at
Shravishta nakshatra, with provision for correction. Rest
of the units mentioned above is related to Yuga based
time units. Vedanga Jyotishya provides algorithms to
calculate the current circumstance like nakshatra, Thiti
etc based on keeping track number of days past from
beginning of Yuga, which would be visually observed
The aim of this article is to provide a graphic view of
work done by all in understanding the Vedanga Jyotishya.,
inspired by TS Kuppanna Sastry's work. The Nagari script
texts are provided in the end for those who wish to look
at the original text. In the following, specific
inferences that can be drawn from Vedanga Jyotishya text
are provided.
This article continues at:
http://www.vedicastronomy.net/vedanga.htm
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
http://bit.do/jaimaharaj
By Dr. S. Balakrishna
vedicastronomy.net
Introduction
Vedanga Jyotishya is a 3400-year-old explicit Vedic
astronomical observation/estimation handbook for
practicing Vedic priests. Two versions, one attached a
Rig Veda- Arca-Jyotisham and other to Yajur Veda,
Yajusha-Jyotisham are available. The priest's handbook
was an almanac to perform Vedic Yajna's at correct time
relative to seasons based on Sun-Moon motion. The luni-
solar handbook provided algorithms to estimate linear
astronomical date with corrections every five years,
based on observation of solstices.
Jyothishya shastra evolved from this foundation and
always has been in use amongst followers of Jyotishya as
the calendar. However, from a European viewpoint, Capt
Jarvis, Weber and others were the first to note existence
of and astronomical significance of Vedanga Jyotishya in
19th century. Evidently they did not fully comprehend all
the algorithms. In late 19th century, traditional Indian
scholars Barhaspatya (Chotelal), Bal Gangadhar Tilak and
others were also active in study of the intricate
algorithms in Vedanga Jyotishya. A continuing study by
others, latest being by T S Kuppanna Sastry appears to
have provided a broad understanding of the algorithms in
Vedanga Jyotishya, despite corruptions, and omissions in
the many versions of the Vedanga Jyotishya available in
original form. Perhaps there is more work to be done.
This article is a presentation of significance of Vedanga
Jyotishya, with some modern astronomical graphic tools.
Vedanga Jyotishya provides a five year time-linear
mathematical model sun-moon movement in time covering
nakshatra, Thiti, Parva, masa, Ritu, Ayana (equinoxes,
solstices), year ending with a five year unit called
Yuga, which is eternally cyclic. The Yuga model is a 5-
year unit of 1830 days starting when Winter solstice
coincides with sun and moon being in conjunction at
Shravishta nakshatra, with provision for correction. Rest
of the units mentioned above is related to Yuga based
time units. Vedanga Jyotishya provides algorithms to
calculate the current circumstance like nakshatra, Thiti
etc based on keeping track number of days past from
beginning of Yuga, which would be visually observed
The aim of this article is to provide a graphic view of
work done by all in understanding the Vedanga Jyotishya.,
inspired by TS Kuppanna Sastry's work. The Nagari script
texts are provided in the end for those who wish to look
at the original text. In the following, specific
inferences that can be drawn from Vedanga Jyotishya text
are provided.
This article continues at:
http://www.vedicastronomy.net/vedanga.htm
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
http://bit.do/jaimaharaj