Epoch of 248 Vararuci Mnemonics of Moon and Other Hitherto

Unknown Signatures of Udayagiri in Indian Astronomy

K. Chandra Hariƒ

Abstract

Astronomical significance of the Udayagiri archaeoastronomical structure of the times of

Candragupta-II Vikramāditya had been the subject of many papers in recent times. Little is
known of Vararuci apart from the sole surviving work Candravākyās (248 mnemonics) for the
computation of Moon. Present work is an attempt to demonstrate that the epoch of the
mnemonics of Vararuci is 20 March 403 CE, date of great observational significance at
Udayagiri passageway. Astronomical features of this date which may be rightly described as
the Vararuci epoch of Indian Astronomy, brings out that the epoch of the 248 Candravākyas of
Vararuci is 20 March 403 CE when the apogee of the Moon was 900. Moon had a declination of
24019’ while setting precisely at the due west point. Also, Vararuci’s 248 day scheme of Moon’s
anomalistic computation is shown to have disticnt differences with the Babilonian anomalistic
methods. Decrement of 10 in the maximum velocity of the Vararuci scheme (as compared to
Babylonian data) is shown to be a signature of the 20 March 403 CE epoch where in the first
anomalistic cycle had apogee coinciding with the quadratures of Moon leading to reduced
eccentricity and lesser speed in the cycle. Planetary positions of the epochs 402 and 403 CE
have been presented to demonstrate that the observations at these epochs may have laid the
foundation stone for the emergence of Siddhāntic astronomy in India.

Special attention is drawn to the possible observation of Moon during the years 402 and 403
CE at Udayagiri which may have led the indegenous value of 40.5 for the maximum latitude of
Moon. Epoch Kali 3503(elapsed) had given integral number of revolutions for Moon with the
coincidence of vernal equinox and new moon while Kali 3504 (elapsed) had given integral
number of revolutions for apogee to pave the way for Siddhāntic mean motions and
astronomical use of the synodic super conjunction on 18 February -3101CE, 06:00 ZT. 16 April
403CE, 23:00 ZT is shown to had a nodal distance close to 900 and thus latitude sufficient to
occult the η-Leonis before conjuncting Regulus longitudinally. Declination of Moon on 20
March 403 CE and 16 April suggest that the setting Moon could be observed on these dates in
alignment with the passageway at Udayagiri.

Discussion render support to the legendary information on Vararuci as the court astronomer of
Vikramāditya.Connection of the only surviving work of Vararuci, viz. the Gīrnaśreyādi Vākyas
with the Udayagiri epoch of 402 CE and the period of Candragupta-II Vikramāditya renders a
reliable and convincing identity for Vikramāditya and fixes the date of Vararuci to be the
junction period of 4th-5th century CE.

ƒ
K. Chandra Hari, Institute of Reservoir Studies, ONGC, Ahmedabad-5.
1
I. Introduction
Vararuci, the legendary astronomer reputed to have authored the gīrnaśreyādi Candra-vākyas
(alpha-numeric expression of the 248 daily velocities of the anomalistic cycle of moon) and the
propounder of the Katapayādi alpha-numeric notation is believed to have lived in the 4th century
CE. Little else is known of the astronomer regarding his date, place and works except for the
Candravākyas and the Yogyādi Sūryavākyas. Present work attempts to explore the indigenous
anomalistic computational method of Vararuci with a view to understand the computational
model and if possible to glean the epoch of its origin as well as the indigenous character of the
method.
Vararuci’s son Melattol Agnihotri according to Keralolpatti had performed the first Agnihotram
(Vedic sacrifice) for the Kalidina of “Ya-jna-sthā-nam-sam-ra-ksyam” i.e. 1270701 days which
corresponds to 14 February 378, 06:00 ZT, expired day 13th February was Māgha amāvāsya of
the amānta reckoning. This date adds credence to the legends which place Vararuci in 4th
century CE, nearly 100 years before Āryabhata. Vararuci’s method of computation as seen in
the only surviving work Candravākyas resembles Babylonian methods of Seleucid Era but this
resemblance does not rule out the possibility of originality in adapting the Babylonian method
to the later times when Vararuci lived.

