Mathematical Models in

Indian Astronomy

Astronomy In India
(500-1200 CE)

Geocentric Astronomy:

Astronomical calculations in
Siddhantas:
Astronomical parameters and computation of mean
celestial motions and positions.
Trignometric methods for finding true celestial
positions.
Computing the apparent direction, place and time of
celestial phenomenon as seen from a location.
Calculations for lunar and solar eclipses.

Eclipses
Computation of eclipses played a crucial part of an
astronomers work.
Even today, astrochronological studies consider
mention of eclipses as a major parameter to date the
manuscripts.

Solar Eclipse:

References:
Mathematics in India by Kim Plofker
Brahma-sputa-siddhanta
Image Courtesy:BBC
Image Courtesy(Manuscript):Jaina Vidya
Sansthan,Jaipur.

Cycle of the 4 Yugas

Super Sun
Solar System

Cycle of the 4 Yugas

Treta
Yuga

Dwapara
yrs
8
8
8
3
Yuga
Kali
rs
2592 y
Yuga
rs
1296 y

Treta
Dwapara Yuga
Kali Yuga Yuga

Sat
Yuga
rs
5184 y
Sat
Yuga

Geometric Models in
Astronomy
Subject of gola is separate from ganita
The spherical cosmology underlying sidhanta seemed
controversial at that time.

ganita

gola

Geometric Models (contd.)

The sphere of the earth [made of] earth, water, fire and air,
in the middle of the cage of the constellations [formed of]
circles, surrounded by the planetary orbits, in the center of
heavens is everywhere circular.

In the center of the heavens: The earth is not at all above

[the center], and not below, hence it is not falling Now
other think [that] the earth is supported by [the cosmic
serpent] Sesa or [something] else: that is not rational Now
if they [i.e. Sesa, etc can] stay fixed by their own power, why
cannot this power be assumed for the earth?

References
Sri Yukteswar Giri: Sri Yukteswar was a Kriya yogi, a
Jyotisha (Vedic astrologer), a scholar of the Bhagavad
Gita and the Bible, an educator and an astronomer
Isha Foundation: ishafoundation.org/blog
Plofker, K. (2009). Mathematics in India. Princeton
Press.

CONCEPTS OF COSMIC
TIME IN THE PURANAS

DIVISION OF COSMIC TIME

1 Kalpa = 4.32 billion years = Day of Brahma
A Kalpa is divided into a thousand Mahayugas each
lasting for 4.32 million years, while a Mahayuga is
further divided into 4 stages (Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga,
Dwapara Yuga and Kali Yuga) in a 4:3:2:1 duration
ratio. The world decays from good to bad through the
stages.
The last and shortest phase of a Mahayuga is the Kali
Yuga the worst phase.

It is currently believed that we are

in the Kali Yuga!

 There was also another division of time which was

prevalent.
In this case, a kalpa was divided into longer
periods of time called a Manvantara which
encompassed 71 Mahayugas.
It was believed that each Manvantara was ruled by
a Manu, the father of man. A Manus lifespan was
71 Mahayugas at the end of which the Manu would
die and a new Manu was created by Brahma. Thus,
each Manvantara begins with the advent of a new
Manu to produce a new race of human beings.
There were 14 Manvantaras in all. It was believed
that there was a gap period between the death of a
Manu and the creation of the next i.e. between two
Manvantaras. The kalpa is made up of the 14
Manvantaras along with all the gap periods
between any two successive Manvantaras.

LIFE CYCLES OF THE

UNIVERSE
It was believed that the Universe is subject to the same
processes of birth, death and rebirth much like in the case
of human beings or any other mortal creature.
At the beginning of each Brahma day, Brahma would
create the Universe with a lifespan of 4.32 billion years. At
the end of that period, the Universe would be destroyed
and night falls on Brahma, who would then rest for the
duration of the night which was equal to the length of the
day (4.32 billion years).
The next day, Brahma would create the Universe afresh
and the cycle continues.

