Preface

Several volumes of ancient literature original: "vangmaya"; refers to the collective body of classical or sacred texts have already been published by the Dr. Ratnakumari Research Institute—including the works of Swami Satyaprakash and Dr. Usha Jyotishmati, such as the Bakhshali Manuscript and the Sulba-Sutras Ancient Indian texts on mathematics and geometry (in Sanskrit and English). In this same tradition, we are now publishing the Scientific Commentary original: "Vigyan Bhashya" on the Surya-Siddhanta The "Sun-Treatise," a foundational text of Indian astronomy by the late Shri Mahavir Prasad Srivastava. We have attained this honor through the generosity of the Vigyan-ParishadThe Science Council, Prayag, for which we are indebted to the Council’s officials.

Performing the expensive task of publishing this work would have been difficult for us had we not received financial assistance from the respected RaisahabA title of honor used during the British Raj and continued informally Chaudhary Pratap Singh Ji of Karnal and the trust established by him. We are extremely grateful to Chaudhary Saheb. At present, we are publishing the first volume, which contains the MadhyamadhikaraThe chapter concerning the "Mean Motions" of the planets, the SpashtadhikaraThe chapter concerning the "True Positions" of the planets, and the TriprashnadhikaraThe chapter concerning the "Three Problems" of direction, place, and time. This work will be completed in its entirety with the second volume.

S. Ranganayaki,
M.Sc., D.Phil, D.Sc.
Director

Phalguni PurnimaThe full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Phalguna, which usually marks the festival of Holi
6 March 1982.