Siddhanta Shiromani (Crown of Treatises)

Light, Reflection, and the Celestial Spheres

...[the author] speaks here in the Section on the Spheres Golādhyāya The final section of the Siddhānta Shiromaṇi dealing with celestial cosmology and geography.. Even though the rays of the Sun Taraṇi fall upon physical matter like a lump of clay, in the direction of the Sun, the Moon's orb Candra-bimba appears bright, while the other side remains dark. Just as an object in the sunlight casts a shadow, the Moon, being inherently "cool-bodied" original: "amalashīta-mūrti" (pure cool form), receives its light from the Sun. It is the Sun himself who, through his rays residing in the Moon's orb, causes even the night-blooming lotus Kumudinī to blossom.

In this way, he who is the self-manifesting light and whose very nature is to benefit all—that Sun is saluted. Why, one might ask, is such a specific praise given only to the Sun?

It is said here that for poets whose minds are delighted by poetic sentiment Kāvya-rasa, a diverse arrangement of words creates a wonderful and striking effect Citra-camatkāriṇī. Whether this specific phrasing is desired or not, the intention is to perform an Auspicious Invocation Maṅgalācaraṇa by saluting the chosen deity and honoring one's lineage. Such auspicious acts ensure that the work is completed without obstacles.

Praise for the Great Masters

Now, the author offers humble praise for the ancient teachers:

"Victorious is Jiṣṇu Referring to Brahmagupta (7th century), the son of Jishnu, one of India's greatest mathematicians., the Crest-jewel of the circle of astronomers Gaṇaka-cakra-cūḍāmaṇi! Victorious are those like Varāhamihira A 6th-century polymath and astronomer; author of the Pañca-siddhāntikā., whose words are elegant and whose works are famous for their application of the astronomical systems Tantra."

By observing the works of these masters, even a person like me—whose intellect suffers from "limited vision" original: "netra-vaidhalya-dhīḥ" (intellect with impaired eyes)—becomes capable and skillful. Jiṣṇu refers to the teacher Brahmagupta; "works" refers to his poetic scientific compositions. The rest of the meaning is self-evident.

Salutation to the Guru

Now, to establish the proper connection for the book he is beginning, the author bows to his Gurus (teachers)... Having bowed...