PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

 Koundinyasa gothram
 Pidaparty China Purnayya Siddhanti – Grand father
 “Daivajna Bhushana”, “Ganita Kalanidhi” Pidaparty
Krishnamurty Sastry (1897-1977) – Father
 Born in Rajahmundry – on January 8, 1935
 Now permanent resident of Secunderabad since
1994
 Education – ICWA – Final – 1966;
 B.A. (Maths& Statistics) – 1957
 No schooling – studied Sanskrit with father in a
traditional way for > 10 years – Passed Govt Sanskrit
Exam in 1949
 Employed in Calcutta, New Delhi, Madras, Bombay,
Bangalore & Hyderabad – in India
 Assignments outside India – Lusaka (Zambia), Port
Harcourt (Nigeria) and Guneid (Sudan)
 Designed & installed Sundials in Andhra Pradesh
- at Ashram Public School, Kakinada in 2007
- in Dwaraka Tirumala near temple in 2010
- Shilparamam, Tirupati (2012) –
 a post retirement hobby with no formal guidance
from anyone – only blessings from father.

See inner cover pages

 Vishuvat Chalana
(PRECESSION OF EQUINOXES)

(A brief and authentic journey from Vedic times to the present)

वेदमय ीं नादमय ीं बिन्दु मय ीं परपदोद्यबदन्दु मय ीं

मन्त्रमय ीं तन्त्रमय ीं प्रक्रु बतमय ीं नौबम बवश्वबवक्रु बतमय ीं

PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

e-mail : hariprasadpps@gmail.com
Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Sundials designed and installed by the Author

In Shilparamam, Tirupati in 2012/2013

Dwaraka Tirumala Near Temple (2008-2010)

Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

At Ashram Public School, Kakinada (2005-2007)

By my father Sri PidapartyKrishnamurtySastry (1897-1977 )

At Sri SatyanarayanaSwamy temple,

Annavaram Hills (1943)
Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Title of the booklet : VISHUVAT-CHALANA

Author/Editor : PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD
Year of publication : 2016
Copyright : Reserved
Price :
No. of copies :

Author’s address

PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

1-30-46 Thirumal Nagar, Kanajiguda
Military Dairy Farm Road
Secunderabad 500015
Telengana - India
Cell : 09703397888 or 09440668909

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

DEDICATION
It would have been impossible for me to bring out
this booklet without blessings of

Late Sri Pidaparty Subrahmanya Sastry (Left)

(my father’s second elder brother) who was
responsible for voluminous revision of earlier version
of Ketkar’s ‘Jyotirganitam’ and bringing out 1937
edition and

“Daivajnabhushana”, “GanitaKalanidhi”
Late Sri PidapartyKrishnamurtySastry (Right)
(1897-1977 ) – my father

Both studied ‘Ancient Indian Astronomy’ in Varanasi

under the learned guidance of ‘Mahamahopadhyaya’
Sri Muralidhara Jha.

My father and his elder brother devoted their life time for
upholding the honour and legacy of PIDAPARTY family. They
continued the tradition based on principles of accurate
Panchanga and Dharma Sastra decisions based on ancient
Indian Astronomy and related Sastras

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Introduction

The aim of this booklet is to present a summary of

extracts from archives of ancient Indian
Astronomy relating to Vishuvat Chalana popularly
known as AYANAMSA with a view to test the
validity and authenticity of Calendar Reform
Committee’s recommendations in 1955 and
reconcile with evidence available on record in
various published literature. For the benefit of
interested readers, information available is
collected and presented in a logical manner.

Secondly there is adverse propaganda deliberately

publicized and perpetuated by Western
Indologists / pseudo Scientists and believed /
followed by some pseudo intellectuals in India
without studying or understanding what is
available in ancient Indian Astronomical
literature.

There is abundant evidence of knowledge available

in ancient India such as Vedas, Vedanga Jyotisha,
Suryasidhantha etc. Vedic Sanskrit is beyond the
comprehension of average Sanskrit scholars today.

The writer does not claim or represent himself as an

authority on the subject. He is neither a scholar nor
a scientist. He has chosen to compile the
information he is able to lay his hands on and

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

present it in a logical manner for the benefit of

interested readers.

Readers may kindly review the material critically

and offer suggestions and comments to e-mail id:
hariprasadpps@gmail.com. They will be gratefully
received and acknowledged.

Secunderabad,
November 2016

PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Some basic terms used in this booklet

Equator is known as ‘Bhu-madhya Rekha’ - The
imaginary line that divides the Earth into two
equal halves – That is Horizon.

Ecliptic is known as ‘Kranti Vrutta’ – apparent path

of the Sun.

When Equator is extended indefinitely, the

Equator and the Ecliptic intersect at two imaginary
points. These two points are known as Vishuvats or
Equinoxes. These are Vasanta Vishuvat and Sarat
Vishuvat – Vernal Equinox and Autumnal Equinox
respectively. Angle at the points of intersection is
23.5⁰.

Stellar Segments

Ecliptic (360⁰) is sub-divided into 27 equal stellar

segments or Nakshatra vibhagas of 13⁰ 20’ each.

These stellar segments were mentioned in:

"मघाद्यीं श्रबवष्टार्धं आग्ने यीं क्रमेण

उत्क्रमेण सापाा द्यीं श्रबवष्टार्धां तीं सौम्यीं"
Mythryopanishat.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

The period of Sun’s transit from the beginning of

stellar segment ‘Magha’ to the middle of stellar
Segment Dhanishtha was ‘Dakshinayana’.

Dhanishtha is also known as Sravishtha and ‘Agni

Devatakam’. Period of Sun’s transit from the
middle of stellar segment Dhanishtha to the end of
stellar segment ‘Aslesha’ was Uttarayana.

