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arXiv:physics/9804020physics.hist-ph

The Speed of Light and Puranic Cosmology

Subhash Kak

Early discovery. Linked by one identifiable commenter. This paper is outside the main ranking; a mention is not an endorsement.

Abstract

We survey early Indian ideas on the speed of light and the size of the universe. A context is provided for Sayana's statement (14th century)that the speed is 2,202 yojanas per half nimesha (186,000 miles per second!). It is shown how this statement may have emerged from early Puranic notions regarding the size of the universe. Although this value can only be considered to be an amazing coincidence, the Puranic cosmology at the basis of this assertion illuminates many ancient ideas of space and time.

arXiv comments
13 pages
Journal reference
Annals Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, vol. 80, pp. 113-123, 1999.
DOI
Subjects
physics.hist-phHistory and Philosophy of Physics physics.pop-phPopular Physics physics.soc-phPhysics and Society

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  1. Very old, very sophisticated tools found in India 1 comment

    • FWIW, I found this after digging into the comments on the Quora link - https://arxiv.org/pdf/physics/9804020v3.pdf. It explains the context of Puranic cosmology. I, too, am an Indian, and a healthy dose of skepticism is warranted. However, it is admittedly enjoyable for me to…

      pritishcView on HNParent context

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