Hinduism and astrology facts... Only indian

Random astrology hindu facts

1. VARAHAMIHIRA (Born 475 CE):
The major proposal by this astronomer and his colleagues was that
there is an attractive force that keeps objects on the surface of the
earth, which is also the force that keeps celestial bodies in their
respective places. This recognition of the force of gravity also predated
Newton's ideas by a Millennium.

2. The scientific study of astronomy blossomed in India in the so-called
Siddhantic ("Siddhant" means "solutions") period, starting with
Aryabhata in the fifth century CE. In this period, which can be
considered the Golden Age of Indian astronomy, the astronomers
clearly separated astronomical studies from the religious practices.
During this period the Indian astronomers charted the solar year, the
solstices, the equinoxes, the lunar periods, the solar and lunar eclipses
and the planetary movements. Other important concepts like that the
earth was spherical in shape and that it rotated on its axis, rather than
the heavens rotating around the earth were also proposed during this
period. Equally important
were the renewed recognition by Indians that
the stars were suns, but situated much farther away. It is to be noted
that during this period the Greeks were still teaching that the celestial
bodies were suspended in concentric spaces within crystal spheres,
with the earth being in the center of the universe.

3. ANCIENT INDIAN ASTRONOMERS
From antiquity, astronomy, astrology and the Hindu religious
practices were deeply intertwined in India. The roots of
astronomy in India can be traced to at least the period of
the Vedas (2000 to 1500 BCE) and many of its notations are
found in Rig Veda and the later Atharva Veda. Some experts
in the field consider that the Indian astronomy goes much
farther into the past, to 4000 or even 11000 BCE; this belief
is based on the finding of the mention of astronomical
notations in Jyotisa Vedanga, a vedantic text, which was
written in 4000 BCE; this text contains observations going
much farther into the past. Two such examples are
highlighted by two astronomers from 9-8thcenturies BCE
who have made profound observations and that are worth
mentioning here. Atareya Brahmana stated: "The Sun never
sets nor rises. When people think the sun is setting, it is not
so; they are mistaken". Yajnavalkya believed that the earth
was round and that the Sun was the "centre of the spheres",
with the recognition that the sun was much larger than the
earth.

4. The Rig Veda states that the Indians divided the year into
360 days, comprising 12 months, each month having 30
days. They then corrected the missing days by adding four
days every 5 years (the modern solution is to divide the year
into 4 months of 30 days, 7 months with 31 days and the
odd month of February with 28 days but every fourth year
give February an extra day, the so-called "leap year"). The
Indian system brought the average number of days to 366
days per year, but had to be tweaked constantly.
Despite the deep influence of the Hindu religion in
astronomy, by the first century BCE, Indian astronomers
already understood that the earth and the planets were
spherical and that the stars were just like the sun but
situated much farther away. The Sanskrit Sloka declared
this fact this way: "Sarva Dishanaam, Suryaha, Suryaha,
Suryaha", which means "there are suns in all directions"
Even as early as the third Millennium BCE, there were
indications that Indians were proposing a Heliocentric
universe. In a text written by the Indian astronomer
Yajnavalkya and called "shatapatha Brahmana", he had
calculated the distance between the earth and the moon as
being 108 times the diameter of the two bodies (the current
astronomy estimates this value to be 110.6 times). The
sun's distance from the earth is 107.5 times of the
diameters of the respective bodies. Around this time, Indian
astronomers had also measured the circumference of the
earth as being 5000 Yojanas' (one Yojana is 7.2km); this
value is cilose to the currently accepted value.

5. Brahmagupta
This astronomer concurred with Varahamihira about the attractive
force of gravitation. He described it in the following way: "Bodies fall
towards the earth as it is in the nature of the earth to attract bodies,
just
as it is in the nature of water to flow". Also, the Sanskrit term for
gravity is "Gurutvakarshan" (Akarshan means to be attracted, and thus,
this term can be interpreted
to mean "to be attracted by the Master").
BHASKARAI (629 CE)
Bhaskara l (Bhaskaracharya) authored several important astronomical
works, such as Mahabhaskariya, Laghubhaskariya and the
Aryabhatiyabhashya (a commentary
on the Aryabhatiya, which was
written by Aryabhata). In these works he described the planetary
longitudes, heliacal rising and setting of the planets, conjunctions

