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Vaidik Calendar
See also      Calendar;    Calendar-History;   Calendar, India;     Hindu Lunar Calendar;      Vaar
[The following write ups have been taken from Indian and Western Astrology Group, Apr 15, 2009]

Introduction to Vaidik Calendar
Vaidik calendar is an astronomical calendar based on movements of heavenly bodies. It has no sectarian or communal coloring. Vaidik scientific tradition of Kaalaagni (Time calculation) was based upon the science of astronomy. The Vaidik ÿis started their calendar as per the location of Bhaarat (India) on the Earth. At the early Vaidik period the calendar was started from Dakshinaayana (Summer solstice) to Dakshinaayan (Summer Solstice) keeping in view the location of Bhaarat (India) in the Southern hemisphere of the Earth. Later when Bhaarat shifted to the equator, the calendar was started from Vasant Sampaat (Vernal Equinox) to Vasant Sampaat (Vernal Equinox) and lastly it was started from Uttaraayan (Winter Solstice) to Uttaraayan depending upon the shift of Bhaarteeya (Indian) continent to the Northern hemisphere.

Thus in the Vaidik period the year was first started from Dakshinaayan, then from Vasant Sampaat and lastly from Uttaraayan. This fact is corroborated by the dates of commencements of present Kali Yug, other Yug and various astronomical eras named as Manvantar and Kalp which are still fresh in the memory of Vaidik scientific tradition. Presently in Bhaarat (India) the year starts from Vasant Sampaat (Vernal  Equinox). Whereas in Europe the year is started from January which has no astronomical or scientific basis. The same is currently being followed in the entire world now.

Following the Vaidik scientific tradition and reviving the old scientific values, the present Vaidik Calendar or Almanac has been prepared from Uttaraayan (Winter Solstice) to Uttaraayan (Winter Solstice). Here it may also be clarified that Vaidik seers measured the year after the one revolution of the Earth round the Sun and measured a solar month on the basis of the Sun's transition from one zodiac sign to another zodiac sign - there being the 12 zodiac signs, 12 solar months were calculated.

Moon's revolution round the Earth was also made the basis of measurement of one lunar month. The day was measured as the 30th part of the total time taken by Sun into a particular zodiac sign, Earth's one rotation round its axis as well as the Moon's 120 revolution round the earth. Thus the Vaidik calendar may be called as the Solar calendar having synthesis with the Lunar calendar so far as the days or Tithi are concerned.

The present calendar also cites the Vaidik names of various Solar and Lunar months as given respectively in Yajur Ved (20.30-31) and Taittireeya Braahman (3.10.1). Vaidik names of various lunar months have been given along with the presently popular names of Lunar months, viz. Paush, Maagh etc. Vaidik Solar months and Christian months have been cited in separate columns. Vaidik names of Lunar months have been cited in the last column of Festival (Parv).

Indian Standard Time (IST) :
Indian standard time (IST) is 5.30 hours behind the Greenwich time (GMT), for instance, when it is 6.30 AM in Greenwich, it will be 12 O'clock in the noon in India. This time for the first time was fixed in July 1905 by the order of the then British Administrator of India, Lord Curzon. During the time of WW II, this time was increased by one hour, ie it was made 6.30 hours behind. After the war was over, it was again fixed at the previous limits, ie 5.30 hours behind the GMT. Actually this was based upon the line of longitude passing through 82'.30 E of Greenwich near Mirzaapur in UP. The present calendar has been prepared on the basis of IST (82'30 E and 25' 15 N), so that it may become easy for residents in other countries to calculate the timings for their respective countries easily.

Formula for Calculating Time for Various Countries :
The present calendar has been prepared according to Indian Standard time (IST) 82.30 E of Greenwich. If you want to find out the time of a Tithi (lunar day), constellation or the Moon sign or Sun sign, Sankraanti as per the standard time of a particular country, (1) subtract 5.30 hours from the Indian standard Time (IST) given in the present calendar, (2) subtract the difference of time of the particular place or country from Greenwich time if it is behind the Greenwich time, or add the very difference if it is ahead the Greenwich time.

