05-04-2004, 09:21 PM
PATANJALI Lecture Series seminar on
Popular lecture: The Encoding of Astronomical Knowledge in an
Ancient
Sanskrit Text
Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2004
Time: 7 PM (Coffee at 6:30 PM)
Place: Dion 115
Technical lecture: An Accurate Map of the Solar System in an Ancient Sanskrit Text
Place: Library Browsing Area
Date: Thursday, May 6, 2002
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM (Coffee and Cookies at 11:30 AM)
* Snacks will be served *
ByDr. Richard Thompson
Dr. Richard Thompson, a Ph.D. in mathematics from Cornell University is a
prolific author on many peer-reviewed articles on mathematical and computer
modeling, and has written several books including the following:
1. Computer Simulations of Self-Organization in Biological Systems, with N.S. Goel. London: Croome Helm, 1988; 2. Forbidden Archeology: The Hidden
History of the Human Race, Torch Publishing, 1998; 3. Mysteries of the Sacred Universe, Alachua: Govardhana Hill, 2000; 4. Maya: The World as Virtual Reality, Alachua: Govardhana Hill, 2003.
Popular Lecture, Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at 7 PM
The Encoding of Astronomical Knowledge in an Ancient Sanskrit Text
From the flat earth to the sun's chariot, traditional spiritual texts seem wedded to outmoded cosmologies that show, at best, the scientific limitations of their authors. The Bhagavata Purana, one of the classical scriptures of Hinduism, seems at first glance to be no exception. However, a closer examination of this text reveals unexpected depths of knowledge in ancient cosmology. This knowledge is encoded in the form of multiple interpretations of the text, each of which is supported by a series of textual statements. Although this creates a contradictory impression for
the modern reader, it is typical of ancient modes of _expression, in which several meanings are packed into one text or work of art.
Technical Lecture, Thursday, May 6, 2004 at noon:
An Accurate Map of the Solar System in an Ancient Sanskrit Text
The Bhagavata Purana presents a system of cosmic geography consisting of
ring-shaped features labeled as oceans and islands. This system looks like an elaborate account of a flat earth, with precise dimensions of geographical features given in terms of a unit of distance called the yojana. However, when these dimensions are carefully examined, they reveal a map of the solar system out to Uranus, with accurate values for the closest and greatest distance of each planet from the earth. This suggests that the so-called primitive cosmology of the Bhagavatam encodes advanced scientific knowledge of the solar system that was not matched in recent times until the nineteenth century. In addition, the correlation between planetary distances and features in the cosmological map allows us to calculate an accurate value for the length of the yojana. It turns out that there is historical evidence for the actual use of this particular unit of measure in countries ranging from ancient Egypt to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
For further information, please contact Bal Ram Singh
Bal Ram Singh, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Indic Studies
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747
Phone: 508-999-8588
Fax: 508-999-8451
Email: bsingh@u...
Popular lecture: The Encoding of Astronomical Knowledge in an
Ancient
Sanskrit Text
Date: Wednesday, May 5, 2004
Time: 7 PM (Coffee at 6:30 PM)
Place: Dion 115
Technical lecture: An Accurate Map of the Solar System in an Ancient Sanskrit Text
Place: Library Browsing Area
Date: Thursday, May 6, 2002
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM (Coffee and Cookies at 11:30 AM)
* Snacks will be served *
ByDr. Richard Thompson
Dr. Richard Thompson, a Ph.D. in mathematics from Cornell University is a
prolific author on many peer-reviewed articles on mathematical and computer
modeling, and has written several books including the following:
1. Computer Simulations of Self-Organization in Biological Systems, with N.S. Goel. London: Croome Helm, 1988; 2. Forbidden Archeology: The Hidden
History of the Human Race, Torch Publishing, 1998; 3. Mysteries of the Sacred Universe, Alachua: Govardhana Hill, 2000; 4. Maya: The World as Virtual Reality, Alachua: Govardhana Hill, 2003.
Popular Lecture, Wednesday, May 5, 2004 at 7 PM
The Encoding of Astronomical Knowledge in an Ancient Sanskrit Text
From the flat earth to the sun's chariot, traditional spiritual texts seem wedded to outmoded cosmologies that show, at best, the scientific limitations of their authors. The Bhagavata Purana, one of the classical scriptures of Hinduism, seems at first glance to be no exception. However, a closer examination of this text reveals unexpected depths of knowledge in ancient cosmology. This knowledge is encoded in the form of multiple interpretations of the text, each of which is supported by a series of textual statements. Although this creates a contradictory impression for
the modern reader, it is typical of ancient modes of _expression, in which several meanings are packed into one text or work of art.
Technical Lecture, Thursday, May 6, 2004 at noon:
An Accurate Map of the Solar System in an Ancient Sanskrit Text
The Bhagavata Purana presents a system of cosmic geography consisting of
ring-shaped features labeled as oceans and islands. This system looks like an elaborate account of a flat earth, with precise dimensions of geographical features given in terms of a unit of distance called the yojana. However, when these dimensions are carefully examined, they reveal a map of the solar system out to Uranus, with accurate values for the closest and greatest distance of each planet from the earth. This suggests that the so-called primitive cosmology of the Bhagavatam encodes advanced scientific knowledge of the solar system that was not matched in recent times until the nineteenth century. In addition, the correlation between planetary distances and features in the cosmological map allows us to calculate an accurate value for the length of the yojana. It turns out that there is historical evidence for the actual use of this particular unit of measure in countries ranging from ancient Egypt to Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
For further information, please contact Bal Ram Singh
Bal Ram Singh, Ph.D.
Director, Center for Indic Studies
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
285 Old Westport Road
Dartmouth, MA 02747
Phone: 508-999-8588
Fax: 508-999-8451
Email: bsingh@u...