This confirms that segmentation of Ecliptic into 27

equal parts from Vedic period

Unfortunately these segmentations are not visible

to the naked eye. Therefore one has to necessarily
depend upon what is visible.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Sanskrit name English equivalent

ASWINI Beta ARIETIS
BHARANI 41 ARIETIS
KRITTIKA Eta Tauri / Alcyon / PLEIADES
ROHINI Alpha Tauri / ALDEBARREN
MRIGASIRA Lambda ORIONIS
ARUDRA Alpha Orionis / BETELGEUSE
PUNARVASU Beta Geminiorum/CASTOR /
POLLUX
PUSHYAMI Delta CANCRI
ASLESHA Alpha Cancri / HYDRAE
MAGHA Alpha Leonis / REGULUS
PURVA PHALGUNI Delta LEONIS
UTTARA PHALGUNI Beta Leonis/DENEBOLA
HASTA Delta CORVI
CHITRA Alpha Virginis / SPICA
SWATI Alfa Bootis/ARCTURUS
VISAKHA Iota LIBRAE
ANURADHA Delta SCORPIONIS
JYESHTHA Alpha SCORIONIS / Antares
MULA Lambda SCORPIONIS
PURVASHADHA Delta SAGGITARII
UTTARASHADHA Delta SAGITTARII
SRAVANAM Alpha AQUILAE (Altair)
DHANISHTHA Alpha DELPHINUS / DELPHINI
SATABHISHAM Lambda AQUARII
PURVABHADRA Alpha PEGASSI
UTTARABHADRA PEGASSI / Alpha ANDROMEDAE
REVATI Zeta PISCIUM

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

1. VISHUVAT CHALANA
While Ecliptic is stationary, equinoxes are not because
of cyclic wobbling effect of tip of the axis of the Earth.
They keep moving in very slow pace. Their motion is
backwards. Rate of movement of equinoxes is known as
Vishuvat chalana or Precession of Equinoxes or also
Ayana chalana. This precession is slightly > 50”.2 per
year. To move 1⁰, they take 72 years approx.

For the benefit of those who are unfamiliar with the

subject, it is necessary to clarify what is “Vishuvat-
Chalana” or ‘Precession of Equinoxes’ .

The system shown above is known as ‘Heleo-Centric’ i.e.

Sun at the centre. Axis of the Earth is slightly inclined,
while revolving around the Sun, makes a revolution at
the end of the Axis.

This motion is known as precession of equinoxes or

‘Vishuvat-chalana’. It is a cyclic wobbling motion in the
orientation of Earth’s axis. It takes approx 26,000 years
to complete one revolution. See the picture .

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Knowing the accurate position of equinoxes on the

Ecliptic and the rate of precession is important for the
purpose of calculation and compilation of Panchangas,
determining the planetary positions and their effects on
humanity. Therefore they are the backbone in
Astronomical/Astrological calculations.

That is the subject matter of this booklet. There are 4

sections A, B, C and D in the booklet.

‘A’ deals with an overview of VISHUVAT CHALANA

From Vedanga Jyotisha to Positional Astronomy
Centre.
‘B’ deals with explanations to some significant issues,
with evidence on record.
‘C’ deals with Summary and why bring in Ketkar’s
Jyotirganitam (1937 edition)
‘D’ deals with aliens’ view on record of India’s
ancient History

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

VISHUVAT CHALANA
A
in ancient times to the present
- in VEDANGA JYOTISHA

in Varahamihira’s
- Panchasiddhantika
- Brihatsamhita

- in 1937 edition of Ketkar’s

Jyotirganitam

- in Calendar Reform
Committee’s Report /
Positional Astronomy Centre

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

VEDANGA JYOTISHA

“स्वराक्रमे ते सोमर्कौ यदा सार्कं सवासवौ

स्यात्तदाददयुगं माघः तपः शु क्लोयनं ह् युदर्क्” 6
प्रपद्ये ते श्रबवष्ठादौ सु याा चन्द्र्मसावुदक्
सापाा र्धे दबिणाकास्तु माघश्रावणयोोः सदा 7
धममव्रुद्धिरपां प्रस्थः क्षपाह्लास उदग्गतौ
ददक्षणे तौ दवपयाम सः षण्मुहूर्त्मयनेन तु 8

(Yajur-Vedanga Jyotisha)

In Vedanga Jyotisha period, Uttarayana began

when Sun entered the beginning of Stellar segment
Dhanishtha (Sravishtha). Then Longitude was 270⁰.
Then VISHUVAT was at - 23⁰ 20’.

This was explained in 1937 edition of Jyotirganitam

by Sri Ketkar and my father’s elder brother Sri
Pidaparty Subrahmanya Sastry with supporting
evidence from various authoritative sources such
as Vedas, Upanishats, Brahmanas, Vedanga
Jyotisha, Varahamihira’s Panchasiddhantika,
Brihatsamhita etc.

That was also explained by Prof T S Kuppanna

Sastry in his commentary on Vedanga Jyotisha and
endorsed by Prof K V Sarma.

Late Prof T S Kuppanna Sastry, ex-Principal, Sanskrit

College, Chennai, in his introduction to Vedanga
Jyotisha, confirmed that “- 23⁰ 20’ perfectly agrees

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

with what Varahamihira (530 A. D.) discovered by

his intensive observation (vedha)”.

Late Prof T S Kuppanna Sastry translated and

commented on Vedanga Jyotisha in English. This
book was later edited by Prof K V Sarma, an
acknowledged Research Scholar in ancient Indian
Astronomy and published by Indian National
Science Academy, New Delhi.

Varahamihira – in
Panchasiddhantika

See the following sloka in Varahamihira’s

Panchasiddhantika (Paulisa Siddhanta (III-21):

"आश्ले षार्धाा त्यदा बनव्रुबि: बकलोष्णबकरणस्य

यु क्तमयनीं तदास त्ाीं प्रतीं अयनीं पुनवासुत:"

Meaning : Dakshinayana began when Sun was at

the mid-point of Stellar segment Aslesha i.e. when
Sun’s transit changed direction from North to
South. This happened during Vedanga Jyotisha
period. During Panchasiddhantika Period
Dakshinayana began when sun was in Stellar
segment Punarvasu.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Varahamihira – Brihatsamhita

In Brihatsamhita III-1 see the following sloka:

"आश्ले षार्धाा त्दबिणीं उिरायणीं रवेर्धाबनष्टाद्यीं

न्यूनीं कदाबचत् आस त्ये नोक्तीं पूवाशास्त्रेष"ु

Meaning : According to ancient Indian Sastras,

beginning of Ayana (change in the direction of
Sun’s transit from South to North and North to
South) occurred when Sun was at the mid-point of
Stellar segment Aslesha and beginning of Stellar
segment Dhanishta respectively.

Varahamihira stated in Panchasiddhantika that

beginning of Dakshinayana occurred when Sun was
in mid-point of Aslesha Star. That implies
Uttarayana began when Sun was in Stellar
Segment Punarvasu.

Vedanga Jyotisha period was estimated to be 1470

years by some scholars before Salivahana Saka and
therefore Varahamihira period was + 450
SaliVahana Saka. Difference between the two was
1920 years.