LIFE CYCLES OF BRAHMA

Brahma himself was thought to be a creation of the
Supreme God know as the Para Brahman or simply the
Brahman.
Brahma was created with a lifespan of 100 Brahma
years at the end of which he would die.
This is followed by 100 Brahma years at the end of
which the next Brahma is created (with a lifespan of
100 Brahma years) and the cycle continues.

SOME BASIC TERMS

Celestial Equator: The great circle on the celestial
sphere in the plane of the earths equator.
Ecliptic: The great circle on the celestial sphere in the
plane of the suns apparent annual orbit about the
earth.
Equinox: One of the two points where the celestial
equator and the ecliptic intersect.

THREE QUESTIONS
Problems in the Siddhantas which dealt with the
computation of time, place (latitude, longitude, etc.)
and direction for an observer located anywhere on the
surface of the earth.

Local latitude (tropical latitude) of a place

using a gnomon on the day of the equinox.

 Solution:
At the equinox, the gnomon is [proportional to
the Sine of solar] altitude, the shadow [to] the
Sine of the latitude, [and] the square root of the
sum of the squares of those is the equinoctial
hypotenuse.

- Brahmagupta, Brahma-sphutasiddhanta (Kim Plofker)

REFERENCES
Mathematics in India by Kim Plofker
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_cosmology
Maharishi Mahesh Yogion theBhagavad Gita
Translation and Commentary, Arkana, 1967 p. 253
http
://books.google.com/books?id=QIvnxhasdGoC&pg=
PA6&dq=hindu+cosmology&lr=&ei=g23qSeXaOIG4M9S
z6OkN#PPA8,M1
Time Scales and Environmental Change, Chapman
and Driver, p.8

DISTANCE RATIOS

108
The diameter of the sun multiplied by 108
equals the distance between the sun and the
earth.
Mean distance between the Earth and the
Sun ,x = 149,597,870.691 km .
Diameter of the sun, y = 1,392,000 km.
Ratio, x:y
=107.46973469181034482758620689.
The value is approximately equal to 108.

108
The diameter of the moon multiplied by 108 equals
the distance between the moon and the earth.
Mean distance between the Moon and the Earth, x =
384,400 km.
Diameter of the moon, y = 3,474.8 km.
Ratio, x:y = 110.625071946586853919650051.
The value is approximately equal to 108.

108
The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of
the earth.
The diameter of the Sun, S= 1,392,000 km
The diameter of the Earth, E= 12,756.2 km
Ratio, S:E = 109.12340665.
The radius of the Moon is 108 miles.

How could the writers of old Sanskrit

texts have known the unknowable?
In searching for an explanation we first need to
understand that these ancient scientists were not just
intellectuals, they were practicing yogis. The very first
lines of the Surya Siddhantha, for of the Golden Age a
great astronomer named Maya desired to learn the
secrets of the heavens, so he first performed rigorous
yogic practices. Then the answers to his questions
appeared in his mind in an intuitive flash.

Does this
sound
unlikely?

 Yoga Sutra 3:26-28 states that through, samyama

(concentration, meditation, and unbroken mental
absorption) on the sun, moon, and pole star, we
can gain knowledge of the planets and stars.
Sutra 3:33 clarifies, saying: "Through keenly
developed intuition, everything can be known."
Highly developed intuition is called pratibha in
yoga.
It is accessible only to those who have completely
stilled their mind, focusing their attention on one
object with laser-like intensity.
Those who have limited their mind are no longer
limited to the fragments of knowledge supplied by
the five senses.
All knowledge becomes accessible to them.

References
http://
www.stephen-knapp.com/108_the_significance_of_the
_number.htm
http://www.khenpo.eu/108.html
http://www.lovearth.net/108.htm

Problem of origins:

Curious case of Indian Observational

Astronomy:
No record of observational practices of astronomers.
Construction of astronomical models. Revelation from a
deity! Or observed positions of celestial bodies in the
sky.
Models in siddhantas have familiarity with Greek
models.