Ayanamsa Issue - Views of

Chandra Hari

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Article By Sreenadh
Introduction
============
Chandra-Hari is an Indian Astrologer (job: ONGC Engineer),
and is a true researcher on the ancient Indian astrology and
astronomy. This article tries to present the core ideas of Hari in a
comprehensible way.
He has written 3 books on Ayanamsa. 1) A small book in
English with the name "True Ayanamsa" published around 1994 when the
idea originated. 2) A Book named "Rasichakram" in Malayalam
published in 1996. 3) A very big book named "Hindu Zodiac and Ancient
Astronomy" in English published around 2003 (Sri Sabarigiri
Publications, Kadapra PO, Kumbanadu, Pin-689547 Price: Rs.600/-)
In book named Rasichakram he postulates: Zero Ayanamsa year -
AD.238; Ayanamsa - 46 min more than Lahari. But in his book "Hindu
Zodiac and Ancient Astronomy" he modifies his arguments and
postulates: Zero Ayanamsa year - AD.231; Ayanamsa - 44 min more than
Lahari.
This article presents the views of Chandra-Hari as given in
his book Rasi-Chakram. I have tried my level best to compile his
ideas in a systematic manner, keeping the continuity of the
mathematical concept and the thought process involved. The
mathematical portion of the ideas introduced by Chandra-Hari about
the ayanamsa inherent in Surya-sidhantha and his ideas about the Rasi-
chakra division is depicted. In his book (named Rasi-Chakram) Hari
proposes that Zero Ayanamsa Year is AD.238 and that his ayanamsa is
more than that of Lahari by 46 min. Let us try to understand how he
arrived at these results.

Analysis of Hari's Rationales
=============================

Basic Rationale 1:
------------------
The zodiac originated mathematically, considering the
revolution of the nodal points Rahu and Sikhi. Thus Ra-Si chakra is
an abbreviation for Rahu-Sikhi Chakra. The rotation of these nodes is
in rhythm with the movement of equinox, if we consider the duration
required for precession of 360 deg.

[i.e. 25785 years means 1385 nirayana revolutions of Rahu-Sikhi. i.e.
Nirayana revolution period of Rahu = 6792.977 days]
Theoretically, or by intuition, he gives the following maths: -
Rate of precession (of equinox) per year = 360 deg/25758 = 120
deg/8556=50.31446541 sec
He says that, this (the importance of these numbers) can also
be proved, considering the modern values of Nirayana and Sayana
years. For example:
Nirayana Year = 365.2563625 (Modern value)
Sayana Year = 365.24219 (Modern value)
The difference between 8586 sayana days and 8586 nirayana
days
= -121.684 days
i.e. precession of equinox in 8586 years = 119 deg 56 min =
120 deg
[This also indicates that the year length used in old-suryasidhantha
is little different. The year-length considered in old-suryasidhantha
is 365.25875 days. The "why" of it would be explained in Rationale 4]
Using the above method we can also prove that 25758 nirayana
years is equal to 25759 sayana years.

Basic Rationale 2:
------------------
The importance of yuga numbers is that they are precession
seconds (in precession circle).

Kali-yuga = 432,000 sec = 120 x 3600 sec = 120 deg = 8586
Years
This holds good if and only if, this period contains the
complete revolutions of the 7 planets and the nodes (Rahu-Sikhi). To
prove it he gives the following table. The importance of the number
8586 is emphasized.
----
----------
Complete-revolution & Nirayana-revolution Period
----
----------
Planet In Quarter Yuga In Maha Yuga Kalpa Nirayana rev. period
(8586 years) (85860 years) (86546880 years)
(Modern Value)
----
----------
Sun 8586 85860 86546880
365.2563624 365.2563624 365.2563624 365.2563624
----
----------
Moon 114784 1147840 157023263
27.32167486 27.32167486 27.32166204 27.3216615
(27 d 07 h 43 m11.6 s) (27 d 07 h 43 m 11.55
s)
----
----------
Mars 4565 45650 46015614
686.9860082 686.9860082 686.9798274 686.97982
----
----------
Mercury 35649 356498 359350528
87.97136 87.969389 87.9692559 87.969256
----
----------
Jupiter 724 7238 7296284
4331.675 4332.8144 4332.5888 4332.589
----
----------
Satern 291 2915 2938110
10776.94546 10758.46013 10759.22908 10759.23
----
----------
Venus 13957 13567 140683961
224.6966488 224.7914787 224.7007998 224.70080
----
----------
Rahu 461.5 4616 4653263
6795.430 6793.9582 6793.46934 6793.469
----
----------
Vernal 120 deg 1200 deg
Equinox (0.333...) (3.333...) (3360)
432,000 sec 432,000,0 sec 432,000,0 sec x 1008
revolutions revolutions revolutions
----
----------
Thus we see that, yuga numbers could actually mean precession
seconds. Therefore, now we could say,
Kali-yuga = 432,000 sec = 120 x 3600 sec = 120 deg = 8586
Years
Dwapara-yuga = 864,000 sec = 240 deg precession = 17172 years
Tretha-yuga = 1,296,000 sec = 360 deg precession = 25758
years
Kritha-yuga = 1,728,000 sec = 480 deg Deg precession =
34344 years
Maha-yuga = 4,320,000 sec = 1200 deg precession = 85860
nirayana years
Manuvanthara = 86400 deg precession
Kalpa = 3360 deg precession