1920
72
= 26⁰ 40’.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

1937 EDITION OF KETKAR’S

JYOTIRGANITAM on Vishuvat
Methodology followed by Ketkar in 1937 edition
of Jyotirganitham – Pages 35-42 before Pradhama
parichcheda

Cumulative Precession of Equinoxes / Ayanamsa

From VedangaJyotisha period

To Varahamihira period + 26⁰ 40’(1)
VedangaJyotisha period - 23⁰ 20’(2)
Varahamihira period + 3⁰ 20’(3)

Even Brahmagupta does not appear to have

mentioned Ayanamsa. Bhaskaracharya said it is
probably because it was marginal during his period.
There is evidence, in his own words, that
Varahamihira determined it by his own intensive
observations (vedha).

Varahamihira’s period
Salivahana Saka 450 or 528 A.D. 3⁰ 20’(3)
Precession in 1350 years
@1⁰ in 72 years 18⁰ 49’

In Salivahana Saka 1800 22⁰ 09’(4)

22⁰ 09’(4) is the

basis for Jyotirganitham (tables)

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

“एवीं शाबलवाहन शके १८०० वषे शास्त्रशु द्ाोः,

गबणतशु द्ाोः .." – Shri Ketkar confirmed.

"(4) – These Ayanamsas were applied in 1937

edition of Jyotirganitam.

2015-16 A.D. = Salivahana Saka 1938

Salivahana Saka 1938 – 1800 = 138 years

Precession during 138 years = 1⁰ 56’(5)

22⁰ 09’ (4) + 1⁰ 56’ (5) = 24⁰ 05’ (6)

Positional Astronomy Centre, successor to

Indian Ephemeris & Nautical Almanac Unit
arrived at (6) for the relevant year Saka
1938.
But …There is a widespread feeling among many in
India that Ayanamsa and annual precession
recommended and fixed by the Calendar Reform
Committee now being followed by Positional
Astronomy Centre (successor to Indian Ephemeris
and Nautical Almanac Unit) was ad-hoc, arbitrary
and not based on scientific basis.

Wording in the Recommendation No 5 in Report of

the Calendar Reform Committee possibly led to the
misunderstanding. Please see the underlined
wordings in the recommendation:

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

“The calculation of solar months ………. will start

23⁰ 15’……. This tallies with the present practice of
most almanac makers” ………“This recommendation
is to be regarded only as a measure of compromise,
so that we avoid a violent break with the
established custom……”

Cumulative Ayanamsa

In 1953-54, Calendar Reform Committee issued a

Questionnaire to all Panchanga makers in the country on
various facets of compilation of Panchangas. Summary of
replies received with respect to cumulative and annual
Precession are as follows :

Summary of responses related to the date – as on 21 st March

1954.

Cumulative Precession No of Panchanga Kartas

followed
21⁰ 49’ 2
22⁰ 23’ 1
23⁰ 04’ 1
23⁰ 08’ 2
23⁰ 10’ 2
23⁰ 12’ 36
23⁰ 13’ 3
23⁰ 24’ 1
23⁰ 51’ 1
23⁰ 52’ 2
Total 51

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

My father reported a figure of 23⁰ 12’ 7” in his reply.

Calendar Reform Committee adopted 23⁰ 15’ as on 21st
March 1956.

Summary of replies received with reference to

annual precession is as follows as on 21st March
1954:

Annual precession No. of Panchanga Kartas

48” 1
50” to 50”.19 5
50”.2 34
50”.3 to 50”.5 5
58”.5 1
??? 5
Total 51

My father reported a figure in his reply 50”.268 per

year.

People were led to believe that the Committee gave in

for majority opinion – without considering the merits on
scientific basis or based on authoritative ancient Indian
literature available on the subject.

In the next section, we shall try and identify important

issues, and find supporting evidence in available ancient
literature on ancient Indian Astronomy and related
Sastras.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

B
Some significant issues

 Relevance of Mareechi Bhashyam of

Brihatsamhita – Punarvasu midpoint or 3/4th of
Punarvasu?
 Relevance of Aadiyuga in Vedanga Jyotisha,
Vedanga Jyotisha period & No. of Revolutions
of Equinox, Vishnupurana etc – also Brahma’s
life span
 Whether Lagadha was author of Vedanga
Jyotisha
 Precession – before Vedanga Jyotisha
 Varahamihira’s Sakakaala – Salivahana Saka?
 Precession – Pendular or Circular?
 Newcomb’s formulae for the future?
 Luni-precession & my father’s discovery
 U.S. Naval Observatory’s findings in 2014
 Sunya-ayanamsa period/Location
 Chaitrapaksha or Raivatapaksha?

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2. Relevance of Mareechi Bhashyam of

Brihatsamhita – Punarvasu midpoint or
3/4th of Punarvasu?
This became an issue whether it is Mid-point of
Punarvasu or ¾thof Punarvasu.

"आश्ले षार्धाा त्यदा बनव्रुबि: बकलोष्णबकरणस्य

यु क्तमयनीं तदास त्ाीं प्रतीं अयनीं पुनवासुत:

Sri Ketkar and Sri Pidaparty Subrahmanya Sastry

confirmed that it was mid-point of stellar segment
Punarvasu by quoting Brihatsamhita – Mareechi
Bhashyam.

Sri Ketkar stated Punarvasu yogatara is located at

the beginning of Stellar segment Punarvasu.
Therefore it is one and half nakshatras away from
mid-point of Stellar segment Aslesha.

Prof T S Kuppanna Sastry in the introduction to

Vedanga Jyotisha and Prof K V Sarma in “The Facets
of Indian Astronomy” justified ¾th of Stellar
segment Punarvasu.

That means, according to Prof Kuppanna Sastry and

Prof K V Sarma, equinoxes moved 1¾ Stellar
segments from Vedanga Jyotisha period to
Varahamihira period. [¼ in Punarvasu + 1 stellar
segment in Pushyami + ½ in Aslesha = 1¾
Nakashatra segments.] – “in Page 13 –

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Introduction”. He also confirmed that it agrees

with the position of equinox at (-) 23⁰ 20’ during
Vedanga Jyotisha period.

English translation and commentary of

Panchasiddhantika by G. Thibaut edited by
Mahamahopadhyaya Sudhakar Dwivedi (my
father’s paramaguru) – published by Chowkhamba
Sanskrit Series (Varanasi) also confirmed and
proved that equinox was at (-) 23⁰ 20’ from
Nirayana Meshadi.