For example Makar Sankraanti starts at 24.00 of Dec. 21, 2005 in India. If we want to find out the time of Kumbh Sankraanti at New York, USA, we shall first subtract 5.30 hours from Indian standard time of 24.00 given in the calendar and get 18.30 of 21 December of 2005. Suppose the difference of New York time from Greenwich time is 4 hours behind, then these 4 hours have to be subtracted again from 18.40 which works out to be 14.30 of Dec. 21, 2005. Thus the time of Makara Sankraanti as per New York time will be 14.30 of Dec. 21, 2005.

Historical and Astronomical Events / Festivals :
The present calendar contains the reference to historical and astronomical events/ festivals. The fact is that a calendar needs to be updated every 72 years on account of earth's precession. The present Indian calendar was fixed some 1692 years ago during Saiddhaantik period starting from Aaryabhatt etc. This calendar has receded behind 23.5 degree which needs to be updated. If an event or festival has been mentioned in the present calendar as historical it has its relation to various periods in the past. But if it is mentioned as astronomical, it denotes the updated one.

For example the historical Makar Sankraanti is 1692 years old and astronomical is updated one. Similarly historical Mahaa-Shivaraatri used to take place 5112 years ago and historical Pitra Paksh goes back prior to Vaivaswat period ie more than 13,00,00,000 (130 million) years ago when Indian Continent was tenanting Southern hemisphere of the Earth. Pauraanik Festivals have been cited with the word "Pauraanik" into brackets.

What is a Tithi or a Lunar Day? :
Moon takes one revolution of 360 degree round the Earth in 27 hours 43 minutes and 12 seconds. This one round makes one lunar month. Poornimaa (full moon ) signals the end of the lunar month. On Poornimaa, Moon and Sun are 180 degree apart from each other. After Poornimaa they start coming closer to each other and at the time of Amaavasyaa they are exactly at the same place or house. After Amaavasyaa, the Moon and the Sun again start going away from each other. Their 12 degree distance from each other is called one Tithi.

On the other hand it can be stated that Moon's 12 degree (360/30=12) revolution round the Earth is called one lunar day or Tithi, since a month is supposed to consist of 30 days. Note : the dark and bright halves if Lunar months have been shown here by 'K' and 'S' respectively.

What is Uttaraayan and Dakshinaayan?
On the 22nd of December, Sun is down south ie perpendicular at 231/2 degree South of the earth. After that it starts moving towards north. This northward movement of Sun from 22nd of December is known as the start of Uttaraayana or Winter Solstice. Sun's Northward movement culminates on 21st June at the northern most point ie at 231/2 degree N. Afterwards its reverse (Southward) movement starts from 22nd of June. That is known as the start of Dakshinaayan of (Summer Solstice). Thus the period from 22nd Dec to 21st Jun is known as Uttaraayan or Winter Solstice and the period from 2nd of June till 21 st of Dec. is known as Dakshinaayan of (Summer Solstice).

What is Sankraanti? :
Sun's transition from one Zodiac sign to another Zodiac sign is called Sankraanti. For example, Sun's entry into Makar sign is known as Makar Sankraanti.

What is Pitrayaan and Devayaan?
Sun's presence in the Southern hemisphere is known as Pitrayaan. Sun tanets in the Southern hemisphere from 21st March to 22nd December. So the period from 23rd September to 21st March is known as Pitrayaan. Similarly Sun's presence in the Northern hemisphere is known as Devayaan . Sun tenates in the Northern hemisphere from 21st March to 23rd September. So the period from 21st March to 23rd September is known as Devayaan.

What is Manvantar? :
Sun's one revolution round Paramehi MaÇal or Galaxy is called as Manvantar. The period of one Manvantar is 308,448,000. There are 71 Mahaa-Yug in one Manvantar. The present Manvantar is known as Vaivaswat Manvantar.

