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#Thread on speed of light in terms of vedic measurement.
Galileo Galilee was among the first to try to measure the speed of light in the early 17th century. Today we know that the exact speed of light is defined as 29,97,92,458 metres per second (approximately 186000 mi/s).
Galileo Galilee was among the first to try to measure the speed of light in the early 17th century. Today we know that the exact speed of light is defined as 29,97,92,458 metres per second (approximately 186000 mi/s).
But, when it comes to Indian prospect, there are many references about the speed of light much before the 17th century.
The speed of light is not directly from the Rigveda Samhita but It is given by a great Indian scholor Sāyaṇācārya, popularly known as Sayana.
The speed of light is not directly from the Rigveda Samhita but It is given by a great Indian scholor Sāyaṇācārya, popularly known as Sayana.
Sayana was a sanskrit scholar under king Bukka Raya I and Harihara II of Vijaynagar empire in 14th century. His commentary on vedas are very famous and was translated from Sanskrit to English by Max Müller, himself.
RigVeda verse 1.50.4-
तरणिविश्वदर्शवो ज्योतिष्कृदसि सूर्य । विश्वमा भासि रोचनम् ।।
Swift and all beautiful art thou, O Surya, maker of the light, Illuming all the radiant realm.
As it talks about maker of light. Commentary of Sayana in this verse is as:
तरणिविश्वदर्शवो ज्योतिष्कृदसि सूर्य । विश्वमा भासि रोचनम् ।।
Swift and all beautiful art thou, O Surya, maker of the light, Illuming all the radiant realm.
As it talks about maker of light. Commentary of Sayana in this verse is as:
तथा च स्मर्यत योजनानां सहस्रम् द्वे द्वे शते द्वे च योजने । एकेन निमिषार्धेन क्रममाण नमोऽस्तु ते ॥
It is remembered, [O Sun] bow to you, you who traverse 2,202 yojanas in half a nimesha.
Here it is talking about speed of Sun.
![तथा च स्मर्यत योजनानां सहस्रम् द्वे द्वे शते द्वे च योजने । एकेन निमिषार्धेन क्रममाण नमोऽस्तु ते ॥It is remembered, [O Sun] bow to you, you who traverse 2,202 yojanas in half a nimesha.Here it is talking about speed of Sun.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ErsXs67VEAAvdcz.jpg "तथा च स्मर्यत योजनानां सहस्रम् द्वे द्वे शते द्वे च योजने । एकेन निमिषार्धेन क्रममाण नमोऽस्तु ते ॥It is remembered, [O Sun] bow to you, you who traverse 2,202 yojanas in half a nimesha.Here it is talking about speed of Sun.")
It is remembered, [O Sun] bow to you, you who traverse 2,202 yojanas in half a nimesha.
Here it is talking about speed of Sun.
But as it is in the commentary of verse containing maker of light, it is taken as speed of light.
The Moksha dharma parva of Shanti Parva in Mahabharata describes Nimisha as follows:
15 Nimisha = 1 Kastha
30 Kashta = 1 Kala
30.3 Kala = 1 Muhurta
The Moksha dharma parva of Shanti Parva in Mahabharata describes Nimisha as follows:
15 Nimisha = 1 Kastha
30 Kashta = 1 Kala
30.3 Kala = 1 Muhurta
30 Muhurtas = 1 Diva-Ratri (Day-Night)
We know Day-Night is 24 hours
So we get 24 hours = 30 x 30.3 x 30 x 15 nimisha
in other words 409050 nimisha
We know 1 hour = 60 x 60 = 3600 seconds
So 24 hours = 24 x 3600 seconds = 409050 nimisha
409050 nimesa = 86,400 seconds
We know Day-Night is 24 hours
So we get 24 hours = 30 x 30.3 x 30 x 15 nimisha
in other words 409050 nimisha
We know 1 hour = 60 x 60 = 3600 seconds
So 24 hours = 24 x 3600 seconds = 409050 nimisha
409050 nimesa = 86,400 seconds
1 nimesa = 0.2112 second (This is a recursive decimal! Wink of an eye=.2112 seconds!)
1/2 nimesa = 0.1056 seconds
Yojana is defined in Chapter 6 of Book 1 of the “Vishnu Purana” as follows
10 ParamAnus = 1 Parasúkshma
10 Parasúkshmas = 1 Trasarenu
1/2 nimesa = 0.1056 seconds
Yojana is defined in Chapter 6 of Book 1 of the “Vishnu Purana” as follows
10 ParamAnus = 1 Parasúkshma
10 Parasúkshmas = 1 Trasarenu
10 Trasarenus = 1 Mahírajas (particle of dust)
10 Mahírajas= 1 Bálágra (hair’s point)
10 Bálágra = 1 Likhsha
10 Likhsha= 1 Yuka
1o Yukas = 1 Yavodara (heart of barley)
10 Yavodaras = 1 Yava (barley grain of middle size)
10 Yava = 1 Angula (1.89 cm or approx 3/4 inch)
10 Mahírajas= 1 Bálágra (hair’s point)
10 Bálágra = 1 Likhsha
10 Likhsha= 1 Yuka
1o Yukas = 1 Yavodara (heart of barley)
10 Yavodaras = 1 Yava (barley grain of middle size)
10 Yava = 1 Angula (1.89 cm or approx 3/4 inch)
6 fingers = 1 Pada (the breadth of it)
2 Padas = 1 Vitasti (span)
2 Vitasti = 1 Hasta (cubit)
4 Hastas = a Dhanu, a Danda, or pauruSa (a man’s height), or 2 Nárikás = 6 feet
2000 Dhanus = 1 Gavyuti (distance to which a cow’s call or lowing can be heard) = 12000 feet
2 Padas = 1 Vitasti (span)
2 Vitasti = 1 Hasta (cubit)
4 Hastas = a Dhanu, a Danda, or pauruSa (a man’s height), or 2 Nárikás = 6 feet
2000 Dhanus = 1 Gavyuti (distance to which a cow’s call or lowing can be heard) = 12000 feet
4 Gavyutis = 1 Yojana = 9.09 miles
Calculation:
So now we can calculate what is the value of the speed of light in modern units based on the value given as 2202 yojanas in 1/2 nimesa
= 2202 x 9.09 miles per 0.1056 secs
= 20016.18 miles per 0.1056 secs
= 189547 miles per second !!
Calculation:
So now we can calculate what is the value of the speed of light in modern units based on the value given as 2202 yojanas in 1/2 nimesa
= 2202 x 9.09 miles per 0.1056 secs
= 20016.18 miles per 0.1056 secs
= 189547 miles per second !!
Now, I’m not saying that the value is accurate and It was discovered by Indian but, the knowledge of Indian were incredible and very deep.
