Vijñāna,the knowledge of how things are
The first chapter of the Manu-smṛti tells creation in a sequence: darkness, the Self-existent, the waters, the golden egg, the two halves that become heaven and earth, mind, the elements. Step through it below. The Sanskrit is the Library's; the English is Georg Bühler's (1886); the drawings are ours and are illustration, not text.
Stage 1 of 8 · Manu 1.5
आसीद्) इदम् तमोभूतम् अप्रज्ञातम् अलक्षणम् । अप्रतर्क्यम् अविज्ञेयं प्रसुप्तम् इव सर्वतः ॥
This (universe) existed in the shape of Darkness, unperceived, destitute of distinctive marks, unattainable by reasoning, unknowable, wholly immersed, as it were, in deep sleep.
Translated by Georg Bühler
From a blink of the eye to a day of Brahman.
Manu defines time as a ladder of multiples. Read literally, a day of Brahman is one thousand ages of the gods; the multiplication is left to the reader, and every rung below cites the verse that states it.
1 kāṣṭhā = 18 nimeṣas (blinks of the eye)
Manu 1.641 kalā = 30 kāṣṭhās
Manu 1.641 muhūrta = 30 kalās
Manu 1.641 day and night = 30 muhūrtas
Manu 1.641 month = a day and night of the ancestors
Manu 1.661 year = a day and night of the gods
Manu 1.671 Kṛta age = 4,000 divine years, with twilights of 400 + 400
Manu 1.691 Tretā · Dvāpara · Kali = 3,000 · 2,000 · 1,000 divine years, each with twilights
Manu 1.701 age of the gods (mahāyuga) = the four ages together: 12,000 divine years
Manu 1.711 day of Brahman = 1,000 ages of the gods; his night the same
Manu 1.72निमेषा दश च-अष्टौ च काष्ठा त्रिंशत् तु ताः कला । त्रिंशत् कला मुहूर्तः स्याद्) अहोरात्रं तु तावतः ॥
nimeṣā daśa ca-aṣṭau ca kāṣṭhā triṃśat tu tāḥ kalā | triṃśat kalā muhūrtaḥ syād) ahorātraṃ tu tāvataḥ ||
Eighteen nimeshas (twinklings of the eye, are one kashtha), thirty kashthas one kala, thirty kalas one muhurta, and as many (muhurtas) one day and night.
Translated by Georg Bühler
दैवे रात्रिअहनी वर्षं प्रविभागस् तयोः पुनः । अहस् तत्र-उदगयनं रात्रिः स्याद्) दक्षिणायनम् ॥
daive rātri.ahanī varṣaṃ pravibhāgas tayoḥ punaḥ | ahas tatra-udagayanaṃ rātriḥ syād) dakṣiṇāyanam ||
A year is a day and a night of the gods; their division is (as follows): the half year during which the sun progresses to the north will be the day, that during which it goes southwards the night.
Translated by Georg Bühler
चत्वार्य् आहुः) सहस्राणि वर्साणां तत् कृतं युगम् । तस्य तावत्-शती संध्या संध्यांशश् च तथाविधः ॥
catvāry āhuḥ) sahasrāṇi varsāṇāṃ tat kṛtaṃ yugam | tasya tāvat-śatī saṃdhyā saṃdhyāṃśaś ca tathāvidhaḥ ||
They declare that the Krita age (consists of) four thousand years (of the gods); the twilight preceding it consists of as many hundreds, and the twilight following it of the same number.
Translated by Georg Bühler
यद् एतत् परिसंख्यातम् आदाव् एव चतुर्युगम् । एतद् द्वादशसाहस्रं देवानां युगम् उच्यते) ॥
yad etat parisaṃkhyātam ādāv eva caturyugam | etad dvādaśasāhasraṃ devānāṃ yugam ucyate) ||
These twelve thousand (years) which thus have been just mentioned as the total of four (human) ages, are called one age of the gods.
Translated by Georg Bühler
दैविकानां युगानां तु सहस्रं परिसंख्यया । ब्राह्मम् एकम् अहर् ज्ञेयं) तावतीं रात्रिम् एव च ॥ [म्तावती रात्रिर् एव च ]
daivikānāṃ yugānāṃ tu sahasraṃ parisaṃkhyayā | brāhmam ekam ahar jñeyaṃ) tāvatīṃ rātrim eva ca || [M.tāvatī rātrir eva ca ]
But know that the sum of one thousand ages of the gods (makes) one day of Brahman, and that his night has the same length.
