8,090
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 44:
Line 44: − + + + + + + + +
→Evaporation, Condensation and Precipitation
In Matsya Purana (1.54.29-34) and Vayu Purana, we come across the description about evaporation, rising of water vapor, condensation and precipitation.<blockquote>सर्वभूतशरीरेषु आपो ह्यनुगताश्च याः । तेषु सन्दह्यमानेषु जङ्गमस्थावरेषु च। धूमभूतास्तु ता आपो निष्क्रामन्तीह सर्वशः ।। ५१.२२ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>तेन चाभ्राणि जायन्ते स्थानमत्राम्भसां स्मृतम् । आर्कन्तेजो हि भूतेभ्यो ह्यादत्ते रश्मिभिर्जलम् ।। ५१.२३ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>समुद्राद्वायुसंयोगाद्वहन्त्यापो गभस्तयः। यतस्त्वृतुवशात् काले परिवर्त्तो दिवाकारः। यच्छत्यपो हि मेघेब्यः शुक्लाः शुक्लगभस्तिभिः ।। ५१.२४ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>अभ्रस्था प्रपतन्त्यापो वायुना समुदीरिताः। सर्वभूतहितार्थाय वायुभिश्च समन्ततः ।। ५१.२५ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>ततो वर्षति षण्मासान् सर्वभूतविवृद्धये। वायव्यं स्तनितञ्चैव वैद्युतञ्चाग्निसंभवम् ।। ५१.२६ ।। (Vayu. Pura. 51.23-26)<ref>Vayu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5 Purvardha, Adhyaya 51])</ref></blockquote>Summary: Water is present in the bodies of all living beings. When the bodies of the mobile and immobile beings (plants and trees) burn, the water becomes vapour and rises from all sides. The clouds arise thereby (by the collection of this vapor) as they are the receptacles of water. The brilliance of the sun takes up the water from the living beings through the rays. Water is also taken up from the oceans by the winds and sun-rays. The changing movements of the sun, during appropriate times with seasons, water is imparted to the clouds by means of his white rays. When blown by the wind, the water drips from the clouds. The clouds shower for six months in order to nourish and develop all living beings. They produce the rumbling sound of thunder arising from the wind and brilliant lightning arising from fire.<ref>Tagare, G. V., (1987) ''The Vayu Purana, Part 1.'' Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass (Page 349)</ref>
In Matsya Purana (1.54.29-34) and Vayu Purana, we come across the description about evaporation, rising of water vapor, condensation and precipitation.<blockquote>सर्वभूतशरीरेषु आपो ह्यनुगताश्च याः । तेषु सन्दह्यमानेषु जङ्गमस्थावरेषु च। धूमभूतास्तु ता आपो निष्क्रामन्तीह सर्वशः ।। ५१.२२ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>तेन चाभ्राणि जायन्ते स्थानमत्राम्भसां स्मृतम् । आर्कन्तेजो हि भूतेभ्यो ह्यादत्ते रश्मिभिर्जलम् ।। ५१.२३ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>समुद्राद्वायुसंयोगाद्वहन्त्यापो गभस्तयः। यतस्त्वृतुवशात् काले परिवर्त्तो दिवाकारः। यच्छत्यपो हि मेघेब्यः शुक्लाः शुक्लगभस्तिभिः ।। ५१.२४ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>अभ्रस्था प्रपतन्त्यापो वायुना समुदीरिताः। सर्वभूतहितार्थाय वायुभिश्च समन्ततः ।। ५१.२५ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>ततो वर्षति षण्मासान् सर्वभूतविवृद्धये। वायव्यं स्तनितञ्चैव वैद्युतञ्चाग्निसंभवम् ।। ५१.२६ ।। (Vayu. Pura. 51.23-26)<ref>Vayu Purana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5 Purvardha, Adhyaya 51])</ref></blockquote>Summary: Water is present in the bodies of all living beings. When the bodies of the mobile and immobile beings (plants and trees) burn, the water becomes vapour and rises from all sides. The clouds arise thereby (by the collection of this vapor) as they are the receptacles of water. The brilliance of the sun takes up the water from the living beings through the rays. Water is also taken up from the oceans by the winds and sun-rays. The changing movements of the sun, during appropriate times with seasons, water is imparted to the clouds by means of his white rays. When blown by the wind, the water drips from the clouds. The clouds shower for six months in order to nourish and develop all living beings. They produce the rumbling sound of thunder arising from the wind and brilliant lightning arising from fire.<ref>Tagare, G. V., (1987) ''The Vayu Purana, Part 1.'' Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass (Page 349)</ref>
Here the puranic references of water cycle clearly explain the scientific processes of evaporation, formation of clouds, precipitation, the thunder and lightnings. Varahamihira's Brhat Samhita extensively discusses about hydrometrology comprising of Pregnancy of clouds (Adhyaya 21), Pregnancy of air (Adhyaya 22) and quantity of rainfall (Adhyaya 23).
