Chapter 1 ] With Sanskrit and Hindi Commentaries.

The seeker of knowledge desires to understand the scripture. The implication is that he performed penance for the purpose of obtaining scriptural knowledge. To clarify what that scripture is, the author provides an adjective for "knowledge": of the luminaries. This refers to the cause of the motion of the planets and stars situated in the region of the Pravaha wind In ancient Indian cosmology, the Pravaha is the celestial wind that keeps the planets in constant motion. Since roots meaning "to move" also mean "to know," the result is that he was desirous of knowing the Science of Astronomy (Jyotisha Shastra), which explains the knowledge of the positions, movements, and measurements of the heavenly bodies.

Now, one might argue that such great effort for the sake of astronomical knowledge is misplaced, as it is difficult to grasp even for the all-knowing. To this, he says: entire. This means the complete science of astronomy. Furthermore, thinking with a Daitya's demon's intellect that "because the Sages are human, my knowledge from them might not be complete or accurate," he served the Great Teacher—the Lord who knows the reality of the entire, difficult-to-grasp science of astronomy, who is non-deceiving and omniscient.

One might ask if it was proper for an Asura demon to engage with the science of astronomy, given a potential lack of spiritual fruit. To this, he says: a limb of the Veda Vedanga: one of the six auxiliary disciplines used to support Vedic rituals. The fruit that belongs to the whole belongs also to the limb; therefore, because the fruit of liberation exists here, his engagement is proper. For this very reason, it generates merit, as it is included among the fourteen sciences such as the Puranas.

Why is this a limb of the Veda? He says: supreme. It is said: "This Time is Lord Vishnu, infinite, the Supreme Lord. He who knows Time is truly honored; who else is considered more worthy of honor than him?" Because it explains Time, it is excellent and thus a limb of the Veda. The implication is that this distinguishes it from the Puranas and other texts.

But since there are six limbs of the Veda, such as Grammar, why engage specifically in this one? He says: foremost. It is the best among the six limbs of the Veda. Why? Because it is excellent, meaning it is the "eye," the primary limb. Just as a person without eyes is incapable of doing anything, this science of astronomy is the best among the limbs of the Veda.

Even so, one might say such effort is not justified. To this, he says: a mystery. As the Scripture the Shruti says: "Knowledge came to the Brahmana and said: 'Protect me, I am your treasure. Do not speak me to the envious, the crooked, or the undisciplined; thus may I remain powerful.'" This means it is to be kept secret. Since it was certain that this science should not be given away lightly, he undertook such great effort to obtain it. || 2 || 3 ||

Hindi Commentary: As the Satya Yuga the first and golden age of the world was coming to a close, the great Asura named Maya, being desirous of obtaining the supreme knowledge which is the cause of the motion of all the luminaries (planets and stars), the best among the limbs of the Veda and a supreme holy mystery, performed extremely rigorous penance to worship the Sun. || 2 || 3 ||

Gratified by that penance, and being pleased with him who sought a boon,

Savita the Sun himself bestowed upon Maya the movement of the planets. || 4 ||

Himself: by his own accord. Pleased: of a happy nature. Or, this beautiful, perceptible Sun, though already satisfied, was gratified—rendered extremely content—by that very difficult-to-perform penance and worship. To that Asura named Maya, who was seeking a boon—that is, requesting and desiring to know his chosen boon, the Science of Astronomy—to him...