What is Kalp? :
Galaxies in the Universe are revolving round the Swaayambhuv MaÇala (Super Galactic centre). One revolution of our Galaxy round the Swaayambhaav MaÇala (Super Galactic center) is called a Kalp. A Kalp contains 4,320,000,000 years. The present Kalp is known as veta Varaah Kalp. There are seven Manvantar or 1000 Mahaa-Yug in a Kalp. So far six Manvantar (Swaayambhuv, Swaarochish, Uttam, Taamas, Raivat and Chaakshush) have passed since the commencement of present Kalp. The present one named as Vet Varaah Kalp is the seventh Manvantar in the series.

How to know the Raashi (Zodiac Sign/Star) and Nakshatra (Constellation) of a Newly Born Baby and Name Him/Her Accordingly? :
The Rei / star of a newly born baby should be identified according to the Moon sign (cited in the present calendar) prevalent at the time of his birth. The constellation of a child can also be easily located from the Nakshatra / constellation column of this calendar keeping in view the time of his birth. Naming of a newly born baby according to his Raashi / Star of birth can be done according to the following index.

If the child is born in Mesh (Aries) star, his /her name should start with the letters
Chu, Che, Cho, La, Li, Lu, Le, Lo, A.
If the child is born in Vrishabh (Taurus) star, his/her name should start with letters
I, U, E, O, Va, Vi, Vri, Ve, Vo.
If the child is born in Mithun (Gemini) star, his/her name should start with the letters
K, Ki, Ku, Ke, Ko, Gha, Cha, Ha.
If the child is born in Kark (Cancer) star, his/her name should start with the letters
Hi, Hu, He, Ko, D, Di, Da, De, Do.
If the child is born in Sinha (Leo) star, his/her name should start with the letters
Ma, Mi, Mu, Me, Mo, Ta, Ti, Tu, Te.
If the child is born in Kanyaa (Virgo) star, his/her name should start with the letters
To, Pa, Pi, Pu, Pe, Po. Sh, Na, Th.
If the child is born in Tulaa (Libra) star, his/her name should start with the letters
Ra, Ri, Ru, Re, Ro, Ta, Ti', `Tu' and `Te'.
If the child is born in Vrishchik (Scorpio) star, his/her name should start with the letters
To, Na, Ni, Nu, Ne, No, Ya, Ye, Yu.
If the child is born in Dhanu (Sagittarius) star, his/her name should start with the letters
Ye, Yo, Bha, Bhi, Bhu, Bhe, Dha, Pha, Tha .
If the child is born in Makar (Capricorn) star, his/her name should start with the letters
Bho, Ja, Ji, Khi, Khu, Khe, Kho, Ga, Gi.
If the child is born in Kumbha (Aquarius) star, his/her name should start with the letters
Gu, Ge, Go, Sa, Si, Su, Se, So, Da.
If the child is born in Meen (Pisces) star, his/her name should start with the letters
Di, Du, De, Do, Tha, Jha, Cha, Chi.

Computation of Time Since Creation :

The Indian tradition has been able to maintain the full record of time period passed since the origin of this Universe as well as the creation of life on the Earth. The computation of time was regularly done through the tradition of Sa-Kalp Paahas read every day at the time of performing Yagya and on the occasion of various rites and ceremonies connected with the compartmentalized life of an individual. This Sa-Kalp tradition is observed uniformly in the various parts of the country except geographical references. Geographical reference has to differ naturally owing to various geographical situations of various regions. The extant Sa-Kalp tradition reads as under :
(aadya brahmao dwiteeye paraarddhe, vet-vaaraaha kalpe, saptame vaivaswat manvantare, aeviatitame kaliyuge kaliprathama carae 5107 gataabde).

