A CLOSE STUDY OF AYANAMSA-I JYOTISHAVIJNANABHASKARA. M. KRISHNAMURTY SASTRY.

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1 A CLOSE STUDY OF AYANAMSA-I JYOTISHAVIJNANABHASKARA. M. KRISHNAMURTY SASTRY. The religious and daily rituals of all Hindus depend upon the Nirayana Panchanga. Our bharatvarsha is Karma Bhoomi. Vedas prescribe our rituals. It is the duty of all Hindus to perform these duties as laid down by smrutis according to Vedas. Panchanga guides us with the appropriate and propitious time of action. The compilation of the Panchanga is thus based on Nirayana system only. Three to four types of Panchangas are at present in vogue in our Nation. The different values adopted for ayanamsa is the main cause for giving birth to different types of Panchangas. This sad state is cumulatively felt by all for the last 100 years. The reason for this unhappy and sad state of affairs is that the Indian astrologers have no unanimous opinion with regard to the determination of the important factor ayanamsa. Secondly they have not tried to investigate for an acceptable scientific method to determine correct ayanamsa.. The distinguished astronomer, Late Sri Sreepada Venkata Ramana Daivajna Sarma, Jyotishacharya of Ramachandrapuram, East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, investigated into the various methods for determination of correct ayanamsa and after untiring intensive research spread over his life-time, Ultimately found out. One correct method and this method is consistent in applying due correction in Karanarka in the Chayarka, - Karanarka method as propounded in all the ancient texts like Surya Siddhanta. This correct method is being presented here-in for consideration by all the scholars interested in the subject. At present, in our country, Panchanga Karthas adopt ayanamsa value varying between 19 0 to Method Author Year Ayanams a Precission Rate Zero Year 1. Ravatha Paksha K.L. Chatre & V.B. Ketkar 1980 AD AD 2. Chaitra Paksha V.B. Ketkar & D.R. Ketkar do AD 3. According to Ayanagati Surya Siddhanta do AD 4. Chayarka Karanarka do do AD 5. B.V. Raman`s method do AD 6. Chayarka corrected Karanarka S.V.D. Sarma do AD Sri Kero Lakshmana Chatre computed the ayanamsa with Revati nakshatra dhruva. Sri V.B. Ketkar accepted for Chitra nakshatra dhruva and calculated the ayanamsa. (He first accepted) Raivata Pasksha and published his book Jotirganita. The Panchanga karthas in those days did not accept this Raivata paksha. They suggested for the 22 0 (between 22 0 and 23 0 ) ayanamsa which is very near to the values given by Graha laghava and Surya Siddhanta. Therefore, Sri Ketkar had to revise his method and contrive the new theory of Chaitra paksha suitable to their suggestion (vide Jyotirganita Prasthavana Pages 20-21). Two methods are given in Surya Siddahanta, one is Ayana Bhagana and the other is according to Chayarka and Karanarka. Different values are obtained by these two methods. Some have taken into Consideration near 23 0 and some others near 22 0 and by means of the present ayanagati they have set the zero year at different years. In all these methods there is no authenticity to calculate ayanamsa from Nakshatra dhruvas. Taking for granted even that empirical method there is no rule that Chitra or Revati should alone be preferred. If the calculations are made with reference to the middle star chitra or the last star Revati, the values are not comparable with each other. The authors of the ancient texts have said that the values