Candravākyas of Vararuci
Mnemonics of Vararuci1 or the alpha-numeric or katapayādi expressions of the 248 day cycle of
anomaly represent the true motion of moon in 9 anomalistic cycles of 27 days and 13h18m34s.45
i.e. 27.5545654 days. True moon is computed by successively eliminating khandas (epochs)
where the moon had a precise apogee conjunction. Original Kalikhanda used by Vararuci is lost
with the passage of time and successive revision of methods with larger Kalikhandas where the
apogee conjunction served the method better. Major steps involved are:
1. Kalidinam - Kalikhandam or Kalidays for the epoch at which true moon is known.
Corresponding longitude of moon is called Khanda-dhruvam (k0)
2. From the balance days, cycles of 12372 is removed. (Let r represent the cycles of 12372
and k1 the respective longitudinal arc.
3. From the balance less than 12372, cycles of 3031 days are removed. (Let s be the cycles
of 3031 days and k2 the respective longitudinal arc).
4. From the rest 248 days are removed i.e. t cycles of 248 days with arc =k3
5. True longitude of moon2 = k0 + r*k1+s*k2 + Vākya

2
Original epoch of Vararuci, viz., Kalikhandam and k0 are lost now. Kunhan Raja edition of the
Candravākyas make use of the Kalikhandam of 1741650 as indicated using the alpha-numeric
expression ‘amitayavotsuka’ in the method outlined to find out the Vākya for a particular day
from the Kalidina (Kali-day count). Epoch of 1741650 correspond to Saturday,16 July 1667
CE, 06:00 ZT for which tropical longitude of moon was 56014’. Ayānāmśa of the Kerala
tradition was 19005’ and so the sidereal longitude was 37009’. Text edited and published by
Raja gives the position of moon as ‘kaulatabhūpālatanaya’ and yields the numeric value k0 as
36031’41.5”. Also, Raja gives other values as shown in Table-1 below:
Table-1: Revised 17th century Elements of Vararuci’s Moon Computational Model

Symbol Days Signs Deg. Min. Sec. Sec./60 Value in Decimals

k0 1741650 1 6 31 41 31 36.529491
k1 12372 9 27 48 9 44 297.804537
k2 3031 11 7 31 10 16 337.520185
k3 248 0 27 43 28 39 27.726250

Theory Underlying the Anomalistic Model

Theory underlying the methods Indian (Pancasiddhantika) and Babylonian meet with
elaboration in the work of Jones 3 . Moon has its minimum velocity at the apogee and this
minimum velocity undergoes variation with respect to a mean velocity (µ) of 13010’35”in a
cycle of 27.55 days because of the major inequality of around 6 degrees. Maximum and
minimum velocities as found in Babylonian System B tablets were 15016’05”and 11005’05”.
Recurrence of the daily velocities demanded an integral number of days constituted of
anomalistic cycles and the basic relations employed were –
9 Anomalistic cycles = 248 days
110 Anomalistic cycles = 3031 days
449 Anomalistic cycles = 12372 days
The Vararuci technique that has survived after its revision in the 16th century4 has incorporated
the elements of Āryabhatīya as may be understood from the method prescribed for computing
the samkrama based on the Śaka Years. But the mnemonics of moon’s 248 daily velocities have
survived and those shall be the focus of the present study.
248 values of the 9 anomalistic cycles have been given in Appendix-I.

Gīrnaśreyādi Vākyas and Babylonian 248 Day Scheme

Table-2 summarizes the important features of the Vararuci and Babylon schemes in contrast to
the typical modern astronomical values.
3
 Table-2: Characteristics of the 248 Day Schmes

Modern Vararuci Babylon ACT 190

Description
Deg Min. Sec. Deg. Min. Sec Deg. Min Sec
Minimum 11 49 20 11 57 0 11 6 35
Maximum 15 16 52 14 19 0 15 14 35
Average 13 10 39 13 10 33 13 10 35
Step -- -- -- -- -- -- 0 18
Period -- 248 Days 248 Days

A comparison of the Vararuci Vakyas with the Babylonian5 Moon motions (δλ) of the 248 day
scheme is presented in Table-2 for the initial 10 days. Contrast of the complete spectrum of
velocities is shown in plot.1. While the Babylonian scheme begins at a minimum velocity
11:07:10 and advances in 18’ steps, the scheme of Vararuci is anchored on the minimum value
of 12:03 which has more observational content as may be noted from the numerical values and
the plot. Minimum and maximum velocities of the Vararuci scheme differ by nearly 10 from the
phenomena recorded in Babylonian 248 day scheme.

Table-3: Example Data of Vararuci and Babylonian 248 Day Shemes

Cumulative Arc Daily Motion

Day Vararuci Babylon Vararuci Babylon
No:
R D M R D M S R D M R D M
1 0 12 3 0 11 7 10 12 3 0 11 7 10
2 0 24 9 0 22 32 20 12 6 0 11 25 10
3 1 6 22 1 4 15 30 12 13 0 11 43 10
4 1 18 44 1 16 16 40 12 22 0 12 1 10
5 2 1 19 1 28 35 50 12 35 0 12 19 10
6 2 14 9 2 11 13 0 12 50 0 12 37 10
7 2 27 3 2 24 8 10 12 54 0 12 55 10
8 3 10 33 3 7 21 20 13 30 0 13 13 10
9 3 24 9 3 20 52 30 13 36 0 13 31 10
10 4 7 58 4 4 41 40 13 49 0 13 49 10

This deviation of the Vararuci scheme rules out any borrowing of the scheme from Babylon
sources albeit the possibility exists that Vararuci may owe the idea of a 248 day scheme from
some older Siddhanta of his times indebted to Babylonian sources.

Mean velocity in both the schemes are very close (viz., 13010’35” for Babylonian and
13010’33” for the Vararuci scheme) as may be understood from the symmetry of the plot.

4
 Plot-1: Contrast of Vararuci and Babylon Schemes
16

15
Moon Motion per day

14

V
13 B

12

11

10
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Day Number

Inference Possible on the Vararuci Scheme

Velocity profile of the Vararuci scheme is distinctly different from the Babylonian as may be
noted from the difference in the minimum and maximum values of the function. When
contrasted with the modern data also Vararuci’s maximum velocity is less by nearly a degree
while Babylonian observational data is close to modern maximum velocity of moon. This
distinctly different signature of Vararuci scheme has to find an explanation either as am ancient
approximation/error or as contributed by identifiable astronomical factors.
1. Discrepancy in the Vararuci’s maximum lunar velocities shows that the velocity profile
did not undergo serious observational verifications during the one-and-a-half millennium
existence of the technique in India as an expeditious technique to compute true moon.
May be the emergence of the Siddhāntas giving better accuracy to moon lessened the
importance of the 248 day scheme.
2. If we consider that the Indian method was an approximation based on theoretical and
arithmetical methods, then Vararuci could have obtained maximum and minimum
velocity symmetrical to the avaerage value. Equation of centre or the first anomaly of
moon in Indian astronomy had been ≈ 50 and by halving it Vararuci could have fixed the
amplitude as 2.5 degrees in deciding the maximum and minimum velocities of moon.
3. How could Vararuci miss nearly 1 degree of motion in the daily velocity of moon despite
the much discussed Indian access to Babylonian and Greek source materials on
astronomy?
5
 4. What is the source of the strange originality that we see in Vararuci Vākyas?
Little information has survived about the date and works of Vararuci with the passage of time
and so we are left with no information to understand the mind of the astronomer or the
phenomena that inspired him to author the strange 248 day scheme. We are only aware of the
legends that Vararuci was the court astronomer of Candragupta-II, Vikramāditya and one
among the famed Navaratnas along with Kālidas. This single streak of legendary information
when examined against the astronomical epoch of Udayagiri viz., 20 March 402 CE when the
vernal equinox coincided with new moon and the lunar phenomena around the subsequent
yearly epoch of 20 March 403 CE, we meet with illuminating details on the scheme of Vararuci.

Gīrnaśreyādi Vākyas and Udayagiri Epoch

The significance of the epoch 20 March 402 CE to the Indian Siddhāntic astronomy and the
observational aspects of the passageway at Udayagiri have been the subject of the two earlier
works by the present author6,7. Present work is a sequel that identifies the epoch of 20 March
403 CE as the Indian astronomical epoch of Vararuci based on the epochal signatures that can
be deciphered in the Gīrnaśreyādi Candravākyas. Appendix-1 presents the contrast of the 248
day velocities of moon in contrast to the modern astronomical velocities for the 248 days
considered from 06:00 ZT on 20 March 403 CE. Plot-2 presents the difference between
Vararuci and modern true daily motions of moon (Modern values – Vararuci values) against the
Day Number from 20 March 402 CE for 248 days.
Vararuci’s 248 lunar velocities can be explained scientifically, by considering the peculiarities
of the Indian tradition of observation and verification of luni solar parameters through eclipse
observations.

Modern - Vararuci Daily Motion of Moon

1.5

1.0

0.5
Difference

0.0
0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240

-0.5

-1.0

-1.5
Day Number from 20 March 403 CE

6
Eclipse oriented parameters were precise only at syzygies and at quadratures and octants the 2nd
and 3rd anomaly alters the equation of centre as: λ = L + 060.288*sin A + 10.274*sin (2D-
A)+0.658*sin 2D, where λ is the true longitude of moon, L mean longitude, A anomaly and D is
the elongation . Plot-3 presents the impact of evection and variation along with the velocity
differences (Modern – Vararuci). It is apparent from the plot that the difference of Vararuci’s
lunar motions with the modern values is due to lack of the 2nd and the 3rd inequalities. Evection
had a negative maximum of 1.27 and the Variation had been almost nil on the 6th day when
moon was at syzygy and as moon moved away from syzygy to last quarter and the difference
M-V became zero at the last quarter. At new moon again evection got cancelled out as Vararuci
equation of centre was the sum of first and second anomalies at syzygies. Interplay of evection
and variation as well as observational errors possible during ancient times explains the 248
lunar motions given by Vararuci.

