Ayanaamsa by Hariprasad

7/30/2019 Ayanaamsa by Hariprasad

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Hariprasad comes from well known Jyotish family inAndhrapradesh. Ancient Hindu Astronomy is in his family for the

last 16 generations. His father Daivajna Bhushana, Ganita

Kalanidhi and Bharati Theerthopadhyaya late Sri Pidaparty

Krishnamurty Sastry was well known not only in Andhrapradesh

but across India. In 1934 2nd Karnataka Astronomical Conference

was held under the patronage of the then Maharaja of Mysore on

scientific system of Panchanga calculation and compilation. His

views were accepted and acknowledged by the then President of

the conference Sir Vepa Ramesam, Judge of the Madras High

Court. Hariprasads father studied Hindu Astronomy under the

able guidance of Mahamahopadhyaya Muralidhar Jha in

Varanasi in 1920s. His fathers guru was a student of

Mahamahopadhyaya Sudhakar Dwivedi. Hariprasads father

designed and installed a Sundial near Satyanarayana Swamy

temple in Annavaram, East Godavari in 1943. AlthoughHariprasad changed over to the English system of education at the

age of 17, he designed and installed another Sundial in Ashram

Public School, Kakinada in A.P. in 2007 and one more near Sri

Venkateswara Swamy Devasthanam in Dwaraka Tirumala near

Eluru A.P. in 2010. He has adequate knowledge and skill not only

to design and install Sundials of many designs but also rectify those

damaged or showing wrong time, for one reason or the other, such

as Samrat Yantra in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, or Sundial on

Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari or in Mecca Masjid

in Hyderabad etc. Hariprasad is available at email id:

[email protected]

Vedic times to 21st century an exciting journeyByPidaparty Purna SatyaHariprasad, India

yana-amsa Ayana in Sanskrit

means movement or change in

position however infinitesimally

small it is; Amsa means a part or a small

part however infinitesimally small it is.Ayana-amsa is used traditionally and

conventionally in Indian Astronomy to

represent movement of Vishuvaths.

Vishuvath is Equinox in English.

Therefore Ayana-amsa is Precession of

Equinoxes in English.

Vishuvaths are points of intersection ofCelestial Equator and Ecliptic. Equator

(Bhu-madhya Rekha), when extended /

enlarged till it intersects with Ecliptic, is

known as Celestial Equator. Ecliptic is

Kranthi Vrutha i.e. Orbit of Sun. These

points of intersection are therefore

imaginary, but assumed great significance

in Indian Astronomy.

There are two Vishuvaths Points of

intersection one in the North and the

other in the South. One in the North is

known as Vasantha Vishuvath or Vernal

Equinox and the other in the South is

known as Sarath Vishuvath or Autumnal

Equinox. See picture below.

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Courtesy: www.shiftoftheage.com

These Vishuvaths or Equinoxes keep moving. This movement is known as Precession.

This topic became a centre of controversy for a variety of reasons and it is still a hot topic for

discussion among the traditional scholars who are concerned about the subject. Eight

questions that confound their minds may be as follows:

Was the concept of Precession of Equinoxes known to ancient Indian Astronomers? If yes, sincewhen it was known?

Is the precession due to movement / trepidation of Equator or Ecliptic? What are thecontributory factors for the trepidation?

What were the rates of precession as estimated or known to different Indian Astronomers fromtime to time?

What is/was the effect of precession on the duration of a year or vice-versa? Is the rate of precession per year constant? What were the different rates of precession, as wereknown to the community? Is the precession or movement of equinoxes circular or pendular? When was the zero point (of Ayana-amsa) for precession of equinoxes? What is the current status? Is it possible to verify the accuracy of the current status?A serious attempt is made to collect and place in this paper, all the material known to the

author of this paper and known to the author to be available.


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Let us deal with each question in the same serial order.

1. Was the concept of precession of equinoxes known to ancient IndianAstronomers? If yes, since when was it known?here is enough evidence to show in ancient Indian scriptures that the concept was

known to Indian Astronomers since Vedic times and that Ecliptic was fixed

resulting in no movement. In reality it is the trepidation of the Equator which

results in Precession of Equinoxes. Gravitational forces acting on the earths rotation cause

trepidation of Earths axis and therefore Equator.

Iyanah krishne dasabhih sahasraih avathamindrah- 8-96-13 Rigveda

Meaning: Indra (Vishuvath) moves 15 x 10 x 1000 = 150,000 times in one Kalpa

(4,320,000,000 years). i.e. in one Mahayuga (4,320,000 years) vishuvath revolves 150 times.

