Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v1.c5.3

v1.c5.3

I propose to relate here in brief how the opportunity arose for writing this book. About the Śaka year 1802 I began to take interest in the question of the Sāyaṇa Pañcāṅga and eventually in Indian astronomy. As I went on dipping into old works I was led to estimate that comparative worth, to determine the chronological order of their compilation and to study the various stages in the growth of astronomy; and I began to feel that a work of this nature would be a welcome addition to our literature. In Śaka 1806 a vigorous movement for calendar reform had been launched in this province. As a result of this the DAKṢIṆĀ PRIZE COMMITTEE of Poona published an advertisement in December 1884 for a book devoted to the consideration of the chaotic condition of our Pañcāṅgas in the light of the history of our astronomy. As I had a liking for the proposed subject I was naturally prompted to undertake the work. The prize announced for the work was Rs. 450 and the time limit prescribed for it was the end of the year 1886. But by that time I could not procure the necessary material, particularly the ancient works and it was not possible for me to begin the writing. A request was then made to the Dakṣiṇā Prize Committee to extend the time limit, which was granted. But even then nearly six months passed simply in collecting the necessary information. At last I set my hand to the task of writing in November 1887 and submitted Part I to the Committee in the beginning of 1888. Writing and the search for more material went on pari passu, though not without impediments. At long last I managed to present the whole work to the Committee in three instalments, by the end of October 1888. The contents of the work would have amounted to 425 printed pages of a book of this size and they included the treatment of many more subjects and in much greater detail than what the Committee had expected of me. The work was approved by the Committee and I received the full prize in 1891. Later I began to think of publishing the book; but how could I undertake such an expensive project? A few days later the proprietors of the Aryabhusan Press agreed to shoulder the responsibility. By this time, however, an advertisement for a treatise on Pañcāṅga was published by the Gaikwad Government, for which a prize of 1000 Gaikwadi rupees was announced; accordingly I sent to the Gaikwad Govt. the relevant part of the book in the beginning of the Śaka year 1815, i.e. in 1893 A.D. A number of people had been suggesting to me that the book should be published but to my mind it was not yet complete ; some new matter that had come to hand was to be inserted at the proper places and some more was still to be collected. Moreover, I intended to await the decision of the Gaikwad Govt. about the work already submitted.* I came over to Poona in July 1894. Many people urged me to publish the book and therefore, the proprietor of the Aryabhushian Press, commenced the printing in March 1895. While the book was in press, I went on reading old books not seen before and collecting still more information, as can be seen from the footnotes appearing at several pages of the book.