Podcast
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?
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?
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?
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?
In whose time did the sun turn north before reaching the naksatra Sravana?
What is the name of the work that summarizes the teachings of ancient astronomers?
What is the name of the work that summarizes the teachings of ancient astronomers?
When did Parasara probably live?
When did Parasara probably live?
What was the duration of the four-monthly (caturmasya) sacrifices?
What was the duration of the four-monthly (caturmasya) sacrifices?
What was the purpose of determining the winter solstice day of a particular year?
What was the purpose of determining the winter solstice day of a particular year?
What is Ayurveda sometimes called?
What is Ayurveda sometimes called?
What is discussed in the Agada-tantra?
What is discussed in the Agada-tantra?
What is the connection between Ayurveda and the Vedas?
What is the connection between Ayurveda and the Vedas?
What was permutation termed in early Jaina canonical literature?
What was permutation termed in early Jaina canonical literature?
What was the significance of Bhaskara II's enumeration?
What was the significance of Bhaskara II's enumeration?
What is Rasayana-tantra concerned with?
What is Rasayana-tantra concerned with?
Who were the primary contributors to the development of mathematics in ancient India?
Who were the primary contributors to the development of mathematics in ancient India?
What is mentioned in the Caranavyuha?
What is mentioned in the Caranavyuha?
What is the name of the lost texts on Vajikarana-tantra?
What is the name of the lost texts on Vajikarana-tantra?
What was the significance of Atri's observation in the Rg-Veda?
What was the significance of Atri's observation in the Rg-Veda?
What was the term adopted to signify permutations and combinations later on?
What was the term adopted to signify permutations and combinations later on?
What is Vajikarana-tantra concerned with?
What is Vajikarana-tantra concerned with?
What is the Mahabharata's reference to Ayurveda?
What is the Mahabharata's reference to Ayurveda?
What was the primary focus of mathematics in ancient India?
What was the primary focus of mathematics in ancient India?
What was the significance of the passage describing the method of making celestial observations?
What was the significance of the passage describing the method of making celestial observations?
What was the characteristic of the study of mathematics in ancient India?
What was the characteristic of the study of mathematics in ancient India?
In which century were inscriptions of Srivijaya found in South-East Asia?
In which century were inscriptions of Srivijaya found in South-East Asia?
What is the meaning of Saka date?
What is the meaning of Saka date?
Where were the two fragments of inscriptions found that expressed the same date in word numerals and in figures?
Where were the two fragments of inscriptions found that expressed the same date in word numerals and in figures?
What is the significance of the Susruta-samhita in the context of combinations?
What is the significance of the Susruta-samhita in the context of combinations?
What is the conclusion about the origin of numerals with zero?
What is the conclusion about the origin of numerals with zero?
What is the significance of Varahamihira's statement?
What is the significance of Varahamihira's statement?
What is the Jaina Bhagavati-sutra known for?
What is the Jaina Bhagavati-sutra known for?
What is the significance of the inscription found in Sambor?
What is the significance of the inscription found in Sambor?
What were found to be helpful accessories in medicine, as formulated in alchemy?
What were found to be helpful accessories in medicine, as formulated in alchemy?
Where were pottery and tools, as well as sandstone slabs, discovered?
Where were pottery and tools, as well as sandstone slabs, discovered?
What was used for grinding in ancient settlements?
What was used for grinding in ancient settlements?
What was the principal healing substance described in iatro-chemical texts?
What was the principal healing substance described in iatro-chemical texts?
What was used as a colouring material for the floor in ancient pit-dwellings?
What was used as a colouring material for the floor in ancient pit-dwellings?
When were opium and several other foreign drugs incorporated into Ayurvedic pharmacology?
When were opium and several other foreign drugs incorporated into Ayurvedic pharmacology?
What is the name of the period when man started settling down and making tools?
What is the name of the period when man started settling down and making tools?
Where did the concepts and theories of Ayurveda have parallels with contemporary medical systems?
Where did the concepts and theories of Ayurveda have parallels with contemporary medical systems?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
