Page 49 - Scientech_2018-19

translated into Latin in the 13th century. Through this translation, European mathematicians bodies was attributed to the sun. The term Gurutvaakarshan can be interpreted to mean, ‘to
got to know methods for calculating the areas of triangles, volumes of spheres as well as square the attracted by the Master”. The sun was recognized by all ancient people to be the source of
But considering that Aryabhatta discovered these facts 1,500 years ago, and 1,000 years
light and warmth.
and cube root. Aryabhatta’s ideas about eclipses and the sun being the source of moonlight The sun (Surya) was one of the chief deities in the Vedas. He was recognized as the source of
light (Dinkara), source of warmth (Bhaskara). In the Vedas he is also referred to as the source
before Copernicus and Galileo makes him a pioneer in this area too. In ancient India, eclipses
may not have caused much of an impression on European astronomers as by then they had of all life, the center of creation and the center of the spheres. The last statement is suggestive
were also forecast and their true nature was perceived at least by the astronomers.
The sun (Surya) was one of the chief deities in the Vedas. He was recognized as the source of
come to know of these facts through the observations of Copernicus and Galileo. of the sun being recognized as the centre of the universe (solar system). The idea that the sun
light (Dinkara), source of warmth (Bhaskara). In the Vedas he is also referred to as the source
The lack of a telescope hindered further advancement of ancient Indian astronomy. Though was looked upon as the power that attracts heavenly bodies is supported by the virile terms
it should be admitted that with their unaided observations with crude instruments, the
of all life, the center of creation and the center of the spheres. The last statement is suggestive
But considering that Aryabhatta discovered these facts 1,500 years ago, and 1,000 years like Raghupati and Aditya used in referring to the sun.
astronomers in ancient India were able to arrive at near perfect measurement of astronomical
of the sun being recognized as the centre of the universe (solar system). The idea that the sun
before Copernicus and Galileo makes him a pioneer in this area too. In ancient India, eclipses While the male gender is applied to refer to the sun, the Earth (Prithivi, Bhoomi, etc.) is
movements and predict eclipses. Indian astronomers also propounded the theory that the
was looked upon as the power that attracts heavenly bodies is supported by the virile terms
were also forecast and their true nature was perceived at least by the astronomers. generally referred to as a female. The literal meaning of the term Gurutvakarshan also supports
Earth was a sphere. Aryabhatta was the first one to have propounded this theory in the 5th
like Raghupati and Aditya used in referring to the sun.
century. the recognition of the heliocentric theory, as the term Guru corresponds with the male gender,
The lack of a telescope hindered further advancement of ancient Indian astronomy. Though hence it could not have referred to the earth which was always referred to as a female.
Another Indian astronomer and mathematician, Brahmagupta estimated in the 7th century
While the male gender is applied to refer to the sun, the Earth (Prithivi, Bhoomi, etc.) is
it should be admitted that with their unaided observations with crude instruments, the Many ancient Indian astronomers have also referred to the concept of heliocentrism. Aryabhata
that the circumference of the earth was 5000 yojanas. A yojana is around 7.2 kms. Calculating
generally referred to as a female. The literal meaning of the term Gurutvakarshan also supports
astronomers in ancient India were able to arrive at near perfect measurement of astronomical has suggested it in his treatise Aryabhattiya. Bhaskaracharya has also made references to it
on this basis we see that the estimate of 36,000 kms as the Earth’s circumference comes quite
movements and predict eclipses. Indian astronomers also propounded the theory that the in his Magnum Opus Siddhanta-Shiromani. But it has to be conceded that the heliocentric
the recognition of the heliocentric theory, as the term Guru corresponds with the male gender,
close to the actual circumference known today.
hence it could not have referred to the earth which was always referred to as a female.
Earth was a sphere. Aryabhatta was the first one to have propounded this theory in the 5th theory of gravitation was also developed in ancient times (i.e. around 500 B.C.) by Greek
astronomers.
There is an old Sanskrit Sloka (couplet) which is as follows:
century.
Many ancient Indian astronomers have also referred to the concept of heliocentrism. Aryabhata
What supports the contention that it could have existed in India before the Greek astronomers
has suggested it in his treatise Aryabhattiya. Bhaskaracharya has also made references to it
developed it, is that in Vedic literature the Sun is referred to as the ‘center of spheres’ along
with the term Guru-tva-akarshan which seemingly refers to the sun. The Vedas are dated
in his Magnum Opus Siddhanta-Shiromani. But it has to be conceded that the heliocentric
around 3000 B.C. to 1000 B.C. Thus the heliocentric idea could have existed in a rudimentary
theory of gravitation was also developed in ancient times (i.e. around 500 B.C.) by Greek
form in the days of the Rig Veda and was refined further by astronomers of a later age.
astronomers.
“Sarva Dishanaam, Suryaha,
Suryaha, Suryaha.” What supports the contention that it could have existed in India before the Greek astronomers
developed it, is that in Vedic literature the Sun is referred
to as the ‘center of spheres’ along with the term Guru-tva-
akarshan which seemingly refers to the sun. The Vedas are
dated around 3000 B.C. to 1000 B.C. Thus the heliocentric
idea could have existed in a rudimentary form in the days of
the Rig Veda and was refined further by astronomers of a later
This couplet means that there are suns in all directions. This couplet which describes the Indian Astronomers like Aryabhatta and Varahamihira who lived between 476 and 587
Another Indian astronomer and mathematician, Brahmagupta estimated in the 7th century A.D. made close approaches to the concept of Heliocentrism. In the Surya-Siddhanta, an
night sky as full of suns, indicates that in ancient times Indian astronomers had arrived at
age.
that the circumference of the earth was 5000 yojanas. A yojana is around 7.2 kms. Calculating astronomical text dated around 400 A.D., the following appellations have been given to the sun.
the important discovery that the stars visible at night are similar to the Sun visible during day
time. In other words, it was recognized that the sun is also a star, though the nearest one.
on this basis we see that the estimate of 36,000 kms as the Earth’s circumference comes quite “He is denominated the golden wombed (Hiranyagarbha), the blessed; as being the generator”.
