Aryabhata

Astronomy Indian 476 – 550 366 quotes

He proposed a heliocentric model with Earth rotating on its axis and accurately calculated the length of the sidereal year.

Most quoted

"Just as a person in a boat going forward sees the stationary objects on the shore as moving backward, just so are the stars, though stationary, seen by the people on the earth as moving westward."

— from Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) Chapter, Verse 9

"Just as a man in a boat going forward sees the stationary objects on the shore as moving backward, just so are the stars seen as moving backward by the people on the Earth moving forward."

— from Aryabhatiya (rephrasing of a core concept)

"Just as a person in a boat moving forward sees the stationary objects on the bank as moving backward, in the same way, a person on the Earth sees the stationary stars as moving backward."

— from Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 9, 499

All quotes by Aryabhata (366)

The volume of a sphere can be calculated using a specific formula.

Aryabhatiya, Ganitapada (Mathematics) 7 499

The square root of a number can be found using an iterative method.

Aryabhatiya, Ganitapada (Mathematics) 4 499

The cube root of a number can be found using an iterative method.

Aryabhatiya, Ganitapada (Mathematics) 5 499

The concept of infinity is important in mathematics.

Aryabhatiya, Ganitapada (Mathematics) 18 499

The universe is vast and contains many celestial bodies.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 1-2 499

The motion of celestial bodies is governed by mathematical laws.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 1-2 499

The calendar should be based on accurate astronomical observations.

Aryabhatiya, Kalakriya (Reckoning of Time) 3 499

The Earth's rotation causes day and night.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 9 499

The Earth's revolution around the Sun causes the change of seasons.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 11 499

The Moon's phases are due to its changing position relative to the Sun and Earth.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 37 499

The stars are at different distances from the Earth.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 9 499

The planets have different orbital periods.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 1-2 499

The concept of epicycles is useful for explaining planetary motion.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 1-2 499

The Earth is not the only planet in the universe.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 1-2 499

The universe is not static, but constantly changing.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 1-2 499

The laws of nature are universal and apply everywhere.

Aryabhatiya, Gola (Sphere) 1-2 499

Knowledge should be based on observation and reason, not on dogma.

Aryabhatiya, Introduction 499

The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor.

Aryabhatiya, Introduction 499

The human mind is capable of understanding the universe.

Aryabhatiya, Introduction 499

The Earth is spherical and rotates on its axis, causing the apparent movement of the stars.

Aryabhatiya 499