But

Varahamihira in Bruhatsamhita (III-1) second

stanza – see what he stated:

"उक्ताभाीं शै : बवक्रु बत: प्रत्यि पर क्शणै: व्यक्तक्त:

"Meaning: Equinoxes moved 27⁰ between the
periods of Vedanga Jyotisha and Varaahamihira.
There is Vikruti - बवक्रु बत: here means ‘distortion’

Neelakantha Somayaji (Kerala), another

acknowledged scholar, confirmed that
Varahamihira’s observation as above that
precession of 27⁰ was correct. Then why did
Varahamihira say ‘बवक्रुबत: ’

In Mareechi Bhashyam of Bruhatsamhitha,

Mareechi said:

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

"सायन ककाटककाबदर्र बनरयन पु नवा स्वर्धा मेव भवबत

अयनयो: ककामकराद्यो: सायनत्वेन अबभमते पु नवा स्वींबतम
चरणाबदबत”

That is: If we consider that the beginning of

Karkataka and Makara are based on Sayana
system, it is the beginning of ¼ of Stellar segment
Punarvasu. If we go by Mareechi Bhashyam,
beginning of Karkataka is Sayana, mid-point of
Punarvasu is Nirayana, then difference between
the two is 3⁰ 20’.

This is the Ayanaamsa or cumulative precession

during Varahamihira period. The issue was thus
resolved by Sri Ketkar and my father’s elder
brother Sri Pidaparty Subrahmanya Satry.

Many scholars appear to have missed the point in

Mareechi Bhashyam, including Prof T S Kuppanna
Sastry and Prof K V Sarma. Sri Ketkar noted it,
properly interpreting "आश्ले षार्धाा त्दबिणीं
उिरायणीं….” In Brihatsamhita III.1.

3. Relevance of Aadiyuga in Vedanga

Jyotisha, Vedanga Jyotisha period & No. of
Revolutions of Equinox, Vishnupurana etc
– also Brahma’s life span
Please notice use of the word “Aadi yuga” in
Vedanga Jyotisha and the conditions associated
with it below.

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“स्वराक्रमेते सोमकौ यदा साकीं सवासवौ

स्यािदाबद यु गीं माघोः तपोः शु क्लोयनीं ह्युदक् ”
Vedanga Jyotisha, 7thsloka

Aadi-yuga means the very first yuga in the present

Brahma’s life. In the present Brahma’s life,
50.0006 years is over i.e. 155,521,955,885,117
solar years (2016), a little more than 1st half is
over. That is 100 years in Brahma’s life is
311,040,179,288,075 solar years. This is the Ayuh-
pramana in Brahma’s life.

Stellar segment ‘Dhanishta’ is a group of stars.

‘Yogatara’ (principal star) is recognized and
acknowledged as ‘Alpha Delphini’ located at the
beginning. ‘Aadi yuga’ starts when Sun and Moon
shine at the beginning of Dhanishta Nakshatra,
then the beginning of Magha masa (month), Tapo
masa, Sukla paksha (1st fortnight), Uttarayana
(beginning of Sun’s transit towards North).

‘Aadiyuga’, conditions (astronomical) associated

with it, Brahma’s life span in his time scale should
have been referred to. These factors are very
relevant to Vedanga Jyotisha and to determine
Vedanga Jyotisha period. It is unfair and unrealistic
to ignore these criteria and assign an age for
scriptures like Vedas and Vedanga Jyotisha.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Western Scientists tried to attribute someone’s

name as an author and assign an age to the
ancient text. Indian scholars joined, applauded
their findings and fell in love with Western
Scientists.

Many such Scientists were unable to digest the fact

that these ancient Indian texts were in existence,
not necessarily in a printed format, but through
Guru Parampara, from times immemorial in India.

For example, Vedanga Jyotisha was dated 1370-

1340 B.C. by Prof T S Kuppanna Sastry; and by late
Swamikannu Pillai from B. C. 1400 to B.C. 850 etc.
For this purpose, they measured angular distance
of equinox on the date assigned to Vedanga
Jyotisha, and the desired date (say today) and
calculated the period / year - @ 1⁰ in 72 years.

Fallacy in this method is omission of number of

revolutions completed by equinox, @ 26,000 years
for each revolution, in the intervening period. It
was overlooked by almost all scholars and research
scientists.

It is impossible to determine the number of

revolutions of Equinox and assign a number. Here
is additional evidence.

“इयास: क्रु ष्णे द् शबभ: सहस्रै : अवतबमन्द्रै ोः”

(Rig-Veda 8-96-13)

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Meaning: Indra or Vishuvath or equinox makes

revolutions – 15 x 10 x 1000 = 150,000 times (in
one Kalpa – implied). *Kalpa is 4320 million years.
That is 150 revolutions in one Mahayuga. One
Kalpa = 1000 Mahayugas. It comes to 28,800 years
for completing one revolution as against 26,000
estimated at present.

While interpreting Vedas, following are the

standard and acknowledged equivalents :

Agni = Vasanta Vishuvath / Vernal equinox

Indra = Sarath Vishuvath / Autumnal Equinox
Mitra= Winter Solstice
Varuna = Summer Solstice

Let us introspect ourselves. How many Vedic or

Sanskrit scholars understand this Vedic Sanskrit like
this?

“श िाबवबभीं दो अस्मै चत्वारर अयु ता ददत् अष्टापर:

सहस्रा:”
(Rig-veda 8-2-4)

Meaning: Oh Vibhindo! You gave me knowledge

and wisdom. 1 Kalpa = 432 x 10,000 x 1000 years =
432 crore years or 4320 million years.

The above mentioned references make it clear that

ancient Indians were well aware that Vishuvat
(equinox) makes revolutions. Rig-Veda refers to

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

revolution period of 28,000 years for each. Rig-

Veda also confirms reference to Mahayugas and
Kalpas and their duration as given in Brahma’s life.

“त्वीं अग्रे प्रथमो अीं बगरारुबष:

दे वो दे वानाीं अभव:बशव:सखा”
(Rig-veda 1-31-1)

Meaning: Agni (vishuvat) is in Meshadi (First Point

of Aries). Gods are in their respective places. i.e.
the ecliptic, which is located in between Aswini
star and middle of Chitra star, is on the Northern
side of Equator.

As per Surya Sidhantha, Madhyamadhikaara, Brahma’s

life span:

"परमायु ोः शतीं तस्य तया अहोरा्र सीं ख्यया

आयु षो अर्धाबमतीं तस्य शे षकल्पोयमाबदमोः २१
कल्पादस्माच्च मनवोः षड्व् व्यत ताोः ससन्धयोः
वैवस्वतस्य च मनोोः यु गानाीं ब्रघनो गतोः २२
अष्टाबवींशद् यु गादस्माद्यातमेतत्त्क्क्रु तीं यु गीं
अतोः कालीं प्रसीं ख्याय सीं ख्यामेक ्र बपण्डये ि्" २३
ग्रहिा- दे व-दै त्याबद स्रु जतोस्य चराचरीं
क्रु तबि वेदा बदव्यब्ाोः शतघ्ना वेर्धसो गताोः २४

Brahma Siddhantha, Surya Siddhanta etc quoted in

“Panchanga Peethika Lekhana Prakriya” – > 160
year old book – recently published by Rastriya
Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Brahma’s LIFE SPAN

BRAHMA’S LIFE is limited to 100 years in his time

scale.

