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Since Pingree's 1978 publication of his work on the Yavanajātaka, the text had established itself as one of the most important historical documents in various fields of Indology, from the history of mathematics and astral science, to Indian chronology and historical contacts among ancient cultures. A number of Pingree's discoveries concerning the text were widely quoted by scholars in the past decades. These discoveries may be summarized as follows: The Yavanajātaka was an astrological/astronomical work composed in 269/270 CE. by Sphujidhvaja, an "Indianized Greek" who lived in the realm of the Western Kṣatrapas. The work was a versification of a prose original in Greek composed by Yavaneśvara in Alexandria in 149/150 CE. The work, though highly corrupted and clumsily expressed, contains algorithms of "ultimately Babylonian origin" and the earliest reference to the decimal place-value with a symbol for zero (bindu). Pingree's discoveries were based largely on readings from the last section of the Yavanajātaka, described by him as "Chapter 79 - Horāvidhiḥ", an exposition of mathematical astronomy. In the recent years, scholars including Shukla (1989) and Falk (2001) pointed out some major flaws in some of Pingree's interpretations and reconstitution of the text. However, further progress of a proper reevaluation of the controversial contents of this chapter has so far been hampered by the lack of a better manuscript. In 2011-2012, additional materials including a hitherto unreported copy of the Yavanajātaka became available to the present author. This paper will therefore be the first attempt to reexamine Pingree's key interpretations of the Yavanajātaka, focusing on this last chapter, in the light of the new textual evidences. Published in History of Science in South Asia. Full text (pdf) see link.
2013 •
Since its discovery by scholars in the late nineteenth century, the last chapter of Sphujidhvaja's Yavanajātaka has been known as one of the earliest extant specimens of Indian astronomical works composed in Sanskrit. Subsequently, thanks to David Pingree's 1978 edition of the text, this chapter became widely recognized as one of the earliest Greek astronomical texts translated into Sanskrit, revealing the remarkable connection between the Greco-Babylonian astral science and the Indian one. However, some of Pingree's claims had been disputed by scholars and Pingree's reading and interpretation of the primary materials have been challenged by scholars such as Shukla (1989) and Falk (2001). In the light of the discovery of a new Nepalese paper manuscript and some other additional materials, some of the lacunae may now be filled and the additional variant readings have given us further clues to an improved interpretation of the text. The present study provides a summary of all the new findings concerning the last chapter of the Yavanajātaka, together with a revised, annotated critical edition.
Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient
The Yavana Presence in Ancient India1988 •
It has often been assumed that the social structure in ancient divided and compartmentalized in accordance with the four-fold with very little scope for mobility This picture, based solely on Dharmasastras, fails to take Into account the dichotomy and at that existed between the ritual status and actual status, and the constant attempts of the law-makers to reconcile the two.
2019 •
The bizarre story of a fabrication in the history of Indian astronomy.
Chakrabarti, Dilip K. (ed.) History of Ancient India, Vol. IX: Science and Technology, Medicine
[892.23]. Singh, Rana P.B. (2023) Geographical Thoughts in Ancient India: Envisioning Cosmology and Nature. In: Chakrabarti, Dilip K. (ed.) History of Ancient India, Vol. IX: Science and Technology, Medicine (pp. 209-221, chapter 13). Aryan Books International, New Delhi. ISBN-13: 978-8173054884.2023 •
The research dealing with ancient India, has put less emphasis on the ‘geographical thought’ and metaphysical context, which may be compared with the scientific notion of modern geography; some such examples are presented here. The Vedic sages, living close to nature were enlightened by the inherent messages that they communicated, taught, professed, and transferred to the seekers and followers through writings and sacred teachings. Among such thoughts, different attributes and dimensions are narrated; here the chosen ones included narrating the manifestation of the cosmos and human transcendence, illustrated with evolution and unity, the eternity of time, spirality of the cosmic rhythm, spiritual correspondences, the Mother Earth as Goddess, and some messages for the sustainable future are described in nutshell. Together with the physical order exists an invisible principle of order linking the human soul to the earth and further up to the stars. This way one can propose micro-, meso- and macro cosmos. The harmonic integrity in Cosmos Spirit Man has been a major issue of debate in ancient mythologies. Let us re-interpret, re-orient, and re-appraise the deep issues of Indian thought, so as to make the prophecy a reality. Keywords: manifestation, eternity, transcendence, sacredscape, Kālī, Vedas, Purāṇas.
Interdisciplinary Journal of Yagya Research
The Historical and Philosophical Exegesis on Yagya in Ancient IndiaYagya or sacrifice has been an integral part of Indian history and culture. More particularly in ancient India, Yagya appears as the backbone of entire social and political structure. Thus, most of the Vedic literature revolves around the sacrificial ritual in different forms for numerous purposes. In contemporary world, when the scientific temperament dominates almost all spheres of life, masses seek to comprehend everything pertaining to human lives in a rational way. However, the recognized truth is that human society exists in a dilemmatic situation where on one hand they are not ready to discard their cultural heritage, customs and traditions and on the other hand they aspire to abide with scientific logic and reason. Therefore, it is essential to trace the philosophy and common logic of one of the most consistent sacrificial practice of Indian culture, i.e. Yagya. And since the Yagya tradition traces its antiquity from the ancient India, there is a requirement to illustrate t...
A response to an article by Meera Nanda claiming Chinese origins for the Pythagoras theorem and the decimal place-value system of numeral notation.
Aestimatio: Critical Reviews in the History of Science
Astronomy and Mathematics in Ancient India / Astronomie et mathématiques de l’Inde Ancienne. Actes de la journée d’études organisée le 24 avril 2009 à l’Université Libre de Bruxelles2016 •
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