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  • A Brief Look at The Measurement Methods and Measurement Units in Sulbasutras

    Transféré par

    Rajagopala Rao Madhurapantula
    217 vues38 pages
    A brief look at the measurement methods and units of measurement in Sulbasutras M Rajagopala Rao*; Dr. RVSS Avadhanulu** The Sulbasutras are the oldest geometry (or even mathematics) textbooks in existence. The Sulbasutras are part of one of the six Vedangas viz. the Kalpasutras. They have been written prior to 600 BC and are thought to date back to 2000 BC. There are four main Sulbasutras viz. the Baudhayana, the Apastamba, the Manava, and the Katyayana, and a number of smaller ones. The object of the Sulbasutras was instructing to build the sacrificial altars. They are also called agnis. Geometry was playing a big role in connection with it. The Sanskrit root word Sulv or Sulb means ‘Chord’ or ‘Rope’ and the Sulbasutras basically deal with geometric measurements by a rope or chord for construction of Citis and Vedis for Agni and other religious sacrificial rituals. The units of measurement used in the Sulbasutras have been derived from the human body parts. Units used to measure length in Sulbasutra period were named as puruṣa, aṅgula, pāda, pradeśa, aratni etc. In Sulbasutras the angula was used as standard unit for measuring lengths of different vedis, mandapas etc. whereas purusa was used as standard for measuring lengths of citis. All other units are derived from these two. The length of angula is given by Bodhayana as equal to length of fourteen grains of Anu (Panicum Milliaceum) or that of 34 grains of Sesamum when placed in contact with each other along their width. The measure of purusa is determined with the sacrificer standing on his toes, arms up stretched over the head as the length from tip of the toe to the tip of the middle finger of the palm. All other measures are relative to the size of the sacrificer. For the first time sacrifice, the height of the citi is up to the knee level of the sacrifice; for second time sacrifice twice the height and the third time thrice as high. Manav Sulbasutra mentions the method of determining the standard angula measure in case the height of the sacrificer is less than a standard purusha height. The thickness of six lotus pollen is equal to the thickness of the hair of three year old heifer. Three such hairs are equal to a mustard seed. Two mustard seeds are equal to a grain of barley and six such barley grains put together sideways gives the length of one angula. The Sulbasutra contains many powerful techniques, which, in specific situations have a power and efficiency that is missing in more general techniques. The units of measurement used easily lead to the accuracy of the diagonal of one of the main bricks of "roughly one-thousandth of the thickness of a sesame seed." There is also a remarkable degree of internal consistency such as the way that the 'square to circle,' 'circle to square' and 'square root of two' constructions fit together with an accuracy of 0.0003%. The selection of materials for small distance measurements like Barley, Millet, Mustard seeds seem very ingenious. Did possible small statistical variance in their sizes compared to other grains influence their choice? However this needs to be investigated. How the relativistic measures using the height (purusha) or the length of the middle section of the middle finger of the sacrifice (angula) and the standardized lengths derived from number of specific grains placed side by side were both used and reconciled may be very interesting subject for investigation. The nomenclature used for the measuring units and the geometric structures etc. hint at a possible deeper significance of the sutras beyond the apparent physical constructions to some attainments in the spiritual realm. In this paper the above aspects are elaborated based on critical studies by some earlier authors and directions for further scientific investigations are identified.

