Aryabhatiya of Aryabhata- Critically Edited with Introduction, English Translation, Notes, Comments and Indexes

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In the history of science in India, Aryabhata I (Born A.D. 476), who made notable contributions to the development of astronomy and mathematics, has a distinct place. In his Aryabhatiya he remodelled the prevalent system of Indian astronomy on a scientific basis, provided it with modified parameters, new tools and techniques, and more accurate methods of calculation. A large number of expositions and works based on the Aryabhatiya came to be composed in later times, leading to the evolution of the Aryabhatan School of astronomy and mathematics.

The present volume forms a critical edition of Aryabhatiya based on original manuscripts and external testimonia.

An authentic translation has been provided and supplemented by detailed notes and comments which endeavour to expound Aryabhatan astronomy and mathematics in terms of modern hence. Besides an informative Introduction, several Indexes have been added to the volume to facilitate reference.

The present volume, which forms Part I of our edition of the Aryabhatiya, contains a critically edited text of the Aryabhatiya and its English translation along with explanatory and critical notes and comments.

1. ARYABHATA-THE AUTHOR

The Aryabhatiya is a composition of Aryabhata. The author mentions his name at two places in the Aryabhatiya, first in the opening stanza of the first chapter (viz., Gitika-pada) and then in the opening stanza of the second chapter (viz., Ganita-pada). In the concluding stanza, he calls the work Aryabhatiya ('A composition of Aryabhata') after his own name.

This Aryabhata is a different person from his namesake of the tenth century A.D., the author of the Maha-siddhanta. To distinguish between the two, the author of the Aryabhatiya is called Aryabhata I, and the author of the Maha-siddhanta is called Aryabhata II.

It is Aryabhata I, author of the Aryabhatiya, after whose name the first Indian satellite was designated 'Aryabhata' and put into orbit on April 19, 1975 and whose 1500th birth anniversary is being celebrated now.

2. HIS PLACE

2.1. Kusumapura

Aryabhata I does not expressly state the place to which he belonged, but he mentions Kusumapura and there are reasons to believe that he lived at Kusumapura and wrote his Aryabhatiya there. In stanza 1 of chapter ii of the Aryabhatiya, he writes:

"Aryabhata sets forth here the knowledge honoured at Kusumapura."!