True Ayanamsa

CHANDRAHARI’S AYANAMSA by Sreenadh Malayinkizh.

Introduction Sri Chandrahari has written three books on Ayanamsa.

1) A

small book in English “True Ayanamsa” was published around 1994.

2) The book “Rasichakram” in Malayalam was published in

1996.

3) A detailed book “Hindu Zodiac and Ancient Astronomy”

in English was published in 2003.

While in his ‘Rasichakram’,

he advocated the Zero Ayanamsa year as 238 A.D., with Ayanamsa of 46 minutes more than that of Lahiri, he refined it in his “Hindu Zodiac and Ancient Astronomy,” to the 231 A.D., as zero Ayanamsa year with the value 44 minutes, more than that of the Ayanamsa of Lahiri.

The

aim

of

this

article

is

to

compile

the

ideas

of

Sri

Chandrahari as given in his Malayalam book ‘Rasichakram’ in a systematic manner, keeping the continuity of his mathematical concepts

and

thoughts.

While

describing

the

mathematical

models of Sri Chandrahari on the Ayanamsa, ingrained in Surya Sidhantha,

an

attempt

comprehend

his

insights

has

been

into

made

the

in

this

Rasichakra

article

division.

to In

‘Rasichakram,’ he proposes a Zero Ayanamsa Year 238 A.D., and this places his Ayanamsa value at a level exceeding that of Lahiri by 46 minutes.

Basic Rationale 1: The zodiac was conceptualized considering the revolution of the nodal points Rahu and Sikhi. fact

‘Ra-Si

chakra’

or

Thus, the Rasichakra – is in

Rahu-Sikhi

Chakra.

He

holds

that

rotation of these nodes is in rhythm with the movement of

equinox, if only we care to consider the duration required for precession of 360 degrees.

[25758 years means 1385 Nirayana

revolutions of Rahu-Sikhi. i.e. Nirayana revolution period of Rahu = 6792.977 days]

Theoretically or by intuition, the author gives the following mathematical concept.

Rate of precession of equinox per year

= 360 degrees/25758 = 120 degrees/8586 = 50.31446541 seconds of arc.

He says that, the importance of these numbers can

also be proved, considering the modern values of Nirayana and Sayana years.

For example:

Nirayana Year

= 365.2563625 (Modern value)

Sayana Year

= 365.24219

(Modern value)

The difference between 8586 Sayana and Nirayana years will be -121.684 days. be 119º56’

≈

i.e. precession of equinox in 8586 years will

120º

[This also indicates that the year length used in the old Suryasidhantha

is

slightly

different.

The

year

considered in old Suryasidhantha is 365.25875 days.

length For the

“why” of it refer Rationale 4] Using the above method we can prove that, 25758 Nirayana years are equal to 25759 Sayana years.

Basic Rationale 2: The importance of Yuga numbers is that they can also be taken as precessional seconds to form a pattern. Kaliyuga = 432,000” = 120 x 3600” = 120º We have already found that the time to traverse the arc of 120º would be 8586 Years

This holds good if and only if, this period contains the complete

revolutions

Sikhi.

To

prove

of it,

the he

7

planets

gives

the

and

the

following

nodes table

Rahuand

emphasizes the importance of the number 8586. Complete-revolution & Nirayana-revolution Period -------------------------------------------------------------------Planet In Quarter Yuga In Mahayuga Kalpa Nirayana Rev Period (8586 years) 85860 years) (86546880 yrs) (Modern Value) -------------------------------------------------------------------Sun 8586 85860 86546880 365.2563624 365.2563624 365.2563624 365.2563624 -------------------------------------------------------------------Moon 114784 1147840 1157023263 27.32167486 27.32167486 27.32166204 27.3216615 (27d07h43m11.6s) (27d07h43m11.55s) -------------------------------------------------------------------Mars 4565 45650 46015614 686.9860082 686.9860082 686.9798274 686.97982 -------------------------------------------------------------------Mercury 35649 356498 359350528 87.97136 87.969389 87.9692559 87.969256 -------------------------------------------------------------------Jupiter 724 7238 7296284 4331.6175 4332.8144 4332.5888 4332.589 -------------------------------------------------------------------Saturn 291 2915 2938110 10776.94546 10758.46013 10759.22908 10759.23 -------------------------------------------------------------------Venus 13957 13567 140683961 224.6966488 224.7914787 224.7007998 224.70080 -------------------------------------------------------------------Rahu 461.5 4616 4653263 6795.430 6793.9582 6793.46934 6793.469 -------------------------------------------------------------------Vernal 120 deg 1200 deg Equinox (0.333..) (3.333..) (3360) 432,000” 432,000,0” 432,000,0”x1008 Revolutions Revolutions Revolutions -------------------------------------------------------------------We see that Yuga numbers could actually mean precession seconds. Kaliyuga