2 of dhruvas should not be accepted as such because of the variations in their values. They must verify the values by observation from time to time and then only accept, other wise the values of the Nakshatra dhruva cannot be taken. The Ayanagati of the times of Surya Siddhanta etc, also cannot be accepted because the values given in those texts were 54 or 60. As it is found out by direct observation that is the correct value. Thus we have to accept this observed value only but not the values 54 or 60 given earlier. In the Chayarka Karanarka paksha.,the Karanarka according to Surya Siddhanta is not druksiddha. On account of the fact that there is difference in the length of the sidereal year, there is difference in Karanarka of Surya Siddhanta. The ayanamsa obtained in this way is not druksiddha. Inspiteof all these hurdles, it is proved that the Chayarka Karanarka method is decidedly the best one. If the difference in Karanarka is corrected from the zero year of equinoxes, then the Karanarka will be druksiddha. Then the difference of Chayarka and the corrected Karanarka will be the druksiddha ayanamsa. Now the doubt arises regarding the acceptance of SS. 42! as the zero year 499 AD). Sri Varaha Mihira the Sun God Incarnate, clearly stated that the zero year occurred around SS 427 in his time. Hence there is no mistake in agreeing to SS 421 (499 AD) as the zero year. Here there is one objection. The critics consider the time of Varaha Mihira to be prior to Sali, Saka. This contention is also unfounded. We have concrete evidence to condemen their criticism as he was the author of pancha Siddhantika and Brahatsamhia in 427 Sali saka, and also mentioned the name of the greatest astronomer Aryabhatha. It is well known in the History of Astonomy that Aryabhata lived in S.S 421. The second odjection is that, while the critics V.B. Ketkar and others agreeing with the times of Varaha Mihira, still held the view that there was 3 0 ayanamsa in his time, quoted Varahamihiras book only as authority. But this argument is incorrect due to their wrong interpretation of the text. Now mainly the subject concerning the determination of correct ayanamsa and the theory of Chaitra Paksha is being analysed below in detail: - AYANAMSAA BHAVA KALA (ZERO YEAR OF EQUINOXES) The opinions a bout the Zero year of equinoxes expressed many scholars are at variance. But the majority agreed with the period AD during which the Zero year occurred. The following details confirm the view. SS AD 1. K.M. Rangacharyulu (The Hindu ) Swamy Kanne Pillai M. Vijayaraghavulu According to Julian calculation Burzes opinion Prof. Witney Surya Siddhanta, Aryabhata, Jatakaratna, Willam

3 Jones, V. Gopala Iyer Pancha Siddhantika, Bruhatsamhita Chidambara Iyer Bhaswati (Karana Grandha) Swamy Kanne Pillai (In other opinion) Allen Leo Max Hindall K. Subrahmanya Iyer N. Narayana Rao 498 After a thorough review of the ancient and modern books on the subject, I furnish below the authentic data. This provides the relevant theoretical basis to arrive at the conclusion that the zero year is equinoxes must be during the period AD only. SS AD 01) Surya Siddhanta ) Brahma Siddhanta ) Soma Siddhanta ) Laghu Vasistha Siddhanta ) Vruddha Vasistha Siddhanta ) Grahalaghava ) Ganakananda ) Tithi Chakra ) Karana Kutoohala ) Makarananda ) Bhaswati ) Vivaha Brundavana ) Kamalakara (Tatvaviveka) ) Jyotirvidabharna ) Dhurva manasa ) Karana Prakasa ) Graha Sadhana Kosthaka ) Jyotirganita (Raivata Paksha) ) do (Chaitra Paksha) 285 A close study of the above authoritative data confirms that the zero year of equinoxes took place during SS only and not in any other period. The great Scholar Varaha Mihira lived during that period and studied the precision of equinoxes and decided on the basis of his direct observation that the year SS 427 as the zero year of equinoxes. He had recorded his observations in his monumental work Bruhat Samhita in Ravicharadhayaya in stanzas 1 & 2. The Calendar Reform Committee (Shah Committee) and Sankara Balakrishna Deekshit in their reports, while quoting the stanza 1, Wantonly chosen to omit the stanza 2, of Ravicharadhyaya of Bruhat samhita to suit their values and endorsed that 285 AD as the zero year of equinoxes. The stanza 2 of Bruhatsamhita is not quoted any where in their report. I consider this as a willful suppression with a view to uphold the chosen theory of Sri V.B. Ketkar.