But Brahma’s time scale is different from the time

scale of human beings.

At the end of LIFE OF each Brahma, the world will

come to an end.

Then another Brahma will come into being.

432 crore years for human beings = one daytime

for each Brahma.

864 crore years for human beings = 24 hours or day

& night for each Brahma.

Duration of a month (30 days) for each Brahma =

30 x 8,640,000,000 = 259200,000,000 solar years
for human beings.

Duration of a year (360 days) = 360 x 8,640,000,000

= 3,110,400,000,000 solar years for human beings

Number of Solar years lapsed in present Brahma’s

life = 155,521,955,885,117 (2016) solar years.

100 years in Brahma’s life = 311,040,000,000,000

solar years

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

155,521,955,885,117
3,110,400,000,000

= 50.0006 years lapsed in Brahmas life.

That is why, we say in Sankalpa “dwiteeya

pararthe….”

We are now in 28thMahayuga

Each Mahayuga = 4,320,000 Years

In 28th Mahayuga we are in Kaliyuga. Kaliyuga’s

duration = 432,000 years.

5,117 (2016) years lapsed in Kaliyuga.

World and creation will come to an end only at the

end of each Brahma’s life but not at the end of
each Kaliyuga.

Aadi-yuga means the very first yuga, where all the

conditions spelt out earlier are satisfied, in the
Brahma’ life. In the present Brahma’s life, 50.0006
years is over i.e. 155,521,955,885,117 solar years
(2016), a little more than 1st half is over. That is
100 years in Brahma’s life is 311,040,179,288,075
solar years. This is the Ayuh-pramana in present
Brahma’s life.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

4. VISHNUPURANA
According to Vishnupurana, *Dhruva did penance.
Having been pleased, Vishnu appeared and gave
him a gift. As a reward for Dhruva’s penance,
“SaptarishiMandalam” revolves around Dhruva
once every 26,000 years. ”Based on this, annual
precession may be calculated as 49”.846. See how
close it is to current estimate of 50”.27.

*[a book “Nakshatramulu” in Telugu by Late

Gobburi Venkatananda Raghava Rao]

“Saptarishi Mandalam” appears in the sky

somewhat like this.

5. Whether Lagadha was author of Vedanga

Jyotisha

Author of Vedangas Jyotisha

Many in India (even learned scholars) believe that

the author was Lagadha.

"कालज्ञानीं प्रवक्ष्याबम लगर्धस्य महात्मन:" – Vedanga

Jyotisha – 1 st sloka

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Meaning: I am transmitting the knowledge and

wisdom of ‘significance of time’ to Lagadha
Mahamuni (Mahatma). Who is ‘I’? It is unknown.
That is such texts are known as ‘apaurushiyas’.

If Lagadha was the author, he would not have

addressed himself as “महात्म”. The expression
“लगर्धस्य” would not have been used. That
Lagadha was the author was advanced by some
vested interests only to counter the fact that it was
“apaurusheya”. The fact is that Lagadha was a
Special Purpose Vehicle used by the divine power
for the purpose of transmitting the knowledge for
the benefit of the Society.

LAGADHA was NOT the author of

VEDANGA JYOTISHA.
6. Precession – before Vedanga Jyotisha
Enough evidence is given from Rig-Vedas to
establish that Precession was well known to
ancient Indians.

Between Vedas and Vedanga Jyotisha, evidence

available re-iterates knowledge of Precession of
Equinoxes. Here it is:

‘Udagayanam’ or beginning of Uttarayana – let

us look at the details.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Sun was at the end of Stellar segment Dhanistha

during Krittika Kaala. Sun was at the mid-point of
Stellar Segment Dhanistha during Maitryopanishad
period. Sun was at the beginning of Stellar Segment
Dhanishtha during Vedanga Jyotisha period –
beginning of Uttarayana occurred. Transit of Sun
shifts towards the North when Uttarayana begins.

"सु यो योबनोः कालस्य ………मघाद्यीं श्रबवष्टार्धं"

Maitryopanishat
"आद्यीं , अर्धं" ….these words indicate sub-divisions of
each stellar segment into padaas / quarters.

"नि्राबण वसवोः" – these words indicate stellar

segmentation of 27 Nakshatras.

"यत्पुण्यीं नि्रीं तत्वटक् कु वीतोपव्यु षीं

यदा वै सू या उदे बत तदा नि्रीं नैबत"
(१-५-१)Taithireeya Brahmana

"वसवोवा अकामयन्त अग्रीं दे वतानाीं पररयामेबत

ततो वै अग्रीं दे वतानाीं पयाा यन्"
(३-१-५,८) Taithireeya Brahmana

Krittikaa Kaala is referred here.

"सकल कमासु क्रु बिक: प्रथमीं आचिते

श्रबवष्टातु सीं ख्यायाोः (प्रथमीं आचिते) "
(Vedanga jyotisha Bhashya by Somakara)

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Look at the following table. Please note that

Vishuvat / equinox is moving backwards.
Udagayanam Day Sun’s Before
position Salivahana
Saka
Krittika kala – Purnima End of Year 2364
Somaakarabhashya in Dhanishtha
– VedangaJyotisha Maagha
Maithryopanisat Ashtami Mid-point Year 1883
in of
Maagha Dhanishtha
Vedanga Jyotisha Pratipat Beginning Year 1470
in of
Maagha Dhanishtha

If the movement of equinox is forward, Sun’s

position should have moved, at the time of
Udagayanam, from end of Dhanishta to beginning
of Satabhisha. Instead, it moved from the end of
Dhanishta to the mid-point of Dhanishta from 2364
before Salivahana Saka to 1883 before Salivahana
Saka – in 481 years.

