Ganita Bharati
Published in Association with Bulletin of The Indian Society for History of Mathematics
Current Volume: 45 (2023 )
ISSN: 0970-0307
Periodicity: Half-Yearly
Month(s) of Publication: June & December
Subject: Mathematics
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/GB
Online Access is Free for Life Member
Explanation of the Vakyasodhana procedure for the Candravakyas
By : M. S. Sriram
Page No: 47-53
Abstract
The CandravÀkyas of MÀdhava give the true longitude of the Moon for each day of an anomalistic cycle of 248 days. These coincide with the computed values within an error of one second. Traditionally, a vÀkyaœodhana (exculpating vÀkyas) has been prescribed to check the correctness of the numerical values given by the vÀkyas, if there is any doubt about any of them. We are not aware of any explanation for this procedure in any commentary. In this article, we provide an explanation for the vÀkyaœodhana - procedure, based on the traditional trairÀœika or the “rule of three” procedure.