Brihat Samhita of Varahamihira

It is also stated that if the moon should pass to the north of all the four stars, the world would be at an end.

Now astronomers know very well that ordinarily the moon will never pass to the north of all the four stars. I may also remark here that in the famine of 1876–77 the moon's course lay between the northernmost star and the one next to it. We will cite one more instance.

Hindu astronomers say that if Saturn should enter the constellation of Rohini the 4th lunar mansion the world would be at an end. The story is that the astronomers of King Dasaratha's court announced to the prince the dreaded entry of Saturn into the said constellation, so that the prince at once flew in the air and stood before Saturn in his orbit, resolved to stop his course; that Saturn, pleased with the prince's boldness, promised never more to enter the circle. Now, astronomical calculations show that ordinarily Saturn will never enter the said circle—a circumstance which shows that the story is simply intended to cover an astronomical truth. It is a well-known fact that recently Saturn approached the circle to within a degree from it but did not enter it.

In justice to the wisdom of the ancient Hindus, who, for ages, continued their observation and tabulation of the phenomena of nature, the public will do well to give each matter a patient trial and see what amount of truth there is in each and not follow the wisdom of Alexander the Great who, unable to untie the Gordian knot, chose to cut it. In the course of this work the reader will find that the author refers to several phenomena which, within the limited experience of the modern scientific world, might appear improbable. True wisdom consists in patient investigation and not in hasty rejection.

It is humbly hoped that, if this book were carefully studied and its truths practically examined, the material prosperity of the world would be vastly improved.

N. C.