Translated by Georg Bühler
Passages people ask about by name, shown as the editions hold them. The Sanskrit is the Library's. The line beneath each is HREEM's gist — not a published translation, and awaiting a scholar's check — and it says only what the verse says. The popular claims that go beyond the text are not here.
the rule of the diagonal (the relation later named for Pythagoras)
दीर्घचतुरश्रस्याक्ष्णयारज्जुः पार्श्वमानी तिर्यङ्मानी च यत्पृथग्भूते कुरुतस्तदुभयं करोति
The cord stretched along the diagonal of a rectangle makes an area equal to what its length and its breadth make separately.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
BaudhSul 1.12 · Baudhāyana Śulba-sūtra
the square root of two, to five decimal places
प्रमाणं तृतीयेन वर्धयेत्तच्च चतुर्थेनात्मचतुस्त्रिंशोनेन । सविशेषः
Increase the measure by its third, and this third by its own fourth, less the thirty-fourth part of that fourth: that, 'with a remainder', is the diagonal of a square.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
BaudhSul 2.12 · Baudhāyana Śulba-sūtra
the arithmetic of zero and of negative numbers
धनयोस् धनम् ऋणम् ऋणयोस् धन-ऋणयोस् अन्तरम् सम-ऐक्यम् खम् । ऋणम् ऐक्यम् च धनम् ऋण-धन-श्ऊन्ययोस् श्ऊन्ययोस् श्ऊन्यम् ॥
The sum of two positives is positive, of two negatives negative, of a positive and a negative their difference, and of equals zero; the sum of a negative and zero is negative, of a positive and zero positive, of two zeros zero.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
BSS 18.30 · Brahmagupta
the value of π
चतुर्-अधिकम् शतम् अष्ट-गुणम् द्वाषष्टिस् तथा सहस्राणाम्। अयुत- द्वय-विष्कम्भस्य आसन्नस् वृत्त-परिणाहस्॥
Add four to a hundred, multiply by eight, and add sixty-two thousand: that is approximately the circumference of a circle whose diameter is twenty thousand (62,832 : 20,000 = 3.1416).
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
AB 2.10 · Aryabhatiya
the earth's rotation, by the simile of a boat
अनुलोम-गतिस् नौ-स्थस् पश्यति अचलम् विलोम-गम् यद्-वत्। अचलानि भानि तद्-वत् सम-पश्चिम-गानि लङ्कायाम्॥
As one in a boat moving forward sees what stands still as moving backward, so the unmoving stars are seen from Laṅkā as moving due west.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
AB 4.9 · Aryabhatiya
the cause of eclipses
चन्द्रस् जलम् अर्कस् अग्निस् मृद्-भू-छाया अपि या तमस् तत् हि। छादयति शशी सूर्यम् शशिनम् महती च भू-छाया॥
The moon is water, the sun is fire, the earth is earth, and shadow is darkness: the moon covers the sun, and the great shadow of the earth covers the moon.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
AB 4.37 · Aryabhatiya
mathematics at the head of the sciences
यथाशिखामयूराणांनागानांमणयोयथा। तद्वद्वेदाङ्गशास्त्राणांगणितंमूर्धनिस्थितम्
As the crest on peacocks, as the jewel on serpents, so mathematics stands at the head of the sciences that attend the Veda.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
VedJ 2.4 · Lagadha
the definition of health
समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातुमलक्रियः प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रि यमनाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते
One whose humours, digestive fire, tissues and eliminations are in balance, and whose self, senses and mind are at ease, is called healthy (svastha).
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
Suś 1.15.41 · Suśruta-saṃhitā
what Āyurveda is
हिताहितं सुखं दुःखम् आयुस् तस्य हिताहितम् मानं च तच्च यत्रोक्तम् आयुर्वेदः स उच्यते
That in which are told what is good and bad for life, what is happy and unhappy, what is long and short, and the measure of life itself — that is called Āyurveda.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
CS 1.1.41 · Caraka-saṃhitā (the text alone)
the purpose of medicine, in Caraka's words
प्रयोजनं चास्य स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्यरक्षणम् आतुरस्य विकारप्रशमनं च
Its purpose is this: to keep the healthy in health, and to calm the disorder of the sick.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
CS 1.30.26 · Caraka-saṃhitā (the text alone)
Caraka's three desires of a sound person
इह खलु पुरुषेणानुपहतसत्त्वबुद्धिपौरुषपराक्रमेण हितमिह चामुष्मिंश्च लोके समनुपश्यता तिस्र एषणाः पर्येष्टव्या भवन्ति तद्यथाप्राणैषणा धनैषणा परलोकैषणेति