Indian Astronomers like Aryabhatta and Varahamihira who
This understanding is demonstrated in another Sloka which says that when one sun sinks
close to the actual circumference known today. He is also referred to as “The supreme source of light (Jyoti) upon the border of darkness -
lived between 476 and 587 A.D. made close approaches to the concept of Heliocentrism. In
below the horizon, a thousand suns take its place. This apart, many Indian astronomers had
formulated ideas about gravity and gravitation. he revolves. bringing beings into being, the creator of creatures”. The Surya-Siddhanta also
the Surya-Siddhanta, an astronomical text dated around 400 A.D., the following appellations
There is an old Sanskrit Sloka (couplet) which is as follows: says that “Bestowing upon him the scriptures (Vedas) as gifts and establishing him within
have been given to the sun. “He is denominated the golden wombed (Hiranyagarbha), the
Brahmagupta, in the 7th century had said about gravity that “Bodies fall towards the Earth the egg as grandfather of all worlds, he himself then revolves causing existence”. Thus we
blessed; as being the generator”.
as it is in the nature of the Earth to attract bodies, just as it is in the nature of water to flow”. can see that what ancient Indian astronomers say comes close to the heliocentric theory of
This couplet means that there are suns in all directions. This couplet which describes the gravitation, which was a thousand years later articulated by Copernicus and Galileo inviting
About a hundred years before Brahmagupta, another astronomer, Varahamihira had claimed
night sky as full of suns, indicates that in ancient times Indian astronomers had arrived at severe reactions from the clergy in Rome.
for the first time perhaps that there should be a force which might be keeping bodies stuck
He is also referred to as “The supreme source of light (Jyoti) upon the border of darkness -
the important discovery that the stars visible at night are similar to the Sun visible during day he revolves. bringing beings into being, the creator of creatures”. The Surya-Siddhanta also
to the Earth, and also keeping heavenly bodies in their determined places. Thus the concept
of the existence of some attractive force that governs the falling of objects to the Earth and
time. In other words, it was recognized that the sun is also a star, though the nearest one. Other important astronomers from India include Madhava, Nilakantha Somayaji and
says that “Bestowing upon him the scriptures (Vedas) as gifts
Jyeshtadeva, who were members of the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics from the and establishing him within
their remaining stationary after having once fallen; as also determining the positions which
This understanding is demonstrated in another Sloka which says that when one sun sinks 14th century to the 16th century. They were responsible for founding calculus and modern
the egg as grandfather of all worlds, he himself then revolves causing existence”. Thus we
heavenly bodies occupy, was recognized. It was also recognized that this force is an attractive
below the horizon, a thousand suns take its place. This apart, many Indian astronomers had mathematical analysis, along with a number of other developments.
force. The Sanskrit term for gravity is Gurutvakarshan which is an amalgam of Guru-tva-
can see that what ancient Indian astronomers say comes close to the heliocentric theory of
formulated ideas about gravity and gravitation. gravitation, which was a thousand years later articulated by Copernicus and Galileo inviting
akarshan. Akarshan means to be attracted, thus the fact that the character of this force was
of attraction was also recognized. This apart, it seems that the function of attracting heavenly The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is actually one of six major observatories built by the Maharajah.
severe reactions from the clergy in Rome.
bodies was attributed to the sun. The term Gurutvaakarshan can be interpreted to mean, ‘to The one in Jaipur not only follows the movements of the sun and the moon to help determine
Brahmagupta, in the 7th century had said about gravity that “Bodies fall towards the Earth auspicious dates for events, it also helps map out the position of the stars in the sky. Although
the attracted by the Master”. The sun was recognized by all ancient people to be the source of
as it is in the nature of the Earth to attract bodies, just as it is in the nature of water to flow”. no telescopic instruments were available at the time, the precise observation of the stars was
light and warmth.
Other important astronomers from India include Madhava, Nilakantha Somayaji and
About a hundred years before Brahmagupta, another astronomer, Varahamihira had claimed greatly facilitated by observatories such as Jantar Mantar.
Jyeshtadeva, who were members of the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics from the
for the first time perhaps that there should be a force which might be keeping bodies stuck 14th century to the 16th century. They were responsible for founding calculus and modern
to the Earth, and also keeping heavenly bodies in their determined places. Thus the concept mathematical analysis, along with a number of other developments.
of the existence of some attractive force that governs the falling of objects to the Earth and
their remaining stationary after having once fallen; as also determining the positions which The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is actually one of six major observatories built by the Maharajah.
heavenly bodies occupy, was recognized. It was also recognized that this force is an attractive The one in Jaipur not only follows the movements of the sun and the moon to help determine
force. The Sanskrit term for gravity is Gurutvakarshan which is an amalgam of Guru-tva- auspicious dates for events, it also helps map out the position of the stars in the sky. Although
akarshan. Akarshan means to be attracted, thus the fact that the character of this force was no telescopic instruments were available at the time, the precise observation of the stars was
of attraction was also recognized. This apart, it seems that the function of attracting heavenly greatly facilitated by observatories such as Jantar Mantar.
SIF Bahrain 49 SIF Bahrain