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?

Parasara's time Signup and view all the answers

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

Panca-siddhantika Signup and view all the answers

When did Parasara probably live?

Third century A.D. Signup and view all the answers

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

Four months Signup and view all the answers

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

To settle the dates for beginning the Vedic sacrifices Signup and view all the answers

What is Ayurveda sometimes called?

A fifth Veda Signup and view all the answers

What is discussed in the Agada-tantra?

Methods of diagnosis and treatment of poisonous snakes Signup and view all the answers

What is the connection between Ayurveda and the Vedas?

Ayurveda is an upanga of the Rg-Veda Signup and view all the answers

What was permutation termed in early Jaina canonical literature?

Vikalpa-ganita Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Bhaskara II's enumeration?

It showed the applications of mathematics in various fields Signup and view all the answers

What is Rasayana-tantra concerned with?

Preservation and increase of vigour, restoration of youth Signup and view all the answers

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

Astronomers-cum-astrologers Signup and view all the answers

What is mentioned in the Caranavyuha?

Ayurveda as an upanga of the Rg-Veda Signup and view all the answers

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

Kucumara-tantra, Agastya-samhita, and Kaupalika-tantra Signup and view all the answers

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

It showed the calculation of a solar eclipse Signup and view all the answers

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

Chandaiciti Signup and view all the answers

What is Vajikarana-tantra concerned with?

Means of increasing virile powers Signup and view all the answers

What is the Mahabharata's reference to Ayurveda?

Ayurveda with its eight branches of knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of mathematics in ancient India?

Astronomy and astrology Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

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

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

Seventh century Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of Saka date?

A way of expressing dates in ancient India 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?

Dinaya in Java Signup and view all the answers

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

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

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

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

What is the significance of Varahamihira's statement?

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

What is the Jaina Bhagavati-sutra known for?

It calculates the number of combinations of n fundamental categories Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the inscription found in Sambor?

It gives the Saka date 605 in figures Signup and view all the answers

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

Mercury and other metals Signup and view all the answers

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

Langhnaj in Gujarat Signup and view all the answers

What was used for grinding in ancient settlements?

Flattened side of sandstone slabs Signup and view all the answers

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

Mercury Signup and view all the answers

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

Red ochre Signup and view all the answers

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

A.D. 1500 Signup and view all the answers

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

Neolithic revolution Signup and view all the answers

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

Iran, Hellenic countries, and Mesopotamia 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.