(13)

Introduction

Brahmagupta and others did not calculate the True Latitudeoriginal: "sphuta-shara" because the difference was very slight. In the calculation of the Half-Durationoriginal: "sthityarddha"; refers to half the duration of an eclipse and the Graphical Projectionoriginal: "parilekha" of eclipses, the true value is indeed obtained through mathematics. Because the stars are fixed (they do not move), only the true latitudes of the stars are recorded; similarly, the true Polar Longitudesoriginal: "dhruvaka" of the stars, corrected by Visibility Correctionoriginal: "drik-karma" and precession, are also recorded. Therefore, it appears that there may have been an error of 1 or 2 degrees in Bhaskara’s observational calculations. Many astronomers existed before Bhaskara. The dates of several astronomers, as told to Mr. Hunter by the scholars of Ujjain, are written below:

In an inscription of Bhojaraja, the years 919 Samvat and 784 Shaka are written. From this, it is known that there have been several individuals named Bhojaraja in India. For this reason, one must perform every task with a steady and discerning eye.

Shatananda composed the book named Bhasvati in the Shaka year 1021. This is a small Karana textA concise astronomical manual used for practical calculations; in this, the mathematics determined by the Surya Siddhanta and Varahamihira are written in a summarized form.

As follows:—

"Having bowed to the lotus feet of Murari (Vishnu), the illustrious one known as Shatananda speaks this Bhasvati for the benefit of his disciples, in the Shaka year measured by the Moon (1), the wings (2), the void (0), and the One (1) [Shaka 1021]. The Shaka year added to 3179 becomes the elapsed years of the Kali Yuga. That same number, when diminished by 4200, is said to be the 'Body of the Scriptural Year' A base number for specific calculations. The elapsed Kali years, when abandoned by the Satya Yuga (1,728,000), the void (0), and the fires (3), indeed become the years of the Vikrama Era. When subtracted by the arrows (5), the sacrificial fire (3), and the moon (1) [135], it becomes the Shaka year in this world."

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He was born in this Shaka year. The proof of this is found by looking at the commentary on the Brihat Samhita*. See the end of the commentary book. As follows:— "On the second day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna, on a Thursday, in the Shaka year measured by the Vasus (8), the eights (8), and the eights (8) [Shaka 888], this explanation was completed by me."