The above Sakalpa tradition computes the time elapsed so far since the end of the previous creation cycle and origin of present cycle. As per the contents of the Sakalpa-paaha first half (Paraardh) of Brahmaa has elapsed and the first (veta Varaah Kalp) of second Paraardh is in currency. First half of the age of Brahmaa can be calculated as 50 Brahmaa years. This period comes about to be 155,521,972,949,107 (155 trillion) years. This means that 155,521,972,949,103 (155 trillion) years have elapsed since the end of the previous cycle of creation and the origin of present cycle consisting of Swaayabhuv MaÇala, Paramehi MaÇala (Galaxies), SÊrya MaÇala (Stars), Pthivi MaÇala (Planets) and Candra MaÇala (Satellites).

In this large chain of creation, Swaayabhuva MaÇala (Super-Galactic centre) originated 14,932,949,107 (14.93 billion) years ago. Paramehi MaÇala (Galaxies) came into existence 10,612,949,107 (10.61 billion) years ago. Soorya MaÇala (Star of our solar-system) was formed 6,292,949,106 (6.29 billion) years ago. The Earth originated somewhere about 4,320,000,000 (4.32 billion) years ago and the life sprang on it around 1,972,949,107 (1.97 billion) years ago.

As the very Sakalpa indicates that since the beginning of vet Vaaraah Kalp 'i.e.' the first day (Kalp) of Brahmaa's second Paraardh, six Manu have elapsed and of the present 7th Vaivaswat Manu, 27 Mahaa-Yug have also elapsed. The 28th Mahaa Yug is in currency, of which Krit, Tretaa and Dwaapar have also gone. Of the present Kali Yug, 5107 years have already passed and the year 5107 is about to end on June 21st. Thus the 51st century of the present Kali Yug has ended and the 52nd century is in currency.

Concluding the above discussion one may safely and unhesitatingly say that the world has stepped into the 52nd century of 28th Kali Yug of the 7th Manvantar of the 51st Kalp (or first Kalp of second Paraardh of Brahmaa's life) since the beginning of the present creation cycle and the origin of life on this globe and not into the 21st century as is propagated and considered the world over.

Various Eras of the World

Indian Eras
Brahmaa Era (Vaidik Era for Universal creation) : 155,521,972,949,107 (155 trillion years)
Kalp or Srishti Era (Vaidik Era for biological Creation on Earth) : 1,97,29,49,107 (1.9 billion years)
Manvantar Era : 120,533,107
Tikhaa Samvat : 6,914
Saptarshi Samvat : Ardra 82 or 5182 (starting from Maghaa April 9)
Yudhishthir Samvat : 5180
Kali Yug Era : 5107 (starting from 21st June)
Buddha Samvat : 3843 (starting on May 23)
Mahaaveer Nirvaan Samvat : 2533 (Starts on Nov. 1)
Aakaa Samvat : 1929 (starting on March 22)
Kalchuri Samvat : 1755
Vallabhi or Gupta Samvat : 1689
Harsh Samvat : 1400
Naanakshaahee Samvat : 538 (starting on March 15)
Khaalasaa Samvat : 308 (starting on April 13)
Dayaanand Samvat : 124

Other Eras of the World
Old Chinese Era : 9,60,02,502 (900 million years)
Hittite Era : 8,88,40,378 (800 million years)
Chaldean Era : 2,15,00,38 (200 million years)
Persian Era : 1,89,972 (1 million years)
Finishian Era : 30,008 (30 thousand years)
Egyptian Era : 28,669 (28 thousand years)
Old Turkish Era :7,612 years
Irani Era : 6,010 years
Jewish Era : 5,766 years
New Chinese Era : 4,362 years
New Turkish Era : 4,296 years
Greek Era : 3,578 years
Roman Era : 2,755 years
Christian Era : 2006 years
Hijri Era : 1,428 years
[By Sunil Nair, Quoted by Avtar krishn Kaul, in Indian and Western Astrology Group, Apr 15, 2009]
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Tropical Solar Year
This is the time taken by the Sun to make a circuit of the Tropical Zodiac. This is 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes and 45.2 seconds. This is 20 minutes and 24.6 seconds less. This is because the First Point of Aries moves 50.3 seconds per year.

