Contribution of India to

Astronomical Studies
Submitted by

Sahil [RA2111003011856]
Aryan Jha [RA2111003011908]
Anshu Raj [RA2111003011914]

Under the Guidance of

Dr. K.M Umamaheswari

Assistant Professor, Department of Computing Technologies

In partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
in
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
of
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF COMPUTING

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

SRM INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
KATTANKULATHUR - 603203
 SRM INSTITUTION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
KATTANKULATHUR-603203

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this Course Project Report titled “Contribution of India towards Astronomical
studies” is the bonafide work done by Anshu Raj (RA2111003011914), Aryan Jha
(RA2111003011908), Sahil (RA2111003011856) who carried out under my supervision.
Certified further, that to the best of my knowledge the work reported herein does not form part
of any other work.

SIGNATURE SIGNATURE

Faculty In-Charge HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT

Dr. K.M Umamaheswari Dr. M. Pushpalatha
Assistant Professor Professor and Head,
Department of Computing Technologies Department of Computing Technologies
SRM Institute of Science and Technology SRM Institute of Science and Technology
 Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Ancient Astronomical Discoveries
3. Influence on other Civilization
4. Mathematical and Observation
techniques
5. Influence of Astronomy on the world
6. Future Advancement in Astrology
1. Introduction:

Ayurveda is one of the most renowned traditional systems of

medicine that has survived and flourished from ages till date. With
the enormous knowledge of nature based medicine, the relationship
of human body constitution and function to nature and the elements
of the universe that act in coordination and affect the living beings,
this system will continue to flourish in ages still to come. There are
many avenues still to be explored by the researchers, practitioners
and experts in the field who carry the responsibility of keeping the
traditional systems of medicine (TSMs) alive and contributing to
their growth in the future. However, due to many barriers such as
lack of literature sources in different languages and insufficiency of
awareness about the basic principles and histories of the systems
from different ethnic origins, there is a lacuna of exchange of
information from systems around the globe. Knowledge of systems
from different ethnic origins would bring about interchange of
knowledge and increase the understanding of different systems, and
this can ultimately contribute to integration and advancement of
herbal drug research when accompanied by collaborative work of
researchers from different countries. These futuristic goals can be
accomplished when one gains insights about the systems, the
principles and histories and works upon the strengthening aspects
common between the various TSMs. In this review, we have made an
attempt to put forth the basic principles of doctrine and history of
Ayurveda to contribute to the above said perspectives.
2. Ancient Astronomical Discoveries

Ayurveda has an age old history since the 2nd Century BC. Ayurveda
has its foundations laid by the ancient schools of Hindu Philosophical
teachings named Vaisheshika and the school of logic named as Nyaya. It
is also related to the manifestation framework, well-known
as Samkhya, and it was established in the same period when schools
of Nyaya and Vaisheshika flourished.

