Speed of Light in Rigved

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Source PDF: Rigveda Mandala 1, Sayana Bhashya (Sanskrit) — commentary for 1.50.4 is on PDF pages 1834–1836 (Internet Archive mirror, if available).

This is from the commentary of Rishi Sayanacharya on 1.50.4 sloka of Rigveda.

In plain English, light travels 2202 yojana in half a nimisha.

Now, the question is what is Nimisha? And what is Yogana?

How much is one Nimisha?

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As per Vishnu Purana and Mahabharat.
1 Ahoratri = 1 day and 1 night. As per today’s measure 24 hours or 1440 minutes of 86400 seconds.

30 Muhurta = 1 Ahoratri. i.e. 30 Muhurta = 1440 minutes => 1 Muhurta = 48 minutes.

30 Kala = 1 Muhurta. i.e. 30 Kala = 48 minutes => 1 Kala = 48/30 minutes=> 1 Kala = 1.6 minutes.

30 Kashta = 1 Kala. i.e. 30 Kashta = 1.6 minutes => 1 Kashta = 1.6 * 60 / 30 seconds => 1 Kashta = 3.2 seconds.

15 Nimisha = 1 Kashta. i.e. 15 Nimisha = 3.2 seconds => 1 Nimisha = 3.2/15 seconds => 1 Nimisha =32/150 seconds or 16/75 seconds

1/2 Nimisha = 16/150 seconds.

How much is one Yojana?

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As per Arthashastra, Vishnu Purana and Mahabharat.

1 Yojana = 4 Gavyuti
1 Gavyuti = 2000 Dhanus
1 Dhanush = 4 Hasta
1 Hasta = .45 meter => 45 Centimeter (approx, we know this)

1 Yojana = 4 x 2000 x 4 x .45 => 14400 meter or 14.400 kms

What is the speed of light?

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As per the Sayacharana, light travels 2202 Yogana in half nimisha.

2202 Yojana in 1/2 Nimisha

2202 x 14.400 Kms in 16/150 seconds.

In 1 seconds light travels 2202 x 14.400 x 150 /16 Km => 297,270 Km/Second.

so the speed of light as per Sayanacharya is 297,270 Km/Second

What is the speed of lights as per Modern Physics?

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299,792.458 Km/Second

Hari Om Tat Sat
Yours Truly Hari