According to Vedic astrology the Kalpa began on a new-moon
day/Sunday/first day of Aris (mesha)/and the planetary longitudes
(sputa) of all the planets were zero. Thus, theoretically all this
means that, each yuga-pada (8586 years) starts and ends in a new-moon
day, and that at the start and end of each yuga-pada a solar eclipse
occurs. (It is a pre-supposition put forward by old-Suryasidhantha
and the above maths. It must be theoretical reasoning followed by old-
Suryasidhantha) But it actually does not happen. The "why" of it
would become clear when we see rational 4)

Basic Rationale 3:
------------------
Kali-yugadi Ayanamsa is 46 deg 40 sec.

[He depends on the story that the birth of Brahma was in Rohini
Nakshathra. Rohini was also praised as Prajapathi, i.e. Brahma, in
Vedas]
i.e. Vernal equinox at the beginning of Kali-yugadi = 46 deg 40 sec
Therefore, Zero Ayanamsa years (elapsed) = 46 deg 40 sec x (8586/120
deg) = 3339
Here a striking similarity attracts our attention. 3339 is an
Rig-vedic number. Rig-veda (3.9.9) says of "3339 devas who worship
Agni". If Agni really means vernal equinox, then this could
mean, "the vernal equinox is 3339 years away from zero point".
i.e. After 3339 kali years the sayana and nirayana zodiacs
super conjuncts. Whether depend on the above maths or on the Rig-
vedic statement, we arrive at the same conclusion.
Kali Yuga (Beginning) + 3339 = Zero Ayanamsa Year
3102 BC = - 3101 AD
i.e. - 3101 AD + 3339 = AD. 238
i.e. Zero Ayanamsa Year = AD.238.
Thus the definite formula for determining the ayanamsa of any year
would be: -
Ayanamsa for the year (Y) = (Y-238) x (120 deg/8586)
Degrees.
= (Y-238)/71.55
degrees.
Here another striking similarity attracts our attention. The
Number of human heartbeat per minute is 71 or 72. It might be
possible that 71.55 is the actual value of the heartbeat for a
person. If so, we could also prove that the rhythm of the universe
and the biological clock in humans are mutually related. The
biological clock, circadian rhythm etc comes into consideration.
Example for calculating ayanamsa for any year: -
Hari Ayanamsa (1995) = (1995 - 238)/71.55 = 24.55625437
= 24 deg 33 min 22. 52 sec
Lahari (Chithra-paksha) Ayanamsa of 1995 = 23 deg 47 min 30
sec
Difference = Hari Ayanamsa - Lahari Ayanamsa = 46 min
i.e. Hari Ayanamsa is 46 min more than that of Lahari. In other words
if we subtract 46 min from the sputa (Celestial Longitude) arrived at
by using Lahari ephemeris, we would get sputa based on Hari Ayanamsa.
Hari does not stops here - he goes on to prove how the zodiac
was divided into Rasis (Signs) and Nakshathras (Stars), based on the
fiducial star Moola (240 Deg), 108 div of Nakshathras (3 deg 20 min
each), and the above said actual position of vernal equinox at Kali-
yugadi (46 deg 40 min). For this, two new ideas are introduced, and
he dives deep into old-suryasidhantha to prove them.

