Vedic Hindu Calendar : the Most Ancient Lunar Calendar System (Part 2)
Wisdom of the Ancient Hindu Schools of Astronomy and Mathematics
The Hindu Vedic Calendar was further standardized by Aryabhata I (476 - 550), the renowned Indian astronomer and mathematician belonging to the classical age of India. His two important compositions include, Aryabhatiya and Aryabhatasiddhanta. He only assigned the commencement time of each day to midnight. The Islamic astronomy is based on the works of Aryabhata.
Varahamihira
Varahamihira (505-587), another astronomer, mathematician and philosopher was well appreciated by Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for his classic work Pancasiddhantika (The Five Astronomical Canons - dates back 575 AD). Historians have duly recognized Varahamihira, as one of the Navaratnas (Nine Jewels or Poets) who decorated the court of Chandragupta II, the Maurya Emperor. We are indebted to Varahamihira for this astronomical treatise. Varahamihira refers few ancient texts which are lost now. We are also getting salient extracts from five important treatises i.e., Surya, Romaka, Paulisa, Vasistha and Paitamaha siddhantas.
Brahmagupta
The foot steps of Varahamihira were followed by Brahmagupta, and Bhaskara II. The city Ujjain was the center of attraction during sixth and seventh centuries. There was an active research on mathematics and astronomy. There was an astronomical observatory as part of the school of mathematical astronomy at Ujjain. Brahmagupta (598-c. 665), an ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer, was heading the observatory and mathematical center.
His major work Brahmasphutasiddhanta is considered as treatise. Brahmagupta is noted for his Hindu Yuga system. He also defined zero, negative numbers, positive numbers and surds. His contribution also included the interpolation formula for computing sines. Brahmagupta's astronomical handbook Khandakhadyaka (dates back to 665) which supported Aryabhata's system and prescribed to start each day at midnight.
Bhaskara II
Bhaskara II or Bhaskaracharya became the head of the astronomical observatory as well as school of mathematical astronomy at Ujjain. He wrote six books. The subjects of his six works are His major contribution was in the subjects like arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry, calculus, geometry, and astronomy and his six works include (1) Lilavati on mathematics, (2) Bijaganita on algebra, (3) the Vasanabhasya of Mitaksara, (4) the Karanakutuhala or Brahmatulya, (5) Siddhantasiromani which is divided into two parts: mathematical astronomy and sphere, and (6) the Vivarana.trigonometry. He introduced the decimal system on his woks and compiled the problems of Brahmagupta and others.
Reference Sources:
1) Aryabhata http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aryabhata
2) Bhaskara II http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bh%C4%81skara_II
3) Brahmagupta http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmagupta
4) Varahamihira http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varahamihira
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- Aryabhata en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aryabhata
- Brahmagupta en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmagupta
- Bhaskara II en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bh%C4%81skara_II
- Aryabhata I only assigned the commencement time of each day to midnight.
- Brahmagupta defined zero, negative numbers, positive numbers and surds.
- Bhaskara II's contribution was in arithmetic,algebra,trigonometry,calculus,geometry,and astronomy
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Post a CommentIn the storm of life we struggle through myriads of stimuli of pressure, stress, and muti-problems that seek for a solution and answer. We are so suppressed by the routine of this every life style that most of us seem helpless. However, if we look closely to ancient techniques we shall discover the magnificent way to understand and realize the ones around us and mostly ourselves. If only we could stop for a moment and allow this to happen. May all beings be happy (Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavanthu)
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That was very interesting information.