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Ancient Indian Astronomy: A Journey Through the Classical Texts

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  Ancient Indian Astronomy: A Journey Through the Classical Texts Introduction Ancient India has a long and rich tradition of astronomical observation and mathematical precision. For millennia, scholars and seers studied the motions of celestial bodies to create calendars, predict eclipses, and align rituals with cosmic rhythms. Their works, often written in Sanskrit verse, blend scientific rigor with philosophical depth. The following is an exploration of some of the most influential astronomical texts from ancient India, along with their historical context. 1.  Vedanga Jyotisha (circa 1200 BCE) – By Lagadha The Vedanga Jyotisha is among the earliest known Indian treatises on astronomy and timekeeping. Primarily linked to the Vedic tradition, it lays out rules for determining auspicious times ( muhurta ) for rituals. It is based on a 5-year cycle ( yuga ) and reflects an observational astronomy tradition tied to agricultural and religious needs. 2. Surya Siddhanta (ci...
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Aryabhatiya in Modern era : Legacy of India’s Astronomer-Mathematician - by Yogesh Tiwari

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  Contents About the Author . 7 Preface . 7 Chapter 1 – Introduction . 8 Chapter 2 – Historical Background and Life of Aryabhata . 9 2.1 The Gupta Golden Age . 9 2.2 Birthplace and Early Life . 9 2.3 Education and Scholarly Network . 9 2.4 Works and Legacy . 10 2.5 A Verse from the Aryabhatiya . 10 Chapter 3 – Overview of the Aryabhatiya . 10 3.1 Nature of the Work . 10 3.2 Structure . 11 3.3 Notable Features . 11 3.4 Sample Verses . 11 Chapter 4 – Gitikapāda . 12 4.1 Purpose of the Gitikapāda . 12 4.2 Cosmic Time Cycles . 12 4.3 Units of Time . 13 4.4 The Sine Table . 14 4.5 Diagrams for Word Version . 14 Chapter 5 – Ganitapāda . 14 5.1 Overview .. 14 5.2 Arithmetic and Geometry . 15 5.3 Progressions and Series . 15 5.4 The Kuṭṭaka Method . 16 5.5 Modern Comparisons . 16 Chapter 6 – Kalakriyāpāda . 16 6.1 Overview .. 16 6.2 Units of Time . 17 6.3 Planetary Revolutions . 17 6.4 Day and Night Duration . 18 6.5 Sunrise and Sunset Calculation . 18 6.6 W...
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