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    A brief look at the measurement methods and units of measurement in Sulbasutras M Rajagopala Rao*; Dr. RVSS Avadhanulu** The Sulbasutras are the oldest geometry (or even mathematics) textbooks in existence. The Sulbasutras are part of one of the six Vedangas viz. the Kalpasutras. They have been written prior to 600 BC and are thought to date back to 2000 BC. There are four main Sulbasutras viz. the Baudhayana, the Apastamba, the Manava, and the Katyayana, and a number of smaller ones. The object of the Sulbasutras was instructing to build the sacrificial altars. They are also called agnis. Geometry was playing a big role in connection with it. The Sanskrit root word Sulv or Sulb means ‘Chord’ or ‘Rope’ and the Sulbasutras basically deal with geometric measurements by a rope or chord for construction of Citis and Vedis for Agni and other religious sacrificial rituals. The units of measurement used in the Sulbasutras have been derived from the human body parts. Units used to measure length in Sulbasutra period were named as puruṣa, aṅgula, pāda, pradeśa, aratni etc. In Sulbasutras the angula was used as standard unit for measuring lengths of different vedis, mandapas etc. whereas purusa was used as standard for measuring lengths of citis. All other units are derived from these two. The length of angula is given by Bodhayana as equal to length of fourteen grains of Anu (Panicum Milliaceum) or that of 34 grains of Sesamum when placed in contact with each other along their width. The measure of purusa is determined with the sacrificer standing on his toes, arms up stretched over the head as the length from tip of the toe to the tip of the middle finger of the palm. All other measures are relative to the size of the sacrificer. For the first time sacrifice, the height of the citi is up to the knee level of the sacrifice; for second time sacrifice twice the height and the third time thrice as high. Manav Sulbasutra mentions the method of determining the standard angula measure in case the height of the sacrificer is less than a standard purusha height. The thickness of six lotus pollen is equal to the thickness of the hair of three year old heifer. Three such hairs are equal to a mustard seed. Two mustard seeds are equal to a grain of barley and six such barley grains put together sideways gives the length of one angula. The Sulbasutra contains many powerful techniques, which, in specific situations have a power and efficiency that is missing in more general techniques. The units of measurement used easily lead to the accuracy of the diagonal of one of the main bricks of "roughly one-thousandth of the thickness of a sesame seed." There is also a remarkable degree of internal consistency such as the way that the 'square to circle,' 'circle to square' and 'square root of two' constructions fit together with an accuracy of 0.0003%. The selection of materials for small distance measurements like Barley, Millet, Mustard seeds seem very ingenious. Did possible small statistical variance in their sizes compared to other grains influence their choice? However this needs to be investigated. How the relativistic measures using the height (purusha) or the length of the middle section of the middle finger of the sacrifice (angula) and the standardized lengths derived from number of specific grains placed side by side were both used and reconciled may be very interesting subject for investigation. The nomenclature used for the measuring units and the geometric structures etc. hint at a possible deeper significance of the sutras beyond the apparent physical constructions to some attainments in the spiritual realm. In this paper the above aspects are elaborated based on critical studies by some earlier authors and directions for further scientific investigations are identified.

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    217 vues38 pages

    A Brief Look at The Measurement Methods and Measurement Units in Sulbasutras

    Transféré par

    Rajagopala Rao Madhurapantula
    A brief look at the measurement methods and units of measurement in Sulbasutras M Rajagopala Rao*; Dr. RVSS Avadhanulu** The Sulbasutras are the oldest geometry (or even mathematics) textbooks in existence. The Sulbasutras are part of one of the six Vedangas viz. the Kalpasutras. They have been written prior to 600 BC and are thought to date back to 2000 BC. There are four main Sulbasutras viz. the Baudhayana, the Apastamba, the Manava, and the Katyayana, and a number of smaller ones. The object of the Sulbasutras was instructing to build the sacrificial altars. They are also called agnis. Geometry was playing a big role in connection with it. The Sanskrit root word Sulv or Sulb means ‘Chord’ or ‘Rope’ and the Sulbasutras basically deal with geometric measurements by a rope or chord for construction of Citis and Vedis for Agni and other religious sacrificial rituals. The units of measurement used in the Sulbasutras have been derived from the human body parts. Units used to measure length in Sulbasutra period were named as puruṣa, aṅgula, pāda, pradeśa, aratni etc. In Sulbasutras the angula was used as standard unit for measuring lengths of different vedis, mandapas etc. whereas purusa was used as standard for measuring lengths of citis. All other units are derived from these two. The length of angula is given by Bodhayana as equal to length of fourteen grains of Anu (Panicum Milliaceum) or that of 34 grains of Sesamum when placed in contact with each other along their width. The measure of purusa is determined with the sacrificer standing on his toes, arms up stretched over the head as the length from tip of the toe to the tip of the middle finger of the palm. All other measures are relative to the size of the sacrificer. For the first time sacrifice, the height of the citi is up to the knee level of the sacrifice; for second time sacrifice twice the height and the third time thrice as high. Manav Sulbasutra mentions the method of determining the standard angula measure in case the height of the sacrificer is less than a standard purusha height. The thickness of six lotus pollen is equal to the thickness of the hair of three year old heifer. Three such hairs are equal to a mustard seed. Two mustard seeds are equal to a grain of barley and six such barley grains put together sideways gives the length of one angula. The Sulbasutra contains many powerful techniques, which, in specific situations have a power and efficiency that is missing in more general techniques. The units of measurement used easily lead to the accuracy of the diagonal of one of the main bricks of "roughly one-thousandth of the thickness of a sesame seed." There is also a remarkable degree of internal consistency such as the way that the 'square to circle,' 'circle to square' and 'square root of two' constructions fit together with an accuracy of 0.0003%. The selection of materials for small distance measurements like Barley, Millet, Mustard seeds seem very ingenious. Did possible small statistical variance in their sizes compared to other grains influence their choice? However this needs to be investigated. How the relativistic measures using the height (purusha) or the length of the middle section of the middle finger of the sacrifice (angula) and the standardized lengths derived from number of specific grains placed side by side were both used and reconciled may be very interesting subject for investigation. The nomenclature used for the measuring units and the geometric structures etc. hint at a possible deeper significance of the sutras beyond the apparent physical constructions to some attainments in the spiritual realm. In this paper the above aspects are elaborated based on critical studies by some earlier authors and directions for further scientific investigations are identified.

