Cosmology, Astronomy, and Religion in Medieval India

Project Information

CARMI

Grant agreement ID: 701709

DOI

10.3030/701709

Project closed

EC signature date 17 February 2016

Start date 1 June 2017

End date 31 May 2019

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 212 194,80

EU contribution

€ 212 194,80

Coordinated by

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CARMI (Cosmology, Astronomy, and Religion in Medieval India)

Reporting period: 2017-06-01 to 2019-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

CARMI explores the connections between science and religion in India. More specifically, the project investigates the tensions between two different cosmographies: (1) The one found in the Siddhāntas (extensive Sanskrit treatises on astronomy) and (2) the Purāṇas (religious texts of an encyclopedic nature). In the model of the Siddhāntic tradition, the earth is a small sphere at the center of the universe. In the Purāṇic tradition, the situation is less clear, but the general interpretation by researchers is that the Purāṇas describe a flat, circular earth. Early on, the Indian astronomers engaged with the Purāṇic cosmography. From around 1500 CE, the astronomers engaged in an attempt to create a synthesis between the two cosmographies, a project not taken up by the scholars of the Purāṇas until the late 19th century CE. The project examines both the Purāṇic and the Siddhāntic side in this attempt to create a synthesis. The conclusions of the project is that the Indian astronomers took an interest in and engaged in a critique of Purāṇic cosmography since at least the 7th century CE. References and engagement with Purāṇic ideas are common to the major astronomical writers all the way up to the early modern period. The main ideas from the Purāṇas that the astronomers engage with are the shape of the earth and the size of the earth, both of which differ from what is accepted in the astronomical texts. On the other hand, it is not until quite late (late 19th century CE) that the commentators on the Purāṇas actively bring up and discuss ideas found in the astronomical texts and attempts a synthesis.

The objectives of the project changed. From trying to establish the beginning of the debate on creating a synthesis between the two comsologies, its focus became dual: (a) how the astronomers interpreted cosmographical statements from the Purāṇas; and (b) How the guardians and interpreters of Purāṇic lore reacted to cosmography from the Siddhāntic tradition. This was a valuable change in focus since it led to new knowledge about how the two traditions interacted. In fact, the project demonstrated that it was not until the late 19th century that the Purāṇic commentators engaged fully in the debate, studying and critiquing the Siddhāntic material.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the project, (1) the cosmographic section of the Somasiddhānta was reading studied in a seminar. (2) The Sanskrit text of cosmographic section of the Romakasiddhānta, which has never been edited or published, was edited based on three manuscripts. (3) The question of the shape of the earth according to the Purāṇas was taken up, and the arguments of Jñānarāja (ca. 1500 CE) was studied with a view to determine whether his interpretation of the Purāṇic statements he cited was in line with the texts themselves and the traditional commentaries. (4) Since the astronomers often state that followers of the Purāṇas compare the earth to a mirror, a study was conducted on what a comparison to a mirror meant in ancient and medieval India.

A brief overview of the results are as follows:

For (1), while the Somasiddhānta turned out not to directly engage with the attempt to create a synthesis of different cosmologies, the text is of interest since it has a complex relationship to the text of the Sūryasiddhānta. For (2), the Romakasiddhānta also does not engage with the attempt to create a synthesis of different cosmologies, but its cosmological section is of great interest. Much more than other cosmological sections in astronomical works, it gives a rich detail of (mythological) terrestrial geography, for which reason an edition and study of the section is worth publishing. For (3), an article on this has been submitted for publication already. The conclusion is that Jñānarāja misinterprets Purāṇic passages when he attempts to show that there is support for a spherical earth in the Purāṇas. For (4), it was seen that comparison of an object to a mirror does not necessarily mean that the object is flat. It can also mean that the object is round or that it is smooth/glossy.

Regular seminars were held during the project during which the different aspects of the project were discussed in a group setting. Furthermore, a seminar was held in May 2019, which drew participants from the USA, Japan, and New Zealand.

Overall, the activities of the project has increased our understanding of the interactions between the Siddhāntic and Purāṇic traditions. Furthermore, the project opened up for greater collaboration between researchers. For example, I am now planning regular Sanskrit reading sessions on the topics of the project with two researchers in USA, one of which I am also collaborating with on a topic related to the project.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

A number of publications will result from the project, the first of which (that is, [1] below) is almost ready for submission to a journal.

[1] Article on the astronomer Jñānarāja's interpretation of the Purāṇic conception of the shape of the earth based on three passages from the Purāṇas.

[2] Article providing a study of the cosmographical chapter of the Somasiddhānta. The Sanskrit text of the Somasiddhānta, a Sanskrit astronomical text, has been published, but has not received careful scholarly attention. After reading the text in a seminar, a study of it is being prepared. A translation of the text will not be undertaking given the difficult nature of the text, which is likely corrupt in places.

[3] Edition of the Sanskrit text of the cosmographical chapter of the Romakasiddhānta. The Romakasiddhānta, a significant Sanskrit astronomical text, has never been published. The present edition of the Romakasiddhānta's chapter on cosmography is based on photocopies of three manuscripts.

[4] Study of Vaṃśīdhara's commentary on Bhāgavatapurāṇa 5.20.38. Vaṃśīdhara, a late Purāṇic commentator, is the first commentator on the Bhāgavatapurāṇa to directly take up the issue of harmonizing the two cosmographies. Vaṃśīdhara draws on writings from the Siddhāntic tradition in his reconciliation of the two cosmographies.

Beyond these upcoming publications, the project was discussed with peers in a meeting of the American Oriental Society (March 2019) and in a workshop organized as part of CARMI (May 2019), especially the latter. During these interactions with other researchers, plans for future collaboration were made.

Page from a manuscript of the Romakasiddhānta.

Program for workshop organized as part of CARMI.