Jyotirmimamsa

In astronomy, Jyotirmimamsa (analysis of astronomy)[1] is a treatise on the methodology of astronomical studies authored by Nilakantha Somayaji (1444–1544) in around 1504 CE. Nilakantha somayaji was an important astronomer-mathematician of the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics and was the author of the much celebrated astronomical work titled Tantrasamgraha. This book stresses the necessity and importance of astronomical observations to obtain correct parameters for computations and to develop more and more accurate theories. It even discounts the role of revealed wisdom and divine intuitions in studying astronomical phenomena. Jyotirmimamsa is sometimes cited as proof to establish that modern methodologies of scientific investigations were known to ancient and medieval Indians.[2] Neelkantha Somayaji insisted that computational results should tally with that of observations and astronomical parameters and constants should be revised periodically. To come to more precise conclusions, Neelkantha Somayaji have discussions with the astronomer and mathematicians of other schools.

The nature of the astronomical and mathematical work, the divine intuition, the experimental details of the science, corrections to the planetary parameters, reasons for the corrections for the planetary revolutions, Vedic authority for inference in astronomy, relative accuracy of different systems, and correction through eclipses, true motion, position, etc., of planets are some of the topics discussed in Jyotirmimamsa.[3]

  1. ^ Somayaji, Nilakantha (1977). Sarma, K.V. (ed.). Jyotirmimamsa [Investigations on astronomical theories] (1st ed.). Hoshiarpur: Vishveshvaranand Vishva Bandhu Institute of Sanskrit and Indological Studies, Panjab University.
  2. ^ Roddam Narasimha (2009). "The Chequered Histories of Epistemology of Science". In Bharati Ray (ed.). Different types of history. project of History of Science, Philosophy, and Culture in Indian Civilisation. Vol. XIV Part 4. Delhi: Centre for Studies in Civilisation. pp. 96–97.
  3. ^ Gopalakrishnan, N. (2004). Baharatheeya Vijnana / Saastra Dhaara [Handbbok of Ancient Indian Scientific Books] (PDF). Heritage Publication Series. Vol. 78. Thiruvanannthapuram, India: Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage. pp. 18–20. Retrieved 12 January 2010.[permanent dead link]