Treatise on the Sun

No. 818 4 The Sun Treatise (Surya Siddhanta) 23 Folios Astronomy Complete?

May that Goddess Saraswati, who is eternally praised by Brahma, Indra, the sages, and the celestial musicians, and who holds a boon-bestowing hand, dwell upon the tip of my tongue. (1)
original: "या देवी स्तूयते नित्यं..." Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, and the arts. It is traditional to invoke her at the start of a scholarly work.
From the very utterance of the syllable "Ra," sin departs from the mouth; then, so that it may not enter again, the syllable "Ma" acts as a door-bolt. (2)
original: "रकारोच्चारणादेव..." This is a devotional play on the name of the deity Rama. The phonetic shape of the mouth when saying "Ra" (open) and "Ma" (closed) is likened to casting out sin and locking the door behind it.
Shiva is naked; the poet is Time; Saturn is lame; the Moon is ever-waning; Rama suffered in exile; King Bali was bound—even with these five greats, there is suffering. (3)
original: "रुद्रो नग्न:..." This verse suggests that if even gods and great legendary figures faced hardships, human suffering is inevitable and universal.
All the twice-born are of the same class; it is the mastery of rituals and systems that is weighty. Wherever action is superior, there truly lies noble birth. (4)
original: "सजातीया द्विजा:..." The twice-born (dvija) refers to the upper three social classes in ancient India. This verse emphasizes that character and conduct are more important than the family one is born into.
There are three jewels on Earth: water, food, and wise sayings. Fools, however, call mere pieces of stone "jewels." (5)
original: "पृथिव्यां त्रीणि रत्नानि..." A subhashita is a "well-spoken" wise saying, highly valued in Sanskrit literature for its moral or practical guidance.
Swans seek lotus forests; bees seek the scent of fragrance; insects seek the taste of fruit; crows seek the offerings of a household. O Silk-Cotton tree, your outward appearance is beautiful but you are hollow within—who has not been deceived by you? (6)
original: "हंसा: पद्मवनाशाया..." The Shalmali (Silk-Cotton tree) produces beautiful red flowers but no edible fruit or scent, serving here as a metaphor for people who look impressive but lack substance.

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The Original Sun Treatise (Surya Siddhanta) 523

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The Surya Siddhanta is a foundational text of Indian astronomy. The chapters listed here cover the entire range of the science, from calculating the movement of the heavens to the construction of instruments like sundials and water clocks.