Ancient Indian Astronomical Achievements
Early Observations and Calendar Systems: The Vedas contain references to celestial movements and timekeeping, including a 360-day year divided into 12 months. The Vedanga Jyotisha (one of the earliest Indian texts on astronomy) provided rules for tracking the Sun and Moon for calendrical purposes.
Planetary Recognition: The Navagraha system clearly identifies nine celestial bodies: the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, along with Rahu and Ketu (the lunar nodes). This demonstrates an awareness of these bodies and their perceived influence.
Sophisticated Mathematical Models: Indian astronomers developed advanced mathematical techniques for calculating planetary positions, predicting eclipses, and understanding celestial phenomena.
Aryabhata (5th-6th century CE): A monumental figure, Aryabhata proposed a heliocentric model where the Earth rotates on its axis and planets orbit the Sun. He also accurately explained the cause of eclipses (Earth's shadow on the Moon, Moon's shadow on the Earth), correcting the mythological explanations. He gave a highly precise value for pi and developed sine functions crucial for astronomy.
Varahamihira (6th century CE): His Pancha Siddhantika summarized five major astronomical systems, showing a comprehensive understanding of prevailing theories.
Brahmagupta (7th century CE): His works significantly influenced Arab astronomy and included detailed descriptions of astronomical instruments.
Concepts of Gravity (Proto-Gravity): Some Indian texts from the 6th century suggested that the same force that held objects to the Earth also held celestial bodies in place, hinting at a proto-gravitational theory long before Newton.
Transmission of Knowledge: Indian astronomical and mathematical knowledge, including the decimal place-value system and the concept of zero, significantly influenced Islamic and later European astronomy through various exchanges.
Why European Astronomers Received More Credit
Despite these profound contributions, there are several reasons why European astronomers are often credited with the "discovery" and systematic description of the planetary system in modern historical narratives:
The Scientific Revolution and Methodology:
Empirical Observation and Experimentation: The European Scientific Revolution (16th-18th centuries) emphasized a rigorous empirical approach, systematic experimentation, and detailed observational data to prove theories. While ancient Indian astronomers made keen observations, the European emphasis on a new scientific method, often involving instruments like the telescope (Galileo), was a distinguishing factor.
Mathematical Proof and Mechanistic Universe: European astronomers like Copernicus, Kepler, and Newton built mathematical models that not only described planetary motions but also provided a mechanistic explanation for them (e.g., Kepler's laws of planetary motion, Newton's law of universal gravitation). This went beyond mere description to explain why planets moved the way they did, based on universal physical laws. This laid the foundation for modern physics and astronomy.
Distinction between Astronomy and Astrology: While ancient Indian astronomy was often intertwined with astrology (Jyotisha), the European Scientific Revolution increasingly sought to separate scientific inquiry from religious or astrological interpretations.
Heliocentric Model and Its Acceptance:
While Aryabhata proposed a heliocentric model, it did not become the widely accepted or dominant view in India for centuries. The geocentric model (Earth at the center) remained prevalent in many traditional Indian astronomical schools.
In Europe, Copernicus's heliocentric model (16th century), followed by Galileo's telescopic observations and Kepler's laws, eventually overthrew the long-held Ptolemaic geocentric view, leading to a paradigm shift in scientific thought that had a profound impact globally.
Documentation and Dissemination:
The way knowledge was documented and disseminated differed. While Indian texts were often in Sanskrit and sometimes highly specialized, European scientific works, especially during and after the Renaissance, became more widely accessible through printing and translation, facilitating wider engagement and debate.
Colonialism and Eurocentrism:
During the colonial era, European powers dominated global narratives, including scientific history. This led to a Eurocentric bias in the recording and dissemination of scientific achievements, often downplaying or overlooking contributions from non-European civilizations. Knowledge from colonized regions was frequently extracted and re-contextualized under European names.
