Karmic Astrology—a Study
by Sunita Anant Chavan | 2017 | 68,707 words
This page relates ‘Ayana and Sampata’ of the study on Karmic Astrology and its presentation in Vedic and the later Sanskrit literature. Astrology (in Sanskrit: Jyotish-shastra) is based upon perceptive natural phenomenon of cosmic light forms while the Concept of Karman basically means “action according to Vedic injunction” such as the performance of meritorious sacrificial work.
Part 2.2.4 - Ayana and Saṃpāta
[Full title: Classification of Jyotiḥśāstra (1): Gaṇita of the Veda and the Vedāṅga Period (3): Ayana and Saṃpāta]
Ayana (solstices) and Saṃpāta (equinoxes) are certain surface markings in the sky naturally created due to the motion of the Sun and the Moon and which were recorded with reference to the Nakṣatras and the fixed stars in this phase of the literature.[1]
Ayana (Solstice)
An Ayana[2] (Solstice) marks the initial point of the apparent course of the Sun in the Northern and Southern hemisphere. Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa records the initial point of the Northern progress of Sun (located with moon) in Śraviṣṭhā (Dhaniṣṭhā) and the beginning of the Southern progress in the mid of Āśreṣā.[3]
Saṃpāta (Equinox)
The Saṃpāta or Equinox is an Astronomical point which marks the junction (or is an intersection) of the Ecliptic and the Equator. Factually this occurs twice in an year. The Astronomical sense occurs late in the literature and denotes the point of time when days and nights are equal. The Equinox is termed as Viṣuvat and Kaye renders it as ‘a point of equal separation.’[4] The Aitareya Brāhmaṇa[5] records a day named ‘Viṣuvat’ which marked a day and night of equal length and was connected with the sacrificial activities.
Though the Nakṣatras come in an astronomical set up and expressly mark the Ayana, the Nakṣatra list which begins with Kṛttikā in the Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa occurs in accordance with their deities[6] thereby showing a marked connection of Gaṇita with Dharmaśāstra.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
These are shifting points and their changing positions are mentioned in various texts in relation with the Nakṣatras. Suryaprajñapti marks the (Udagayana) (winter solstice in Abhijit, Pañcasiddhāntikā (iii.25) marks it in the first point of Capricorn (Rāśi) and Mahābhārata (i. 71.34) in Śravaṇa.
[3]:
Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa (Ṛgveda-saṃhitā). 6.
[5]:
Aitareya-brāhmaṇa IV. 18.
[6]:
Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa (Ṛgveda-saṃhitā) 25, 26, 27.