Sidereal Period of the Moon
The time taken by Luna to make a circuit of the Sidereal Zodiac. This is 27 days 7 hours 43 minutes 11.5 seconds.

Synodic Period
Synodic Period is the the time between 2 successive conjunctions. For the Moon, it is the time taken from one New Moon to the next New Moon.

Solar Month and the Laws of Planetary Motion
SM is the time taken by the Sun to traverse one Sign. The motion of the Sun is fastest at Perigee (near the earth ) and slowest at Apogee (away from the Earth. (This is the Earth-in-reflex, as it is the earth which is moving and not the Sun). In other words, the motion of the earth is fastest at Perihelion and slowest at Aphelion. During the sidereal months of Sagittarius and Capricorn, the Sun is nearest to the earth. It takes only 29 days to traverse 30 degrees of a sign. During the months of Gemini and Cancer, the Sun is away from the earth and it takes 31.477 days for the Sun to traverse 30 degrees of a sign. The slowest motion of he Sun is 57 minutes and 11 seconds. The fastest motion of the Sun is 61 minutes 10 seconds. That is why some Sagittarius and Capricorn (Vaidik months) have 29 days and Cancer and Gemini (Vaidik months) have 32 days, as per the Vaidik Calendar.

The orbit of a planet is always elliptical, with the Sun as the focus of the ellipse. (Sooryaha Jagat Chakshu).

The orbital period of a planet (Bhagana Kalaa) bears relationship to the Madhyama Manda Karna (Semi-major axis) of the planet. (O P = MMK^1.5). (These principles, discovered by Aaryabhatt, Bhaskar and Brahmagupt earlier were rediscovered in the West by Kepler as the Laws of Planetary Motion.) Kali Era and Kali Day.

The beginning of the Kali Era was 3102 BC, February 18 on a Friday. Then the First Tropical and Sidereal Points were in 0 degrees Beta Arieties (Ashwinee). All planets were in the same point at that time. If you add 3102 to the English era, you get the Kali Era. Ahargan is the elapsed Kali day number, the days elapsed from the start of the Kali Era. If you divide Ahargan by 7 and find the modulus, you can know the day of the week. If the remainder is one, it is Saturday, if it is two, it is Sunday and so on. --Day of the Week = Ahargan/7 (is the modulus operator in Foxpro).

Njattu Velaa
The constellation tenanted by the Sun is called Njattu Velaa. In a day, the Sun traverses less than one degree (less 59.13 seconds ). Sol takes 13.14 days to traverse 13 degrees 20 minutes and so the duration of a Njattu Velaa is 13.14 days.

Njattu Velaa are important from the perspective of Agriculture. Kaarttik Njattu Velaa is the time when the Sun transits the constellation of Kaarttik and Thiruvathira Njattu Velaa is the time when the Sun transits the constellation of Aridraa (Thiruvathira). Aridraa, Kaarttikaa, Chothi and Chitraa Njattu Velaa give plenty of rains and farmers use this time productively. Various lunar months ------------ --------- ---------

[The Lunar Month] In general, a lunar month is the time it takes the Moon to orbit the earth. Like other planets, the Moon moves from West to East along the Zodiac. Three types of lunar months are important in Vaidik astrology: the Sidereal month, the Synodic month and the Nodical month. [Sidereal Lunar Month] In general, a lunar month is the time it takes the Moon to orbit the earth. Like other planets, the Moon moves from West to East along the Zodiac.

The Synodic Month:
It is the same as Synodic Period given above. This is a period of time which elapses between one New Moon and the next New Moon. Its duration is 29.5306 mean solar days (or approximately 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes). The Synodic month is also called a Lunation. The New Moon is a conjunction of the Sun and the Moon. The Synodic month is larger than a Sidereal month because it involves a relationship of the Moon with the Sun. During one revolution of the Moon, the Sun too moves along the Zodiac by slightly less than one sign. To catch up with the Sun (in order to complete a Synodic month) the Moon has to take more than two days of extra time.