7. Varahamihira’s Sakakaala – Salivahana

Saka?
There was a lot of guesswork on the topic. Some of
the results were:
1. That Varahamihira’s period is the same as
Sunyayanamsa period.
2. That Varahamihira and Mahakavi Kalidasa
are contemporaries.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

3. That Varahamihira’s period – is it

Salivahana Saka or Vikrama Saka?
4. That Kaliyuga 3042 / 59 B. C.– that it finds a
mention in the history of Kashmir Maharaja
– “Raajatarangini” and “Kutuhalamanjari”
5. That there was “Loukika Saka in practice”;
that Saka began in 3077 B.C.; and when
‘Dhruva’ is deducted, it is 551 B.C.
6. That Brahmagupta’s period is not 7th
century but it is 1st century, therefore
Varahamihira’s period is much earlier.
7. Based on 10th sloka in ‘Kalakriyavadam’ in
Aryabhateeyam Aryabhata’s age was 20
years when Kaliyuga was 360.

Late Prof K V Sarma’s (Krishna Iyer Venkateswara

Sarma) Research Scholar’s papers were published
under the title “Facets of Indian Astronomy” by
Rastriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetham, Tirupati. He
concluded that it was Salivahana Saka 505 in his
article ‘Saka Era of Varahamihira’.

Prof Sarma argued that use of expression ‘Saka

Kala’ in Varahamihira’s books Panchasiddhantika
and Bruhatsamhita is the basis for such conclusion.

Our attention is invited to 3rd sloka in Saptarishi

Chara, 13th Adhyaya in Brihatsamhita reading as
follows :

"आसन् मघासु मुनयोः शासबत प्रुथ् ीं यु बर्धबष्टरे

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

षड्व् व कपींचबवयु तोःशक कालस्तस्य राज्ञ्श्च"

Meaning: Saptarishi Mandala was in ‘Magha’
Nakshatra during Yudhistira period. Any year in
Sakakala + 2526 = yudhistira period.

Our attention is also invited to 8th sloka in 1st

Adhyaya in Panchasiddhantika reading as follows

"सप्ताबश्ववेदसीं ख्यीं शककालमपास्य,

चै्रशु क्लादौ अथाा स्तबमते भानौ यवनपुरे
सोमबदवसाद्ये ”

Meaning: When 427 is deducted from Sakakala, in

the beginning of Chaitra Suklapaksha, Monday, at
the time of Sunset in Yavanapura.

It implies that Panchasiddhantika was written by

Varahamihira in Salivahana Saka 427. 78 must be
added to get Christian Era. 505 A.D. is the year of
Varahamihira.

In 1937 edition of Jyotirganitham, Sri Ketkar

decided that Varahamihira’s period as Salivahana
Saka 450 which means 528 A.D.

There is unexplained difference of 23 years

between Sri Ketkar’s Jyotirganitam and the findings
of Prof K V Sarma leaving it for the imagination of
readers and scholars.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

8. Precession – Pendular or Circular?

In Surya Siddhantha, there is a chapter known as
Triprasna-dhikara. There are four slokas 9, 10, 11
and 12 which suggest that the movement of
Equinox is pendular – 27⁰ on one side and 27⁰ on
the other side.

ब्रींश्त् क्रु त्यो यु गे भानाीं चक्र प्राक पररलबते

तद् गु नात् भू बदनैोः भक्तात् द् यु गणाद्यदवाप्यते ९
तद्दोक्तस्त्रघ्ना द् शाप्ताीं शा बवज्ञे या अयनबभर्धाोः
तत्ींस्क्रुतात् ग्रहात् क्राक्तन्तच्छायाचरदलाबदकीं १०
स्फुटकीं िक्त
ु ु ल्यताीं ग्च्च्छेदयने बवषु ववये
प्राक् चक्रीं चबलतीं ह ने छयाकाा त् करणागते ११
अन्तरम्शै रथाव्रुत्य पचाचात् शे षैोः तथा अबर्धके

Please see what Prof A. K. Chakravarty says in his

commentary on Surya Siddhanta”

“…the language is cryptic, the principle is

contradictory to the text itself and the results
obtained are erroneous. These errors could be
easily detected by Gnomon shadow. Except these
four verses, the topic or its application nowhere
occurs in the whole text… It is now believed that
these verses were interpolated in the text in a later
period. Such interpolations are not uncommon.…”
(The Surya Siddhanta, by Prof A. K. Chakravarty,
published by Asiatic Society, Kolkata – page 113).
To prove that Vishuvat does not oscillate like
pendulum and what was alleged to be in

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Suryasiddhanta is not correct, here is Satapatha

Brahmana:

Satapatha Brahmana (2-1-2) says:

“एकीं वे ्र बण चत्वर बतवा अन्याबन

नि्राण्यथैता एव भू बयष्टायत्त्क्क्रु बिका
एताह वै प्राच्यै बदशोनच्यावींते
शवाा बणहवा अन्याबन नि्राबण
प्राच्यै बदश:च्यवन्ते”

There are many stars in the group of Stellar

Segment Krittika. There are only 1, 2, 3, 4 stars in
the other Stellar Segments. The Stars in Stellar
Segment Krittika are always in the East. Other stars
keep moving from the East.

Krittika Principal Star (yogatara) was 36⁰ away from

‘Aswinyadi’, the First Point of Aries. If movement of
Equinox is not circular, but oscillates like
pendulum, it is impossible Dr Madhavan (kerala)
says. If the slokas 9, 10, 11, 12 in Surya Siddhantha
are not interpolated, they are inconsistent with Rig-
veda (8-96-13) and Satapatha Brahmana (2-1-2)

9. SIMON NEWCOMB (1835-1909) on

Vishuvat
Newcomb was one of the scientists / astronomers
who was associated with U. S. Naval Observatory.
In the year 1867 A.D. He declared that annual
precession was 50”.2388. The basis for Newcomb’s

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

calculation is difference between ‘siderial year’ and

‘solar year’. That is the annual precession.

Days Hours Minutes Seconds

Siderial Year 365 06 09 09
Solar year 365 05 48 46
Difference - - 20 23

Difference in Seconds (arc) = 1,223 seconds

Sidereal year (time) = 315,58,149 seconds
360⁰ = 12,96,000 seconds (arc)

In 315,58,149 time seconds

It can cover a distance of 12,96,000 arc seconds
In 1,223 time seconds ???
1,223 x 12,96,000
315,58,149

= 50”.225 precession per year

Simon Newcomb later developed a formula, as

given below, because annual precession is not
static and it is changing .

50”.2564 (for 1900 A.D.) + 0”.000222

for every year.

The formula was changed and further refined in

2012 A.D. Now –

It is 50”.245223 (for 2012 AD) + 000349 every

year.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

10. Luni-Precession –Percival Lowell (NASA)

A scientist by name Mr Percival Lowell, who was
with NASA mentioned about ‘Luni Precession’ in
1914. A rough paper was found providing
explanation of Luni Precession. Conclusion was that
every year 0”.11 should be added. No additional
clarification is available.

