A project on Ancient Indian Astrology

Manipal University Jaipur

School Of Law

Supervised By- Submitted By-

Dr.Arundev Pareek Anant Vikram
Reg. No.161401016
B.A. LL.B (Hons.)
Semester I
Section A

1
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Mr. Anant Vikram, student of B.A. LL.B. (hons.) semester
I, School of Law Manipal University Jaipur has completed the project work
entitled Ancient Indian Astrology under my supervision and guidance.
It is further certified that the candidate has made sincere efforts for the
completion of this project.

_______________
Dr. Arundev Pareek

2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I hereby acknowledge the help and support of the teachers, who helped me in
compiling this project. I thank the faculty and management of Manipal
University Jaipur, School of Law, as the resources that were necessary to
complete the project were provided by them.
I am highly indebted to my teacher Dr. Arundev Pareek for his guidance and
constant supervision as well as for providing necessary knowledge regarding the
subject at hand and also for her support in completing the project.
I would like to express my gratitude towards my parents and friends for their
kind cooperation and encouragement which help me in completion of this
project.

Anant Vikram

3
Table of Contents
CERTIFICATE........................................................................................................... 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT............................................................................................ 3
Introduction........................................................................................................... 5
Astrology and Vedas.............................................................................................. 6
Jyotisha.................................................................................................................. 6
Earliest Forms of Indian Astrology.........................................................................7
Astronomers.......................................................................................................... 8
Instruments Used................................................................................................. 10
Conclusion........................................................................................................... 11
Webliography....................................................................................................... 12
Bibliography.............................................................................................................
.............................12

4
Introduction

Astrology is the scientific study and application of language of the heavenly bodies. These
heavenly bodies determined on the basis of Astronomy and mathematics, are mapped in the
form of a horoscope. Their specific locations in the horoscope indicate specific happenings in
the case of individuals, of multitudes and of geographical regions. Whether the Sun, the
Moon, the planets and stars themselves influence the terrestrial phenomena, or they only
indicate such phenomena by their various dispositions, is immaterial. What is important to us
is that variations in their disposition determine variations in the events on the earth; the
correlations are only too strong to be brushed aside by critics of Astrology

5
Astrology and Vedas
In the ancient times, a strict code of conduct was demanded of those who practised Astrology.
A guru would teach astrology only to deserving disciple who would adhere to such a code of
conduct.
Astrology is as old as Vedas themselves. The Vedas which are the sacred Hindu scriptures,
embody eternal knowledge. Strict moral and spiritual practices along with the deep study are
prerequisites to understand the essence of Vedas. To the uninitiated, the Vedas might appear
as nothing more than ritualistic oblations to air, water and thunder etc. Deep truths, however
begin to unfold to the true seeker as his search goes on.
In time of yore, sincere seekers of truth and knowledge in India used to spend years and years
at the feet of their 'gurus', learning the meaning hidden in Vedas. In order to decipher what
lies concealed in Vedas, a study of certain subjects is considered a prerequisite. These
subjects are called the 'Vedangas' or the body organs of the Vedas. There are six such
vedangas1.
Jyotisha
Jyotisha (or Jyotishyam from Sanskrit jyoti a, from jyoti- "light, heavenly body") is the
traditional Hindu system of astrology, also known as Hindu astrology, Indian astrology, and
more recently Vedic astrology. The term Hindu atrology has been in use as the English
equivalent of Jyotia since the early 19th century, whereas Vedic atrology is a relatively
recent term, entering common usage in the 1980s with self-help publications on Ayurveda or
Yoga. Vedanga Jyotiha is one of the earliest texts about astronomy within the Vedas.
However, historical documentation shows that horoscopic astrology in the Indian
subcontinent came from Hellenistic influences, post-dating the Vedic period.
Jyotis a is one of the Vedaga, the six auxiliary disciplines used to support Vedic rituals. Early
jyotis a is concerned with the preparation of a calendar to fix the date of sacrificial rituals.
Nothing is written on planets.There are mentions of eclipse causing "demons" in the
Atharvaveda and Chndogya Upanis ad, the Chandogya mentioning Rahu. In fact the term
graha, which is now taken to mean planet, originally meant demon. The R i gveda also
mentions an eclipse causing demon, Svarbhnu, however the specific term of "graha"
becomes applied to Svarbhanu in the later Mahbharata and Ramayan a.2

