The Surya Siddhanta is one of the oldest astronomical texts from ancient India, attributed to the god Surya (the Sun) and believed to have been composed around 400-500 CE. This text provides detailed astronomical and mathematical calculations that were remarkably advanced for its time.

Gravitational Forces in the Surya Siddhanta
In Chapter 12 of the Surya Siddhanta, there is a passage that can be interpreted as describing the concept of gravity. The specific verse is as follows:

Surya Siddhanta 12:32:
"bhuvī saṃyogajāḥ kṛṣṇāḥ śakti-saṅghātakāḥ smṛtāḥ"

This translates roughly to:
"The force of attraction among the planets is the force which keeps them in orbit."

Detailed Interpretation
Force of Attraction:

The text refers to an attractive force among celestial bodies, which is quite similar to the concept of gravity described by Isaac Newton. Newton’s law of universal gravitation states that every particle attracts every other particle with a force which is proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers.
Planetary Orbits:

The Surya Siddhanta mentions that it is this force that maintains the celestial bodies in their respective orbits, which aligns with our modern understanding of how gravity governs the motion of planets and satellites.
Significance of This Knowledge
The mention of gravitational forces in the Surya Siddhanta is significant because:

Advanced Understanding:

It demonstrates that ancient Indian astronomers had a sophisticated understanding of celestial mechanics and the forces that govern the movement of planets.
Historical Context:

This knowledge predates the work of Western scientists like Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton by many centuries, showcasing the advanced state of ancient Indian science and astronomy.
Integration of Science and Philosophy:

The Surya Siddhanta integrates scientific observations with spiritual and philosophical concepts, reflecting the holistic approach of ancient Indian scholars.
Additional Astronomical Insights in Surya Siddhanta
Beyond the mention of gravitational forces, the Surya Siddhanta contains other advanced astronomical insights:

Earth's Diameter and Circumference:

The text provides remarkably accurate measurements of the Earth’s diameter and circumference.
Eclipses:

Detailed calculations for predicting solar and lunar eclipses are provided, showing a deep understanding of the geometry and relative positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon.
Planetary Distances and Periods:

The Surya Siddhanta includes calculations for the distances of planets from the Earth and their orbital periods.
Conclusion
The Surya Siddhanta’s reference to gravitational forces is a testament to the advanced astronomical knowledge possessed by ancient Indian scholars. This early description of gravity as a force that governs planetary motion highlights the rich scientific heritage of India and its contributions to the broader understanding of the universe long before similar concepts were developed in the West.

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