4 Sri V.B. Ketkar and Sri D.R. Ketkar have written books with a view to propagate their theory of Chaitra Paksha and determined the Ayanamsa taking chitra Nakshatra dhruva as Let us now investigate the reasons why Ketkar had taken the chitra nakshatra dhruva at for determining the Ayanamsa. By SS 1800, the ayanamsas were ``: According to Grahalaghava and according to Surya Siddhanta. Sri Ketkar had tried to find out the star, among the twenty seven and its best suited dhruva to incorporate in his calculations to arrive at a close approximation between the two values of Ayanamasa given in the two different books and it has to take chitra dhruva at 180. But it is clearly shown in ancient texts that the chitra Nakshatra dhruva is between Therefore, there is no authentic justification to accept Chitra Nakshatra dhruva at 180 only. Shri Ketkar s main intention in adopting this procedure is only to arrive at a close approximation to the Ayanamsa between the values given in the texts, Surya Siddhanta and Grahalaghava at that time (vide PP Jyotirganita Prastavana 1937 AD Edition). Further he has stated in his book that the length of the Sidereal year exceeds the observed sidereal year by 8 ½ viliptas (3 min. 24 sec.) and that the Surya Siddhanta, Sun is druksiddha. The Ayanamsa calculated by those considerations so as to be near to the Ayanamsa value is not correct because of the fact that the Surya Siddhanta Nirayana Madhyama Surya is not druksiddha. So the ayanamsa calculated with the help of that uncorrected Karanarka is also not correct. If the Surya Siddhanta surya (Karanarka) is druksiddha, then there is no necessity to create chaitra paksha. Therefore his new theory is not at all necessary. If the Surya Siddhanta Nirayana Madhyama Surya is made druksiddha by making the appropriate correction. Then only the ayanamsa obtained by using this value nearly would be correct. Sri Ketkar has not adopted the correct procedure (due to following the uncorrected Karanarka) and therefore his ayanamsa is not druksiddha. Consequently the zero year of equinoxes obtained from his ayanamsa and fixing it at 285 AD is also wrong. The Ayanamsas are calculated for the year SS 1867 for all the 27 stars taking the Nakshatra dhruvas from Surya Siddhanta and are furnished below: - S :Sayana N : Nirayana D : Dhruva 1 Aswini 2 Bharani etc. etc. S I D S 5 D N I D S 5 D S 2 D S 6 D N 2 D N 6 D

5 S 3 D S 7 D N 3 D N 7 D S 4 D S 8 D N 4 D N 8 D S 9 D S 19 D N 9 D N 19 D S 10 D S 20 D N 10 D N 20 D S 11 D S 21 D N 11 D N 21 D S 12 D S 22 D N 12 D N 22 D S 13 D S 23 D N 13 D N 23 D S 14 D S 24 D N 14 D N 24 D

6 S 15 D S 25 D N 15 D N 25 D S 16 D S 26 D N 16 D N 26 D S 17 D S 27 D N 17 D N 27 D S 18 D N 18 D From the above information we find that the Chitra Nakshatra Aynamsas are in the close approximation with the Ayanamsa calculated as per Chayarka and Karanarka method. Therefore the intention of ketkar was only to uphold the ayanamsa obtaining in his time and the invention of chaitra paksha is a direct consequence of the same. The Chaitra Paksha Ayanama given by V.B. Ketkar in not authentic and hence not acceptable due to the following reasons. 1) There is no textual authority to calculate the Ayanamsa according to Nakshatra Dhruva. 2) There is no justification to fix chitra nakshatra dhruva at 180 while it is given to be between Ref : table given. 3) There is no written authority to accept the year 285 AD as the zero year of equinoxes. 4) Knowing fully well that the zero year according to Varaha Mihira was in 499 AD (SS421) Sri S.B. Dikshit and Sri N.C. Lahiry willfully suppressed the relevant stanza 2 Bruhat Samhita so as to support the theory Chaitra Paksha as propounded by Sri V.B. Ketkar which has been proved wrong in the proceeding paragraphs. 5) To arrive at the correct Ayanamsa, the method of Chayarka and Corrected Karanarka is the only correct method. 6) If the ayanamsa calculated on the basis of any nakshatra dhruva turns out to be a constant figure then only we are justified in accepting the same. As this ideal situation will never be realized the chitra paksha theory is baseless. Now I present an authentic method to arrive at the correct Ayanamsa. In all the treatises on the subject the method of calculation of Ayanamsa is based on Chayarka.

