Paulisa Siddhanta
Encyclopedia
The Paulisa Siddhanta refers to multiple Indian astronomical treatises, at least one of which is based on a Western source. "Siddhanta
" literally means "Doctrine" or "Tradition".
It is often mistakenly thought to be a single work and attributed to Paul of Alexandria (c. 378 CE). However, this notion has been rejected by other scholars in the field, notably by David Pingree
who stated that "...the identification of Paulus Alexandrinus with the author of the Paulisasiddhanta is totally false". Similarly, K. V. Sarma
writes that it is from a Greek source, known only as Pauliśa.
The earlier Pauliśa-siddhānta dates from the third or fourth century, and the later Pauliśa-siddhānta from the eighth century.
It follows the Yavanajataka
("Saying of the Greek") as an example of the transmission of Western astronomical knowledge (especially the Alexandria
n school) to India during the first centuries of our era.
The Paulisa Siddhanta was particularly influential on the work of the Indian astronomer Varahamihira
. It was considered as one of "The Five Astronomical Canons" in India in the 5th century.
Siddhanta
Siddhanta, a Sanskrit term, roughly translates as the Doctrine or the Tradition. It denotes the established and accepted view of a particular school within Indian philosophy.-Hindu philosophy:...
" literally means "Doctrine" or "Tradition".
It is often mistakenly thought to be a single work and attributed to Paul of Alexandria (c. 378 CE). However, this notion has been rejected by other scholars in the field, notably by David Pingree
David Pingree
David Edwin Pingree was a University Professor and Professor of History of Mathematics and Classics at Brown University, and was one of America's foremost historians of the exact sciences in antiquity.-Life:He graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts in 1950 and thereafter attended...
who stated that "...the identification of Paulus Alexandrinus with the author of the Paulisasiddhanta is totally false". Similarly, K. V. Sarma
K. V. Sarma
K. V. Sarma was an Indian historian of science, particularly the astronomy and mathematics of the Kerala school.His doctoral thesis was at the Panjab University in 1977....
writes that it is from a Greek source, known only as Pauliśa.
The earlier Pauliśa-siddhānta dates from the third or fourth century, and the later Pauliśa-siddhānta from the eighth century.
It follows the Yavanajataka
Yavanajataka
The Yavanajātaka of Sphujidhvaja is an ancient text in Indian astrology....
("Saying of the Greek") as an example of the transmission of Western astronomical knowledge (especially the Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
n school) to India during the first centuries of our era.
The Paulisa Siddhanta was particularly influential on the work of the Indian astronomer Varahamihira
Varahamihira
Varāhamihira , also called Varaha or Mihira, was an Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer who lived in Ujjain...
. It was considered as one of "The Five Astronomical Canons" in India in the 5th century.