11. My father’s formula

My father, late Sri Pidaparty Krishnamurty Sastry,
an acknowledged authority in ancient Indian
Astronomy analysed and delved into the subject as
on 1-1-1967 (for Godavari Pushkaram) as follows:

When one determines cumulative precession from

the first point of Aries, following example may be
useful and serve the purpose :

Sayana Chitra 203⁰22’50”

Chitra Dhruva 180⁰00’00”
cumulative precession
(Chaitra paksha) 23⁰22’50”
As per Indian Ephemeris 23⁰23’34”

Sayana Dhanishtha 316⁰ 55’15”.1

Vedanga Dhanishtha Dhruva 293⁰ 20’ 0”.0
Cum. precession / Dhanishtha 23⁰ 35’15”.1

Cum.precession / Dhanishtha 23⁰ 35’ 15”.1

Cum. precession / Chaitra paksha 23⁰ 22’ 50”

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Difference 0⁰ 12’ 25”

The difference is caused by natural movement of

stellar segments.

Dhanishtha segment moves per year + 0”.074

Chitra segment moves per year - 0”.027

The distance between the two Nakshatras

increases @ 0”.107 per year. This must be added
every year to the cumulative precession.

My father suggested 0”.107 and Percival Lowell

suggested 0”.11 – a difference of 0”.003 per year.
My father’s explanation is quite clear. I could not
lay my hands on explanation given by Percival
Lowell.

12. U S Naval Observatory - (2014)

United States Naval Observatory determined total
precession in 100 years is 5028”.8. That is –
annual precession is 50”.288. This information
was given to the writer by e-mail by Mr James
Hilton [james.hilton@usno.navy.mil] on 23 rd
September 2014.

13. Sunya-ayanamsa period/Location

Calendar Reform Committee decided cumulative
Precession was 23⁰ 15’ as on 21st March 1956 and
annual precession at 50”.27. On this basis
Sunyayanamsa period would be 291 A.D.
Comparative table below provides more details :

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Institution/Scientist Annual Sunyaayanamsa

precession Period
Varahamihira 50”.00 282 A.D.
Newcomb (1) 50”.225 290 A.D.
Newcomb (2) 50”.2388 290 A.D.
Calendar Reform 50”.27 291 A.D.
Committee
U.S. Naval Observ. 50”.288 292 A.D.

Basis: Cumulative Precession in 2010 was

24⁰ = 86,400”
These are at best, guesstimates.

Please see also discussion on 14. Chaitrapaksha vs

Raivata Paksha Ayanamsa.

14. Chaitrapaksha or Raivatapaksha?

This is no longer an issue. Even Calendar Reform
Committee, in its report, chose to ignore the topic.

For the sake of good order, brief summary is given

below.

Can we pin-point this location 0⁰ 0’ 0”? It is not

easy. There are two theories. These are known as
“Chaitra Paksha” and “RaivataPaksha”.

“Chaitra Paksha” is a method followed to

determine cumulative precession from “First Point
of Aries” using mid-point of Stellar segment Chitra
as a basis.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

“Raivata Paksha” is a method followed to

determine cumulative precession from “First Point
of Aries” using end of Stellar segment Revati as a
basis.

There are 32 stars in Stellar segment Revati. Which

star is a principal star (Dhruva) or Yoga Tara is
difficult to identify.

Stellar segment Chitra has only one star – that too

at the mid-point. This is recognized as ‘Yoga tara”.
180⁰ on either side is the First Point of Aries. It is
visible, easily identifiable and reliable.

Therefore “Aswinyadi” or ‘Meshadi’ or “First Point

of Aries” is located precisely 180⁰ away from mid-
point of Stellar segment of Chitra

Chaitra Paksha is based on beginning of Stellar

segment Dhanishtha and has the sanction of
Vedanga Jyotisha and Garga Samhita etc. Therefore
it is ancient. Perceptible difference one can notice
in the table in ‘B’ under Udagayanam. Vishuvat
moved backwards one half of stellar segment
from Mytryopanishat period to VedangaJyotisha
period indicating that Precession of equinoxes
was known to ancient Indians.

Sun and Moon changed (Vedanga Jyotisha period)

the direction from South to North (beginning of
Uttarayana), according to Vedanga Jyotisha in

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

“स्वराक्रमे ते सोमाकौ …..”

at the beginning of Stellar segment Dhanishtha.

In "यदा माघस्य शु क्लस्य------ "it is stated that Sun

changes the direction from North to South
(Dakshinayana begins) when sun is at the mid-point
of Stellar segment of Aslesha. Then moon is in
Stellar segment of Chitra.

{Sri Ketkar, author of Jyotirganita, has proved that

the above mentioned incident occurred on 4th
January 1421 B.C. – 1499 years before Salivahana
Saka – Pushya Bahula Amavasya Budhavara
(Wednesday). He might have ignored earlier
cycles}

The division of Stellar segments was described in

‘Daivajna Kamadhenu’ based on Chitra Nakshatra
only. Dhanishtha principal star (yogatara) is at the
very beginning of Stellar segment Dhanishtha.
Therefore ‘Meshadi’ or ‘First Point of Aries’ is 5
Stellar segments (Dhanishtha, Satabhisham,
Purvabhadra, Uttrabhadra, and Revati) away i.e.
13⁰ 20’ x 5 = 66⁰ 40’. Therefore Ayanamsas
determined with reference to mid-point of Chitra
Nakshatra segment are authentic and correct –
they are known as Chaitra PakshaAyanamsa.

In support of Chaitra Paksha Ayanamsa –

Adharvana Veda

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Since Dhanishtha principal star (yoga Tara) is

located at the very beginning of Stellar Segment
Dhanishtha, even Western Astronomers identified
and recognized beginning point of Dhanishtha as
‘Alpha Delphini’ as a reference point.

In Indian Panchangas, year starts with ‘Chaitra’

month. This is based on Chitra Nakshatra. Look at
this:

“बच्रावशतोः चै्रबनणा योः” – Adharvana Veda

Raivata Paksha ayanamsa

is not authentic.

Therefore
One can now safely conclude that the
recommendation made by The Calendar Reform
Committee in its report in 1956 on Vishuvat
Chalana and now being followed by the
POSITIONAL ASTRONOMY CENTRE (Successor to
Indian Ephemeris & Nautical Almanac Unit),
Kolkata is not Ad-hoc, and arbitrary.

