PANCHANGA SIDDHANTA CLASSES – A REPORT

The three day residential classes conducted by I-SERVE, in order to enlighten the public, regarding the Siddhanta (theoretical) part of Panchanga making, were completed, successfully. The classes were inaugurated by Justice Sri P.S.Narayana, Hon’ble Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Inaugural function of Panchanga Siddhanta Classes.
From left to right: Dr. S. Balachandra Rao, Sri Madhura Krishna Murthy Sastry,Sri Sadguru Krishna Yaji, Justice P.S. Narayana, Prof.K.V.Krishna Murthy, Prof. V. Kutumba Sastry, Sri M.V.R Sastry, Sri Goteti Sri Rama Rao, Prof. K. Ramasubramanian ,Dr. Sripada Bhatt

In this connection, Prof. K.V.Krishna Murthy, explained the aspirations and intentions of I-SERVE thus –

Now a days even the critical concepts of various modern sciences are being made available in an understandable form even, to the high school students by many schools and even by daily news papers. Hence the common people are gaining basic awareness in all such subjects, as a result of which people, need not depend on anybody for knowing the correctness of the basic principles of such subjects. Regarding our Panchangas (Almanacs) , even the elite as well as the scholars of modern Astronomy are not aware of these basic aspects. Due to this, general public is in a confusion as to believe whom,, while the Almanac makers are fixing up different dates for our festivals. If we wish to avoid this kind of miserable situation we should be able to acquaint the general public with the basic aspects of traditional Astronomy. Some how, this kind of effort has never been attempted so far. The I-SERVE is therefore conducting these classes, to distribute this knowledge to the people of all walks of life – said Prof. Krishna Murthy. Sri Sadguru Krishnayaji (Surya Sadanam, Garividi), Prof. V. Kutumba Sastry (Vice Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskruta Samsthan, New Delhi) and Sri M.V.R Sastry, (Editor, Andhra Bhoomi) attended the inaugural session as Guests of Honor. Appreciating the need of these classes, the speakers said that the calculation aspect of Panchanga is different from the (theory) Siddhanta part, and some of the Almanac makers do not have any basic understanding of the Siddhanta Part, due to which they are not clear, about their own theories. That is why these classes are not only beneficial to the common people, but also to the Almanac makers. Then only the festivals and Muhurthas that are being fixed up by them will be authentic, they said

More than 300 participants, from various districts of Andhra Pradesh, TamilNadu & Maharashtra attended the residential classes and the boarding and lodging arrangements for the participents were made maticulously by the organaisers. The classes were held every day from 8.30 A.M to 7.30 P.M in which Sri Madhura Krishna Murthy Sastry (Viswa Vignana Pratishtanam, Rajahmundry), Prof. S. Balachandra Rao (Retd. Professor in Astronomy, Bangalore), Prof.K. Ramasubramanian (IIT, Mumbai), Prof. Sripada Bhatt (Rashtriya Sanskruta Vidya peeth, Tirupati) delivered their informative lectures. Sri Madhura Krishna Murthy Sastry explained the first three chapters of Surya Siddhanta, the methods involved in calculating the Lagna and the main reasons for the differences in the Almanacs, by quoting different texts.

Book release

Prof. S. Balachandra Rao, while introducing the learning methods of Astronomy, explained the calculation methods of Ayanamsa, as explained in Grahalaghava and the mathematical calculations of eclipses in simple English. His lectures, with the projection of OHP slides, explained vividly the methods and values of various approaches of the subject, with the help of tables and diagrams.

Prof. K. Ramasubramanian explained the calculation methods of Almanac, Surya Siddhanta and the important terminology found in an Almanac, in a scientific way. His lecture evoked interest in the audience with all pictorial examples and Sanskrit quotations.

Prof Sripada Bhatt mainly explained the time analysis, the calculations of rising and settings of various planets in detail. With his expertise in teaching he virtually taught the subject by drawing the diagrams on black board and by answering the questions from the students.

Added to this, some more experts were invited as guest speakers. Among these Sri Chirravuri Sri Rama Sarma (Rajahmundry) explained the relation between Dharma Sastra to the Almanac. Sri Anaparti Krishna Sarma spoke on Gola Adhyaya of Surya Siddhanta and the abbreviations used in Almanacs. Sri Pidaparti Hariprasad spoke on the Sundial (or Palabha Yantra). Sri K. Mahesh Bhatt spoke on the methods of fixing the longitudes, latitudes and directions with the help of shadow.

All these three days the participants paid their utmost attention for more than 10 hours a day, with absorbing silence. They got clarified all their doubts in various contexts.

In addition, every day from 6.00 A.M to 7 A.M the classes on Kriya Yoga, and cultural programs in the evenings after the teaching sessions, were also conducted. As a part of it, evening a humorous speech was delivered by Sri Sankara narayana, Haasyavadhani, on 30th September and a dance program of Smt. Vijayashanti (Srimata Academy of Dance and Music) on 1st October. Navagraha Yaga and Aruna yaga were also performed during these days.

On 2nd October at 4 P.M, the Valedictory session of the classes were graced by Prof.Dr.D. Swaminathan (Member , National Advisory Council, Government of India) as Chief Guest, and Prof. V. Kutumba Sastry as guest of Honor. Pujya Sri Sadguru Krishna yaji, and Parama pujya S.A.R. Prasanna Venkata Chariar Chaturvedi Swami (Managing Trustee, Sri Ramanuja mission) blessed the occasion. All of them appreciated the way of conducting the classes. The gathering was held captive by fluent flowing oration in English by Chaturvedi Swamiji. Many professors of national and international repute attended these classes as observers.

Valedictory function.
From left to right: Prof. K. Ramasubramanian,Sri Madhura Krishna Murthy Sastry , Prof. Dr.D. Swaminadhan,Prof. K.V.Krishna Murthy,H.H. Prof. S.A.R Prasanna Venkata Chariar Chaturvedi Swami,Prof. V. Kutumba Sastry,Dr. S. Balachandra Rao

Members OF I-SERVE & Volunteers of Sri Datta Humane Services -Sevadal (SDHS)

They all suggested I-SERVE to examine the possibility of continuing the process of these classes, in future as well and this suggestion was humbly accepted.