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    National Seminar on Gemetrical Concepts in Sulba Sutras

    Sri Venkateswara Vedic University


    27-28 December 2013

    Tirupati

    A brief look at the measurement methods and units of measurement in Sulbasutras


    M Rajagopala Rao*; Dr. RVSS Avadhanulu**

    About the Authors


    M Rajagopala Rao, M.Sc.(Tech.)-Geophysics Executive Director-Chief Knowledge Officer (Retd.), ONGC Principal Coach, Success With Self (SWIS), Hyderabad

    ONGC Project Saraswati Piligramage to Kailash-Mansarovar twice

    Conducting
    Hyderabad

    classes at DAV schools in

    About the Authors


    Dr. RVSS Avadhanulu, M.Sc.(Nuclear Physics),
    M.A.Ph.D.(Sanskrit), M.A.Ph.D.(Jyotisha),

    Dy. Director (Computers)(Retd.), NIMS, Hyderabad, Managing Trustee & Chief Executive, Shri Veda Bharati, Hyderabad

    Pioneer Indian Languages on Computers Introduction of computer technology to Vedas Golden Nandi award for Veda Ganitam on TV Research on Science in Vedas

    Sulba
    The meanings of ulva or ulba are string, code, rope, copper, sacrificial act and conduct. basically means to mete or to create. laying out of temple and the measurement and construction of altars took the form of a body of knowledge known as the

    ulvastras or rules of the cord.

    Sutra
    One of the most famous definitions of a sutra in Indian literature is itself a sutra and comes from the Vayu Purana

    Of minimal syllabary, unambiguous, pithy, comprehensive, continuous, and without flaw: who knows the sutra knows it to be thus.

    Sulbasutras - part of Vedic Literature


    Vedga of six kinds Kalpa (rituals), ik (phonetics),

    Kalpa vedga - four groups rautastra, ghyastra,


    dharmastra and ulvastra.

    nirukti (etymology), vykaraa (grammar), candas (prosody), jyotia (astrology).

    Sulbasutras - part of Vedic Literature


    ulvastra:
    Mathematical theories and the architectural methods to build altars

    Srautastra: Descriptions of great sacrifices Ghyastra : Daily domestic sacrifices Dharmastra: Instructions for the worldly life and
    supra mundane life

    Subject matter of Sulbasutras


    Sulbasutras are not books of geometry.
    Information of geometry given in them is limited as a utilitarian material for the accurate layout of Vedis etc. They are finely crafted, integrated manuals for the construction of citis or ceremonial platforms Certain key words, however, suggest that the applications go far beyond this.

    Number of Sulbasutras
    According to tradition

    Nrada, Kapila, Lagadh, pastambha, Katyyana, Baudhyana etc. are ancient


    mathematicians

    Ten ulvastras found


    Ktyyana Shukla Yajurveda Baudhyana, pastamba, Mnava, Varha Maitrya,, Vadhla Krishna Yajurveda Maaka, Satyha, and Hirayake

    Dates for Sulbasutras


    Earlier Researchers held that

    Sulbasutra written by Vedic Hindus

    starting before 600 B.C. suffix yana to the end indicates editors or compilers

    compilations of oral wisdom that may go back to 2000 B.C.

    Dates for Sulbasutras


    New research

    Aryan invasion (1500 BCE) Not tenable theory Extensive scientific exploration of Paleo- River Saraswati Geological, Hydrological, Climatological, Remote Sensing, Genetic and Archeological studies are pointing at continuity in civilization Eastward migration on drying up of Saraswati around 5000 years ago

    May push back the dates for Vedas and thence Sulbasutras

    Some constructions in Sulbasutras


    Square of side of given length Square equal to sum of two unequal squares Square equal to difference of two squares Square equal to a Rectangle Circle equal to a square Square equal to a circle

    Baudhayana Verse I,50


    To construct a square equal to the sum of two unequal squares.

    Suppose the two given squares are ABCD and EFGH with AB > EF. Mark off points J, K on AB and DC with AJ = DK = EF. Then the line AK is the side of the required square.

    Use of the constructions


    Creating equal area Vedis for

    Garhapatya square Avahaneeya Circular Dakshinagni Semicircular

    Fire altars from Kalibangan 2900 BC

    Geometric Theorems and Arithmatic values


    Sutra 48 is a clear statement of what was later to be called the "Pythagorean Theorem" The diagonal of a rectangle produces by itself both the areas which the two sides of the rectangle produce separately.
    Pythagorean Triplets (3,4,5), (5,12,13), (7,24,25), (8,15,17), (9,12,15), (12,35,37), (15,36,39)

    Geometric Theorems and Arithmatic values


    Value of 2 (dwi-karani)

    'square to circle, 'circle to square' and 'square root of two' constructions fit together with an accuracy of 0.0003%

    Constructing the Citis


    Each citi is constructed of 5 layers of brick. The first, third and fifth have the same pattern; the second and fourth a different pattern. The patterns are arranged so no joint lies on top or below another. Each layer has roughly 200 bricks.

