Tantrasägraha, composed by the renowned Kerala astronomer Nilakätha Somayaji (c. 1444-1545 CE) ranks along with Aryabhatiya of Aryabhata and Siddhantasiromani of Bhaskaracarya as one of the major works that significantly influenced further work on astronomy in India. One of the distinguishing features of this text is the introduction of a major revision of the traditional planetary models which includes a unified theory of planetary latitudes and a better formulation of the equation of centre for the interior planets (Mercury and Venus) than was previously available.

Several important innovations in mathematical technique are also to be found in Tantrasägraha, especially related to the computation of accurate sine tables, the use of series for evaluating the sine and cosine functions, and a systematic treatment of the problems related to the diurnal motion of the celestial objects. The spherical trigonometry relations presented in the text-applied to a variety of problemssuch as the computation eclipses, elevation of the moon's cusps and so forth-are also exact.

In preparing the translation and explanatory notes, the authors have used authentic Sanskrit editions of Tantrasägraha by Suranad Kunjan Pillai and K V Sarma. The text consists of eight chapters-mean londitudes, true longitues, gnomonic shadow, lunar eclipse, solar eclipse, vyatipata, reduction to observation and elevation of the moon's cusps-and 432 verses. All the verses have been translated into English and are supplemented with detailed explanations including all mathematical relations, figures and tables using modern mathematical notation.

This edition of Tantrasägraha will appeal to historians of astronomy as well as those who are keen to know about the actual computational procedures employed in Indian astronomy. It is a self-contained text with several appendices included, enabling the reader to comprehend the subject matter without the need for further research.

Klappentext

Tantrasagraha, composed by the renowned Kerala astronomer Nlakatha Somayaji (c. 14441545 CE) ranks along with ryabhatya of ryabhata and Siddhntairomani of Bhskarcrya as one of the major works that significantly influenced further work on astronomy in India. One of the distinguishing features of this text is the introduction of a major revision of the traditional planetary models which includes a unified theory of planetary latitudes and a better formulation of the equation of centre for the interior planets (Mercury and Venus) than was previously available.

Several important innovations in mathematical technique are also to be found in Tantrasagraha, especially related to the computation of accurate sine tables, the use of series for evaluating the sine and cosine functions, and a systematic treatment of the problems related to the diurnal motion of the celestial objects. The spherical trigonometry relations presented in the textapplied to a variety of problemssuch as the computation eclipses, elevation of the moon's cusps and so forthare also exact.

In preparing the translation and explanatory notes, the authors have used authentic Sanskrit editions of Tantrasagraha by Suranad Kunjan Pillai and K V Sarma. The text consists of eight chaptersmean londitudes, true longitues, gnomonic shadow, lunar eclipse, solar eclipse, vyatpta, reduction to observation and elevation of the moon's cuspsand 432 verses. All the verses have been translated into English and are supplemented with detailed explanations including all mathematical relations, figures and tables using modern mathematical notation.

This edition of Tantrasagraha will appeal to historians of astronomy as well as those who are keen to know about the actual computational procedures employed in Indian astronomy. It is a self-contained text with several appendices included, enabling the reader to comprehend the subject matter without the need for further research.

Zusammenfassung

Tantrasangraha, composed by the renowned Kerala astronomer Nlakantha Somayj (c.1444-1545 AD) ranks along with ryabhatya of ryabhata and Siddhntairomani of Bhskarcrya as one of the major works which significantly influenced further work on astronomy in India. One of the distinguishing features is the introduction of a major revision of the traditional Indian planetary model. Nlakantha arrived at a unified theory of planetary latitudes and a better formulation of the equation of centre for the interior planets (Mercury and Venus) than was previously available.

In preparing the translation and explanatory notes, K. Ramasubramanian and M. S. Sriram have used authentic Sanskrit editions of Tantrasangraha by Surand Kunjan Pillai and K V Sarma. All verses have been translated into English, which have been supplemented with detailed explanations including all necessary mathematical relations, illustrative examples, figures and tables using modern mathematical notation.

Inhalt
Mean longitudes of planets.- True longitudes of planets.- Gnomonic shadow.- Lunar eclipse.- Solar eclipse.- Vyatpta.- Reduction to observation.- Elevation of lunar horns.- Appendices.