Plot-3: 2nd and 3rd Inequalities of Moon

1.5

1.0

0.5
Inequalities

0.0
0 50 100 150 200 250

-0.5

-1.0 Evection
Variation
M-V
-1.5
Day Number from 20 March 403 CE

Signature of the 403 CE Epoch.

What is unique in Vararuci’s data is the decrement nearing 10 in the maximum velocity of moon
as compared to modern as well as Babylonian data as shown in Table-3 above. Moon attains
maximum velocity at perigee and the data relevant to maximum velocities of moon are shown
in Table-4:

7
 Anomaly Moon at Velocity Tithi
Julian Date (ZT) Date and ZT Sun λ
Cycle Perigee λ Modern Vararuci
1 1868341.34251 403/03/29 23:45 9.216913 254.5667 14.215 14.32 21
2 1868368.37102 403/04/26 00:26 35.32337 250.7341 14.626 14.32 18
3 1868396.42163 403/05/24 01:39 62.14091 260.6418 15.029 14.32 17
4 1868424.75502 403/06/21 09:39 89.12785 274.265 15.275 14.30 16
5 1868453.16267 403/07/19 19:26 116.2907 288.8807 15.291 14.32 15
6 1868481.50065 403/08/17 03:33 143.6796 302.6246 15.059 14.32 14
7 1868509.50192 403/09/14 03:34 171.1584 311.9266 14.638 14.32 12
8 1868535.95882 403/10/10 14:32 197.5384 300.159 14.224 14.32 9
9 1868561.11824 403/11/04 18:22 222.952 270.4726 14.426 -- 4
In anomaly cycle 1, moon had been close to the first quarter at apogee and the perigee on 29
March 23:45 ZT. Maximum velocity of the moon in the cycle at perigee had been 14°13' only
(30.03.403CE, 06:00 ZT) in complete agreement with Vararuci. Perigee had the longitude of
254.57 degrees with 21st tithi i.e. moon moving away from syzygies to last quarter. Apogee at
the first quarter meant that the major axis of moon’s orbit was perpendicular to the direction of
sun and less eccentricity for the moon’s orbit leading to a decrement in moon’s maximum
velocity at perigee. In the first and last cycles Vararuci scheme has the maximum velocity close
to the modern values in view of the above cited reason viz. the line of apsides perpendicular to
the direction of sun.
On the other hand, in the 5th cycle, the lunar phase was full moon in conjunction with perigee
leading to a stretch out of the ellipse by solar graviation and thus increased eccentricity giving
rise to a high value of velocity at the perigee. 3rd, 4th and 6th cycles show the same effect to a
lesser degree. Plot-4 is illustrative of the different cycles and tithis of perigee that decided the
velocity contribution from evection.

Plot-4: Moon Motion at Perigee vs. Tithi

16.0
Velocity of Moon per Day

15.5
5 4
15.0 6 3

7 2
14.5
9 1
8
14.0

13.5

13.0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22

Tithi

8
It becomes therefore apparent that the Vararuci mnemonics are not strictly based on continuous
observations for the 9 anomalistic cycles or 248 days. Apogee conjunction on 17 March 403,
08:33 ZT had been at a longitude of 880.674 i.e. first quarter Moon conjunction with the apogee
where the contribution from evection negatively contributed to make the first inequality
060.288*Sin A as 50.10*Sin A. This was true only for the 1st anomalistic cycle but Vararuci and
Indian astronomy till the days of Vateśvara and Lalla had this deficiency in computing the
moon.

Evidence of Siddhāntic Apogee and Kali 3504 (Elapsed)

Another striking aspect of the epoch is that the apogee of the moon was at 900, the position that
the Siddhāntas ascribe to apogee. Therefore the epoch of 403 must have an integral number of
revolutions upto 403 CE or Kali 3504 (elapsed). We can see that 4320000:488219:: 3504:396
i.e. we get the orbital period of apogee as 8.8485 years. It is apparent from the above that the
epoch of 20 March 403 CE had played a critical role in the fixing of the apogee of moon with
reference to the Kaliyugādi. Observational aspects of the setting Moon on this date at Udayagiri
presents to us some interesting features as may be noted in table-5 below:

Table-5: Moonset at Udayagiri on 20 March 403 CE

20 March 403 CE Topocentric

Azimuth Altitude
Time: ZT Declination
2:15 291.76 11.88 24.50
2:25 292.54 9.80 24.47
2:35 293.34 7.74 24.44
2:45 294.18 5.69 24.41
2:55 295.05 3.66 24.38
3:05 295.94 1.64 24.35
3:15 296.87 -0.36 24.33

On 20 March 403 CE, the setting moon had a declination less than 24030’ and azimuth around
2940 to suggest that Moon did set at the same point as the set point of the sun on summer
solstice. This in turn suggests the possibility of lunar alignments for the archaeoastronomy
structure at Udayagiri.

