PPT on Surya Siddhanta Ancient Indian Astrological treatise

Presentation on Surya Siddhanta.

1. A Cornerstone in Ancient Indian Astronomy & An Ancient Indian Astronomical Treatise

2. Ancient Indian Astronomy is a rich field that encompasses various theories and practices. The Surya Siddhanta serves as a cornerstone text, providing insights into the astronomical knowledge of ancient India. The Surya Siddhanta introduces several key concepts such as planetary motion, eclipses, and timekeeping. It emphasizes the importance of mathematics in astronomy, utilizing sine functions and geometric principles to predict celestial events with remarkable accuracy. It served as the foundation for Indian timekeeping, calendars, and astrology, deeply influencing later works like those of Aryabhata and Bhaskara II. The principles outlined in the Surya Siddhanta had a profound influence on later astronomical texts, both in India and beyond. Its methods were adopted and adapted by scholars in the Islamic Golden Age, demonstrating the text's enduring legacy in the field of astronomy This presentation aims to explore its foundations and significance in the broader context of astronomical studies. Exploring the Foundations of Indian Astronomy

3. Contents & Textual History Surya Siddhanta , term derived from Sanskrit, ( Siddh meaning accomplished and Anta meaning end ). Originally, it referred to a collection of 18 ancient Indian astronomical texts, but over time, only 5 of these texts have survived, while 13 are considered lost or destroyed as they were passed down orally. Consequently, many works were likely forgotten or now exist only in fragments. The contents are written in classical Indian poetry tradition , where complex ideas are expressed lyrically with a rhyming meter in the form of a terse shloka . This method of expressing and sharing knowledge made it easier to remember, recall, transmit and preserervation . As numbers don't have rhyming synonyms, the creative approach adopted in the Surya Siddhanta was to use symbolic language with double meanings. For example, instead of one, the text uses a word that means moon because there is one moon. To the skilled reader, the word moon means the number one. This cryptic approach offers greater flexibility for poetic construction.

4. poōōō Surya Siddhanta : The Ancient Astronomical Treatise The text is known from a 15th-century CE palm-leaf manuscript, and several newer manuscripts .It was composed or revised probably 800 CE from an earlier text also called the Surya Siddhanta. It is well known, most referred and most esteemed Sanskrit treatise in Indian astronomy dated to 4 th -5 th century in 14 chapters & 500 shlokas . The 2 nd verse of the 1 st chapter that this knowledge was recounted from Surya (the Solar deity) to an asura called Maya at the end of Satya Yuga , the first golden age from Hindu texts, around two million years ago. As per al-Biruni , the 11th-century Persian scholar and polymath, a text named the Surya Siddhanta was written by Laṭadeva , a student of Aryabhatta I . Based on a study of the longitude variation data from the text, Indian scientist Anil Narayanan concludes that the text has been updated several times in the past, with the last update around 580 CE It has the largest number of commentators among all astronomical texts written in India.

5. PLANET SURYA SIDDHANTA 20 TH CENTURY Mangala (Mars) 686 days, 23 hours, 56 mins, 23.5 secs 686 days, 23 hours, 30 mins, 41.4 secs Budha (Mercury) 87 days, 23 hours, 16 mins, 22.3 secs 87 days, 23 hours, 15 mins, 43.9 secs Bṛhaspati (Jupiter) 4,332 days, 7 hours, 41 mins, 44.4 secs 4,332 days, 14 hours, 2 mins, 8.6 secs Shukra (Venus) 224 days, 16 hours, 45 mins, 56.2 secs 224 days, 16 hours, 49 mins, 8.0 secs Shani (Saturn) 10,765 days, 18 hours, 33 mins, 13.6 secs 10,759 days, 5 hours, 16 mins, 32.2 secs Astronomical Insights Foundation for Indian Astronomy Provided a scientific framework for studying celestial bodies, influencing Indian astronomy for centuries. Explained the movements of planets, including their orbital paths and distances from the Earth. Detailed methods for accurately forecasting solar and lunar eclipses. Calculated the exact duration of a year based on celestial observations. Explained events like solstices, equinoxes, and planetary conjunctions. Divided time into cosmic scales, such as Kalpas and Yugas, based on astronomical cycles. Proposed models to understand the relationship between the Earth, Sun, Moon, and stars. It presents mathematical formulae to calculate the orbits , diameters , predict the future locations and their motion also with error of less than 1% that of Modern values.