Kalpa is equal to 1000 Mahayugas.

[Many Western Astronomers, such as Whitney, were of the opinion that Kalpa and

Mahayuga was a creation by Indian Astronomers of recent origin, such as Aryabhata, in the5th and 6th centuries A.D. They were possibly ignorant of this quote from Rigveda.]

Thrinsath-kruthyo yuge bhaanam chakram praak parilambathe- Sloka 9, Thriprasna-adhikara, (3rd adhyaya) Surya Sidhantha

Meaning: There form 30 x 20 = 600 right angles. i.e. Vishuvath makes a full circle by

moving backwards 150 times in one Mahayuga. The word Praak means backwards. This

gives us 28,800 years to complete one revolution. Duration of terrestrial year may thus beobtained as 365.2422 mean solar days. Duration of sidereal year may be obtained as 365.2564

mean solar days.

In Vedas, accepted and respected interpretations confirm the following synonyms:

Vasanta vishuvath = Agni

Sarath Vishuvath = Indra

Suns entry (Ravi sankramana) into Karkataka (Cancer) = Mitra,

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Suns entry into Makara (Capricorn) = Varuna.

Vishuvath chalanam = Agastya chara

In Vishnupurana, it was stated that Dhruva did penance (Tapas). Lord Vishnu was pleased

and rewarded his penance stating that Saptarishi Mandalam would revolve around Dhruva

once every 26,000 years. (Source: Nakshatramulu a book by Gobburi Venkata Ananda

Raghava Rao).

The age of Vishnupurana is not known. The story confirms that the movement of

precession of equinoxes is circular and that it takes 26,000 years to complete the cycle. How

close is the number to the scientific estimate today! One can safely conclude that the ancient

Indian Astronomers were well aware of the concept ofPrecession of Equinoxes.

2. Is the precession of equinoxes due to trepidation of equator or ecliptic? nce again, there is enough evidence to show in ancient Indian scriptures that the

Ecliptic is fixed resulting in no movement. In reality it is the trepidation of the

Equator which results in Precession of Equinoxes. Gravitational forces acting on

the earths rotation cause the wobbling of Earths axis and therefore trepidation of Equator.

Sathapatha Brahmana (2.1.2) reading:"Ekam dve threeni chatwariti vaa anyaani

nakshatranyathaita eva bhuyishtha yat krittikaaEtaa ha vai praachyai diso na chyavantesarvaani ha vaa anyaani nakshatraani

prachyaih disaschyavante"

confirms that there is no movement in the group of stars called Krithika from the East. Thisimplies that the Ecliptic is not moving and is static. It is therefore the trepidation in

Equator.

Nakshatreshti (an ancient book) confirms that Krithika star is the first star and Bharani star isthe last star.

In Vayupurana and Matsyapurana it was mentioned that Vishuvath Punyakala occurred whenRavi (Sun) was in Krithika star and Moon was in Visakha star.

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There are other sources such as Mahabharatha referring to Bheeshmas choice of date for hisdeath, Garga Mahamunis statements, Varahamihira in Brihatsamhitha (in III-1) etc.

It is the trepidation in the Equator but not in the Ecliptic, which is responsible for Ayana-

amsa or Precession of Equinoxes.

Then the next question is what are the factors contributing to the trepidation? Some of the

factors attributed to trepidation are:

The Earth is not round.

Inclination of axis of the Earth

Gravitational forces acting on the Earth, the Sun and the Moon

3. What were the different rates of precession of equinoxes estimated by variousIndian astronomers from time to time?nnual precession of Equinoxes was estimated/calculated by different ancient Indian

Astronomers differently at different times. The following are some selected figures

with brief explanations:

60.0 per yearGanesh Daivajna in Graha Laghava 1520 A. D.Satananda in Bhaswathi 1099 A.D.Though Ganeshas estimate was 60, it was actually 58.10 based on

estimated duration of a year 365.25856 days.

59.9 per yearBhaskaracharya II 1108 A. D.Munjala 932 A.D.Though Bhaskaracharya II, estimated 59.9 as given by Munjala,actually arrived at 57.55 using duration of a year as 365.25843 days.

57.615 per yearChandrasekhar Singh

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54.00 per yearSurya Sidhantha at least 2,165,111 years old (500 A.D. according to WesternAstronomers). Though it is known to be 54.00 per year, it works out to be 58.68 peryear using duration of a year as 365.25875 days.