Moon’s latitude at the time was around 50 and given the inaccuracy of ancient measurements, it
can be inferred that the siddhāntic value of β = 4.50 also had its genesis in the Udayagiri
observations of 20 March 403 CE. As the moon had been approaching the 900 latitudinal limit
from the node (460.5), observation during 20-21 March were best suited to fix the latitude of
moon. It is apparent that the epochs 402 CE and 403 had great opportunities for observation of

9
planets with respect to vernal point. Salient features of the 402 CE epoch has undergone
discussion in a previous work and the features discussed as above of Vararuci Vākyas and
apogee of moon suggest that planetray observations have continued there subsequently. Table-6
presents the planetary positions at the two observational epochs at which the Siddhāntic
astronomy probably took shape:
Table-6: Planetary Positions 402 – 403 CE, 20 March 06:00 ZT, at 23N31, 75E45:
Grahas 20 March 402 CE 20 March 403 CE
Longitude λ Latitude β Longitude λ Latitude β
Sun 359.96 0.00 359.72 0.00
Moon 1.33 (-) 04°35' 123.33 04°58'
Mars 123.10 03°10' 358.79 (-) 00°41'
Mercury 333.93 (-) 02°21' 343.81 (-) 02°14'
Jupiter 115.42 01°00' 147.65 01°33'
Venus 41.83 01°49' 349.44 (-) 01°27'
Saturn 301.40 (-) 00°42' 312.35 (-) 01°08'
Moon-Node 66.10 -- 45.50 --
Moon-Apogee 53.00 -- 90.00 --
It may be noted:
1. At the time of vernal equinox we find that in 403 CE, the apogee of Moon was at 900.
We find a period relation 4320000:488219:: 3504:396 here. Latitude of Moon was
respectively (-) 04035’ and (+) 04058’ in the successive epochs and this has led to the
sidddhāntic maximum latitude of 040.5, subject to the errors possible with the Indian
observations. Moon had set due east on 20 March 403 CE at Udayagiri where the
passageway aligned to observe such horizon phenomena.
In the subsequent lunation, on 16 April 403 CE, Moon’s maximum latitude could be
observed against the occultation of η-Leonis and longitudinal conjunction of setting
Moon with the ecliptic star Regulus. Moon’s longitudinal conjunction at 23:11 ZT had a
longitude of 127047’ and latitude 05012’. η-Leonis had an ecliptic longitude of 1250.64
and latitude of 04028’ and it can be inferred that the occultation of η-Leonis and
conjunction with Regulus had enabled the astronomers at Udayagiri to fix the latitude of
Moon as 40.5 instead of the Greek value of 50 that may have been available to them. It
may be noted that the Ascending Node was at 47026’ and hence for any astronomer
interested in watching the latitude of Moon against an ecliptic reference star would have
chosen the Regulus conjunction of Moon having a nodal distance of 900. Moon-Jupiter
conjunction on 21 March 403 CE also had the nodal distance required to watch the
maximum latitude of Moon.

