I often discuss the theory of 'to-and-fro oscillation of the equinoxes'. Here's a brief account of this theory, presented in a paper published in the IKS book 'Exploring the Roots and Relevance of Ancient Indian Knowledge Systems' (2025).

The paper proposes a 7,200-year cycle of to-and -fro movement of the equinoxes, contrasting with the current 26,000-year model of continuous precession. It connects this theory to Ursa Minor (Shishumara) to identify northern pole stars as described in Indic scriptures. The implications of an impending equinox shift over the next few centuries are discussed, along with the scientific cause for the equinox's to-and-fro movement.

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Ancient Indic Thought of Precession and Equinoxes

Abstract

The current theory of axial precession, proposes that the Earth's rotational axis wobbles relative to distant stars, causing a continuous precession of the equinoxes and a circular pole shift around the zodiac over approximately 26,000 years. However, the Indic Thought proposes a shorter cycle of 7,200 years, comprising forward and backward motion of the equinoxes by up to 54 degrees, with a corresponding polar shift limited to 54-degree span. Interestingly, this polar span aligns with the constellation of Ursa Minor, known as Shishumāra in Puranas and Vedic texts. This paper highlights the key aspects of the Indic Theory of equinoxes, examines their scientific explanations, and notes that the equinox is poised to shift forward over the next three centuries.

Key words: zodiac, equinoxes, precession, Shishumāra, Surya Siddhānta, archeoastronomy, oscillation, Uttarāyaṇa, Dakṣiṇāyana.

Introduction

No other civilization has explored the precession of the equinoxes as extensively as the Indic society. This concept is deeply ingrained in Indian culture, influencing astrology, religious practices, and astronomy.

Unlike Western astrology, which uses current planetary positions to cast horoscopes, the Indic system applies a correction called "ayanāmśa" ('degree of movement'). This adjustment accounts for the shift between the Sun's location on the vernal equinox and the zero-degree point of the sidereal zodiac. Currently, the Sun has shifted more than 24 degrees west of the zodiac’s starting point. The Indic system deducts this amount from the celestial positions to determine their longitudes. This approach suggests a to-and-fro movement of the equinox, contrasting with the continuous precession model of Western science.

The Western concept of continuous precession emerged from Greek astronomer Hipparchus’ (129 BCE) comparison of his star catalogues with earlier Babylonian records (169 years prior). This revealed a backward shift in star positions. About 1,500 years later, Copernicus and Newton noted a further westward shift, leading to the precession theory. Over time, continuous precession became widely accepted as the norm.

However, Vedic astrology proposes that the equinoxes move both backward and forward, an oscillatory motion not yet recognized by modern science. This movement, coupled with a corresponding shift in pole stars, forms the core of the Indic perspective.

This paper examines the Western theory of precession, highlighting challenges from archaeo-astronomical evidence, and introduces the Indic theory of oscillatory motion and pole star shifts.

Jayasreesaranathan

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