The Treatise of the Sun

original: "Surya-Siddhanta"

To the one named Maya, the Asura A class of powerful beings in Hindu mythology, often translated as 'demons' or 'titans'. To him, who was a seeker of a boon and desired to know the science of the stars Jyotish-shastra: the traditional Indian system of astronomy and astrology according to his own wish; to that seeker of astronomical knowledge. He gave the "conduct" or the knowledge of the planets—those celestial bodies situated within the procreative winds of space. He gave it "excellently" original: "prakarshena", meaning in its entirety and according to its true essence. || 4 ||

Now, one might ask: how did this Sun, even to his own enemy who had come for refuge, speak these words for the sake of his own duty? To translate the actual words spoken by the Sun directly to Maya, the author first provides this introductory context to show the connection.

The Illustrious Sun Spoke:

This means that the Sun, shining brilliantly with masses of light, replied to the Asura Maya. Otherwise, the connection between the fourth and fifth verses would be inconsistent. What did he say? He repeats these auspicious words:

Your intention is known by me, for I have been gratified by your penance.
I shall give you the knowledge based on Time, the great conduct of the planets. || 5 ||

O Maya, your "intention"—your desire in the form of a wish to know the science of the stars—is known by me, the Sun, even though it was unspoken by you; it was known instinctively. What follows from that? My success is not merely through this, therefore he says: "I." By the repetition of "to you," I shall give to you the knowledge, the scripture based primarily on Time original: "kalashrayam". The "great conduct" refers to the immeasurable movements of the planets situated in the procreative winds. The resulting meaning is: the science of the stars which explains the positions and motions of the planets. I, residing within the solar orb, shall give it. Now, lest you think these words to a Daitya A descendant of Diti; another term for the Asura race might be deceptive, he describes his own character as non-deceiving...