10
 Declination of Moon on 20 March 403CE and 16 April 403 CE had been suitable for
observing the setting moon aligned with the direction of the passageway at Udayagiri.
2. 20 March 402 CE epoch had the period relations 4320000:57753336::3503:46831 for the
sidereal revolutions and 4320000:53433336::3503: 43328 for the synodic revolutions.
3. Mars was heliacally set and thus 3504 elapsed years had an integral number of synodic
and sidereal revolutions of Mars. 4320000: 2296824::3504:1863.
4. Mercury and Venus were also set heliacally to yield the relations:
4320000:17937020::3504:14549 and 4320000:7022388:: 3504:5696.
5. In the case of Jupiter, approach to opposition could have enabled the astronomers to
4320000:364224:: 3504:295.5 or to fix the period with their arithmetical and algebraic
techniques.
6. Saturn was heliacally set on 25 January 403 CE and heliacally rose on 20 March 403 CE
at 03:41 ZT with an elongation of ≈ 480 and with continued observations from 20 March
402 to 403 CE, Indian astronomers led by Vararuci could have easily worked out the
Siddhāntic model of computations.
7. Latitude of Jupiter strikes our attention with the maximum of apparent latitude 10.5 on
20 March 403 CE. The following orbital elements in contrast to that of Āryabhatīya is
striking by their closeness to modern values and those of later Siddhāntas like
Āryabhatīya8.
Table-7: Siddhāntic and Modern Elements
Date Modern values Āryabhata 500 CE
0
403/03/20 06 i Node0 Apogee0 0
i Node0 Apogee0
Mars 1.863 37.22 126.73 1.5 40 118
Mercury 6.971 29.43 232.68 2 20 210
Jupiter 1.393 84.31 169.30 1 80 180
Venus 3.378 62.40 289.08 2 60 90
Saturn 2.544 99.60 241.61 2 100 236
It may be noted that the Siddhāntic values of the Ascending Node were more accurate at the
epoch 20 March 403 CE and the maximum latitude given for planets (Jupiter 10, Mercury 20
etc) were the results of observations during 402-03 CE.
Conclusions
Examination of the Gīrnaśreyādi vākyas of Vararuci against the backdrop of the astronomical
epoch of Udayagiri viz 20 March 402 CE suggests that the 248 day scheme of computation of
true Moon had an indegenous origin and the epoch of its derivation may be identified as 20
March 403 CE. 9 Anomalistic cycles have been examined and the distinct features of the
Vararuci scheme in contrast to the Babylonian scheme as well as the Moon velocities from
modern algorithms have been explained as due to the use of only one inequality of Moon by the
Indian astronomer. Perturbation of the longitudes because of evection has been shown to be the
cause of the 10 decrement in the maximum velocity of Moon in the 248 day scheme of Vararuci.

11
Conjunction of the first quarter phase with apogee at 900 can be identified as an epochal
signature of Udayagiri epoch of Kali 3504 in the Moon motions of Vararuci.
20 March 403 CE or the expiry of the Kali year 3504 had been remarkable also for the
observation of Moon at Udayagiri because of its setting at the same place as that of the setting
point of the summer solstice Sun. Solar alignment of the Udayagiri structure may also had lunar
alignment and provisions to observe Moon accurately. Moon had been at the maximum latitude
at the above epoch and in subsequent lunations offered observation against the ecliptic star
Regulus and Jupiter so that latitude can be observed and measured with somekind of ancient
astronomical artefacts.
Planetary conjunctions significant to the context of the Siddhāntic computational models have
been discussed with reference to the epochs of 20 March 402 and 403 CE – suggesting that
observations have been carried through out the year to fix the integral number of revolutions or
mean motions of planets indegenously rather than borrowing the same from Greek or
Babylonian sources.
References
1
Vararuci-Candravakyas, C. Kunhjan Raja, Adyar, Numerical values of the 248 gīrnaśreyādi
vākyas in contrast to the corresponding modern values is given in Appendix-I.
2
Raja, Kunhan, C., Candravākyas of Vararuci, Pamphlet of Adyar Library, Madras. p.7: The
verse quoted by Raja is –
+ʨÉiɪɴÉÉäiä ºÉÖEò½þÒxÉÆ tÖMÉhÉÆ ®úºÉMÉèÊ®úEèò& EÖò±ÉÒxÉÉRÂóMÉè&*
näù´Éäxpèù®úÊ{É ½þi´ÉÉ iÉÎSUô¹]Æõ ¦É´ÉÊiÉ ´ÉÉCªÉºÉÆJªÉäxnùÉ&ä **
“Kalidina reduced by the Kalikhandam1741650 represents the epoch for which Vākya
computation is based. Days since the Kali epoch of 1741650, devoid of cycles of 12372 and
3031 represents the Vākya of moon for the day”
3
Jones, Alexander, The Development and Transmission of 248-day schemes for lunar motion in
ancient astronomy. Archive for History of Exact Sciences 29 (1983) 1-36.
4
The Kalikhandam employed in finding the particular vakya for a Kalidinam makes use of the
apogee conjunction on
5
Neugebauer, O., Astronomical Cuneiform Texts – III, Springer Verlag, New York, (1983),
p.131
6
Hari, Chandra, K., Astronomical Alignment of Iron Pillar and Passageway at Udayagiri and Date
of Sanakanika Inscription, Under submission.
7
Hari, Chandra, K., 20 March 402 CE at Udayagiri: Candra Gupta-Vikramāditya Epoch of Indian
Astronomy, Under submission
8
Shukla, KS., Sarma, KV., Āryabhatīya, Indian National Science Academy, N. Delhi (1976),
pp.18-20