6. ARYABHATA (476-550 CE)
Aryabhata can be considered a true giant in Indian as well as the world
astronomy and mathematics. Most authorities believe that he was born
in a small village called Ashmaka in South India in what is today the
state of Kerala; however, the exact place of birth is controversial. Some
have proposed that he hailed from Pataliputra (modern day Patna), the
capital of Magadha and, others have speculated that the place was
Gwalior. As a young boy he was sent to Nalanda University in Magadha
(modern Bihar state) to study astronomy. There, he excelled in his
studies, became a faculty member and a recognized authority in both
astronomy and mathematics. At the young age of 23 he wrote his
treatise, "The Aryabhatiya". His most important discoveries in
astronomy were:
He proposed that the earth rotated on its axis, thus giving the
illusion of the heavens rotating around the earth. This predated the
Europeans' (Copernicus and Galileo) recognition of this fact by a
Millennium!
He added his voice to the Indians' Heliocentric theory
He suggested that the new day starts at midnight
He stressed that the earth is spherical in shape, with a
circumference of 24,835 miles (39,967 km)
He recognized that the moon shines by the reflection of the sun's
light
He described the correct reason for both solar and lunar eclipses
and predicted their occurrences
The elliptical nature of the planetary orbits were described by him;
this is yet another credit given to a European, (Johannes Kepler),
although Aryabhata predated him, also by a Millennium.
vii)He calculated that 1,582,237,500 earth rotations are equal to
57,753,336 lunar rotations. This is an accurate calculation of this
ratio and the first astronomical constant described in history
In the field of mathematics, his Aryabhatiya described how to
calculate the areas of triangles, volumes of spheres and the values
for square and cube roots, and the value of pi to the 4th decimal
point. He was aware of the notation of zero and used it in his
calculations but it is not known for certain if he actually invented it.
His most important discovery in mathematics was, of course, the
place value system, which made counting very large numbers
possible. This latter discovery alone should accord this genius the
title of the Father of Mathematics!

7. BHASKARAI (629 CE):
Bhaskara l (Bhaskaracharya) authored several important astronomical
works, such as Mahabhaskariya, Laghubhaskariya and the
Aryabhatiyabhashya (a commentary
on the Aryabhatiya, which was
written by Aryabhata). In these works he described the planetary
longitudes, heliacal rising and setting of the planets, conjunctions
among the planets and stars as well as the lunar and solar eclipses and
the phases of the Moon.
LALLA (8th Century CE):
Lalla's Sishyadhivraddhida deals with planetary calculations, the
determination of the true and false planets, the diurnal motion of the
Earth, the eclipses and the rising and setting of the planets and many
similar subjects. He also described astronomical instruments in some
detail.
BHASKARA II (1114 CE):
Bhaskara I's Siddhantasiromani ("Head jewel of accuracy") and
Karanakutuhala ('Calculation of Astronomical wonders") describe the
eclipses, conjunctions, planets' positions
and the astronomical
instruments.

8. SRIPATI (1045 CE
Sripati
was a follower of Brahmagupta and in his book
"Siddhantasekhara" he described the moon's second inequality.
MAHENDRA SURI (14th Century CE):
Mahendra Suri was a Jain astronomer in the court of Firuz Shah
Tughluq. In his "Yantra Raja"', he described the longitudes of 32 stars
and their latitudes. He also explained the Gnomon (an astronomical
instrumen), and the equatorial and elliptical co-ordinates.
NILAKANTHAN SOMAYAJI (1500 CE):
This prominent astronomer is from Madhava's Kerala School of
astronomy and mathematics. In his treatise "Tantrasangraha", he
modified Aryabhata's model for Mercury and Venus. He described the
orbits of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn around the Sun.
However, he described the sun as orbiting the earth. Clearly, in this
assumption he was incorrect.

9. Pitha is a horizontal disk with a vertical stick at its center. It was used
to measure local time based on its shadow, it was used to measure the
height with the help of special geometrical contruction.
Shalaka is combination of two sticks with a string.
Yasti is just a long stick having standard dimensions, it was used to
measure height and distances. Special geometrical constructions were
framed to facilitate the use of this stick. These proposed geometrical
constructions were to construct the proportionate triangles with the
help of which heights of terrestrial objects could be calculated.