A person whose mind, judgement, strength and vigour are unimpaired, who looks to the good in this world and the next, should pursue three desires: the desire for life, the desire for means, and the desire for the world beyond.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
CS 1.11.3 · Caraka-saṃhitā (the text alone)
Caraka's rule on how much to eat
मात्राशी स्यात् आहारमात्रा पुनरग्निबलापेक्षिणी
One should eat in measure; and the measure of food depends on the strength of one's digestion.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
CS 1.5.3 · Caraka-saṃhitā (the text alone)
reading the pulse
रुग्णस्य मुग्धस्य विमोहितस्य दीपः पदार्थानिव जीवनाडी प्रदर्शयेद्दोषजनिस्वरूपं व्यस्तं समस्तं युगलीकृतं च
As a lamp shows things to a person who is sick, confused or bewildered, so the life-pulse shows the nature of the disorders as they arise — singly, all together, or in pairs.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
NadiP 1.3 · Nāḍī-parīkṣā (on reading the pulse)
the elephant's day, in the Mātaṅgalīlā
शय्या तोयावलोकश्चलनमनुगुणं भेषजं धूलिमृष्टिः शालास्तम्भप्रवेशो घृतगुळसहितं भोजनं पूलदानम् । निर्वाणं तोयपानं तिलजपदयुतं भोजनं चापराह्णे भैषज्यं चाथ संवेशनमिति दिनचर्या गजानां क्रमेण
Bedding; a look at water; exercise in measure; medicine; a dust-bath; going into the stall to its post; a meal with ghee and jaggery; a bundle of fodder; a bath; drinking water; in the afternoon a meal dressed with sesame oil; then medicine, and lying down — this, in order, is the elephant's day.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
MatL 11.8 · Nīlakaṇṭha
the gems, in the Agastīya Ratnaparīkṣā
पञ्च रत्नानि मुख्यानि चोपरत्नचतुष्टयम् लिख्यन्ते चात्र संभिद्य यथामौल्यं यथागुणम्
Five gems are chief, and there are four lesser gems; they are set out here, distinguished by their value and their qualities.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
AgRP 1.1 · Agastīya Ratnaparīkṣā (on the testing of gems)
the body as an unbaked pot, in the Gheraṇḍa-saṃhitā
आमकुम्भ इवाम्भःस्थो जीर्यमाणः सदा घटः योगानलेन संदह्य घटशुद्धिं समाचरेत्
Like an unbaked pot standing in water, the body is always wearing away; bake it in the fire of yoga and so cleanse the pot.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
GherS 1.9 · Gheraṇḍa-saṃhitā
the seven steps of the wedding rite
अथैनामपराजितायान्दिशि सप्तपदान्यभ्युत्क्रामयतीष एकपद्यूर्जे द्विपदी रायस्पोषाय त्रिपदी मायोभव्याय चतुष्पदी प्रजाभ्यः पञ्चपद्यृतुभ्यः षट्पदी सखा सप्तपदी भव सा मामनुव्रता भव पुत्रान्विन्दावहै बहूंस्ते सन्तु जरदष्टय इति
The bride is led seven steps to the north-east: one for nourishment, two for strength, three for prosperity, four for comfort, five for children, six for the seasons — 'be my friend with the seventh step; be devoted to me; may we have many sons, and may they live to old age.'
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
AsvGS 1.7.19 · Āśvalāyana Gṛhya-sūtra
the five great daily offerings
पञ्च वा एते महायज्ञाः सतति प्रतायन्ते सतति संतिष्ठन्ते देवयज्ञः पितृयज्ञो भूतयज्ञो मनुष्ययज्ञो ब्रह्मयत्र इति,इति । यदसौ जुहोत्यपि समिधं तद्देवयज्ञः संतिष्ठते-,इति । यत्पितृभ्यः स्वधा करोत्यप्यपस्तत्पितृयज्ञः संतिष्ठते-,इति । यद्भूतेभ्यो बलिꣳ हरति तद्भूतयज्ञः संतिष्ठते-,इति । यद्ब्राह्मणेभ्योऽन्नं ददाति तन्मनुष्ययज्ञः संतिष्ठते-,इति । यत्स्वाध्यायमधीयीतैकामप्यृचं यजुः साम वा तद्ब्रह्मयज्ञः संतिष्ठते-, इति । यदृचोऽधीते पयसः कूल्या अस्य पितॄन्त्स्वधा अभिवहन्ति यद्यजू्ꣳषि घृतस्य कूल्या यत्सामानि सोम एभ्यः पवते यदथर्वाङ्गि-रसो मधोः कूल्या यद्ब्राह्मणानीतिहासान्पुराणानि कल्पान्गाथा नाराशꣳसीर्मेदसः कूल्या अस्य पितॄन्स्वधा अभिवहन्ति-,इति । यदृचोऽधीते पयआहुतिभिरेव तद्देवाꣳस्तर्पयति यद्यजूँषि घृताहुतिभिर्यत्सामानि सोमाहुतिभिर्यदथर्वाङ्गिरसो मध्वाहुतिभिर्यद्ब्राह्मणानीतिहासान्पुराणानि कल्पान्गाथा नाराशꣳसीर्मेदाहुरतिभिरेव तद्देवाँस्तर्पयति त एनं तृप्ता आयुषा तेजसा वर्चसा श्रिया यशसा ब्रह्मवर्चसेनान्नाद्येन च तर्पयन्ति ( १), इति ।। इति कृष्णयजुर्वेदीयतैत्तिरीयारण्यके द्वितीयप्रपाठके दशमोऽनुवाकः ।। १० ।।
There are five great sacrifices, begun every day and completed every day: to the gods, to the ancestors, to living beings, to people, and to sacred learning.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
TA 2.10 · Taittirīya Āraṇyaka (Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda; unaccented text)
food as the foundation of everything
यन्न प्राणा बलं चान्नमन्नं सर्वार्थसाधनम् । देवासुरमनुष्याश्च सर्वे चान्नोपजीविनः ॥
Food is life and strength; food is the means to every aim; gods, demons and human beings all live by food.