50.0 per yearVarahamihira 505 A.D.50.2388 per year

Newcomb 1687 A.D.46.5 per year

Parasara46.3 per yearAryabhata 476 A.D.50.27 per year

Calendar Reform Committee 1955 A.D.

Source: Proceedings of 2nd Karnataka Astronomical Conference, Mysore 1934(except the last item)(It may be noted that Calendar Reforms Committees recommendationsare close to Varahamihira and Newcomb.)

4.What is/was the effect of precession of equinoxes on the duration of a year orvice-versa?et us look at the duration of a year as estimated by various ancient Hindu

Astronomers or in respected texts:

Text Days Hours MinutesVedanga Jyotisha 365 ----- ------

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Romaka Sidhantha* 365 5 55.2

Paulisa Sidhantha* 365 6 12.0

Brahmagupta Sidhantha 365 6 12.148

Brahmasphuta Sidhantha 365 6 12.148

Aryabhateeyam 365 6 12.50

Dwiteeya Arya Sidhantha 365 6 12.508

Prathama Arya Sidhantha 365 6 12.56Surya Sidhantha* 365 6 12.6Paitamaha Sidhantha* 365 8 34.28

V B Ketkars Jyotirganitham 365 6 9.16Calendar Reform Committee 365 5 48.768Source for above data with the exception of last two:

Proceedings of 2nd Karnataka Astronomical Conference, Mysore - 1934

Vedanga Jyotisha, whose author is unknown, was transmitted for the benefit of mankind

through Lagadha Mahamuni. (There is a view that it was authored by Lagadha Mahamuni. But

upon close reading Lagadhasya Mahatmanah does not give that interpretation). This is the oldest

Hindu Astronomical Text (full text not available only some portions are available).

Surya Sidhantha is the second oldest text after Vedanga Jyotisha - Author is unknown. It was

gifted for the benefit of mankind through Mayasura by SuryaBhagwan towards the end ofKrita

Yuga i.e. at least 2,165,111 years ago - if it was in this Mahayuga. It is not known, in which

Mahayuga it was gifted. We are currently passing through 28th Mahayuga. Duration of

Mahayuga is 4,320,000 years. Western Astronomers dated SURYA SIDHANTHA as not > 1500years based on information available to them in various sources. [Moral: We only know what

we know. We do not know what we do not know. We refused to believe that something may

exist beyond what we know. Kupastha Mandukam a frog in the well]

*Varahamihiras Panchasidhanthika is dated 505 A.D. Varahamihira who assembled five

Sidhanthas is 505 A.D. Five Sidhanthas namely Paitamaha, Vasishtha, Romaka, Paulisa and Surya

Sidhantha cannot be dated 505 A.D.

V B Ketkars Jyotirganitham is dated 1937 A.D.

Calendar Reform Committees report is dated 1955 A.D.


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What is this duration of the year? This is the time taken by the Sun to travel from the time it

leaves one Vishuvath, say Vasantha Vishuvath or Vernal Equinox, to the time it reaches the

same Vishuvath or Equinox located at a slightly different location due to precession. This is

known as 'Terrestrial yearor Savana year. Presently it is estimated at 365.242199 days or 365

days, 5 hours, 48 minutes 45.9936 seconds.

Equinox moves in a direction opposite to the direction of Suns movement on the Ecliptic.

Therefore, Rate of annual precession of equinoxes and the duration of the year are inversely

proportional to each other.

5. Is the rate of precession per year constant? What were the rates of precessionknown to the community?nnual Rate of Precession is not constant year after year. Changes noticed by

modern scientists are as given below:

50.279 per year in 2000 A.D.

50.256 per year in 1900 A.D.

49.835 per year in 0000 A.D.

49.391 per year in 2000 B.C.

Source: Report of the Calendar Reform Committee

6. Is the precession or movement of equinoxes circular or pendular?here is a belief that the movement is pendular. The movement is believed to be

within a range of 54 i.e. 27 on either side. This is based on four verses 9, 10, 11 and

12 in Triprasna Adhikara in Suryasidhantha reproduced below:

Verse 9: Trimsath kruthyo yugo bhanam chakrath prak parilambathe,Thatgunath bhudenairbhakthath dyuganath yadavapyatheVerse 10: Thaddostrighnadasasthamsaa vijne ayanabhidhah,Thathsanskruthath grahath kranthi chayacharadaladikam

Verse 11: Sphutam driktulyatham gacheth ayane vishuvathdwayePrak chakram chlritham heene chayarkath karanagatheVerse 12: Antharaamsairadhavruthya paschath seshaih thathadhikeEvam vishuvathee chaya swadeshi ya dinardhaja

Dakshinothara rekhayam sa thatra vishuvath prabha

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Asiatic Society, Calcutta (Kolkata) published a book Suryasidhantha in English by A. K.