1 Study of Vedic Astrology by Acharya Aryabhatt

2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology

6
Earliest Forms of Indian Astrology

Some of the earliest forms of astronomy can be dated to the period of Indus Valley
Civilization or earlier.Some cosmological concepts are present in the Vedas, as are notions of
the movement of heavenly bodies and the course of the year. As in other traditions, there is a
close association of astronomy and religion during the early history of the science,
astronomical observation being necessitated by spatial and temporal requirements of correct
performance of religious ritual. Thus, the Shulba Sutra, texts dedicated to altar construction,
discusses advanced mathematics and basic astronomy. Vedanga Jyotiha is another of the
earliest known Indian texts on astronomy, it includes the details about the sun, moon,
nakshatras, lunisolar calendar.
Greek astronomical ideas began to enter India in the 4th century BCE following the
conquests of Alexander the Great. By the early centuries of the Common Era, Indo-Greek
influence on the astronomical tradition is visible, with texts such as the Yavanajataka and
Romaka Siddhanta. Later astronomers mention the existence of various siddhantas during this
period, among them a text known as the Surya Siddhanta. These were not fixed texts but
rather an oral tradition of knowledge, and their content is not extant. The text today known as
Surya Siddhanta dates to the Gupta period and was received by Aryabhata.
The classical era of Indian astronomy begins in the late Gupta era, in the 5th to 6th centuries.
The Pancaiddhantika by Varahimira (505 CE) approximates the method for determination of
the meridian direction from any three positions of the shadow using a gnomon. By the time
of Aryabhata the motion of planets was treated to be elliptical rather than circular. Other
topics included definitions of different units of time, eccentric models of planetary motion,
epicyclic models of planetary motion, and planetary longitude corrections for various
terrestrial locations.3

3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_astronomy

7
Astronomers
Lagadha 1st millennium BCE The earliest astronomical text - named Vedanga Jyotis a details
several astronomical attributes generally applied for timing social and religious events. The
Vedanga Jyotis a also details astronomical calculations, calendrical studies, and establishes
rules for empirical observation. Since the texts written by 1200 BCE were largely religious
compositions the Vedanga Jyotis a has connections with Indian astrology and details several
important aspects of the time and seasons, including lunar months, solar months, and their
adjustment by a lunar leap month of Adhimasa. Ritus and Yugas are also described. Tripathi
(2008) holds that 'Twenty-seven constellations, eclipses, seven planets, and twelve signs of
the zodiac were also known at that time.'
Aryabhata 476550 CE Aryabhata was the author of the Aryabhatiya and the
Aryabhatasiddhanta, which, according to Hayashi (2008): 'circulated mainly in the northwest
of India and, through the Sasanian dynasty (224651) of Iran, had a profound influence on
the development of Islamic astronomy. Its contents are preserved to some extent in the works
of Varahamihira (flourished c. 550),
Bhaskara I (flourished c. 629), Brahmagupta (598c. 665), and others. It is one of the earliest
astronomical works to assign the start of each day to midnight.' Aryabhata explicitly
mentioned that the earth rotates about its axis, thereby causing what appears to be an apparent
westward motion of the stars. Aryabhata also mentioned that reflected sunlight is the cause
behind the shining of the moon. Aryabhata's followers were particularly strong in South
India, where his principles of the diurnal rotation of the earth, among others, were followed
and a number of secondary works were based on them.
Brahmagupta 598668 CE Brahmasphuta-siddhanta (Correctly Established Doctrine of
Brahma, 628 CE) dealt with both Indian mathematics and astronomy. Hayashi (2008) writes:
'It was translated into Arabic in Baghdad about 771 and had a major impact on Islamic
mathematics and astronomy.' In Khandakhadyaka (A Piece Eatable, 665 CE) Brahmagupta
reinforced Aryabhata's idea of another day beginning at midnight. Bahmagupta also
calculated the instantaneous motion of a planet, gave correct equations for parallax, and some
information related to the computation of eclipses. His works introduced Indian concept of
mathematics based astronomy into the Arab world. He also theorized that all bodies with
mass are attracted to the earth.
Varahamihira 505 CE Varahamihira was an astronomer and mathematician who studied and
Indian astronomy as well as the many principles of Greek, Egyptian, and Roman
astronomical sciences. His Pancasiddhantika is a treatise and compendium drawing from
several knowledge systems.
Bhaskara I 629 CE Authored the astronomical works Mahabhaskariya (Great Book of
Bhaskara), Laghubhaskariya (Small Book of Bhaskara), and the Aryabhatiyabhashya (629
CE)a commentary on the Aryabhatiya written by Aryabhata. Hayashi (2008) writes
'Planetary longitudes, heliacal rising and setting of the planets, conjunctions among the
planets and stars, solar and lunar eclipses, and the phases of the Moon are among the topics
Bhaskara discusses in his astronomical treatises.' Baskara I's works were followed by
Vatevara (880 CE), who in his eight chapter Vatesvarasiddhanta devised methods for
determining the parallax in longitude directly, the motion of the equinoxes and the solstices,
and the quadrant of the sun at any given time.
Lalla 8th century CE Author of the Sisyadhivrddhida (Treatise Which Expands the Intellect
of Students), which corrects several assumptions of Aryabhata. The Sisyadhivrddhida of

