The Siddhāntasundara of Jñānarāja: An English Translation with Commentary

14 Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy: Section 8 Shadows of Stars, Constellations, Polestars, and So On

14. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy Section 8: Shadows of Stars, Constellations , Polestars, and So On This section of the Siddhāntasundara deals with a broad content . Among other things, longitudes and latitudes of constellations and stars are given. As has been noted in the Introduction (see page 26), verses 14–23 of this section occur again in some manuscripts as a separate section between the present sections 10 and 11. In this translation, the verses are kept in section 8. (1) The shadow from a planet or a star [can], like the shadow of the sun, [be found] by means of the sines of the corrected declination, ascensional difference, and so on. In that case, the lapsed ghat .ikās are [measured] from the rising of the planet and the remaining ghat .ikās [i.e., those left until] the setting [of the planet]. The shadow thrown by a gnomon due to the light of the sun has already been utilized in the Siddhāntasundara. Jñānara ̄ja here tells his readers that one can similarly make use of the light from a planet or a star. Theoretically this is true, of course, but the practical use is rather doubtful. (2) When the ascensional difference is computed by means of the mean or the true declination [of the given planet], their [?] difference or sum [is found] according to whether they have the same or different directions. The rising point [of the planet is found] from [the resulting] prān . as and the planet corrected for visibility and for precession, in regular order or inverse order according to whether [the planet’s] latitude is to the south 302 14. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy, Section 8 303 or to the north. The rising and setting points of the planet [are found] by means of the ghat .ikās [corresponding to] the distance between the [planet] and the sun. The ideas expressed in the verse are not entirely clear. For example, the first part appears to refer to the difference between the mean and the true declination, though this makes little sense. A prān . a is a unit of time given by 1 360 of a ghat .ikā. (3) A planet rises, during the day or at night, by means of the vighat .ikās produced from the difference between six zodiacal signs and [the longitude of] the sun. The lapsed ghat .ikās of the planet increased by the [result] at night or by day are lapsed. (4–9) The polar longitudes of the naks .atras are in order: 8, 20, 38, 50, 63, 67, 93, 106, 108, 127, 147, 155, 180, 183, 199, 212, 224, 228 [or?] 229, 241, 254, 260, 278, 290, 320, 326, 337, and 0. When the time [degrees] are diminished by the degrees of precession they are said to be the polar longitudes . The polar latitudes [of the naks .atras] are: For [the one shaped like] the head of a horse, [that is, Aśvinı̄,] it is 10; for the one shaped like a triangle, [that is, Bharan .ı̄,] it is 12; for the one shaped like a blade, [that is, Kr .ttikā,] it is 2;30; for the one shaped like a cart, [that is, Rohin . ı̄,] as well as for the one shaped like [the head of] a deer, [that is Mr .gaśiras,] it is 10; for the star of Śiva, [that is, Ārdrā,] it is 11; for the one shaped like an uneven quadrilateral, [that is, Punarvasu,] it is 6; for the star Pus .ya, which is lusterless, it is 0; for the one shaped like a serpent, [that is, Āśles .a,] it is 7; for the one of uneven lines, [that is, Maghā,] it is 0; for the constant pair, [that is, Pūrvaphālgunı̄ and Uttaraphālgunı̄,] it is 12 and 11; for the one shaped like a hand, [that is, Hasta,] it is 11; for the one shaped like a pearl, [that is, Citrā,] it is 1;45; for the one shaped like a new leaf, [that is, Svāti,] 304 14. Chapter on Mathematical Astronomy, Section 8 it is 37; for [the one shaped like] an arched gateway, [that is, Viśākhā,] it is 1;20; for the one shaped like an oblation, [that is, Anurādhā,] it is 1;45; for [the one shaped like...