The Vaisheshika School preached about inferences and perceptions

that should be obtained about a patient's pathological condition for
treatment. Whereas, Nyaya school propagated its teachings on the
basis that one should have an extensive knowledge of the patient's
condition, and the disease condition before proceeding for treatment.
The school of Vaisheshika, classifies the attributes of any object into six
types: substance, particularity, activity, generality, inherence and
quality called as Dravya, Vishesha, Karma, Samanya, Samavaya and
Guna respectively, in Sanskrit language.
Later, Vaisheshika and Nyaya schools worked together and jointly
founded the nyāya–vaiśeṣika school. The nyāya–vaiśeṣika school, in the
later years brought glory to the ancient knowledge and helped in
disseminating the knowledge about Ayurveda. Even before these
schools were established and also today, the origin of Ayurveda is
considered to be divine, from the Hindu God, Brahma who is called as
the creator of the universe.4, 5 It is believed that the creator of the
universe passed on this holistic knowledge of healing onto the sages for
the well-being of mankind. From the sages the knowledge of traditional
medicines was passed on to the disciples and then to the common man
by various writings and oral narrations. The information about the
healing properties of the herbs was composed in the form of poems,
called “Shlokas”. These were used by sages to describe the use of
medicinal plants. The Hindu system of healing is believed to be based
on four eminent compilations of knowledge (Vedas) called as Yajur
Veda, Rig Veda, Sam Veda, and Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda is the most
well-known of all the four Vedas and describes 67 plants and 1028
Shlokas. The Atharva Veda and Yajur Veda describe 293 and 81
medicinally useful plants. The practice of Ayurveda is based upon the
knowledge gained from these Vedas. The writings in Rig
Veda and Atharva Veda are attributed to “Atreya” who is believed to
have been conferred with this knowledge from Lord Indra, who initially
received it from Lord Brahma. Agnivesha compiled the knowledge from
the Vedas, and it was edited by Charaka and some other scholars and is
presently called as “Charaka Samhita”. Charaka Samhita describes all
aspects of Ayurvedic medicine and Sushruta Samhita describes the
Science of Surgery. Both these legendary compilations are still used by
practitioners of traditional medicine. These ancient texts are available
in various translations and languages like Tibetan, Greek, Chinese,
Arabic and Persian. There are several other allied minor compilations
like Nighantu Granthas, Madhava Nidana and Bhava Prakasha from the
contributions of various scholars, however Charaka Samhita is the most
respected of all the records.
3. Influence on other Civilization:
Ayurveda believes that the entire universe is composed of five
elements: Vayu (Air), Jala (Water), Aakash (Space or ether), Prithvi
(Earth) and Teja (Fire). These five elements (referred to as Pancha
Mahabhoota in Ayurveda) are believed to form the three basic humors
of the human body in varying combinations. The three humors; Vata
dosha, Pitta dosha and Kapha dosha are collectively called as
“Tridoshas” and they control the basic physiological functions of the
body along with five sub-doshas for each of the principal doshas.
Ayurveda believes that the human body consists of Saptadhatus (seven
tissues) Rasa (tissue fluids), Meda (fat and
connectivetissue), Rakta (blood), Asthi (bones), Majja (marrow), Mam
sa (muscle), and Shukra (semen) and three Malas (waste products) of
the body, viz. Purisha (faeces), Mutra (urine) and Sweda (sweat). Vata
dosha maintains the cellular transport, electrolyte balance, elimination
of waste products and its effect is increased by dryness. Pitta
dosha regulates body temperature, optic nerve coordination and
hunger and thirst management. Heat conditions of the body
aggravate Pitta. Kapha dosha is increased due to sweet and fatty food
and it provides lubrication to the joints for proper functioning. The
catabolism of the body is believed to be governed by Vata, metabolism
by Pitta and anabolism by Kapha. For a healthy state of health, a
balance between the three doshas and other factors should be
maintained. Any imbalance between the three causes a state of illness
or disease. In Ayurveda it is believed, that a perfect balance between
the nature elements and the Tridoshas of the human body should be
maintained for a healthy state of living by following the principles of
divine wisdom. The body is believed to be composed of seven types of
tissues called as “Sapta Dhatus”. These seven tissues work in
coordination with each for proper physiological functioning of the
human body. The Rakta Dhatu resembles the blood and regulates the
circulation of blood cells and provision of blood components to the
body. The Mamsa Dhatu (Muscle tissue) provides supports in the form
of skeletal muscles for the Meda Dhatu (adipose fat).
4. Mathematical and Observation Techniques:

India has a rich history of traditional system of medicine based upon six
systems, out of which Ayurveda stands to be the most ancient, most
widely accepted, practiced and flourished indigenous system of
medicine. The other allied systems of medicine in India are Unani,
Siddha, Homeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy. Ayurveda is the most
dominant system amongst the other Indian systems of medicine and
finds its prevalence globally since centuries. In this paper, we have
restricted the detailed discussion of various aspects of Indian systems
of Medicine (ISM) to Ayurveda alone, and only a comprehensive
overview of the other systems is provided in the text. After Ayurveda,
the Siddha, Homeopathy and Unani system of medicine are widely used.
Naturopathy is still developing and in future it may emerge as a
flourished system of medicine. Yoga, is a system of allied medicine that
deals with physical, mental and spiritual state of an individual.

The Siddha system of medicine is based upon the principle like

Ayurveda considering that the human body is constituted from the five
elements of the Universe like the Pancha mahabhootas. Along with
these elements Siddha system considers that the physical, moral, and
physiological well-being of an individual is governed by 96 factors.
These 96 factors include perception, speech, diagnosis of pulse etc.
Perception is commonly used determinant for treatment of
psychosomatic system with the help of minerals, metals and to a lesser
extent some plant products. Siddha system uses many preparations of
plant and mineral origin in powder form, prepared through various
procedures including calcinations.

Unani system of medicine originated in Greece and was introduced by

Hippocrates; a famous philosopher and physician during the 460–366
BC period. Hippocrates laid down the “humoral theory” for treatment
of diseases and describes the wet and dry characteristic of each humor
that constitutes the human body. This system of medicine was
introduced in India by the Arabs and it grew stronger when some
scholars and physicians of Unani system fled to India after invasion of
Persia by the Mongols. Since then, this system of medicine has made a
firm footing in India and is recognized by the Indian government for
clinical practice and research funding. The plants-based formulations
like oils, tinctures, powders and ointments are used in treatment.

Homeopathy was brought into practice by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann,

who was a German physician in the mid-17th and 18th
century.9 Homeopathy is based upon the laws of “immunological
memory” and “memory of water” and the similarities in the
pharmacological aspects of the drug and the disease. It utilizes
medicines which produce symptoms like that of the disease for
treatment of the pathological condition initially by producing or
aggravating the pathological conditions and then treating it. For more
than a century this system has been practiced in India and has formed
an integral part of the Indian traditional system of medicine. It is
recognized by the government of India and there are various
institutions, research centres and regulatory bodies that help
propagation of this system. In homeopathy the mother tinctures or
aqueous extracts of the drugs (plants, animal origin substances,
venoms and minerals) are diluted and succussed (specific method of
mixing or shaking) as per Pharmacopeial methods to prepare the
formulations of very low potencies.

Yoga originated in India in ancient times. Through its therapies and

diagnosis based on pulse and analysis of Tridosha state of an individual,
it suggests meditative exercises and life style management to obtain
tranquillity and improve health. The Asanas (postures) of Yoga are
applied in various clinical and nonclinical conditions for curing various
physical and emotional conditions.

Naturopathy, also termed as naturopathic medicine originated in

Germany in the 19th century and today it is practiced in several
countries. It is not an ancient system of medicine but some practitioners
who practice traditional medicine sometimes use Naturopathy in
combination to the major system. The Naturopathic system is based
upon using the curative power of nature in combination with the
traditional and modern techniques to help restore good health.
Homeopathy, herbal formulations, hydrotherapy are some of the
treatment methods used by this system.
5. Influence of the astronomy on the world:

In the recent decades, Ayurveda has experienced a considerable shift in

its paradigm and a significant change in the outlook of researchers
towards its applications has occurred. The therapeutic principles of
Ayurveda focus on prakriti and tridoshas, and these principles explain
that every individual has his unique constitution called
as prakriti. Prakriti determines the characteristic response of each
individual to medications, environmental conditions and dietary
factors. ‘Ayurgenomics’ a recently introduced research field, bridges
this gap between genomics and Ayurveda and serves as an aid in
understanding of inter-individual differences in responses to therapies
in various diseases. It especially emphasizes on studying inter-
individual variances in patients from identical ethnic backgrounds.
TSMs has now been looked upon for recourse to some limitations faced
by western medicine, such as the need for individualized therapies,
potential side effects and lack of desired therapeutic efficacy.
Rotti et al, have published several studies correlating the concept
of prakriti in Ayurveda to present-day science. A report indicating the
correlation of dominant prakriti with the Body Mass Index (BMI) and
place of birth in individuals was published. Studies involving subjects
of various prakriti types viz. Vata, Pitta and Kapha, were carried out to
identify molecular differences that affect susceptibility and responses
of individuals to various environmental or disease conditions. A
classification method for human population, with respect to DNA
methylation signatures is reported based upon traditional Ayurveda
concept of prakriti.
6. Future Advancement in Astrology :
Ayurveda has a rich history; however, there were certain drawbacks in
approaches towards it, which inhibited its growth like the western
system of medicine. The active components of the herbal drugs
prescribed were not known, and even today many drugs still need
further exploration for their active constituent characterization and
elucidation of the mechanism of action. Even after decades of applying
advanced analytical techniques for drug analysis, herbal drugs still face
some drawbacks. The administration of combinations of several drugs
adds to the complexity of study of the activity of these medications. A
merit of traditional medicine systems as discussed earlier is that they
consider every individual as the prime focus of treatment rather than
the disease. But this factor also possesses a hurdle to the applicability
of medications on a general population basis. Several issues like, the
variation in the potency due to difference in species, absence of an
integrated coding for every species used commonly in TSMs, varying
geographical location of growth, and incorrect identification and
adulteration of drugs, non-uniform quality control standards,
differences in processing methods, direct an alarming need towards
comparative study of drugs used in both these systems of medicine.