Work

Parahitakaraṇam : A medieval formulary manual in the Kerala vernacular for calculating planetary mean longitudes

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Parahitakaraṇam is a fragmentary astronomical text of unknown authorship, existing only in a single palm-leaf manuscript whose date of composition is also uncertain. The text focuses its attention on one single step in the computation of planetary positions, that is, the calculation of planetary mean longitudes. Nevertheless, it presents several interesting issues. The text is also engaged in conversation with a canonical astronomical text of the Kerala genre, the Karaṇapaddhati . This paper provides a translation of the source text. Mathematical notes and worked examples are also provided to illustrate the computational process, which encodes several variations, sometimes quite subtle, in the case of each planetary computation.

Source: Journal for the History of Astronomy

DOI: 10.1177/00218286251346592

Authors: Priyamvada Nambrath, Venketeswara R. Pai

Institutions: University of Pennsylvania, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune

Language: English

Topic: Historical Astronomy and Related Studies

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650

OpenAlex ID: W4415775632

FWCI:

Cites:

Cited by:

Related to: