Paulisa Siddhanta


The Pauliṣa Siddhānta refers to multiple Indian astronomical treatises, at least one of which is based on a Western source. "Siddhānta" literally means "doctrine" or "tradition".
It is often mistakenly thought to be a single work and attributed to Paul of Alexandria. However, this notion has been rejected by other scholars in the field, notably by David Pingree who stated that "...the identification of Paulus Alexandrinus with the author of the Pauliṣa Siddhānta is totally false". Similarly, K. V. Sarma writes that it is from a Greek source, known only as Pauliṣa.
The earlier Pauliṣa-siddhānta dates from the third or fourth century, and the later Pauliṣa-siddhānta from the eighth century.
It follows the Yavanajātaka as an example of the transmission of Western astronomical knowledge to India during the first centuries of our era.
The Pauliṣa Siddhānta was particularly influential on the work of the Indian astronomer Varāhamihira. It was considered as one of "The Five Astronomical Canons" in India in the 5th century.