Chakravarty. It is supposed to be a Research Publication. In pages 113, 114 and 115 he

commented on this topic as follows:

. The language is cryptic, the principle is contradictory to the text itself and the results

obtained are erroneous. These errors could be easily detected by gnomon shadow. It is now

believed that these verses were interpolated in the text in a later period. Such interpolations

are not uncommon.

Sathapatha Brahmanam (2.1.2) quoted earlier in response to Question 2 also supports thecontention that movement is circular and not pendular. Group of stars under the title

Krithika are always on the East and are close to the Ecliptic. In times of SathapathaBrahmana this group of stars was close to 0 Latitude. Principal star in the Krithika group is36 away from the beginning of Ashwini group of stars. If the movement is pendular, this

cannot happen. Says Dr S Madhavan, Astronomer from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala,

India.

The difference between the durations of Driksidha Nirayana sidereal year (per modern

observations) and sidhanteeya Nirayana solar year (per SURYA SIDHANTHA) gives us

a difference of arc 8.5. This difference gets added to annual precession every year. (Pleasesee the comment below 54.0 annual precession). That means 50.27 + 8.5 = 58.77 which is

not in conformity with visible reality.

Surya Sidhantha contains Bhaganas. Bhaganas and Julian days are the same. These

Bhaganas give us the annual precession at 54. Therefore these Bhaganas are incorrect and

the validity of 54 is questionable.

7. When was the zero point (of ayanaamsa) for precession of equinoxes?Some of the guestimates are given below:

388 B.C. - Cheiro317 B.C. - D Davidson255 B.C. - G Massey


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125 B.C. - Thierens213 A.D. - C Fagan285 A.D. - N. C. Lahiri/Calendar Reform Committee291 A.D. - K P Krishnamurty490 A.D. - Bhaskaracharya II498 A.D. - Sepharial

499 A.D. Suryasidhantha, Brahmasidhantha, Somasidhantha, Laghu Vasisthasidhantha,Vridha vasisthasidhantha, Ganakananda, Thatvaviveka

505 A.D. - VarahamihiraThere is no basis to confirm that any one of them is correct or wrong. They are based on the

estimate of annual precession of equinoxes by respective Astronomers. They can at best be

their best guess, because annual precession of equinoxes was not constant in the past andtherefore, by logic, in the future as well. It is futile to dwell on this issue. It is not of great

consequence.

8.What is the current status? Is it possible to verify the accuracy of currentstatus?

s on 1st April 2012, cumulative Precession of Equinoxes was 2401 57 as given by

Positional Astronomy Centre at Kolkata. The Centre is now continuing thetraditions established by Calendar Reform Committee. Annual Precession, as

determined by this Institution is 50.27.

I believe it is possible to verify and establish the accuracy through the Satellites and NASA.

Conclusions:1. Ancient Indian Astronomers were well aware of the Precession of Equinoxes.

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2. Precession is caused by trepidation of Equator and not of Ecliptic. The trepidation ismainly due to gravitational forces acting on the Earth.

3. Annual rate of precession is not constant. Therefore it is possible only to guess, and notaccurately determine, date of Zero Ayana-Amsa.

4. Precession of Equinoxes is Circular and only Circular.5. Until it is proved otherwise, cumulative precession as on 1st April 2012 is 24 01 57 and

annual rate of precession is 50.27. They are in conformity with Newcomb, Varahamihira

and Calendar Reform Committee.

References and acknowledgements:Rig-veda

Vedanga JyotishamSurya SidhanthaSurya Sidhantha Asiatic Society, KolkataVishnupuranaNakshatramuluSathapatha BrahmanaNakshatreshtiVayupurana

MatsyapuranaMahabharathaBrihat-samhitha VarahamihiraProceedings of 2nd Karnataka Astronomical Conference 1934Report of Calendar Reform CommitteeV B Ketkars Jyotirganitham

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Ayanaamsa by Hariprasad

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