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 Jñanaraja (circa 1500 C.E.). Toke Lindegaard Knudsen begins with an introduction to the traditions of ancient Hindu astronomy and describes what is known of Jñanarajas life and family. He translates the Sanskrit verses into English and offers expert commentary on the style and substance of Jñanaraja'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, Jñanaraja 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, Knudsens careful effort unveils the 500-year-old Sanskrit verses and shows the clever quirkiness of Jñanaraja's writing style, his keen use of mathematics, and his subtle philosophical arguments.
List of Figures List of Tables Preface Introduction I. 1. Life and times of Jnanaraja I.1.1. Brief overview of the Siddhantasundara I.1.2. Sources on Jnanaraja's date and location I.1.3. The date of Jnanaraja I.1.4. Jnanaraja's family I.1.5. Parthapura, Jnanaraja's native town I.1.6. The works of Jnanaraja I.2. The Siddhantasundara I.2.1. Indian astronomy I.2.2. Structure of the Siddhantasundara I.2.3. Jnanaraja's sources I.2.4. Special features of the Siddhantasundara I.2.5. Importance of the Siddhantasundara I.3. Textual basis of this translation 1. Chapter on Cosmology Section 1 Lexicon of the Worlds 2. Chapter on Cosmology Section 2 Rationale of Planetary Motion 3. Chapter on Cosmology Section 3 Method of Projections 4. Chapter on Cosmology Section 4 Description of the Great Circles 5. Chapter on Cosmology Section 5 Astronomical Instruments 6. Chapter on Cosmology Section 6 Description of the Seasons 7. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 1 Mean Motion 8. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 2 True Motion 9. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 3 Three Questions (on Diurnal Motion) 10. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 4 Occurrence of Eclipses 11. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 5 Lunar Eclipses 12. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 6 Solar Eclipses 13. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 7 Rising and Setting of Planets 14. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 8 Shadows of Stars, Constellations, Polestars, and So On 15. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 9 Elevation of the Moon's Horns 16. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 10 Conjunctions of Planets 17. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 11 Occurrence of Patas References Index
""... this is an admirable piece of work and a very welcome addition to the English-language literature on Indian astral sciences.""