10. The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur (largest) houses 22
astronomical instruments, 16 of which are masonry
instruments, while the other six are made of metal.
f These instruments measure time, predict eclipse, track
position of stars and planets, create related calendars
and help in weather forecasting. Here's a list of some of
in
the key Yantras of Jantar Mantar and their function.
Samrat Yantra: It is the world's
largest gnomon sundial, and it measures time in
intervals of2 seconds using shadow cast from the
sunlight.
Jai Prakash Yantra: It measures altitudes, hour
angles and declinations.
Rama Yantra: A double cylinder instrument that
measures azimuth and altitudes of celestial bodies

11. Astronomy first appeared in the Indian subcontinent during
the Indus Valley civilization in the third millennium BCE,
when it was used to create calendars. Because the Indus
Valley civilization did not leave written records, the Vedanga
Jyotisha, which dates from the Vedic period, is the oldest
extant Indian astronomical text. The 4th and 6th centuries
AD are considered the "Golden Age of India" because India
made enormous advances in mathematics, astronomy,
sculpture, and painting during this time period. In this article,
we will discuss Astronomy during ancient times which will
be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

12. Indian Astronomy and Vedas
.The Rigveda (c1700-1100 BCE),
one of Hinduism's
primary and foremost texts, contains the first records of
sophisticated astronomy in India dating back to at least
2000 BCE.
The ancient Indian astronomers used the stars and
planets to create astrological charts and read omens,
developing sophisticated mathematical models and many
intriguing theories, many of which were passed down to
the Islamic world and Europe.
.According to the Rigveda, the Indians divided the year
into 360 days, which were then divided into 12 months of
30 days.
Two intercalary periods were added every 5 years to bring
the calendar back in line with the solar year, ensuring that
years averaged 366 days.
The Indian year, however, migrated four days every five
years, and Indian astronomers constantly tweaked and
adjusted their calendars over millennia.
The text also demonstrates that the Indians used four
cardinal points to ensure that altars were properly
oriented.
The Jyotisa Vedanga, the first Vedic text to mention
astronomical data, records events as far back as 4000
BCE, though many archaeo astronomers believe it may
include observations as far back as 11 000 BCE.

13. Aryabhata
In his magnum opus Aryabhatiya (499), Aryabhata (476
550) proposed
a computational system based on a
planetary model in which the Earth was assumed to be
spinning
on its axis and the periods of the planets
were
given with respect to the Sun.
Many astronomical constants, such as the periods of the
planets, times of solar and lunar eclipses, and the
instantaneous motion of the Moon, were precisel
calculated by him.
.Varahamihira, Brahmagupta, and Bhaskara lI were
among the early followers of Aryabhata's model.

14. Bhaskara ll
.Bhaskara ll (1114-1185)
was the head of the
astronomical observatory in Ujain, carrying on
Brahmagupta's mathematical tradition.
.He composed the Siddhantasiromani, which is divided
into two parts: Goladhyaya (sphere) and Grahaganita
(mathematics of the planets).
He also calculated to 9 decimal places the time it takes
the Earth to orbit the Sun. At the time, the Buddhist
University of Nalanda offered formal courses in
astronomy.

15. Chakra Yantra: This is equivalent of a wall of clocks
registering local times in different parts of the
world.
Dakshin Bhitti Yantra: measures meridian, altitude
and zenith distances of celestial bodies
Rashiwalay Yantra: 12 gnomon dials that measure
ecliptic coordinates of stars, planets and all 12
constellation systems.
Rashi Yantra at Jantar Mantar in Jaipur

16. Digamsa Yantra. This is used to determine the
azimuth of the sun, sunrise and sun set time and
weather forecast
Unnatamsha Yantra: It allows measurement of the
altitude of celestial bodies.
Yantra Raj Yantra: This is an adaptation ofan
in
Astrolabe, a medieval instrument for the
measurement of time and position of celestial
object. It is, one of the largest Astrolabes in the
worla, and it calculates the Hindu calendar.
.Narivalaya Yantra: to determine the sun's
hemispheric location
Narivalaya Yantra at Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

17. Mishra Yantra : predicts when it's noon around thee
world
Mishra Yantra at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
Dhruva Darshak Pattika : /t computes the location
of pole star with respect to other celestial bodies
Shastansh Yantra: This is used to measure the
zenith distance, declination and the diameter of the
Sun

18. It was Baudhyana who discovered the Pythagoras theorem. Baudhyana listed
Pythagoras theorem in his book called Baudhyana Sulbasitra (800 BCE).
Incidentally. Baudhyana Sulbasütra is
also
one of the
oldest
books
on
advanced Mathematics. The actual shloka (verse) in Baudhyana Sulbasúta
that describes Pythagoras theorem is given below:
Interestingly. Baudhyana used a rope
as an example in the above shloka which
can be translated as -"A rope stretehed along the length of the dingonal
produces an area which the vertical and horizontal sides make together"
a+b
b