8
Lalla itself is divided into two parts: Grahadhyaya and Goladhyaya. Grahadhyaya (Chapter I-
XIII) deals with planetary calculations, determination of the mean and true planets, three
problems pertaining to diurnal motion of Earth, eclipses, rising and setting of the planets, the
various cusps of the moon, planetary and astral conjunctions, and complementary situations
of the sun and the moon. The second parttitled Goladhyaya (chapter XIVXXII)deals
with graphical representation of planetary motion, astronomical instruments, spherics, and
emphasizes on corrections and rejection of flawed principles. Lalla shows influence of
Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, and Bhaskara I. His works were followed by later astronomers
Sripati, Vatesvara, and Bhaskara II. Lalla also authored the Siddhantatilaka.
Bhaskara II 1114 CE Authored Siddhantasiroman i (Head Jewel of Accuracy) and
Karan akutuhala (Calculation of Astronomical Wonders) and reported on his observations of
planetary positions, conjunctions, eclipses, cosmography, geography, mathematics, and
astronomical equipment used in his research at the observatory in Ujjain, which he headed.4

4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_astronomy

9
Instruments Used
Among the devices used for astronomy was gnomon, known as Sanku, in which the shadow
of a vertical rod is applied on a horizontal plane in order to ascertain the cardinal directions,
the latitude of the point of observation, and the time of observation. This device finds
mention in the works of Varahamihira, ryabhata, Bhaskara, Brahmagupta, among others.
The Cross-staff, known as Yasti-yantra, was used by the time of Bhaskara II (11141185 CE).
This device could vary from a simple stick to V-shaped staffs designed specifically for
determining angles with the help of a calibrated scale. The clepsydra (Ghati-yantra) was used
in India for astronomical purposes until recent times. Ohashi (2008) notes that: "Several
astronomers also described water-driven instruments such as the model of fighting sheep."

The armillary sphere was used for observation in India since early times, and finds mention in
the works of Aryabhata (476 CE). The Goladipikaa detailed treatise dealing with globes
and the armillary sphere was composed between 13801460 CE by Paramevara. On the
subject of the usage of the armillary sphere in India, Ohashi (2008) writes: "The Indian
armillary sphere (gola-yantra) was based on equatorial coordinates, unlike the Greek
armillary sphere, which was based on ecliptical coordinates, although the Indian armillary
sphere also had an ecliptical hoop. Probably, the celestial coordinates of the junction stars of
the lunar mansions were determined by the armillary sphere since the seventh century or so.
There was also a celestial globe rotated by flowing water."

An instrument invented by the mathematician and astronomer Bhaskara II (11141185 CE)

consisted of a rectangular board with a pin and an index arm. This devicecalled the
Phalaka-yantrawas used to determine time from the sun's altitude. The Kapalayantra was
an equatorial sundial instrument used to determine the sun's azimuth. Kartari-yantra
combined two semicircular board instruments to give rise to a 'scissors instrument'.
Introduced from the Islamic world and first finding mention in the works of Mahendra Suri
the court astronomer of Firuz Shah Tughluq (13091388 CE)the astrolabe was further
mentioned by Padmanabha (1423 CE) and Ramacandra (1428 CE) as its use grew in India.5

Conclusion
Astrology is the scientific study and application of language of the heavenly bodies. It is
believed that the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars influence the happenings in the case of

5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_astronomy

10
an individual. Astrology is as old as the vedas themselves. In times of yore, the vedas were
taught by gurus to selected students. Jyotisha is the traditional term for Hindu astrology. Its
one of the six auxiliary disciplines used to support vedic rituals. The earliest forms of
astronomy can be dated back to Indus valley civilization or earlier. The Greek astronomical
ideas began entering India in 4th century BCE and influenced a lot of Indian astronomers.
India also produced a lot of famous astronomers like Lagadha, Aryabhata, Bhaskara I,
Varahamihira, etc. and they used and invented a lot of different instruments for astrology like
Sankee, Yasti-yantra, etc.

11
Webliography
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology
3.,4.,5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_astronomy
Bibliography
1 http://cincinnatitemple.com/articles/Study-of-Vedic-Astrology-by-Acharya-
Aryabhatt.pdf

12