The Sidereal Month:
This is a period of time during which the Moon makes one round of the Zodiac, as observed from the earth. Its duration is 27.3217 mean solar days (or approximately 27 days, 7 hours and 43 minutes). During this period the Moon, when observed against a fixed star, moves around the zodiac once and returns to the same star.

The Nodical Month:
The intersection of the ecliptic by the Moon's path results in the formation of the ascending and the descending nodes of the Moon, known as Raahu and Ketu, respectively. They move in the reverse or retrograde direction along the zodiac. A Nodical month is the time that the Moon takes to complete one round from Raahu to Raahu. Since Raahu moves in a retrograde direction, it meets the Moon slightly earlier along the zodiac. The duration of the Nodical month is therefore shorter than the Sidereal month, about 27.2122 mean solar days.

[Lunar/Solar Cycles] Since the Lunar year is eleven days shorter than the solar year, there is a difference of over a month every three solar years. To compensate for this, roughly once in three years there is an intercalary month (Adhik Maas). The nineteen-year Vaidik Lunar-Solar cycle is so accurate that the Tithi or Lunar dates recur or fall on similar days after exactly nineteen years. The year used for the Vaidik calendar is a Synodic lunar year, consisting of twelve Synodic months of 30 Tithi or Lunar days, or 360 Tithis in a synodic year. This year is about 354 solar days, about eleven days shorter than the solar year of 365.25 days.

Adhik Maas or the Intercalary Month :
Since the lunar year ends eleven days earlier than the solar year, there is a difference of over a month every three solar years. To compensate for this, an extra lunar month is added every two or three years. This extra lunar month is called an intercalary month. Seven intercalary months are added over a period of nineteen solar years. This means that in a period of 19 solar years or 228 solar months, there are 235 Synodic Lunar months (New Moons and Full Moons). The Vaidik 19-year Lunar-Solar cycle is so accurate that the Tithi or Lunar dates recur or fall on similar days after exactly nineteen years. Even astronomical phenomenon such as eclipses recur with fair precision at 19-year intervals.

The Sun changes its sign or Raashii every month. The day it enters a sign is called as its ingress into that sign. A Lunar month in which there is no solar ingress into a sign is considered an intercalary month. An intercalary month occurs once in 32 (Solar) months and 16 days. Therefore, roughly once in three years there is an intercalary month - so during that year, there are thirteen Lunar months.

Kshaya Maas or Omitted Month :
This happens when there are two solar ingresses (ie, the Sun enters two signs) during one Lunar month. This happens very infrequently. When there is an omitted month, there occur two intercalary months during one year.

Paksh:
A Paksh consists of fifteen lunar dates. Two Paksh make one Lunar month. The Krishn Paksh extends from Poornimaa (or Full Moon) to Amaavasyaa (or New Moon). The Shukla Paksh extends from Amaavasyaa to Poornimaa.

The Metonic Cycle :
Consistent with the above observations, is the discovery by Meton (433 BC) that there occur 235 lunations in a period of 19 solar years. It will be seen that total number of days in 19 years (19 x 365.2422) comes to 6,939.60 days. Total number of days in 235 Lunar Synodic months (235 x 29.5306) comes to 6,939.69 days. The two figures are remarkably close. This means that a period of 19 years or 228 solar months (19 x 12.228) is equal to 235 Lunar months or 19 Lunar years plus 7 Lunar months. We have already observed above that there occur seven intercalary months in 19 years.
[Written by David Bruce Hughes, in Indian and Western Astrology Group, Apr 3, 2009]
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Soorya Siddhaant
See also  Soorya Siddhaant
One proof of the archaicness and the originality of Soorya Siddhaant, which some misguided persons assume to be an adaptation from Greek work. Mahaabhaarat (MBH) has a story that when Jaraasandh threw his (Taantrik) Gadaa at Mathuraa, it fell just adjacent to Mathuraa at a distance of 99 Yojan from Girivraj, the ancient capital of Magadh. Soorya Siddhaant says Earth's equatorial diameter is of 1600 Yojan, whose modern value is 12756.4 Kms (or 12756.3). Hence, one Soorya Saiddhaantik Yojan measures 7.97274625 Kms. Computed the distance of Girivraj to Mathuraa and convert it into Soorya Saiddhaantik Yojan, it comes to be 98.54 Yojan, which Vyaas Jee rounded off to 99 in his verse.

