The Universal System of Astronomy

Sisāmbhau 5 5

...for whatever is found here is also found in the West, and from there in other lands; thus, the East and West are varied in their arrangements. 98-99.

The state of the planets and the status of the Great Serpent original: Śeṣa; the serpent who supports the earth have been described as equal to what was previously stated. This stability is always maintained by the globe itself, as confirmed by the movements of the planets and traditional observation. 1000 This marks the 1000th verse or a major section milestone

Kings, scholars, demons, and humans, as well as the cycles and divisions of the celestial wanderers planets in the sky—this entire social and cosmic order is declared to be situated one above the other within the belly of the vessel that is the Cosmic Egg. 102

Thus, in the "Universal Standard of Astronomy" composed by the sage Munīśvara, this concludes the section on the Globe within the Chapter on Instruments.

The Chapter on Instruments

At this auspicious time The text mentions a specific time and perhaps a location involving "Amera," likely referencing a patron or a place of composition, I, the astronomer, for the great satisfaction of my students, shall now describe the various powers and functions of instruments. These shall be explained with great clarity, following the teachings of the illustrious Bhāskara and others. 1

The Circle Instrument

Chakra-yantra; a graduated metal disk used for measuring angular distances

One should have a circle made of copper or bronze. It should be marked with 360 degrees original: khāṅgarāma; a numerical code where Kha=0, Aṅga=6, and Rāma=3, read right-to-left as 360. In a chosen spot on this circumference, a supporting rim or "girdle" should be attached. 2

A pivot or pin kīla, with a length equal to half the diameter the radius, should be placed exactly in the center. Similarly, a base or "ground" for the instrument is conceived, held by a chain original: śṛṅkhalā; used to suspend the instrument so it hangs vertically. 3

At both ends, and at the central mark of its support, an eye-hole should be made. This is done so that the orb of the Sun may be observed through the rim. 4

Now, from the position of the hanging chain, the degrees that fall from the pivot represent the parts of the circle. In the middle of this "instrument-ground," the degrees observed are the degrees of elevation unnatāṃśa; the height of a celestial body above the horizon of the observed sphere. 5

The degrees resulting from the interval at the center are the zenith distance natāṃśa; the angular distance from the point directly overhead. From these, the division of directions is established at the center where the azimuth circle dik-vṛtta; the horizontal circle of directions meets. 6

The known side

The upright pivot made on the instrument, and the interval between the eastern line and the tip of the shadow... five?... these measures in digits aṅgula; a traditional unit of measure roughly the width of a finger are derived from the diameter of the instrument. 7

Associated with the pivot of the equinoctial shadow palaprabhā; the shadow cast by a vertical gnomon at noon on the day of the equinox...