Vedic Maths and Astronomy

Vedic Maths and Astronomy are interweaved. The versatility of Vedic Maths helps us to explore new dimensions for calculation in Astronomy. Looking into the background, if we study the lives of Aryabhatta, Varahmira, Brahmagupta, they were astronomers and mathematics was a part of their work in astronomy. The most important aspect of astronomy is observation and recording the details of celestial bodies. However, the details extracted were summarized and conclusions were drawn using the concept of Vedic Mathematics. The origin of astronomy can be done from Vedas. Vedas dealt with rituals, prayers, philosophy and arts, science and medicine. Vedas include 6 Vedangas:-

1. Shikha
2. Vyakarna
3. Chandas
4. Niruka
5. Kalpa
6. Jyotisha

Among these, the first four Vedangas deal with Linguistic aspects and Kalpa and Jyotisha deals with Mathematics and Astronomy.


which means, “Just like crests on peacock and jewels on serpents, among Vedanga Shastra, Jyotisham crowns the head. Shulba Sutras - The origination of Kalpa can be done from Shulba Sutras. The Shubla Sutras are part of large texts called Shranta Sutras, which are considered as appendices to Vedas. For performing rituals, fire altars were created. These fire altars were differently shaped depending upon the God to be pleased. For example, fire altar in the form of falcon was created who desired heaven, a fire altar in the form of tortoise was constructed to win world of Brahma and fire altar in the form of rhombus was created to destroy enemies. List of Shulba Sutras:-

1. Apastmba
2. Baudhayana
3. Manava
4. Katyayana
5. Maitrayaniya
6. Varaha
7. Vadhula
8. Hiranyakeshin

The division of day can clearly be understood from the Shloka of Aryabhatta:-




which means “ a year is twelve months, a month thirty days. A day is sixty naadis, a naadi is sixty vinaadis”. This can be interpreted as:-

• 1 day = 60 ghatikas
• 1 ghatika= 60 vinadikas
• 1 vinadi = 6 prana
• 1 ghatika = 23 min 56.06 sec
• 1 ritu = 60 days
• 1 year= 6 ritus

Thus the applications of Vedic Mathematics in Astronomy can be summarized as -

• Prediction of eclipses
• Prediction of Planetary positions
• Transcendental equations and Kepler’s equation
• Computation of Angles
• Triple code number
• Spherical Triangles
• Quadruples and Orbits