Cosmographical Theories of the Hindu Astronomers

Sukumar Ranjan Das

Cosmographical Theories of the Hindu Astronomers

Vol. 3 · No. 3September - 1927pp. 599–603English

Summary

The Hindu astronomers' cosmographical theories, as detailed in the text, blend metaphysical and early scientific concepts. Central to their model is the primordial state of darkness, from which water or ethereal vapor (ap

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Conclusion

The Hindu astronomers' cosmographical theories present a unique synthesis of metaphysical and proto-scientific inquiry, distinguishing their framework from contemporary ancient and early modern cosmologies. By positing water or ethereal vapor as the primordial substance within a transcendent, attribute-less Brahman, they harmonized Vedic mythology with emerging naturalistic principles, anticipating nebular hypotheses. Their elaboration of the Hiranyagarbha (cosmic egg) as both metaphysical and physical entity—encompassing the universe and serving as the locus of creation—reveals a sophisticated attempt to reconcile spiritual and empirical inquiry. These theories not only structured cosmological imagination around observable celestial mechanics but also embedded profound philosophical questions about existence, transcendence, and cyclical transformation, leaving a legacy that bridges ancient wisdom with later scientific paradigms.

Key passages

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“Hindu astronomers have begun the discussion on cosmographis.. cal theories with ત series of questions regarding the earth, its magnitnde and divisions, the situation of the seven Patala Bhumis or imaginary lower regions of the earth,”
“The visible universe is shaped like an egg, it is not exactly round. By the force of contraction, stars, planets, the sun and other orbs are formed.”
“The round ball of the earth, composed of the five elements, abides in space in the midst of the starry sphere, like a piece of iron suspended between magnets.”

Works cited in this article

Rg-veda, X, 120
Manu Samhita
Mauu Samhitd, chap. 1
Sirya Siddahnta chap, XIi, 12 to 29 verses
Brhat Samhiti

Discussed in this article

People

Laplace
Kant 12
Descartes 8
Vasubandhu 38
Asanga 24
Aniruddha 5
Nagirjuna 4
ProBUAT KUMAR MUKHERJEE
Thales
Anaximenes
Yogacira
Madhyamaka
Vdsudeva
Asvaghosa 31
Sanatana 3

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In this issue

Vol. 3 · No. 3

443–451The Upanisadic ScholarUmesh Chandra Bhattacharya 451–456Observations on the Cognomen BahmaniJogindra Nath Chowdhuri 457–469Oxinden EmbassySurendra Nath Sen 469–472A New Type of Revanta from the Dinajpur DistrictNirad Bandhu Sanyal 473–485Jaina References in the DhammapadaM. Govind Pal 486–507The Development of Buddhist Art in South IndiaDeva Prasad Ghosh 508–509Taranatha's History of Buddhism in India 510–517The Authorship of NighantuChamupati 518–529The Ancient Tamils and the NagasC. S. Srinivasachari 530–540The Present Mode of Expressing NumbersBibhutibhusan Datta 541–560Mauryan ArtAchyuta Kumar Mitra 561–570Samsara or Buddhist Philosophy of Birth and DeathNarada 571–591Dates of Early Historical Records of BengalDinesh Chandra Bhattacharya 591–599Indian Literature AbroadPrabhat Kumar Mukherji 599–603Cosmographical Theories of the Hindu AstronomersSukumar Ranjan DasCurrent article 603–606Kumarila and DinnigaH. R. Rangaswamy Iyengar 607–611Apastamba and GautamaBatakrishna Ghosh 611–624Max Muller's Introduction to the Rgveda-PratisakhyaBatakrishna Ghosh 625–658More Light on Methods and Conclusions in Hindu PoliticsU. N. Ghoshal 659–662PathakamK. Rama Pisharoti 662Two New Publications About BuddhismSten Konow 663–665Select Contents of Oriental Journals 666–667Obituary NoticeC. S. Srinivasachari

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