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Re: [HM] Indian astronomy and mathematics
Posted:
Feb 21, 2000 8:34 PM
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Dear Subramaniam and HM listmembers,
> However, your recent post only establishes that the hymn in the Rgveda is
> about a solar eclipse, a point that Kim granted right away at the
> beginning of her post.
Alas, it was a "qualified" "grant" and therefore the intent of my previous
post was to clarify the implications of the "qualification"; plus respond to
Kim's musings vis-a-vis archaeological findings.
> What is the basis for saying that it is an annular eclipse and a specific
> one which occurred at a specific date?
> If the eclipse is merely a total eclipse and not an annular one, then does
> that have an influence on the dating?
> I'm sorry if I have missed some reference you might have mentioned. If
> there is one, please do mention it again and I'll look it up.
I received a kind note from Professor Julio Gonzalez Cabillon
reminding me that this thread [[HM] Indian astronomy and mathematics]
has started digressing from mathematical issues (which indeed it has);
therefore instead of a detailed discussion I will refer you to the published
material on the issue.
*1. P.C. Sengupta: "The solar eclipse in the Rgveda and the Date of Atri",
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal Letters, 1941/7, p.92-113,
*2. P.C. Sengupta:"Ancient Indian Chronology, Calcutta 1947"
*3. K.V. Sarma: "A Solar Eclipse Recorded in the Rgveda", 197x
*4. Haribhai Pandya et al., eds.: "Issues in Vedic Astronomy and Astrology",
Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi 1992, p.217ÃÂ224
*5. Dr. David Frawley and N.S. Rajaram : Vedic Aryans and the Origins
of Civilization, WH Press, Quebec 1995, p.106"
The debate after P.C. Sengupta's first publication was centered around
his interpretation of the "summer" "cardinal direction" (based on the
astronomical [not religious] connotation of "brahma") to be summer
solstice. B. G. Tilak had, by that time, already established the astronomical
connotation of "brahma" as a "cardinal direction - (solstice/equinox)".
PC Sengupta's reading of the solstice was later supported by the scriptural
references to solstice in Shankhayana Aranyaka 1.2.18 and Jaiminiya
Brahmana 2.404-410. Dr. David Frawley and N. S. Rajaram discuss
more usages of "brahma" with the connotation of a "cardinal direction"
and "solstice" in the book mentioned above.
Best Regards,
Dinesh
Dinesh Maheshwari
Advanced Design Methods
Cypress Semiconductor
San Jose, CA, USA
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