Book of Indian Eras, with Tables for Calculating Indian Dates c6.50

c6.50

The astronomers have been much puzzled to account for the alleged centennial motion of the Seven Rishis from one Nakshatra to another, which they admit is not visible to the human race. Thus the commentator Sridhara Swâmi explains, that “the two stars which rise first are Pulaha and Kratu; and whichever asterism is in a line south from the middle of those stars is that with which the Seven Rishis are united, and they so remain for one hundred years.” Other explanations are cited by Colebrooke, who closes his account with the opinion of Kamalâkara, who observes, that “no such motion of the stars is perceptible. Remarking, however, that the authority of the Purânas and Sanhitâs, which affirm their revolution, is uncontrovertible, he reconciles faith and experience by saying, that the stars themselves are fixed; but the Seven Rishis are invisible deities, who perform the stated revolution in the period specified.” *