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The Hindu ] ], Garga (quoted by Somakara), the ] and the ] refer to the constellation Dhanishta (Shravishta) and thus to an ] ] that would have been used in 1280 BCE (see Frawley 1991: 152 ff.). The ] and possibly the ] refer to a similar calendar (Frawley 1991). The Atharva Veda, the ] and ] (quoted by ]) may show knowledge of an earlier calendar, but still in the Magha constellation (Frawley 1991). The Hindu ] ], Garga (quoted by Somakara), the ] and the ] refer to the constellation Dhanishta (Shravishta) and thus to an ] ] that would have been used in 1280 BCE (see Frawley 1991: 152 ff.). The ] and possibly the ] refer to a similar calendar (Frawley 1991). The Atharva Veda, the ] and ] (quoted by ]) may show knowledge of an earlier calendar, but still in the Magha constellation (Frawley 1991).


]
⚫ In still earlier Hindu calendars, the vernal equinox was in the ] constellation. There are additionally references to the summer solstice in the Magha constellation. This could indicate a date around 2000 BCE. The ], the ], the ], the ] and the Vishnu Purana show such a constellation in the Krittika (Frawley 1991).
The ] (ŚB 2.1.2.1) has the ] (the ]) "rise in the east"<ref>the emphasis on "due east" is due to the 14th c. commentary by ].See also Michael Witzel, ''The Pleiades and the Bears viewed from inside the Vedic texts'', EVJS Vol. 5 (1999), issue 2 (December) .</ref>. This would have been the case exactly between the 24th and 21st centuries BC, but was still true to within less than 10 degrees (viz., to the East of ]) around 800 BC, the assumed date of the text's composition.

⚫ The ], the ], the ], the ] and the Vishnu Purana show such a constellation in the Krittika (Frawley 1991).


== Literature == == Literature ==

Revision as of 09:24, 15 June 2006

Hindu Astronomy is one of the ancient astronomical systems of the world.

The astronomy and the astrology of India is based upon sidereal calculations. The sidereal astronomy is based upon the stars and the sidereal period is the time that it takes the object to make one full orbit around the Sun, relative to the stars. This is considered to be an object's true orbital period.

In discussions of Hindu astronomy, it should be cleanly disambiguated whether actual ancient astronomical (or astrological, a distinction that did not exist in pre-modern India any more than in pre-modern Europe) treatises are discussed, or if archaeoastronomical claims are distilled from alleged codes or statements taken from the Vedas.

Hindu astrology

Main article: Hindu astrology

In Hindu Astronomy, the vernal equinox (the First Point of Aries) is often calculated at 23° from 0° Aries (1950 CE), i.e. about 7° Pisces (Frawley 1991:148). The constellation that marks this vernal equinox is the Uttarabhadra.

In the time of the Puranas, the vernal equinox was marked by the Ashwini constellation (beginning of Aries), which gives a date of about 300-500 CE. The Vishnu Purana (2.8.63) states that the equinoxes occur when the Sun enters Aries and Libra, and that when the sun enters Capricorn, his northern course (from winter to summer solstice) commences, and the southern course when he enters Cancer.

In the Suryasiddhanta, the rate of precession is set at at 54" (it actually is 50.3"), which is much more accurate than the number calculated by the Greeks (Frawley 1991:148).

The Hindus use a system of 27 or 28 Nakshatras (lunar constellations) to calculate a month. Each month can be divided into 30 lunar tithis (days). There are usually 360 or 366 days in a year.

Hindu astronomical treatises:

Archaeoastronomical claims

The Hindu astronomer Varahamihira, Garga (quoted by Somakara), the Mahabharata and the Vedanga Jyothish refer to the constellation Dhanishta (Shravishta) and thus to an ancient calendar that would have been used in 1280 BCE (see Frawley 1991: 152 ff.). The Kaushiktaki Brahmana and possibly the Atharva Veda refer to a similar calendar (Frawley 1991). The Atharva Veda, the Tandya Mahabrahmana and Laughakshi (quoted by Somakara) may show knowledge of an earlier calendar, but still in the Magha constellation (Frawley 1991).

rising of the Pleiades (M45) as seen from Delhi in 800 BC and 2000 BC.

The Shatapatha Brahmana (ŚB 2.1.2.1) has the Krttikas (the Pleiades) "rise in the east". This would have been the case exactly between the 24th and 21st centuries BC, but was still true to within less than 10 degrees (viz., to the East of East by north) around 800 BC, the assumed date of the text's composition.

The Atharva Veda, the Taittiriya Brahmana, the Shatapahta Brahmana, the Maitriyani Upanishad and the Vishnu Purana show such a constellation in the Krittika (Frawley 1991).

Literature

See also

External links

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  1. the emphasis on "due east" is due to the 14th c. commentary by Sayana.See also Michael Witzel, The Pleiades and the Bears viewed from inside the Vedic texts, EVJS Vol. 5 (1999), issue 2 (December) .
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