Basic Rationale 4:
------------------
(i) Zodiac is considered and presented as a mathematical
model in old-suryasidhantha, trying to comprehend the perfect rhythm
of the universe.
(ii) Even though the creator of Surya-sidhantha (i.e. Mayan),
knew about the actual vernal equinox at Kali-yugadi (i.e. 46 deg 40
min), Kali-yugadi-Ayanamsa was considered as 60 deg (in old-
Suryasidhantha), for the perfection of this mathematical model.

According to the precession considered in old-suryasidhantha: -
Precessional Cycle = 21600 years (instead of 25758 years)
If we relate this to yuga years -
432000 (Kali-yuga) = 21600 x 20
4,320,000 (Maha-yuga) = 21600 x 200
Maha-yuga = 200 x 360 deg = 72000 years
120 deg precession = 4320000/600 = 7200 years (instead of
8586 Years)
If we divide the number of revolution of planets in a
mahayuga with 600, we could get the number of revolutions of planets
per 7200 years. Thus we get -
Sun = 4,320,000/ 600 = 7200.00
Mars = 296824/600 = 3828.04
Jupiter = 364200/600 = 607.033
Venus = 7022388/600 = 11703.98
Mercury = 17937000/600 = 29895.00
Rahu = 232226/600 = 387.0433
Here the results are very near to whole numbers. That means
in 7200 years the mean values for planets complete, whole number of
revolutions. If we consider little bigger period, for example take,
7200 x 25 = 4320000/24 = 180000 years, we could prove that it contain
whole number of revolutions.
[The above mentioned proof, is not given in Hari's book named Rasi-
chakram. But I think anybody could verify it, as the logic is
straightforward. About not giving the number of complete revolution
for Moon and Satern in mahayuga also Hari gives some reasons, which I
could not grasp]
"As according to old-suryasidhantha, all the revolution
numbers of planets are whole numbers and multiples of 24, this means
that, in 180000 years, the mean positions of planets conjuncts at
zero-point. This is a concept fundamental of vedic astronomy. Surya-
sidhantha relates the imaginary mean positions of planets at the
start of yuga with the actual planetary positions that will occur
after 3600 years".
As Surya-sidhantha takes 4320000 as Maha-yuga the
Precessional Cycle (i.e. for 360 deg) becomes 21600 years. Thus it
necessitates 60 deg precession for Kali-yuga. If you compare with the
actual data, you may feel that it is an error. But in reality it is
precious mathematical model. The Precessional Cycle is a Mathematical
model put forward by the creator of Surya-sidhantha. What was the
need of such a model? It was to relate the yugadi mesha-sankranthi
with the new moon day that all these mathematical exercise was done.
[Or, was it to incorporate the number 216000 (i.e.360 x 60)? The
importance of this number is that: Prana (one human breath) means 4
seconds. According to yoga and upanishads one day of a human body
means 21600 prana = 360 deg x 60 = 21600 min of zodiac] For this, the
mesha-sankranthi at the beginning of yuga, was considered to happen,
9 days and 37 nadis before (9 deg 37 min). For that only nirayana
year with length 365.25875 was chosen. It was not because that he
doesn't know the actual nirayana year length. The actual precession
according to Surya sidhantha was 50 sec.
[How can we know that the year length used in Surya-sidhantha is
365.25875 days? According to Old-Suryasidhantha -
The Average Number of days in a Maha-Yuga = 1577917800 days
One Maha-yuga means = 4,320,000 years
Therefore Year-Length = 1577917800/4320000 = 365.25875 days
[Really I couldn't figure out how he got that "the actual precession
considered by Surya-sidhantha is 50 sec". There might be a sufficient
reason. But I don't know what it is.]
All this means that first stellar division (first star) is
Jyeshta that falls between the line joining the hypothetical Equinox
line of old-Suryasidhantha (the line joining 60 deg Vernal equinox
and 240 deg fiducial star Moola) and the line joining the actual
Equinox line at Yugadi (line joining 46 deg 40 min and 226 deg 40
min). The first rasi division is (sign - Cancer) falls between the
line joining the hypothetical Sayana Rahu-Sikhi (line joining 300 deg
Sayana-Sikhi/planetary conjunction point and 120 deg Sayana Rahu) and
the hypothetical Ecliptic (line joining 330 deg and 150 deg) of Old-
Suryasidhantha. Thus forms the Zodiac with stars 13 deg 20 min each
and Signs with 30 deg each.

Why Hari Jumped to Thanthra and Proposes that Zodiac is Thanthric?