Focus of the Navagraha Shlokas:
The Navagraha Shlokas, while demonstrating knowledge of the planets, are primarily devotional and astrological in nature. Their purpose is often to appease the planetary deities for personal well-being, rather than to provide a purely scientific, observational, or mechanistic explanation of their physical properties or orbital dynamics in the modern sense. They recognize the influence of these bodies but don't typically delve into the precise mathematical derivations of their orbits or physical characteristics in the same way European astronomy did centuries later.
In conclusion, ancient India undoubtedly possessed a rich astronomical heritage, and the Navagraha Shlokas are a testament to their early recognition of the planets. However, the "credit" for describing the planetary system in the context of modern science often goes to European astronomers due to their development of a new scientific methodology, the widespread acceptance and rigorous mathematical proofs of the heliocentric model, and historical factors related to global power dynamics and the dissemination of knowledge. There is a growing effort in modern scholarship to acknowledge and integrate the diverse global contributions to astronomy, including the significant advancements made in ancient India.
Read ON... O my Hindus of Bharat...
The Navagraha shlokas of ancient Bharat...
The Navagraha Shlokas are a set of Sanskrit verses dedicated to the nine celestial bodies or "grahas" (planets) in Hindu astrology. These grahas are believed to influence human life and destiny. Chanting these shlokas is a common practice to appease the planets and mitigate any negative effects they might have according to one's horoscope.
Origin of Navagraha Shlokas
The most widely known and recited Navagraha Stotram (hymn) is attributed to Maharishi Vyasa. Vyasa is a revered sage in Hinduism, traditionally credited with compiling the Vedas and authoring the Mahabharata, including the Bhagavad Gita. The Navagraha Stotram, as composed by him, is a succinct yet profound prayer consisting of nine verses, each dedicated to one of the nine grahas.
While the concept of planetary influence and their worship has ancient roots in Vedic astrology (Jyotisha), the specific Navagraha Stotram by Vyasa serves as a popular and accessible means of veneration. The practice of propitiating these celestial bodies is deeply embedded in Hindu traditions, and most Hindu temples worldwide have a dedicated section for the Navagrahas.
The Nine Navagrahas and their Shlokas (Sanskrit and Meaning)
The nine grahas are:
Surya (Sun)
Chandra (Moon)
Mangala (Mars)
Budha (Mercury)
Brihaspati (Jupiter)
Shukra (Venus)
Shani (Saturn)
Rahu (North Lunar Node)
Ketu (South Lunar Node)
Here are the Sanskrit shlokas for each of the Navagrahas, along with their meanings:
1. Surya (Sun)
Sanskrit:
जपाकुसुम संकाशं काश्यपेयं महदद्युतिम् ।
तमोरिंसर्वपापघ्नं प्रणतोSस्मि दिवाकरम् ॥१॥
Transliteration:
Japākusuma saṅkāśaṃ kāśyapeyaṃ mahādyutim |
Tamōriṃ sarvapāpaghnaṃ praṇatōsmi divākaram ||1||
Meaning:
I bow down to Divakara (the Sun God), who resembles the hibiscus flower, who is the son of Kashyapa, of great radiance, the enemy of darkness, and the remover of all sins.
2. Chandra (Moon)
Sanskrit:
दधिशंखतुषाराभं क्षीरोदार्णव संभवम् ।
नमामि शशिनं सोमं शंभोर्मुकुट भूषणम् ॥२॥
Transliteration:
Dadhiśaṅkhatuṣārābhaṃ kṣīrodārṇava sambhavam |
Namāmi śaśinaṃ somaṃ śambhōrmukuṭa bhūṣaṇam ||2||
Meaning:
I bow down to Chandra (the Moon God), who has the color of curd, conch, and ice, who arose from the ocean of milk, the Moon who adorns Shiva's crown.