7 and Karanarka. Chayarka is druksiddha while Karanarka is not. Therefore if we are able to realize karanarka as druksiddha then the difference between these two will be the druksiddha ayanamsa of universal acceptance. The correct method of calculation of ayanamsa for the year SS 1877 (1955 AD) is given below :- Length of the sidereal Year according to Surya Siddhanta 365 d. 15 gh.31 vgh. 30pa Observed value of the sidereal year 365 d. 15 gh. 23 vgh. 0 p a D i f f e r e n c e 8 vgh. 30 Para = 3 minutes 24 seconds. Surya Kalantara (motion of the the sun) ( ) X (3 min, 24 sec.) = Total correction from SS 421 to SS 1877 i.e years (499 Ad) (1955 AD) = ( ) X 1456 = Nirayana mean sum on the first day of chaitra 1877 SS C o r r e c t i o n Sayana Mean sun on the same day : Corrected Nirayana means sun on the same day The correct Ayanamsa for the year 1955 (AD) (SS 1877) =

8 NIRAYANA NAKSHATRA DHRUVAS No. Name of Star 1 S.S. 2 B.S. 3 Soma S 4 V. U. S 5 P.S 6 M.S 7 P.S. 8 M.B. 9 B. G. 10 La-S 11 S.S. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. A B K R M A PU P A M P U H C S V A JYE MU PU U A S D S PB UB Revati S. S. (Surya Siddhanta) 2. B. S. (Brahma ) 3. S. S. (Soma ) 4. V. V S. (Vruddha Vasistha) 5. P. S. (Bitamaha) 6. M. S. (Maha Siddhanta) 7. P. S. (Pancha Siddhantika) 8. M. B. S. (Maha Bhaskareeya Siddhanta) 9. B. G. (Brahmagupta Siddhanta) 10. La. S. (Lalla ) 11. S. S. (Siddhanta Sekhara)

9 No. Name of Star 12 Jyo. A 13 S. S. 14 G. L. 15 S. S. 16 S. D. 17 S. K. 18 Jyo. G. R. 19 K. G. G C. 20 G. S. K. S. S S.S.B. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. D.M. A B ½ K ½ R M A ½ PU P A ½ M ½ P ½ U H C S ½ s V A J ½ M ½ P ½ U A S D S ½ P ½ U R Jyo. A. (Jyotirvida harana) To be continued. 13. S. S. (Siddhanta Siromani) 14. G. L. (Grahalaghava) 15. S. S. (Siddhanta Sangraha) 16. S. D. (Siddhanta Darpana) 17. S. K. (Sarvananda Karana) 18. Jyo. G. R. Jyotirganita _ Raivata) 19. K. G. G. ( c ) Ketakigrahaganita Chaitrapaksha) 20. G. S. K. (Grahasadhana Kosthaka) 21. S. S. B. (Suryasiddhanta Burgess Comentary) Published by JYOTISHA VIJNANAKENDRAMU. RAJAHMUNDRY-1 (A.P.)

Indian Calendars. Aslaksen H. 1, Doegar A. 2

Indian Calendars. Aslaksen H. 1, Doegar A. 2 ABSTRACT Indian Calendars Aslaksen H. 1, Doegar A. 2 Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore 10 Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 117546 The Indian calendars are interesting,