6. The text asserts, according to Markanday and Srivatsava , that the Earth is of a spherical shape. It treats Earth as stationary globe around which Sun orbits, and makes no mention of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. “ Objects fall on earth due to a force of attraction by the earth. therefore, the earth, the planets, constellations, the moon and the sun are held in orbit due to this attraction ” is a verse of Surya Siddhanta depicting knowledge of Gravity . Indian standard circle : Indian standard circle is used in various calculations through out the text. This standard circle is based on radius of 3,438 minutes. The significance lies in the precision of 1/3438 that the ancient Indian astronomers were able to work with. Nakshatra (Asterism) System : The Surya Siddhanta uses the 27 Nakshatra system throughout the text. The Nakshatra is a smaller constellation typically consisting of 1 to 5 stars. The brightest star is called as Yogtara . Each Nakshatra spans 13° 20' on the ecliptic. Each Nakshatra has its own primary star which is usually the junction star but not always. North pole star and South pole star : Surya Siddhanta asserts that there are two pole stars, one each at north and south celestial pole. “ C hapter 12 verse 43” translates as "On both sides of the Meru (i.e. the north and south poles of the earth) the two polar stars are situated in the heaven at their zenith. These two stars are in the horizon of the cities situated on the equinoctial regions

7. Type Surya Siddhanta units Description Value in modern units of time Amurta Truti - 29.6296 micro seconds Murta Prana 1/33750 seconds 4 seconds Murta Pala 6 Pranas 24 seconds Murta Ghatika 60 Palas 24 minutes Murta Nakshatra Ahotra 60 Ghatikas One Sidereal day The author of Surya Siddhanta defines time as of two types :The first which is continuous and endless , destroys all animate and inanimate objects and second is time which can be known. The latter type is further defined as having two types: the first is Murta ( Measureable ) and Amurta ( immeasureable because it is too small or too big). The time Amurta is a time that begins with an infinitesimal portion of time ( Truti ) and Murta is a time that begins with 4-second time pulses called Prana as described in the table below. The text measures a Savana day from sunrise to sunrise . 30 savana days make a Savana month. A solar ( Saura ) month starts with the entrance of the sun into a zodiac sign, thus twelve months make a year. The text states there are nine modes of measuring time. " Of four modes, namely solar, lunar, sidereal, and civil time, practical use is made among men; by that of Jupiter is to be determined the year of the cycle of sixty years; of the rest, no use is ever made " Methods of Timekeeping:

8. The solar part of the luni-solar Hindu calendar is based on the Surya Siddhanta.The various old and new versions of Surya Siddhanta manuscripts yield the same solar calendar. The Surya Siddhanta calculates the solar year to be 365 days 6 hours 12 minutes and 36.56 seconds T he lunar month equals 27 days 7 hours 39 minutes 12.63 seconds. In Chapter 1 of Surya Siddhanta, " the Hindu year is too long by nearly three minutes and a half; but the moon's revolution is right within a second; those of Mercury, Venus and Mars within a few minutes; that of Jupiter within six or seven hours; that of Saturn within six days and a half "

9. No. Sine 1 st order Differences 2 nd order differences No. Sine 1st order Differences 2nd order differences 1 - - 13 2585 154 10 2 225 225 1 14 2728 143 11 3 449 224 2 15 2859 131 12 4 671 222 3 16 2978 119 12 5 890 219 4 17 3084 106 13 6 1105 215 5 18 3177 93 13 7 1315 210 5 19 3256 79 14 8 1520 205 6 20 3321 65 14 9 1719 199 8 21 3372 51 14 10 1910 191 8 22 3409 37 14 11 2093 183 9 23 3431 22 15 12 2267 174 10 24 3438 7 15 The table of Sine The Surya Siddhanta provides methods of calculating the sine values in chapter 2 . It divides the quadrant of a circle with radius 3438 into 24 equal segments or sines as described in the table. In modern-day terms, each of these 24 segments has angle of 3.75° . The 1st order difference is the value by which each successive sine increases from the previous and similarly the 2nd order difference is the increment in the 1st order difference values.

10. Surya Siddhanta provided precise calculations for the Positions and Movement s of planets. Introduced detailed time divisions such as Kalpa , Yuga , and planetary cycles . Explained methods to predict solar and lunar eclipses accurately. The text is known for some of the earliest known discussions of fractions and trigonometric functions. Pioneered the use of trigonometric functions like sine (referred to as " jya "). Estimated the circumference and diameter of the Earth with remarkable accuracy. Described celestial events like solstices and equinoxes in detail. Influenced Indian astronomers like Aryabhata and was a reference point for later astronomical developments. Provided comparison between modern & its period’s astrono mical concepts Key Contributions