Therefore, we can say, = 432,000” = 120 x 3600” = 120º = 8586 Years

Dwaparayuga = 864,000” = 240º precessions

= 17172 years

Tretayuga

= 1,296,000” = 360º precessions = 25758 years

Kritayuga

= 1,728,000” = 480º precessions = 34344 years

Mahayuga = 4,320,000” =1200ºprecessions = 85860 Nirayana years

Manvantara = 86400º precessions Kalpa = 3360º precessions Theoretically, this means that, each Yuga-pada (8586 years) starts and ends on a new moon day and that at the start and end of each Yuga-Pada, a solar eclipse occurs. does not happen.

(However, it

The “why” of this is in rationale 4)

Basic Rationale 3: Kaliyugadi Ayanamsa is 46º40’ [The author depends on the story that the birth of Brahma was in Rohini Nakshatra.

Rohini was also praised as Prajapathi,

i.e., Brahma, in Vedas] Vernal equinox at the beginning of Kaliyugadi = 46º40’ Therefore, Zero Ayanamsa years (elapsed) = 46º40’x (8586/120º) = 3339 years Here a striking similarity attracts our attention. the author draws our attention.

to which

3339 is a Rigvedic number.

Rigveda (3.9.9) says of “3339 Devas who worship Agni.”

If

Agni really means vernal equinox, then this could mean, “The vernal equinox is 3339 years away from zero point.”

After 3339 Kali years the Sayana and Nirayana zodiacs conjoin. Whether we depend on the above calculation or on the Rigvedic statement, we arrive at the same conclusion. Kaliyuga beginning + 3339 = Zero Ayanamsa Year 3102 BC = -3101 AD i.e., - 3101 AD + 3339 = AD 238 i.e., Zero Ayanamsa Year = AD 238. Thus, the definite formula for determining the Ayanamsa of any year would be -

Ayanamsa for the year (Y) = (Y-238) x (120 deg/8586) Degrees. = (Y-238)/71.55 degrees. Here another striking similarity attracts our attention. Number of human heartbeat per minute is 71 or 72.

The

It might be

possible that 71.55 is the actual value of the heartbeat for a human being.

If so, we could also prove that the rhythm of

the universe and the biological clock in humans are mutually related.

The biological clock, circadian rhythm etc., come

into consideration. Thus the author points out.

Example for calculating Ayanamsa for any year: Hari Ayanamsa for 1995 = (1995 - 238)/71.55 = 24.55625437 = 24 deg 33 min 22.

52 sec

Chaitrapaksha Lahiri Ayanamsa for 1995 = 23 deg 47 min 30 sec Difference = Hari Ayanamsa minus Lahiri Ayanamsa = 46 minutes. i.e., Hari Ayanamsa is 46 minutes more than that of Lahiri. If we subtract 46 minutes from the sputa arrived at by using Lahiri ephemeris, we can get the sputa based on Hari Ayanamsa. Sri Chandrahari does not stop here.

He proves how the zodiac

was divided into Rasis or Signs and Nakshatras or Stars, based on the fiducial star Moola (240º), 108 divisions of Nakshatras (3º20’each)

and

the

above-said

equinox at Kaliyugadi (46º40’).

actual

position

of

vernal

For this, two new ideas are

introduced and the author dives deep into old Suryasidhantha to prove them.

