வானவியல்/பழந்தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் அறிவியல் சிந்தனைகள்/Vanaviyal@தமிழ்கணேஷ்

Notes on "வானவியல்/பழந்தமிழ் இலக்கியங்களில் அறிவியல் சிந்தனைகள்/Vanaviyal@தமிழ்கணேஷ்"

1. Summary

This video by Tamil Ganesh discusses the astronomical knowledge present in ancient Tamil literature. It highlights how the ancient Tamils had a deep understanding of celestial bodies, including the concept of a spherical Earth, the movement of planets, and astronomical phenomena like the appearance and disappearance of the sun and the impact of the sun's light on other stars. The video cites examples from various Tamil literary works like Thiruvacakam, Purananuru, and Thirumurutrupadai to support its claims.

2. Key Takeaways

* Ancient Tamil literature contains significant astronomical insights, reflecting a sophisticated understanding of the cosmos.

* The concept of a spherical Earth was present in ancient Tamil culture long before Western scientific validation.

* Ancient Tamils understood the movement of planets and the relationship between celestial movements and the days of the week.

* The video cites textual evidence from works like Thiruvacakam, Purananuru, and Thirumurutrupadai to illustrate their astronomical knowledge.

* Ancient Tamils were aware of concepts like the absence of air in space (outer space) and the nature of rain and its formation.

3. Detailed Notes

**I. Introduction (0:00:0 - 0:00:28)**

* The video focuses on the astronomical ideas in ancient Tamil literature.

* The term "Vinnial" (விண்ணியல்) or "Vanaviyal" (வானவியல்) is used to refer to astronomy.

* The video will discuss how the ancient Tamils understood the movement of celestial bodies.

**II. Planetary Movements and Days of the Week (0:00:28 - 0:00:59)**

* Ancient Tamils understood the concept of planets and their movements.

* The seven days of the week were also associated with planets: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn.

* The names of the days of the week reflect the importance of celestial bodies in their understanding of time and the universe.

**III. Astronomical Knowledge & Calendar Systems (0:00:59 - 0:01:25)**

* The ancient Tamils used astronomical knowledge to understand concepts like Amavasai (new moon) and Pournami (full moon).

* This knowledge formed the basis for creating panchangam (almanac) and astrology.

**IV. The Spherical Earth and its Early Recognition (0:01:25 - 0:01:58)**

* The video highlights the ancient Tamil understanding of a spherical Earth.

* This concept was present in Tamil literature long before it was scientifically confirmed by Western scholars (16th Century).

* Tamil literature speaks about the earth as a part of a larger universe.

**V. Evidence from Literary Works (0:01:58 - 0:02:16)**

* Thiruvacakam by Manikkavasagar is cited as a source of astronomical knowledge.

* The video mentions the text's connection to "Vinnilai" and "Vinniyal".

**VI. The Thiruvacakam and the Expanding Universe (0:02:16 - 0:02:37)**

* A verse from Thiruvacakam is quoted that explains the concept of an expanding universe. This is similar to the "Big Bang" theory.

**VII. Word Origins and Astronomical Concepts (0:02:37 - 0:03:04)**

* The Tamil word "Ulagam" (உலகம்) for world, is derived from "Ulavu" (உளவு) meaning "to revolve or orbit." This shows the understanding of the earth's rotation around the sun.

* "Gnanam" (ஞாலம்) the term for world means “to dangle” and reflects the understanding that the earth is suspended in space.

**VIII. Knowledge of Outer Space & the Absence of Air (0:03:41 - 0:04:15)**

* Ancient Tamils were aware of the vacuum/airless nature of space.

* This is evidenced by a line from Purananuru (புறநானூறு).

**IX. "Vaanurithi" (வானுறுதி) and Early Aerospace Concepts (0:04:23 - 0:05:04)**

* The word "Vaanurithi" (வானுறுதி) is used to refer to rockets or missiles.

* A verse from Purananuru talks about "Vaanurithi," which implies unmanned aerospace concepts (similar to modern satellites).

* The video proposes that the ancient Tamils might have used such technology for space exploration.

**X. Further Examples of Astronomical Knowledge (0:05:12 - 0:05:39)**

* The video then moves on to explain various examples of astronomical concepts understood by ancient Tamils

* The video presents how the phenomenon of rain formation was explained in ancient Tamil literature.

**XI. Explaining the formation of rain (0:05:40 - 0:06:50)**

* The video explains the concept of rain formation as explained in ancient Tamil literature.

* The "Mullai Paatu" is used as the evidence.

* The video also shows how the rain formation concept also finds its presence in "Thiruppavai".

**XII. The Knowledge of the Evening Star (0:07:36 - 0:08:15)**

* The video explains the knowledge of venus and how it is mentioned in "Pattinapala".

* The video explains how the morning and evening star's position is related.

**XIII. Celestial Bodies: Sun, Planets, and the Zodiac (0:08:16 - 0:08:49)**

* Discusses how the sun and the planets are mentioned in Tamil literature.

* The significance of the 7 planets (including Rahu and Kethu) is discussed in the context of Thirugnana Sambandhar's “Golaru Pathigam.”

* This poem highlights the belief that these celestial bodies do not affect those devoted to Lord Shiva.

**XIV. Earth and the Sun's Movement (0:09:37 - 0:10:14)**

* From Thirumurugatruppadai, the video discusses that the Earth revolves around the sun, and the Tamil poem implies that the earth rotates.

**XV. Knowledge of Planets: Mercury, Venus, and Saturn (0:10:32 - 0:11:00)**

* The video explains how Mercury (Puthan) is mentioned in literature.

* The video also discusses how Venus (Velli) is the second brightest planet.

* The video explains that the dark colour of Saturn is mentioned in Puranauru.

**XVI. Additional Astronomical Observations (0:11:22 - 0:11:58)**

* The video touches upon the knowledge of the "Sevvaai" (Mars) and its formation.

* The Sun’s brilliance outshines the other stars, and this point is referenced in "Pathirtupathu".