Appendix –I

12
 Vararuci Velocities & Modern Cumulative Speeds of Anomalistic Cycle
Day Day Day
Modern Vararuci Diff: Modern Vararuci Diff: Modern Vararuci Diff:
No. No. No.
1 12.12 12.05 0.07 43 13.86 14.28 -0.42 85 12.10 12.13 -0.03
2 12.35 12.10 0.25 44 13.60 14.17 -0.56 86 12.30 12.27 0.04
3 12.64 12.22 0.42 45 13.35 14.03 -0.68 87 12.57 12.45 0.12
4 12.94 12.37 0.58 46 13.10 13.85 -0.75 88 12.91 12.65 0.26
5 13.25 12.58 0.67 47 12.86 13.62 -0.75 89 13.31 12.90 0.41
6 13.53 12.83 0.70 48 12.64 13.37 -0.73 90 13.75 13.17 0.59
7 13.78 12.90 0.88 49 12.43 13.10 -0.67 91 14.21 13.42 0.79
8 13.96 13.50 0.46 50 12.25 12.85 -0.60 92 14.64 13.67 0.97
9 14.10 13.60 0.50 51 12.09 12.60 -0.51 93 14.99 13.90 1.09
10 14.18 13.82 0.36 52 11.96 12.40 -0.44 94 15.21 14.07 1.15
11 14.21 14.00 0.21 53 11.87 12.23 -0.36 95 15.27 14.20 1.07
12 14.21 14.17 0.04 54 11.84 12.10 -0.26 96 15.14 14.30 0.84
13 14.17 14.28 -0.11 55 11.86 12.05 -0.19 97 14.86 14.32 0.54
14 14.11 14.32 -0.21 56 11.94 12.05 -0.11 98 14.46 14.28 0.18
15 14.01 14.30 -0.29 57 12.10 12.10 0.00 99 14.01 14.18 -0.18
16 13.88 14.22 -0.34 58 12.33 12.20 0.13 100 13.54 14.07 -0.53
17 13.71 14.12 -0.41 59 12.63 12.35 0.28 101 13.11 13.85 -0.74
18 13.50 13.92 -0.42 60 13.00 12.57 0.43 102 12.73 13.65 -0.92
19 13.26 13.73 -0.48 61 13.41 12.78 0.63 103 12.42 13.38 -0.96
20 12.99 13.47 -0.47 62 13.84 13.05 0.79 104 12.19 13.13 -0.95
21 12.72 13.22 -0.49 63 14.25 13.32 0.94 105 12.02 12.88 -0.86
22 12.46 12.97 -0.50 64 14.61 13.55 1.06 106 11.91 12.62 -0.70
23 12.23 12.72 -0.49 65 14.88 13.80 1.08 107 11.85 12.43 -0.58
24 12.04 12.48 -0.44 66 15.01 13.98 1.03 108 11.83 12.23 -0.40
25 11.91 12.30 -0.39 67 15.00 14.17 0.83 109 11.85 12.13 -0.29
26 11.85 12.15 -0.30 68 14.85 14.25 0.60 110 11.88 12.05 -0.17
27 11.86 12.08 -0.23 69 14.59 14.32 0.27 111 11.95 12.03 -0.08
28 11.95 12.03 -0.08 70 14.25 14.30 -0.05 112 12.04 12.08 -0.04
29 12.12 12.07 0.06 71 13.88 14.25 -0.37 113 12.17 12.20 -0.03
30 12.37 12.13 0.23 72 13.50 14.12 -0.61 114 12.35 12.33 0.02
31 12.68 12.28 0.39 73 13.15 13.95 -0.80 115 12.58 12.53 0.04
32 13.03 12.47 0.56 74 12.84 13.75 -0.91 116 12.86 12.77 0.09
33 13.40 12.68 0.72 75 12.57 13.50 -0.93 117 13.21 13.02 0.19
34 13.77 12.93 0.84 76 12.36 13.25 -0.89 118 13.61 13.28 0.32
35 14.10 13.20 0.90 77 12.18 12.98 -0.80 119 14.04 13.53 0.51
36 14.37 13.45 0.92 78 12.05 12.73 -0.69 120 14.48 13.77 0.71
37 14.54 13.70 0.84 79 11.95 12.52 -0.57 121 14.87 13.98 0.88
38 14.62 13.90 0.72 80 11.88 12.32 -0.44 122 15.15 14.13 1.02
39 14.60 14.08 0.52 81 11.84 12.17 -0.33 123 15.28 14.25 1.03
40 14.49 14.22 0.28 82 11.84 12.08 -0.24 124 15.23 14.30 0.93
41 14.32 14.30 0.02 83 11.88 12.03 -0.16 125 14.99 14.30 0.69
42 14.10 14.32 -0.21 84 11.96 12.07 -0.11 126 14.61 14.25 0.36
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 Contd.p2.