    The Syena Citi

    Layers 1, 3 and 5

    Layers 2 and 4

    The Kurma Citi

    Layers 1, 3 and 5

    Layers 2 and 4

    The Rathacakra Citi

    Layers 1, 3 and 5

    Layers 2 and 4

    Units of measurement
    units of measurement used easily lead to the accuracy of the diagonal of one of the main bricks of "roughly onethousandth of the thickness of a sesame seed."

    Standardised units
    angula was used as standard unit for measuring lengths of different vedis, mandapas etc. purusa was used as standard for measuring lengths of citis.
    All other units are derived from these two.

    Units of measurement
    agula

    length of the middle section of the middle finger of the sacrificer Bodhayana: Length of fourteen grains of Anu (Panicum Milliaceum) or that of 34 grains of Sesamum when placed in contact with each other along their width. Manava: (in case height of sacrificer shorter than standard purusha) 6 lotus stalks equal hair of three year old heifer. 3 such hairs equal a mustard seed. 2 mustard seeds equal a grain of barley. 6 such barley grains put together sideways is angula

    Units of measurement
    Purusha:

    The length from tip of the toe to the tip of the middle finger of the palm of sacrificer standing on his toes, arms up stretched over the head 120 angula = 5 aratnis = 1 vyama

    Other units
    Padam:

    Toe to heel = 15 angula toe of front foot to heel of back foot when two feet joined together = 2 padams = 30

    Prakrama:

    angula

    Samya(bahu):
    36 angula
    Length from tip of middle finger to tip of middle finger of out-streached hands = 96

    Vyayama :

    angula

    Height of Vedi
    For the first time sacrifice, the height of the citi is up to the knee level of the sacrificer; for second time sacrifice upto naval (twice the height) and the third time upto chin height (thrice as high).

    Sub-angula measures
    Probably utilized for measuring fractions of angula Sesame seeds, Millet, Barley

    May be due to fairly constant size and small size to average out variations (needs to be investigated)

    Most small measurements through graduation of rope by geometric methods Were these small measures used in practice?

    Why measure relative to Sacrificer?


    May be to facilitate performance of ritualistic acts on the vedi by sacrificer How the relative measures and the standard measures reconciled? Could be referring to some other realm within the sacrificer

    What is the significane of shapes chosen for citi


    Why hawk, tortoise, wheel? Why accurate sizes and relative proportions emphasized? Why constant area irrespective of shape?

    Is it only the physical ritual?


    etymology and phonetics of terminology suggest deeper significance Citi close to cit (conciousness) Vedi - one who knows (from vid to know) Purusha the uninvolved witnessing quality of intelligence

    References
    Baudhayana Sulbasutram 1979- Ed. Pt. Vibhutibhushana Bhattacharya Sarasvatibhavan Granthamala Sampurnanada Sanskrit Vishvavidyalaya, Varanasi Science and Technology in Vedas and Sastras 2007 Dr. RVS Avadhanulu Shri Veda Bharati, Hyderabad Applied Geometry of the Sulba Sutras - John F. Price, School of Mathematics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia, johnp @sherlockinvesting.com

    References
    Geometry According to Sulbasutras, 1983, Dr. R P Kulakarni, Vadika Sansodhana Mandala, Pune Square Roots in the Sulbasutra, David W. Henderson, Department of Mathematics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853-7901, USA (e-mail: dwh2@cornell.edu) Visualizing Time and Constructing Temples -Two Projects in Ethnomathematics, Jennifer Wilson, Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Eugene Lang College the New School for Liberal Arts

    References
    The Lost River, MICHEL DANINO http://www.dailypioneer.com/Sundayedition/sunday agenda/cover-story-agenda/103111-the-lostriver.html , SATURDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2012 GEOMETRICAL STRUCTURES IN BAUDHAYANA & APASTAMBA SULBASUTRAS ppt - Dr. P. Venkatachalapathi, Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetham, Tirupati A.P. Katyayana Sulba Sutra, 1974, Ed. S D Khadilkar, Vaidika Sansodhana Mandala, Poona

    References
    How the Ancient Indians Get the Measurements to Build Their Sacrificial Altars, Rev. J. Dhammaloka, Temporary Lecturer, Classical Languages Department, University of Peradeniya,

    gahapitiyajambu@gmail.com

    Ancient Indian Mathematics : an overview, S.G. Dani, School of Mathematics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Homi Bhabha Road, Mumbai 400005

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    If the chair permits any questions and comments

    Thank you
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