Astronomical Observations in Ancient India
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Questions and Answers

What was the necessity that led to the determination of the new phase of the moon for finding the first day of the new year?

  • To perform Vedic sacrifices
  • To determine the winter solstice day of a particular year (correct)
  • To follow the lunar months ending with the new moon or the full moon
  • To summarize the teachings of ancient astronomers

    • Who carried on the tradition of Garga as regards the solstices?

  • Parasara only (correct)
  • Parasara and Rsiputra
  • Parasara and Lagadha
  • Kapilacarya and Devala

    • What was the duration of the jyotistoma and vajapeya sacrifices respectively?

  • One month each
  • Two months each (correct)
  • Three months each
  • Four months each

    • In whose time did the sun turn north before reaching the naksatra Sravana?

    <p>Parasara's time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the work that summarizes the teachings of ancient astronomers?

    <p>Panca-siddhantika</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When did Parasara probably live?

    <p>Third century A.D.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the duration of the four-monthly (caturmasya) sacrifices?

    <p>Four months</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the purpose of determining the winter solstice day of a particular year?

    <p>To settle the dates for beginning the Vedic sacrifices</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Ayurveda sometimes called?

    <p>A fifth Veda</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is discussed in the Agada-tantra?

    <p>Methods of diagnosis and treatment of poisonous snakes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the connection between Ayurveda and the Vedas?

    <p>Ayurveda is an upanga of the Rg-Veda</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was permutation termed in early Jaina canonical literature?

    <p>Vikalpa-ganita</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of Bhaskara II's enumeration?

    <p>It showed the applications of mathematics in various fields</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Rasayana-tantra concerned with?

    <p>Preservation and increase of vigour, restoration of youth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who were the primary contributors to the development of mathematics in ancient India?

    <p>Astronomers-cum-astrologers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is mentioned in the Caranavyuha?

    <p>Ayurveda as an upanga of the Rg-Veda</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the lost texts on Vajikarana-tantra?

    <p>Kucumara-tantra, Agastya-samhita, and Kaupalika-tantra</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of Atri's observation in the Rg-Veda?

    <p>It showed the calculation of a solar eclipse</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the term adopted to signify permutations and combinations later on?

    <p>Chandaiciti</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Vajikarana-tantra concerned with?

    <p>Means of increasing virile powers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Mahabharata's reference to Ayurveda?

    <p>Ayurveda with its eight branches of knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary focus of mathematics in ancient India?

    <p>Astronomy and astrology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of the passage describing the method of making celestial observations?

    <p>It described the method of making celestial observations in old times</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the characteristic of the study of mathematics in ancient India?

    <p>It was confined to a few persons with exceptional interest</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which century were inscriptions of Srivijaya found in South-East Asia?

    <p>Seventh century</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of Saka date?

    <p>A way of expressing dates in ancient India</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where were the two fragments of inscriptions found that expressed the same date in word numerals and in figures?

    <p>Dinaya in Java</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Susruta-samhita in the context of combinations?

    <p>It gives the sum of combinations of six tastes taken one at a time, two at a time, etc.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the conclusion about the origin of numerals with zero?

    <p>They originated in India and travelled to South-East Asia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of Varahamihira's statement?

    <p>It states that an immense number of perfumes can be made from 16 substances</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the Jaina Bhagavati-sutra known for?

    <p>It calculates the number of combinations of n fundamental categories</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the inscription found in Sambor?

    <p>It gives the Saka date 605 in figures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What were found to be helpful accessories in medicine, as formulated in alchemy?

    <p>Mercury and other metals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where were pottery and tools, as well as sandstone slabs, discovered?

    <p>Langhnaj in Gujarat</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was used for grinding in ancient settlements?

    <p>Flattened side of sandstone slabs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the principal healing substance described in iatro-chemical texts?

    <p>Mercury</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was used as a colouring material for the floor in ancient pit-dwellings?

    <p>Red ochre</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When were opium and several other foreign drugs incorporated into Ayurvedic pharmacology?

    <p>A.D. 1500</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the period when man started settling down and making tools?

    <p>Neolithic revolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where did the concepts and theories of Ayurveda have parallels with contemporary medical systems?

    <p>Iran, Hellenic countries, and Mesopotamia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Ancient Indian Astronomy

    • The winter solstice and the naksatra Aslesa fell on the day of the last quarter in the Taittiriya Brahman.
    • Garga and Parasara carried on the tradition of tracking the solstices.
    • Garga lived after Lagadha, and Parasara lived after Garga, likely in the 3rd century A.D.
    • Varahamihira's (A.D 550) Panca-siddhantika is the only available work that sheds light on the development of astronomy during this period.

    Indian Mathematics

    • Indian mathematics developed significantly during this period.
    • The concept of permutation was termed vikalpa-ganita, and combination was termed bhanga.
    • Later, the term chandaiciti was adopted to signify permutations and combinations.
    • Mathematics had wide applications in various fields, including prosody, architecture, and astronomy.
    • The study of mathematics was confined to a few exceptional individuals with an exceptional interest in the subject and its applications.

    Ancient Indian Astronomy (cont.)

    • In the Rg-Veda, Atri observed a total eclipse of the sun caused by its being covered by Svarbhanu, the darkening demon.
    • Atri could calculate the occurrence, duration, beginning, and end of the eclipse.
    • The decimal place-value mode of reckoning was recognized without any ambiguity in the sacred literatures of the pre-Christian period.

    Indian Astronomers and Mathematicians

    • Rsiputra, Kapilacarya, Kasyapa, and Devala are mentioned in Bhattotpala's commentary as astronomers.
    • Varahamihira's Panca-siddhantika summarizes the teachings of the early Jaina canonical literature.
    • Bhaskara II enumerated the rules of permutations and combinations.

    Ayurveda in Ancient India

    • Ayurveda is a specialized discipline with a rich history in ancient India.
    • The concept of Ayurveda originated in India and traveled to South-East Asia with the Hindu colonizers.
    • Ayurveda is mentioned as a fifth or distinct Veda in the Brahmavaivarta Purana.
    • Modern writers consider Ayurveda as a Vedanga or an appendage of Vedic literature.

    Branches of Ayurveda

    • Agada-tantra discusses methods of diagnosis and treatment of poisonous bites and herbal poison cases.
    • Rasayana-tantra deals with methods of preservation and increase of vigour, restoration of youth, and prevention of diseases.
    • Vajikarana-tantra concerns the means of increasing virile powers.

    Ancient Indian Civilization

    • Excavations at Langhnaj in Gujarat have revealed pottery, tools, and sandstone slabs used for grinding.
    • The Neolithic revolution marked the growth of man's skill in India, characterized by settling down and making tools from animal bones.
    • Pit-dwellings with timber superstructures, stone hearths, and small-sized storage pits were excavated at Burzahom near Srinagar.
    • Red ochre was used as a coloring material for the floor in these pit-dwellings.

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    Description

    This quiz is about ancient Indian astronomy, specifically the observations of nakshatras, solstices, and lunar phases. Test your knowledge of Indian astronomical traditions.

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