Day Day Day

Modern Vararuci Diff: Modern Vararuci Diff: Modern Vararuci Diff:
No. No. No.
127 14.14 14.13 0.01 169 12.62 12.32 0.30 211 13.60 13.90 -0.30
128 13.64 13.98 -0.34 170 12.80 12.52 0.28 212 13.33 13.70 -0.37
129 13.16 13.77 -0.60 171 12.98 12.73 0.25 213 13.03 13.45 -0.42
130 12.74 13.53 -0.79 172 13.18 12.82 0.36 214 12.73 13.20 -0.47
131 12.39 13.28 -0.89 173 13.38 13.42 -0.03 215 12.45 12.93 -0.48
132 12.13 13.02 -0.88 174 13.61 13.50 0.11 216 12.21 12.68 -0.47
133 11.96 12.77 -0.81 175 13.85 13.75 0.10 217 12.03 12.47 -0.44
134 11.86 12.53 -0.68 176 14.09 13.95 0.14 218 11.91 12.28 -0.37
135 11.82 12.33 -0.51 177 14.32 14.12 0.20 219 11.87 12.13 -0.26
136 11.84 12.20 -0.36 178 14.51 14.25 0.26 220 11.91 12.07 -0.16
137 11.90 12.18 -0.29 179 14.62 14.30 0.32 221 12.02 12.03 -0.01
138 11.98 11.93 0.05 180 14.62 14.32 0.31 222 12.21 12.08 0.12
139 12.09 12.05 0.04 181 14.52 14.25 0.27 223 12.46 12.15 0.31
140 12.21 12.13 0.08 182 14.29 14.17 0.13 224 12.77 12.30 0.47
141 12.35 12.23 0.12 183 13.98 13.98 -0.01 225 13.10 12.48 0.62
142 12.51 12.43 0.08 184 13.60 13.80 -0.20 226 13.44 12.72 0.72
143 12.70 12.62 0.09 185 13.20 13.55 -0.35 227 13.76 12.97 0.80
144 12.93 12.88 0.05 186 12.82 13.32 -0.50 228 14.04 13.22 0.82
145 13.21 13.13 0.07 187 12.48 13.05 -0.57 229 14.25 13.47 0.78
146 13.53 13.38 0.14 188 12.21 12.78 -0.58 230 14.38 13.73 0.64
147 13.88 13.65 0.23 189 12.01 12.57 -0.56 231 14.42 13.92 0.51
148 14.25 13.68 0.56 190 11.89 12.35 -0.46 232 14.39 14.12 0.27
149 14.59 14.23 0.36 191 11.86 12.20 -0.34 233 14.29 14.22 0.08
150 14.87 14.18 0.69 192 11.91 12.10 -0.19 234 14.15 14.30 -0.15
151 15.03 14.28 0.75 193 12.02 12.05 -0.03 235 13.97 14.32 -0.34
152 15.04 14.32 0.72 194 12.19 12.05 0.14 236 13.78 14.28 -0.50
153 14.88 14.30 0.58 195 12.41 12.10 0.31 237 13.58 14.17 -0.59
154 14.57 14.20 0.37 196 12.65 12.23 0.42 238 13.37 14.00 -0.63
155 14.16 14.07 0.09 197 12.90 12.40 0.50 239 13.16 13.82 -0.66
156 13.70 13.90 -0.20 198 13.15 12.60 0.55 240 12.95 13.60 -0.65
157 13.23 13.67 -0.44 199 13.38 12.85 0.53 241 12.73 13.33 -0.60
158 12.80 13.42 -0.62 200 13.58 13.10 0.48 242 12.53 13.07 -0.54
159 12.44 13.17 -0.73 201 13.76 13.37 0.39 243 12.33 12.83 -0.51
160 12.16 12.90 -0.74 202 13.91 13.62 0.29 244 12.15 12.58 -0.43
161 11.97 12.65 -0.68 203 14.03 13.85 0.18 245 12.01 12.37 -0.36
162 11.86 12.45 -0.59 204 14.12 14.03 0.09 246 11.91 12.22 -0.31
163 11.84 12.25 -0.41 205 14.19 14.17 0.03 247 11.86 12.10 -0.24
164 11.88 12.15 -0.27 206 14.22 14.28 -0.06 248 11.88 12.05 -0.17
165 11.97 12.07 -0.10 207 14.21 14.32 -0.10
166 12.10 12.03 0.07 208 14.15 14.30 -0.15
167 12.26 12.08 0.18 209 14.02 14.22 -0.19
168 12.44 12.17 0.27 210 13.84 14.08 -0.24

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