Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Richard L. Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1989 | ISBN-10: 0892132698 | ISBN-13: 978-0892132690 | Edition: 1st

Comparing the astronomy and cosmography of the Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Puranas to those of the Vedic astronomical treatises called jyotisa sastras, Dr. Thompson shows that the two versions are complementary, not contradictory. In this way he gives insight into both.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard L. Thompson was born in Binghampton, New York, in 1947. In 1974 he received his Ph. D. in mathematics from Cornell University, where he specialized in probability theory and statistical mechanics.

Dr. Thompson has done scientific research in quantum physics, mathematical biology, and remote sensing. He has extensively investigated ancient Indian astronomy, cosmology, and spirituality, and he has developed multimedia expositions on these topics. He is the author of six books on topics ranging from consciousness to archeology and ancient astronomy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 251 pages
• Publisher: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust; 1st edition (November 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892132698
• ISBN-13: 978-0892132690
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,735,344 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing, Important, and Largely Underrated..., April 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy (Paperback)

Thompson, who holds a doctorate in mathematics from Cornell, has been a student of Vedic science for many years. This is apparent in his interpretation of the Srimad-Bhagavatam; he explores the possibilities of not only the diffusion of astornomical data and ideas between pre-Roman cultures, but also the possibilities that the Vedas refer to other dimensions and parallel universes -- concepts which have been seriously studied by Western physicists for only the past 60-70 years.

Unfortunately, Thompson is largely underrated or dismissed due to his work on "Forbidden Archaeology" by some critics. Not having read that work, I can only say the following: His contribution to a Western understanding of Vedic science, which occurs within this book, is of supreme importance. It is the best introduction to such Vedic science for Westerners by a Westerner that I have yet seen.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An interesting attempt to make sense of puranic astronomy, March 19, 2000

By 

S.Venkatesan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy (Paperback)

The author tries to postive intrepretations to the astronmical details found in Srimad Bhagavatam. In the process he is drawn to discuss the cosmology of purna and the standard scholar's attitude to these puranas. He weakens his case in chapter 6 & 7 by questioning much of modern astrophysics and the question about moon flight. Appendix 2 is quite important. Here he explores the question whether Aryabhata borrowed from Greek traditions to arrive at the planetary positions at the start of Kali yuga. This part deals with the debate on astronomy transfer among cultures. I recently drawn attention to his approach to astronomy in Bhagavatam ( including ideas in his paper Exact Science in Srimad Bhagavatam) to an Indian academic audience who have explord the histroy of kerala astronomy. Even the professor from Bhubaneswar, who presented about the astronomical works of Samanata Chandrasekhar ( who assisted Puri Temple in last centuary in arriving at calender) felt skeptical about Thompson's claims.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly evolved interpretation of cosmology!, July 26, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vedic Cosmography and Astronomy (Paperback)

A simple yet definitive interpretation of ancient Indian cosmology, cosmogony and cosmography for the highly suspicious and discerning scientific western mind!