The Recommendation is fully supported by

VEDANGA JYOTISHA and VARAHAMIHIRA’S
PANCHASIDDHANTIKA and BRIHATSAMHITA

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

SUMMARY
C
1. Vishuvat-Chalana was known to our
ancestors in India from Vedic period –
References exist in Rig-Veda,
Taithiryopanishad, Maithryopanishat,
Satapatha-Brahmana, Vedanga Jyotisha,
Garga Samhitha, Varahamihira etc.
2. Clear link from Vedanga Jyotisha to the
recommendations of Calendar Reform
Committee was established and matched
with U.S. Naval Observatory’s findings as
recently as in 2014. They are neither ad-
hoc nor arbitrarily fixed.
3. That Lagadha was not the author of
Vedanga Jyotisha and it was
“Apaurusheya” was also explained.
4. Meaning of “Aadiyuga” in Vedanga
Jyotisha was brought out and highlighted
together with elaborate explanation of
Brahma’s Life.
5. Demolished the theory that “Vishuvat-
Chalana was pendular and not circular”.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

6. That Varahamihira’s period was 450

Salivahana Saka was clearly broght out.
7. My father’s findings were matched with
Mr Percival Lowell’s LUNI PRECESSION’
with a marginal difference of 0”.003.

WHY 1937 EDITION OF KETKAR’S

JYOTIRGANITAM

Background in brief
Sri Venkatesh Bapuji Ketkar, a scholar who
dedicated his life to ancient Indian Astronomy
published a book ‘Jyotir-ganitham’ in 1897 A.D. It is
a book containing tables – like a ready reckoner –
to facilitate calculation and compilation of
planetary positions for Panchangas. He lived in
Bijapur now in Karnataka state.

Under the patronage of The then Maharaja of

Mysore, 2nd Karnataka Astronomical Conference
was held for two-three days in Mysore in 1934 A.D.
where several scholars from South India
participated to discuss various issues facing Indian
Astronomers. Sir Vepa Ramesam, the then sitting
judge of Madras High Court presided over the
function.

Well known scholars such as Sri Venkatesh Bapuji

Ketkar, his son Sri Dattatreya Venkatesh Ketkar, my
father’s second elder brother Sri Pidaparty

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Subrahmanya Sastry, my father Sri Pidaparty

Krishnamurty Sastry and many others attended the
function.

One of the issues, then facing astronomers, among

other issues, was whether ‘First point of Aries’ also
known as ‘Meshadi’ or ‘Aswinyadi’ should be
reckoned with reference to Star ‘Chitra’ or ‘Revati’.
This is known as ‘Chaitra Paksha’ or ‘Raivata
Paksha’. Among other decisions, Conference
decided in favour of ‘Chaitra Paksha’. My father
and my father’s elder brother proposed and argued
in favour of Chaitra Paksha ayanamsa and other
related issues. It was carried by the Conference.

Sri V B Ketkar and his son D V Ketkar approached,

at the end of the Conference, my father with a
request – that they were convinced with the
arguments presented at the Conference, that it
was necessary to make significant corrections in
1897 edition of Jyotirganitham and that my father
should make all the corrections before it is re-
printed. My father proposed that his elder brother
Sri Subrahmanya Sastry is an expert in Ganitha
Sastra and that he alone can do this voluminous
job. 1937 edition of Jyotirganitham is the effort of
my father’s elder brother Sri Subrahmanya Sastry.
Incidentally, my father Sri Krishnamurty Sastry and
his second elder brother Sri Subrahmanya Sastry
studied ancient Indian Astronomy in Varanasi
under the learned guidance of

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

‘Mahamahopadhyaya’ Muralidhar Jha.

‘Mahamahopadhyaya’ Pandit Sudhakar Dwivedi
was their Paramaguru.

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

References
- Rig-veda
- AdharvanaVeda
- VedangaJyotisha
- Indian National Science Academy
- Satapatha Brahmana
- Taittiriya Brahmana
- Maitryopanishath
- Suryasiddhantha
- Panchasiddhantika
- Brihatsamhita
- 1937 edition of Jyotirganitam
- Report of Calendar Reform
Committee
- Facets of Indian Astronomy – Prof
K V Sarma

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

D
What aliens think of India’s ancient
history!

Sole purpose of Vedas and

Vedanga Jyotisha – in sloka 3
“वे द ा बह यज्ञाथं अदिप्रव्रु त्ताः
र्कालानुपूर्व्ाम दवदहतास्च यज्ाः
तस्मादददं र्कालदवधान शास्त्रं
यो ज्योदतषं वेद स वेद यज्ान् "

Mr D W Whitney wrote: “…and when we come to

add that the jyotisha (Vedanga Jyotisha) has no
definable place in Sanskrit literature, or relation
to the Vedic ceremonials … we shall see that this
famous datum which has seemed to promise so
much, has caused so much labour and discussion,
and is even yet clung to by some scholars as the
sheet anchor of ancient Hindu chronology, is
nothing but a delusive phantom.”

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

Ref. Oriental and Linguistic studies, 2nd series,

New York 1874 Page 384

Does Mr Whitney understand Sanskrit? Look at his

arrogance? Shall we feel sorry for his ignorance?

Vedanga Jyotisha, according to Mr Whitney, has no

definable place in Sanskrit literature??? Or Vedic
ceremonials??? Did he ever see the tree below??

Mr. Whitney goes on to say:

Mr. D W Whitney wrote: “The so called vedic

astronomical manual (Vedanga Jyotisha) whose
first object seemingly ought to be to give rules on
such points (as amavasya etc) is mostly filled with
un-intelligible rubbish, and leaves us in the lurch
as regards valuable information.”

“Unintelligible rubbish...” - eloquently speaks about

his intellectual level. We should allow Mr Whitney

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Vishuvat-Chalana PIDAPARTY Purna Satya HARIPRASAD

to remain in the lurch which he very richly

deserves.
*****

Mr. John Bentley had to say about our Yuga

system “…….The means were adopted by
Brahmins for completely doing away their ancient
history and introducing the periods now in use by
which they threw back creation to the immense
distance of 1,972,947,101 before Christian Era,
with a view, no doubt to arrogate themselves that
they were the most ancient people on the face of
the Earth”

Ref: History of Oriental Astronomy,

Proceedings of an International Astronomical Union
Colloquium No 91, New Delhi, November 1985

In INDIA???,
National Capital Region, New Delhi???
As recently as in 1985???

Did we honour Mr. John Bentley with Bharat

Ratna???

Probably there was a standing ovation for the

eloquent testimony Mr. John Bentley gave India
and Indians.

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