Siddhāntasundara of Jñānarāja

An English Translation with Commentary

Inbunden, Engelska, 2014

AvToke Lindegaard Knudsen,Toke Lindegaard, Knudsen

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A treasure for anyone interested in early modern India and the history of mathematics, this first English translation of the Siddhantasundara reveals the fascinating work of the scholar-astronomer Jnanaraja (circa 1500 C.E.). Toke Lindegaard Knudsen begins with an introduction to the traditions of ancient Hindu astronomy and describes what is known of Jnanaraja's life and family. He translates the Sanskrit verses into English and offers expert commentary on the style and substance of Jnanaraja's treatise. The Siddhantasundara contains a comprehensive exposition of the system of Indian astronomy, including how to compute planetary positions and eclipses. It also explores deep, probing questions about the workings of the universe and sacred Hindu traditions. In a philosophical discussion, the treatise seeks a synthesis between the cosmological model used by the Indian astronomical tradition and the cosmology of a class of texts sacred in Hinduism. In his discourse, which includes a discussion of the direction of down and adhesive antipodeans, Jnanaraja rejects certain principles from the astronomical tradition and reinterprets principles from the sacred texts.He also constructs a complex poem on the seasons, many verses of which have two layers of meaning, one describing a season, the other a god's activities in that season. The Siddhantasundara is the last major treatise of Indian astronomy and cosmology to receive serious scholarly attention, Knudsen's careful effort unveils the 500-year-old Sanskrit verses and shows the clever quirkiness of Jnanaraja's writing style, his keen use of mathematics, and his subtle philosophical arguments.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2014-12-15
Mått152 x 229 x 26 mm
Vikt658 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor376
FörlagJohns Hopkins University Press
ISBN9781421414423

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List of FiguresList of TablesPrefaceIntroductionI. 1. Life and times of JnanarajaI.1.1. Brief overview of the SiddhantasundaraI.1.2. Sources on Jnanaraja's date and locationI.1.3. The date of JnanarajaI.1.4. Jnanaraja's familyI.1.5. Parthapura, Jnanaraja's native townI.1.6. The works of JnanarajaI.2. The SiddhantasundaraI.2.1. Indian astronomyI.2.2. Structure of the SiddhantasundaraI.2.3. Jnanaraja's sourcesI.2.4. Special features of the SiddhantasundaraI.2.5. Importance of the SiddhantasundaraI.3. Textual basis of this translation1. Chapter on CosmologySection 1Lexicon of the Worlds2. Chapter on CosmologySection 2Rationale of Planetary Motion3. Chapter on CosmologySection 3Method of Projections4. Chapter on CosmologySection 4Description of the Great Circles5. Chapter on CosmologySection 5Astronomical Instruments6. Chapter on CosmologySection 6Description of the Seasons7. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 1Mean Motion8. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 2True Motion9. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 3Three Questions (on Diurnal Motion)10. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 4Occurrence of Eclipses11. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 5Lunar Eclipses12. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 6Solar Eclipses13. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 7Rising and Setting of Planets14. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 8Shadows of Stars, Constellations, Polestars, and So On15. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 9Elevation of the Moon's Horns16. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 10Conjunctions of Planets17. Chapter on Mathematical AstronomySection 11Occurrence of PatasReferencesIndex

This book is a very important contribution to the history of mathematics. The author deserves compliments for his efforts and expertise. The book also demonstrates the knowledge and wisdom of ancient Indian mathematicians and their mathematical skills. There is an urgent need to preserve original manuscripts in Sanskrit. The reviewer strongly recommends Knudsen's book to all those who are interested in the history of astronomy and mathematics. -- Girish Kumar Ramaiah Zentralblatt Math This is a scholarly yet readily readable work of great merit... In this text the multi-layered complexities have been superbly unpicked with the author's crystal clear writing giving interpretations in a rigorous yet accessible style. The original poetry is often crafted by the translator into a pleasing English verse... This is a fascinating a well written scholarly text which acts as a welcome reminder that the Indian astronomical tradition is of great mathematical value independent of its parallel applications in Indian astrology. -- Kevin J. Davis Mathematical Gazette Opens new doors of research, understanding and challenges for the scholarly community. -- S.L. Singh Mathematical Reviews ... this is an admirable piece of work and a very welcome addition to the English-language literature on Indian astral sciences. Journal for the History of Astronomy