The Five Astronomical Canons

modern phase of Hindu astronomy with Greek science. Although not directly stating that the Hindus learned from the Greeks, he at any rate mentions certain facts and points of doctrine which suggest the dependence of Indian astronomy on the science of Alexandria; and, as we know already from his astrological writings, he freely employs terms of undoubted Greek origin. The Pañchasiddhântikâ The "Five Treatises," a 6th-century astronomical synthesis by Varâha Mihira. thus becomes an invaluable source for him who wishes to study Hindu astronomy from the only point of view which can claim the attention of the modern scholar, namely original: "viz." the historical one.

Regarding its form, the Pañchasiddhântikâ belongs to the class of the so-called handbooks term: karaṇagranthas (concise astronomical manuals used for practical calculations rather than theoretical study) that is compendious astronomical treatises which do not set forth the theory of the subject at comparative length as the Siddhântas term: Siddhântas (established systems or traditional astronomical treatises) do, but merely supply a set of concise—and often only approximately correct—rules which suffice for the speedy performance of all the more important astronomical calculations. It however contains a few chapters whose contents lie outside the limits of a mere handbook and resemble the corresponding chapters of the best known Siddhântas; notably the chapter which describes the general constitution of the universe, and the 15th chapter called The Secret Doctrine of Astronomy original: "Jyotishopanishad". And it of course decidedly distinguishes itself from all ordinary handbooks by the fact that it does not base on any one particular Siddhânta, but undertakes to reproduce the more important doctrines of five different Siddhântas.

These five Siddhântas, named by Varâha Mihira in the first chapter, are the Paitâmaha, Vâsishṭha, Romaka Likely referring to the "Roman" or Byzantine influence., Paulîśa Often associated with the name "Paulus" of Alexandria. and Saura Siddhântas. Varâha Mihira there also states his view as to their order in importance, assigning the first place to the Sûrya Siddhânta The "Sun Treatise," considered the most accurate., placing next the Romaka and Paulîśa Siddhântas as about equally correct, and declaring the two remaining works to be greatly inferior to the three mentioned. In agreement with this estimate very different amounts of space are allotted to the individual Siddhântas in the body of the work, the Sûrya Siddhânta and Paulîśa Siddhânta being treated at some length, next to these the Romaka, and very little attention being paid to the Paitâmaha Siddhânta, and, although this is a point somewhat difficult to decide, to the Vâsishṭha Siddhânta.

In addition to the general character of the five Siddhântas, this difference of treatment is owing to a special cause, mentioned by Varâha Mihira in the first chapter namely his wish to devote the Pañchasiddhântikâ chiefly to the task of setting forth the calculation of solar eclipses, the most difficult problem attacked by Hindu astronomers. The Paitâmaha Siddhânta at any rate was altogether incapable of furnishing any rules to that end; and so perhaps also the old Vâsishṭha Siddhânta.