HREEM's gist, not a published translation
KrsiP 1.6 · Kṛṣi-Parāśara
These are held in Sanskrit from GRETIL's editions and from Sanskrit Wikisource, and can be read verse by verse. English is attached only where a public-domain translation exists and aligns, which for most of these is not yet the case; that is stated on each text rather than papered over. The medical works are documents of the history of medicine, not medical advice.
The Śulba-sūtras of Baudhāyana, Kātyāyana and Āpastamba — the geometry of the fire-altar, with the rule of the diagonal and √2 — then Brahmagupta's arithmetic of zero (628 CE) and Bhāskara II's Līlāvatī and Bījagaṇita (12th c.).
Lagadha's Vedāṅga-jyotiṣa, the oldest calendar text; Āryabhaṭa's Āryabhaṭīya (499 CE) with the earth's rotation and the cause of eclipses; the Sūryasiddhānta; Varāhamihira's Bṛhatsaṃhitā.
Caraka — the Sūtra-, Nidāna-, Vimāna-, Śārīra-, Indriya-, Kalpa- and Siddhi-sthāna whole and part of the Cikitsā — Suśruta complete, Vāgbhaṭa's Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya and Aṣṭāṅgasaṃgraha complete, Mādhava's Nidāna on diagnosis, Śārṅgadhara's Saṃhitā, the Nāḍī-parīkṣā on the pulse, the Bhāvaprakāśa and the Dhanvantari-nighaṇṭu in part.
Nīlakaṇṭha's Mātaṅgalīlā on elephants — read for HREEM from the 1910 Trivandrum edition's page images, not yet proofread by a person — Rudradeva's Śyainika-śāstra on hawking, and the Dhanurveda on the bow.
The Agastīya Ratnaparīkṣā and the Ratnadīpikā on testing gems; the Gheraṇḍa-saṃhitā, Gorakṣa-śataka and Haṭhayogapradīpikā on the body's discipline.
The Mayamata and Bhoja's Samarāṅgaṇa-sūtradhāra on sites, towns, houses and temples; the Kṛṣi-Parāśara on farming, rain and the seasons.
Kauṭilya's Arthaśāstra complete; the Śukranīti as far as its page goes; the Cāṇakya-nīti; the Manu-smṛti with Bühler's English and the Yājñavalkya-smṛti — law codes of their time, shown as history.
The Gṛhya-sūtras of Āśvalāyana, Pāraskara, Gobhila and Śāṅkhāyana: how a household kept its fire, named a child, married, and received a guest.
Pāṇini's Aṣṭādhyāyī complete, Patañjali's Mahābhāṣya in part, Yāska's Nirukta, Bhartṛhari's Vākyapadīya, and two kāṇḍas of the Amarakośa.
These books exist in public-domain editions but not yet as text HREEM can hold to its standard. Each entry says why, and links the scan where there is one.
Gaṇitasārasaṅgraha (Mahāvīra)
the 1912 edition with Raṅgācārya's English is online only as a scan whose Sanskrit was machine-read as Latin letters; it needs reading page by page.
The scan ↗Pañcasiddhāntikā (Varāhamihira)
Thibaut and Dvivedī's 1889 edition is a scan in the same state.
The scan ↗Siddhāntaśiromaṇi (Bhāskara II)
scans only; no transcribed text with verse numbers is openly available.
The scan ↗Hastyāyurveda (Pālakāpya)
Wikisource holds an unproofread machine reading with errors in most lines, and the work is some 700 pages.
The scan ↗Aśvavaidyaka (Jayadatta) and the horse texts
the 1886 edition is a scan whose machine reading is unusable.
The scan ↗Vṛkṣāyurveda (Surapāla, Parāśara), Upavana-vinoda
the only editions are modern and in copyright.
Anaṅgaraṅga, Ratirahasya
scans only, without a usable machine reading.