Here the puranic references of water cycle clearly explain the scientific processes of evaporation, formation of clouds, precipitation, the thunder and lightnings. Varahamihira's Brhat Samhita extensively discusses about hydrometrology comprising of Pregnancy of clouds (Adhyaya 21), Pregnancy of air (Adhyaya 22) and quantity of rainfall (Adhyaya 23).<ref name=":1" />
==== Rain Gauges ====
Rain gauging was prevalent in India even before Panini (3.4.32) who provides for terms referring to measures of rainfall. The Arthashastra (2.5.7) describes the rain-gauge as a basin with a mouth one aratni (= 24 ahgulas) in width. According to the Brhatsamhita (23.2) the raingauge is to be one hasta or cubit (18 inches) in diameter. When filled to the brim it indicates 50 palas or 1 aadhaka of rainfall. Other texts like Krshiparasara, differ in the measurement of 1 aadhaka and other measures such as drona and dhanus.
Rtuvijnana or climatology developed along with astronomy. The Brhatsamhita, the most standard work of this type, has many chapters dealing with several aspects of the subject. Varahamihira himself refers to some earlier authorities, but their writings are not available in their original form.<ref name=":12">Bag, A. K. (1997) ''History of Technology in India, Vol. 1, From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D.'' New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy. (Pages 417 - )</ref>
=== दकार्गलम् ॥ Exploration of Water Springs ===
=== दकार्गलम् ॥ Exploration of Water Springs ===
Dakargalam, mean "Water-finding" (also called Jalargalam or Udakargalam), pertains to the science of exploration of water springs or underground water resources (जलौपलब्धिज्ञानम्). Brhat Samhita the celebrated book of Varahamihira is a treasure trove of ancient Bharat's technical advancements written in the early christian era. In here we find the detailed explanation about exploration of water veins beneath the earth's surface.<blockquote>धर्म्यं यशस्यं च वदाम्यतोऽहं दकार्गलं [क्.दगार्गलं] येन जलौपलब्धिः । पुंसां यथाङ्गेषु शिरास्तथैव क्षितावपि प्रोन्नतनिम्नसंस्थाः ।।</blockquote><blockquote>एकेन वर्णेन रसेन चाम्भश्च्युतं नभस्तो वसुधाविशेषात् । नानारसत्वं बहुवर्णतां च गतं परीक्ष्यं क्षितितुल्यमेव ।। (Brhat. Samh. 54.1-2)</blockquote>Meaning: I shall now explain the science of water-finding which is dharmika and brings renown, for it helps men to ascertain the existence of water. Just as there are veins in the human body, even so they exist, some higher up and some lower in the earth. The water that falls from the sky with the same color and taste, assumes various colors and tastes owing to the difference in the nature of the earth.<ref>Pt. V. Subrahmanya Sastri and M. Ramakrishna Bhat (1946) ''Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita with an English Translation and Notes.'' Bangalore: Electronic Printing Works. (Pages 458 and 459)</ref>