19. sanemi chakram ajaram vivvritam uttänym da[a yukt vahanti
süryasya chak_krajasaityvrtam tasminnrpitä bhuvanni vi[v
Rig Veda 1.2. 165
sanemi = uniform, non-reducing external orbit
chakram = wheel
ajaram = without death [unending]
vritam=
repeating the revolution endlessly
uttänym = in higher space [expansive space]
da[a yuktäh
= ten
joined together
vahanti carry or [nirvahanti, go about (Syanchrya)]
süryasya = of the Sun's
chak_k = eye [mandala or orbit, Säyanchrya]
rajasã
= in darkness
eti = moves
vrtam covered, surrounded
tasmin in that
rpith =
surrendered or centered init
bhuvanni vi[v = the worlds.
Maharshi Dirghatama Auchatya says in the First Mandala of the Rig Veda. "There is
a Gigantic deathless Wheel in space, with the Sun as the Eye, camied around endlessly
by 10 bhuvanas or earths joined together. These are dedicated to or centered in the
Sun."
Literal translation: A gigantic wheel. deathless and endless, repeats revolution
endlessly, with ten worlds attached to it [da[a bhuvanni vi[v yuktäh]. The Sun is
the Eye or Centre of the cosmic wheel. All the worlds have their epicentre in this
cosmic Sun.

20. Mechanics -Definition
Generation of powerlenergy or motion, through the
continuous movement of lever, pulley, toothed wheel,
inclined plane and screw is called a machine
Ref. Yantrarnavah(14 AD)

21. "Someone on the equator sees the fixed stars
going uniformly westward, just
as someone in
a boat moving forward sees a stationary
object moving backward. The rising and setting
of the Sun are caused by the fact that the
sphere of the stars, along with the planets,
appears to turn due west at the equator, pushed
by the cosmic wind."

22. Astronomer Lalla describes his famous twelve instruments in his book
`isyadh+vrddhida.
-TI7-e1-gfza (700 BC)
Golo, bhagana, chakra, dhanu, ghati, shanku,
shakata, kartaryaha. Pipta, kapal, shalaka, dwadahsa
yantrani saha yastya.
Translation:
Sphere, ring, dial, bow, time measuring water vessel.
Gnomon, divider, scissor. Circular seat with central
stick, semicircle with stick, combination of sticks,
are the twelve instuments along with a stick.
Tioie measurn&
Rang
Bow ud
Di
Scio
slped
strmant Type of
cipls3
Cone
Set ud
needle
Stick

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X Heliocentrism -Wikip..
en.m.wikipedia.org
Heliocentric orbit.
Heliocentrismlal (also known as the Heliocentric
model) is the astronomical model in which the
Earth and planets revolve around the Sun at the
center of the universe. Historically, heliocentrism
was opposed to geocentrism, which placed the
Earth at the center. The notion that the Earth
revolves around the Sun had been proposed as
early as the third century BC by Aristarchus of
Samos, who had been influenced by a concept
presented by Philolaus of Croton (c. 470 385
BC). In the 5th century BC the Greek Philosophers
Philolaus and Hicetas had the thought on different
occasions that the Earth was spherical and
revolving around a "mystical" central fire, and that
this fire regulated the universe.2 In medieval
Europe, however, Aristarchus' heliocentrism
attracted little attention-possibly because of the
loss of scientific works of the Hellenistic period.bl

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Aryabhatta and Brahmagupta's
explanation of How the Earth
Rotates
Thousand years before Galileo, the Indian
scholar aryabhatta had mentioned clearly in
the audAyaka system that the days were
counted from uday." Some of his later
astronomical papers, which appear to propose
a second model (or Ardha-ratrika, midnight),
are lost, but the discussion in Brahmagupta's
Khandakhadyaka can be somewhat
reconstructed. He seemed to attribute the
apparent motions of the heavens to the Earth's
rotation in several works. He might have
thought the planet's orbits were elliptical
instead than circular.
In contrast to the then-prevailing belief that the
sky rotated, Aryabhata correctly asserted that
the earth rotates on its axis daily and that the
apparent movement of the stars is a relative
motion caused by the rotation of the Earth. In
the first chapter of the Aryabhatiya, where he
gives the number of yuga rotations and is
more explicit in the gola chapter
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the first chapter of the Aryabhatiya, where he
gives the number of yuga rotations andis
more explicit in the gola chapter:
"Someone on the equator sees the fixed stars
going uniformly westward, just as someone in
a boat moving forward sees a stationary
object moving backward. The rising and setting
of the Sun are caused by the fact that the
sphere of the stars, along with the planets,
appears to turn due west at the equator, pushed
by
the cosmic wind."
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