Ancient Indian Mathematics & Vedic Astrology

It emerged in the Indian subcontinent around 1200 BCE. Significant contributions in the field of Mathematics and its relation to Astrology amongst other subjects were made during 400 CE to 1200 CE by scholars like Aryabhata, Brahmagupta, Varahamihira and Bhaskara-II.

Amongst these were the study and concept of zero as a number, negative numbers, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Arithmetic. The concept of pi and the modern definitions of sine and cosine were also developed in ancient India.

These concepts were further transmitted to various parts of the world and became the foundations for various areas of modern mathematics. This approach of understanding the roots of modern Mathematics integrates our views to look in these areas in a unified manner.

How does the contemporary world use the principles of Ancient Mathematics?

• Predictions about the weather, astronomical events and natural phenomena.
• The theories and concepts of Mathematics established in ancient India have become major field of studies all over the world such as Geometry, Trigonometry, Indices, and Algebra.
• Zero introduced a more accurate method for calculations and is an important symbol in modern Mathematics.
• Civil Engineering concepts that are used in the modern world have their foothold in ancient Indian Mathematics- the art and architecture of ancient India is a proof to that.
• Most of the above-mentioned concepts are used in Coding and Programming in the modern world.
• Finally, Astrology cannot function without Mathematics and calculations.

History of Mathematics & Astrology in Ancient India

Science and Mathematics were highly developed during the ancient period in India. Ancient Indians contributed immensely to the knowledge in Mathematics as well as various branches of Science.

• Baudhayan, a great Indian Mathematician was the first to discover and calculate the value of pi.
• Aryabhata was a fifth century Mathematician, Astronomer, Astrologer, and Physicist. He devised a method of denoting big decimal numbers by alphabet.
• Brahmagupta introduced negative numbers and operations in zero.
• Bhaskara introduced Chakrawat Method or the Cyclic Method to solve algebraic equations. He contributed to Indian Astrology through his works. He authored the Siddhanta Shiromani which is divided into 4 sections: Lilavati (Arithmetic), Beejaganit (Algebra), Goladhyaya(Sphere) and Grahaganit (mathematics of planets), with the final section featuring major contributions in the field of Indian Astrology.
• Varahamihira’s contribution in Jyotish or Astrology is worth mentioning. Astrology was given a very high place in ancient India, and it has continued even today. Jyotish, which means science of light, originated with the Vedas. Aryabhata and Varahamihira presented it scientifically in a systematic form.

What is the relationship between Ancient Mathematics and Vedic Astrology?

The two major contributors of Ancient Indian Mathematics and Vedic Astrology are widely recognized to be Aryabhata and Varahamihira. Both of whom have discovered and developed mathematical concepts and astrological studies individually, as well as with applications of both the subjects together.

Vedic Astrology implements mathematical calculations at every single step of prediction and analysis within its frame of reference: Whether it is finding out the solar and lunar movements, cycles or planetary observations and zodiac constellations or to calculate their impacts and results in people’s lives, individually or a nation as a whole. All of these are based on mathematical calculations.

While Aryabhata mainly discovered and developed the field of Mathematics with a few segments on Astronomy and laid down the foundation for Astrology, it was Varahamihira who delved deeper by passionately researching the fundamentals and descriptive knowledge of what we today know as Vedic Astrology.

Some major contributions by Varahamihira:

• Upon observation, some scholars believe that the ‘Meru Stambh’, the tallest building of ancient India was created for the purpose of astronomical studies and consisted of 7 stories resembling the 7 (physical) planets which are used as reference points in Vedic Astrology, and 27 windows which symbolize the 27 nakshatras or constellations, thereby laying the first foundations of Vedic Astrology. This is used as a recorded reference even today, apart from manuscripts. The Meru Stambh became a structure built for the very purpose of astronomical and astrological studies which indicates the importance of the subject in ancient India, its legacy & heritage in modern times and its growth as a major field of astrological studies around the world for its accuracy and precision as compared to Western or Tropical Astrology. The Meru Stambh, today, is famously known as the Qutub Minar.
• Varahamihira’s critically acclaimed work “Pancha Siddhantika” (Treatise on the Five Astronomical Canons) is a treatise on mathematical astronomy. It summarizes five earlier astronomical treatises, namely, the Surya Siddhanta, Romaka Siddhanta, Paulisa Siddhanta, Vasishtha Siddhanta and Paitama Siddhanta.
• Varahamihira’s Pancha Siddhantika is one of the most important sources for the history of Hindu Astronomy.
• As a pioneer Astrologer, he wrote on all three main branches of Astrology, covering the five main treatises of Hindu Astrology on horoscope analysis.
• His mathematical work included the discovery of the trigonometric formulas, which he successfully implemented in calculations for ancient Vedic Astrology.

Varahamihira was a champion in the field of Ancient Astrology and Mathematics, drawing close co-relations and laying the foundations of modern-day astrology. To quote him, “The science of Astrology is a vast ocean and is not easy for everyone to cross it. My treatises provide a safe boat,” truly shows how even now his works are acknowledged as masterpieces.