Changes

Currently we are in the Vaivasvata Manvantara, the seventh Manvantara of the Svetavaraha Kalpa, which is at the beginning of the second Parardha, or the fifty-first year of the current 100 year cycle of Brahma.<blockquote>अयं तु कथितः कल्पो द्वितीयस्यापि भारत । वाराह इति विख्यातो यत्रासीत् शूकरो हरिः ॥ ३६ ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 3.11.36)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>ayaṁ tu kathitaḥ kalpō dvitīyasyāpi bhārata । vārāha iti vikhyātō yatrāsīt śūkarō hariḥ ॥ 36 ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 3.11.36)</blockquote>Sumamary : The present Kalpa of the second Parardha is known as Varaha (pertaining to the boar) as Hari assumed the boar-form (शूकरः) in this Kalpa.

Currently we are in the Vaivasvata Manvantara, the seventh Manvantara of the Svetavaraha Kalpa, which is at the beginning of the second Parardha, or the fifty-first year of the current 100 year cycle of Brahma.<blockquote>अयं तु कथितः कल्पो द्वितीयस्यापि भारत । वाराह इति विख्यातो यत्रासीत् शूकरो हरिः ॥ ३६ ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 3.11.36)<ref name=":3" /></blockquote><blockquote>ayaṁ tu kathitaḥ kalpō dvitīyasyāpi bhārata । vārāha iti vikhyātō yatrāsīt śūkarō hariḥ ॥ 36 ॥ (Bhag. Pura. 3.11.36)</blockquote>Sumamary : The present Kalpa of the second Parardha is known as Varaha (pertaining to the boar) as Hari assumed the boar-form (शूकरः) in this Kalpa.

Present Kalpa = Svetavaraha Kalpa (51 year of the 100 years of Brahma Ayuh)   

'''Present Kalpa''' = Svetavaraha Kalpa (51 year of the 100 years of Brahma Ayuh)   

Present Manvantara = Vaivasvata Manvantara (seventh of the 14 Manvantaras)   

'''Present Manvantara''' = Vaivasvata Manvantara (seventh of the 14 Manvantaras)   

Present Mahayuga = 28th (of the 71 Mahayugas)   

'''Present Mahayuga''' = 28th (of the 71 Mahayugas)   

Present Chaturyuga = Kaliyuga (4th of the Chaturyugas)   

'''Present Chaturyuga''' = Kaliyuga (4th of the Chaturyugas)   

The later time points in Kali yuga are calculated in our calendars and Panchangas. Accurate prediction of the ending moment of tithis, sankramana (transit of sun across rasis), eclipses etc seem to have contributed in a big way to the growth of mathematics in India.     

The later time points in Kali yuga are calculated in our calendars and Panchangas. Based on the periodical natural observations such as the sunrise and sunset, new moon, full moon, and seasons, a working scale of time - consisting of day, fortnight, month and year - has been used from early times. Accurate prediction of the ending moment of tithis, sankramana (transit of sun across rasis), eclipses etc seem to have contributed in a big way to the growth of mathematics in India.     

=== Importance of Astronomy ===

=== Importance of Astronomy ===

Vedanga Jyotisha (Yajurveda recension) clearly indicates how Jyotisha forms a part of Veda apart from highlighting the need for an accurate calendar system.<blockquote>वेदा हि यज्ञार्थमभिप्रवृत्ताः कालानुपूर्व्या विहिताश्च यज्ञाः । तस्मादिदं कालविधामशास्त्रं यो ज्योतिषं वेद स वेद यज्ञम् ॥ (Veda. Jyot. Yaju. 3)<ref name=":8" /></blockquote><blockquote>vēdā hi yajñārthamabhipravr̥ttāḥ kālānupūrvyā vihitāśca yajñāḥ । tasmādidaṁ kālavidhāmaśāstraṁ yō jyōtiṣaṁ vēda sa vēda yajñam ॥ (Veda. Jyot. Yaju. 3)</blockquote>Summary : The Vedas have indeed been revealed for the sake of performance of the Yajnas. But these yajnas are dependent on (various segments of) time. Therefor, only he who knows the lore of time. viz., Jyotisha, understands the processes of Yajnas.<ref name=":8" />  

[[Vedanga Jyotisha (वेदाङ्गज्योतिषम्)|Vedanga Jyotisha]] (Yajurveda recension) clearly indicates how Jyotisha forms a part of Veda apart from highlighting the need for an accurate calendar system.<blockquote>वेदा हि यज्ञार्थमभिप्रवृत्ताः कालानुपूर्व्या विहिताश्च यज्ञाः । तस्मादिदं कालविधामशास्त्रं यो ज्योतिषं वेद स वेद यज्ञम् ॥ (Veda. Jyot. Yaju. 3)<ref name=":8" /></blockquote><blockquote>vēdā hi yajñārthamabhipravr̥ttāḥ kālānupūrvyā vihitāśca yajñāḥ । tasmādidaṁ kālavidhāmaśāstraṁ yō jyōtiṣaṁ vēda sa vēda yajñam ॥ (Veda. Jyot. Yaju. 3)</blockquote>Summary : The Vedas have indeed been revealed for the sake of performance of the Yajnas. But these yajnas are dependent on (various segments of) time. Therefor, only he who knows the lore of time. viz., Jyotisha, understands the processes of [[Yajna (यज्ञः)|Yajnas]].<ref name=":8" />  

Given the importance of the calendrical system, Indian astronomers took it as a challenge upon themselves to prepare accurate calendars to cater to the needs of the society. Thus arose the concepts of Panchangas and the specific calculations associated with them.

Given the importance of the calendrical system, Indian astronomers took it as a challenge upon themselves to prepare accurate calendars to cater to the needs of the society. Thus arose the concepts of Panchangas and the specific calculations associated with them.