The History of Indian Literature c6.53

c6.53

Antiquity of astronomy, 246; solar year, quinquennial cycle, Yugas, 247; the lunar asterisms, 247; mention of these in Ṛik-Saṃhitá, 248; Jyotisha, 249; the planets, 249; their peculiar Indian names and number, 250; importance of Greek influence here, 251; relations of Greeks with India, 251; the Yavanas, teachers of the ancient Indian astronomers, 252; 'Ptolemaios,' 'Asura-Maya,' 253; Romaka-Siddhánta, Paulíśa-Siddhánta, 253; Greek terms in Varáha-Mihira, 254, 255; further development of Indian astronomy: Hindús the teachers of the Arabs, 255 (also in algebra and arithmetic,—the arithmetical figures, 256), and through the Arabs, of European mediæval astronomers, 257; Áryabhaṭa, 257; the five Siddhántas, 258; Brahmagupta, Varáha-Mihira, 259; date of Varáha-Mihira, Śatánanda, and Bháskara, 260, 261; Albírúní's statements regarding Bháskara (?), 262. Later period: Arabs in turn the teachers of the Hindús in astrology, 263; Arabic technical terms in Indian and European astrological works, 263, 264; lore of omens and portents, 264; magic, &c., 264.