The value of Yojan in Aaryabhatteeya and Panch-Saiddhantika was 1.5 times greater than that of Soorya Saiddhaantik one. In later ages, it fluctuated towards upper side of Aaryabhatta's value, and never came to lower side near to Soorya Saiddhaantik value. Since Panch-Saiddhantika mentions Soorya Siddhaant, the latter must be an earlier work than Panch Saiddhaantika. Moreover, before Ajaatshatru shifted the capital of Magadh to Paataliputra around  490 BC, the capital was at Rajgeer. Girivraj was the capital in so-called prehistoric period (before 600 BC), and never in historic period. Therefore, can we not say that this story of MBH and magnitude of Soorya Saiddhaantik Yojan belong to a prehistoric period ? This story cannot be brushed aside as an interpolation, because it forms the part of the main story and its mathematical value is also accurate.

Naarad Puraan is also accredited to Vyaas Jee, although many people can think otherwise. It gives details which fit well with Soorya Siddhant. Moreover, the philosophical and cosmological framework of Soorya Siddhaant is perfectly in harmony with Vaidik-Pauraanik - Epic tradition. Therefore, the kernel of all those references to astrology or astronomy in Vaidik, Pauraanik and epic texts must be prehistoric which fit with Soorya Saiddhaantik framework. It is only a summarized view, one proof in favor of which I have cited above.

There are interpolations in epic-Pauranik texts which conform to Vaidik-Pauranik - Epic tradition of Soorya Saiddhaantik astrology / astronomy or cosmology, but have a far smaller value of Yojan. Such a small value has never been attested in historical period. Hence, I guess these interpolations belong to Harappan period perhaps. Hence, during the entire span of Tretaa and Dwaapar ages, Soorya Saiddhaantik Yojan must have in vogue, unless proven otherwise, on account of aforementioned evidence from MBH, and similarity in other writings ascribed to Vyaas Jee with Soorya Saiddhantik framework.

Now, I come to a difficult point. Almagest (Syntaxis) is a hotch potch written by a clever plagiarist Ptolemy. Ptolemy is a proven plagiarist, who stole the idea of Hipparchus about precession and ascribed the discovery to his own experiments and observations. But modern researches have shown that those observational values belonged to the epoch of Hipparchus and not of Ptolemy (read the book "The Crime of Ptolemy" by a modern professor Newton). Another hitherto undiscovered plagiary of Ptolemy is the fact that Soorya Siddhaant has an organic unity and beautiful systemic coherence which Almagest lacks. It is next to impossible to prove this point, because Indians do not study either Almagest or Soorya Siddhaant, and Westerners will never listen to Soorya Siddhaantik point of view. One instance of the great mathematical coherence amounting to almost magic can be viewed by Clicking Here http://jyotirvidya.wetpaint.com/page/Suryasiddanta+%3A+Proof+of+Brahma%\27s+Age.

There are many such hidden magic in Soorya Siddhaant, the greatest of which is the accuracy of predictive astrology based on it, which was true in the era of Varaah Mihir and is true even today. I am translating my Hindi works and uploading them one by one on the Internet.

One should test the accuracy of Soorya Siddhaant astrologically, by means of Kundalee software.
[By Sunil Nair, Quoted by Avtar Krishn Kaul, in Indian and Western Astrology Group, Apr 15, 2009]

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