3. Mangala (Mars)
Sanskrit:
धरणीगर्भ संभूतं विद्युत्कांति समप्रभम् ।
कुमारं शक्तिहस्तं तं मंगलं प्रणाम्यहम् ॥३॥
Transliteration:
Dharaṇīgarbha sambhūtaṃ vidyutkānti samaprabham |
Kumāraṃ śaktihastaṃ taṃ maṅgaḻaṃ praṇamāmyaham ||3||
Meaning:
I bow down to Mangala (Mars), who is born from the womb of the Earth, whose luster is like lightning, who is a youth holding a spear (Shakti) in his hand.
4. Budha (Mercury)
Sanskrit:
प्रियंगुकलिकाश्यामं रूपेणाप्रतिमं बुधम् ।
सौम्यं सौम्यगुणोपेतं तं बुधं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥४॥
Transliteration:
Priyaṅgukalikāśyāmaṃ rūpeṇāpratimaṃ budham |
Saumyaṃ saumyaguṇōpetaṃ taṃ budhaṃ praṇamāmyaham ||4||
Meaning:
I bow down to Budha (Mercury), whose complexion is like the dark bud of the Priyangu flower, whose beauty is unequalled, who is gentle and endowed with gentle qualities.
5. Brihaspati (Jupiter)
Sanskrit:
देवानांच ऋषीणांच गुरुं कांचन सन्निभम् ।
बुद्धिभूतं त्रिलोकेशं तं नमामि बृहस्पतिम् ॥५॥
Transliteration:
Dēvānāṃ ca ṛṣīṇāṃ ca guruṃ kāñcanasannibham |
Buddhibhūtaṃ trilōkēśaṃ taṃ namāmi bṛhaspatim ||5||
Meaning:
I bow down to Brihaspati (Jupiter), who is the guru of gods and sages, who shines like gold, who is the embodiment of intellect, and the lord of the three worlds.
6. Shukra (Venus)
Sanskrit:
हिमकुंद मृणालाभं दैत्यानां परमं गुरुम् ।
सर्वशास्त्र प्रवक्तारं भार्गवं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥६॥
Transliteration:
Himakunda mṛṇāḻābhaṃ daityānāṃ paramaṃ gurum |
Sarvaśāstra pravaktāraṃ bhārgavaṃ praṇamāmyaham ||6||
Meaning:
I bow down to Bhargava (Shukra/Venus), who shines like snow, jasmine, or a lotus stem, who is the supreme guru of the Daityas (demons), and the expounder of all scriptures.
7. Shani (Saturn)
Sanskrit:
नीलांजन समाभासं रविपुत्रं यमाग्रजम् ।
छायामार्तंड संभूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम् ॥७॥
Transliteration:
Nīlāñjana samābhāsaṃ raviputraṃ yamāgrajam |
Chāyāmārtāṇḍa sambhūtaṃ taṃ namāmi śanaiścaram ||7||
Meaning:
I bow down to Shanaishchara (Saturn), who has the luster of blue collyrium, who is the son of Ravi (Sun) and the elder brother of Yama, born of Chaya and Martanda (Sun).
8. Rahu (North Lunar Node)
Sanskrit:
अर्धकायं महावीर्यं चंद्रादित्य विमर्दनम् ।
सिंहिकागर्भसंभूतं तं राहुं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥८॥
Transliteration:
Ardhakāyaṃ mahāvīryaṃ candrāditya vimardanam |
Siṃhikāgarbhasambhūtaṃ taṃ rāhuṃ praṇamāmyaham ||8||
Meaning:
I bow down to Rahu, who has a half-body, of great valor, who afflicts the Sun and the Moon, born from the womb of Simhika.
9. Ketu (South Lunar Node)
Sanskrit:
पलाशपुष्पसंकाशं तारकाग्रह मस्तकम् ।
रौद्रंरौद्रात्मकं घोरं तं केतुं प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥९॥
Transliteration:
Palāśapuṣpasaṅkāśaṃ tārakāgraha mastakam |
Raudraṃ raudrātmakaṃ ghōraṃ taṃ kētuṃ praṇamāmyaham ||9||
Meaning:
I bow down to Ketu, who resembles the Palasha flower, who is the head of stars and planets, who is fearsome, fierce in nature, and terrifying.