Dakargalam, mean "Water-finding" (also called Jalargalam or Udakargalam), pertains to the science of exploration of water springs or underground water resources (जलौपलब्धिज्ञानम्). Brhat Samhita the celebrated book of Varahamihira is a treasure trove of ancient Bharat's technical advancements written in the early christian era. In here we find the detailed explanation about exploration of water veins beneath the earth's surface.<blockquote>धर्म्यं यशस्यं च वदाम्यतोऽहं दकार्गलं [क्.दगार्गलं] येन जलौपलब्धिः । पुंसां यथाङ्गेषु शिरास्तथैव क्षितावपि प्रोन्नतनिम्नसंस्थाः ।।</blockquote><blockquote>एकेन वर्णेन रसेन चाम्भश्च्युतं नभस्तो वसुधाविशेषात् । नानारसत्वं बहुवर्णतां च गतं परीक्ष्यं क्षितितुल्यमेव ।। (Brhat. Samh. 54.1-2)</blockquote>Meaning: I shall now explain the science of water-finding which is dharmika and brings renown, for it helps men to ascertain the existence of water. Just as there are veins in the human body, even so they exist, some higher up and some lower in the earth. The water that falls from the sky with the same color and taste, assumes various colors and tastes owing to the difference in the nature of the earth.<ref>Pt. V. Subrahmanya Sastri and M. Ramakrishna Bhat (1946) ''Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita with an English Translation and Notes.'' Bangalore: Electronic Printing Works. (Pages 458 and 459)</ref>
Varahamihira speaks of eight underground arteries of water, four flowing in the four cardinal points and four in the intermediate directions with a ninth which shoots upward (verses 3-6). He takes the presence of certain trees and ant-hills in different directions of specified trees as indicating underneath water at a waterless place (ambu-rahita).<blockquote>पुरुहूतानलयमनिरृतिवरुणपवनैन्दुशङ्करा देवाः । विज्ञातव्याः क्रमशः प्राच्यऽद्यानां दिशां पतयः ।। ५३.०३ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>दिक्पतिसंज्ञा च शिरा नवमी मध्ये महाशिरानाम्नी । एताभ्यो +अन्याः शतशो विनिःसृता नामभिः प्रथिताः ।। ५३.०४ ।।</blockquote><blockquote>पातालाद्*ऊर्ध्वशिरा शुभा[क्.ऊर्ध्वशिराः शुभाश्] चतुर्दिक्षु संस्थिता याश्च । कोणदिगुत्था न शुभाः शिरानिमित्तान्यतो वक्ष्ये ।। ५३.०५ ।। </blockquote><blockquote>यदि वेतसो अम्बुरहिते देशे हस्तैस्त्रिभिस्ततः पश्चात् । सार्धे पुरुषे तोयं वहति शिरा पश्चिमा तत्र ।। ५३.०६ ।। (Brhat. Samh. 53.3-6)<ref>Brihat Samhita ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%AB%E0%A5%A9 Adhyaya 53])</ref></blockquote>He mentions the depth at which water will be available, the nature of the water, the direction in which it flows, the type of stones and soil to be met at different levels and fish, frogs, rats, snakes and tortoise to be noticed (verses 6-85). The depth at which water is indicated for a desert land (marudesa) is not applicable to a jangala land (with little water). In the case of anupa land (with much water), if certain specified trees are found in ant-hills, then water will be at a distance of three persons length (purusas), in jangala land at a distance of five purusas and in maru land at a distance of seven purusas (verses 86-89). There are general indications of the presence of water in the form of colour and nature of soil, availability of vegetation on them, and the presence of anthills and insects without home (verses 90-96).<ref name=":12" />
=== Surface Water ===
=== Surface Water ===