When the thoughts of Chandra-Hari traveled up to this, and
bombarded with the concepts such as Moola and Rhythm of the universe
(music of the stars or biological clock - what ever you name it),
some other striking similarities came to his mind. Some examples
would be: -
(i) Moola is the base of zodiac division - Mooladhara is the base
point from where yoga starts.
(ii) Horoscope is also called Kundalini - In yoga also Kundalini
(serpent power) is important.
(iii) Rahu-Sikhi (Serpents - Kalasarpa) is the underlying factor of
Rasichakra - Kundalini in yoga is also symbolized as serpent.
(iv) Kalapurusha is a concept in astrology - Sankhya and Yoga also
speak about purusha.
(v) The universe is Rhythmic - The human body is also in rhythm
with universe. [This needs further clarification. Prana means 4
seconds. According to yoga and upanishads one day of a human body
means 21600 prana. 360 deg x 60 = 21600 min of zodiac. Also consider
the above said importance of the number 71.55]
All these similarities prompt him to dive deep into concepts
such as Tanthra/Yoga and Circadian-rhythm/Biological-clock etc.
Let Hari's concepts be right or wrong - shouldn't we
appreciate his efforts?
Conclusion:
-----------
In the view of Chandra-Hari: -
(i) The yuga concept is nothing but a deep-seated theory on
ayanamsa. That is why it was given this much importance by Old-Surya-
sidhantha (By Mayan, Included in Pancha-sidhantika by Varaha-Mihira),
New-Surya-sidhantha (By Aryabhatta I), the Epics and Puranas.
(ii) Rasi-chakram (Zodiac) is a mathematical model, put forward by
Rishis, which postulates the existence of a Sidereal (Nirayana) Zero-
point (Meshadi or Aswinyadi), as well as the conjunction of 8 planets
at this zero-point in the beginning of every yuga.
(iii) The Sayana-Nirayana division is deep seated in Hindu
mythology and the Vedas gives ample proof of this. Both the Sayana
and Nirayana systems existed in Vedic period. (Mayan the creator of
Surya-sidhantha was only a genius compiler of the then prevailing
knowledge)
At the end, let me mention one more point as well (taken form
the book Rasichakram). In the first hymn of purusha-suktha,
i.e., "sahasra seersha purusha sahasraksha sahasra path, sa bboomim
viswatho vrithva adhyadhishtath desangulam", a man with 1000 heads
and 1000 eyes and 1000 legs is mentioned. But really, as everybody
knows, 1000 heads needs 2000 eyes and 2000 legs. i.e., the meaning of
the word Sahasra = 1000, does not fit well. (We may escape the
confusion by saying that Sahasra means `many'). But based on
sathapatha brahmana, KR Krishnamoorthi says that, Sahasra
means `Great circle that divides a glob into two equal parts'. This
is note worthy. Then suddenly we become aware that many astronomical
terms are used in the hymn. The following picture clarifies this
point. Now we could see that:-
Seersha Circle (Sahasra seersha purusha) = Prime meridian
Aksha Circle (Sahasraksha) = Celestrial Equator (also known
as Nakshathra vritha in sanskrit)
Patha Circle (Sahasrapath) = Nodal Circle (also known as
Vikshepa vritha in sanskrit)
Bhoomi Circle (Sa-Bhoomim) = Horizon (also known as Harijem
in sanskrit)
Viswa Circle (Viswatho vrithva) = Ecliptic (also known as
Apamandala vritha in sanskrit)
Now, if this interpretation by Hari is right, we gets ample
proof for the fact that, Vedic Knowledge is really amazing.

Note: - Hari is a genuine genius, who argues vigorously about the
concepts he believes in, and his language is rude. (Those who read-
his-book / speak-with-him, can understand my point) His ideas are
stunning and capture our attention. We should admit his true
dedication towards astrological research. We are all searching for
the truth of astrology, and are trying to be sincere as much as
possible. I am not trying to become an advocate of Chandra-Hari.
While predicting using the Vimsothari desa system, I also feel (As
Guru Sanjay Datt pointed out) that, at times Lahari-Ayanamsa is
better than Chandra-Hari's to arrive at correct results. But still, I
feel passionate towards his mathematical concepts, and somewhere
there in the path, the truth and the trustworthiness of the true
ayanamsa hides.

Do you want to contact Chandra-Hari? Use this email address:
But be at your own risk!! Beware of what I said about his language.


By

Sreenadh
Arsha
Astrological Research Center

Email:sreelid