Basic Rationale 4:

(i) Zodiac is considered and presented as a mathematical model in old Suryasidhantha, trying to comprehend the perfect rhythm of the universe. (ii) Even though the creator of Suryasidhantha (Mayan) knew about

the

actual

Kaliyugadi

vernal

Ayanamsa

equinox

was

at

Kaliyugadi

considered

as

60º

(46º40’), (in

old

Suryasidhantha), for the perfection of this mathematical model.

According to the precession considered in old Suryasidhantha: Precessional Cycle = 21600 years (instead of 25758 years) If we relate this to Yuga years 432000 (Kaliyuga) = 21600 x 20 4,320,000 (Mahayuga) = 21600 x 200 Mahayuga = 200 x 360 deg = 72000 years 120º precession=432000/600=7200 years (instead of 8586 Years) If we divide the number of revolution of planets in a Mahayuga by 600, we can get the number of revolutions of planets per 7200 years. Thus we get Sun = 4,320,000/ 600 = 7200.00 Mars = 296824/600 = 3828.04 Jupiter = 364200/600 = 607.033 Venus = 7022388/600 = 11703.98 Mercury = 17937000/600 = 29895.00 Rahu = 232226/600 = 387.0433 The results are very near to whole numbers.

That means in

7200 years the mean values for planets complete, whole number of

revolutions.

If

we

consider

little

bigger

period,

for

example take, 7200 x 25 = 4320000/24 = 180000 years, we can prove that it contains whole number of revolutions.

The author says, “As the old Surya Sidhantha takes all the revolution numbers of planets in whole numbers and multiples of 24, in 180000 years, the mean positions of planets conjunct at zero-point.

This is the basic concept of Vedic astronomy.

Suryasidhantha relates the imaginary mean positions of planets at

the

start

of

Yuga

to

the

actual

planetary

positions

occurring after 3600 years” As

Suryasidhantha

takes

4320000

as

a

Mahayuga,

the

precessional Cycle (for 360º) becomes 21600 years. Thus, it necessitates vernal equinox to be at 60 deg in the beginning of Kali-Yuga (Instead of at 46 deg 40 min). In other words Kali-Yugadi

Ayanamsa

should

be

60

deg

(mathematically),

instead of (the real) 46 deg 40 min. If we compare with the actual

data,

one

may

feel

that

it

is

an

error.

But

in

reality, the Precessional Cycle is a mathematical model put forward by the creator of Suryasidhantha. for such a model?

What was the need

All these mathematical exercises were done

to relate the Yugadi Mesha-Sankranti with the new moon day. For this, the Mesha Sankranti at the beginning of Yuga was considered to happen, 9 days and 37 Ghatis ahead.

(9º37’)

For that only Nirayana year with length 365.25875 was chosen. It was not because that the author did not know the actual Nirayana

year

length.

The

actual

precession

according

to

Suryasidhantha was 50”.

How can we know that the year length used in Suryasidhantha was

365.25875

days?

According

to

Old

Suryasidhantha

average number of days in a Mahayuga was 1577917800 days. One Mahayuga is 4,320,000 years. Therefore Year Length = 1577917800/4320000 = 365.25875 days

the

[Really I am not able to figure out how he got that “the actual precession considered by Suryasidhantha as 50 sec.”

There

might be a sufficient reason.]

This goes to clinch the first stellar division (first star) to Jyeshta that falls between the line joining the hypothetical Equinox line of old Suryasidhantha (the line joining 60 deg Vernal equinox and 240 deg fiducial star Moola) and the line joining the actual Equinox line at Yugadi (line joining 46 deg 40 min and 226 deg 40 min).

The first rasi division (sign -

Cancer) falls between the line joining the hypothetical Sayana Rahu-Sikhi

(line

joining

300º

Sayana-Sikhi

/

planetary

conjunction point and 120º Sayana Rahu) and the hypothetical Ecliptic (line joining 330º and 150º) of Old Suryasidhantha. Thus, comes the Zodiac with stars 13º20’ each and Signs with 30 degrees each. It appears as if these facts led Sri Chandrahari to formulate the concepts such as Mooladhara Rahu-Sikhi-chakram and rhythm of the universe.

(music of the stars or biological clock -

whatever be the name)

Some other striking similarities also

have been found by him.

Some of them are:

(i)

Moola is the base of zodiac division - Mooladhara is the

base point from where yoga starts. (ii)

Horoscope is also called Kundalini - In yoga Kundalini

(serpent power) is important. (iii) of

Rahu-Sikhi (Serpents-Kalasarpa) is the underlying factor

Rasichakra

-

Kundalini

in

yoga

is

also

symbolized

as

serpent. (iv) Kalapurusha is a concept in astrology - Sankhya and Yoga also speak about Purusha. (v)

The universe is Rhythmic - The human body also functions

in

rhythm

with

the

universe.

[This

needs

further

clarification.

Prana means 4 seconds.

According to Yoga and

Upanishads, one day of a human means 21600 prana. 21600’

360º x 60 =

We have to consider the importance of the number 71.55]

All these similarities must have prompted him to delve deep into

the

concepts

such

rhythm/Biological-clock

as

etc.

Tantra/Yoga

and

We

appreciate

have

to

Circadianthe

efforts of Sri Chandrahari even though his concepts may be proved correct or not.

Conclusion: In the view of Chandrahari (i)

The

Yuga

Ayanamsa. Old

concept

is

nothing

but

an

innate

theory

of

That is why it was given this much importance by

Suryasidhantha

Varahamihira).

The

Panchasiddhantika

of

(Includes yuga

in

concept

Varaahamihira,

Panchasidhanthika is New

included

of

in

the

Suryasidhantha

of

Aryabhatta I, the Epics and Puranas, and Dharma sasthras like Manusmrithi. (ii)

Rasichakram

forward

by

(Zodiac)

Rishis,

which

is

a

mathematical

postulates

the

model,

existence

put of

a

Sidereal (Nirayana) Zero-point (Meshadi or Aswinyadi), as well as the conjunction of 8 planets at this zero-point in the beginning of every Yuga. (iii) The

Sayana-Nirayana

division

is

deep

seated

in

mythology and the Vedas have ample proof of this. Sayana and Nirayana systems existed in Vedic period.

Hindu

Both the (Mayan

the creator of Suryasidhantha was only a genius compiler of the then prevailing knowledge) At the end, let me mention one more point taken form the book Rasichakram.

In the first hymn of purushasuktha, “sahasra

seersha

purusha

sahasraksha

sahasra

path.....”,

a

purusha

with 1000 heads, 1000 eyes and 1000 legs gets a mention.

As

everybody knows, 1000 heads may need 2000 eyes and 2000 legs for a superhuman form.

It is evident that the meaning of the

word Sahasra as 1000, does not fit well.

(One may escape the

confusion

‘many’)

by

saying

that

Sahasra

sathapatha

Brahmana,

some

scholars

‘circle’.

This is noteworthy.

used in this hymn.

means say

that

Based

Sahasra

on

means

Many astronomical terms are

The following elaboration can clarify the

point.

Seersha Circle (Sahasra seersha purusha) = Prime meridian Aksha Circle (Sahasraksha) = Celestial Equator Patha Circle (Sahasrapath) = Nodal Circle Bhoomi Circle (Sa-Bhoomim) = Horizon Viswa Circle (Viswatho vrithva) = Ecliptic Now, if the interpretation of Sri Chandrahari is right, we may get ample proof for the fact that Vedic Knowledge is really amazing.

Note:

Sri

Chandrahari,

with

true

dedication

towards

astrological research, argues vigorously about the concepts he believes

in.

His

ideas

are

stunning

and

are

capable

of

capturing the attention of those who are sincerely searching the truth of astrology.

The aim of this dissertation is not

to advocate the views of Chandra-Hari.

It is an appreciation

of his mathematical concepts. Sreenadh [email protected]