Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t2.2

v2.c12.s2.t2.2

The knowledge of astronomy as developed during the Vedic and Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa periods and described in Part I, was considerable as compared with the pace of general progress during the period; but it would appear very meagre, when compared with the ability (developed in a later period) to predict the true positions of planets. It appears that some works might have been compiled during the interval between these periods. There may be some Saṃhitā works of that type; but they are either not available now or have not been seen by him. The period of Siddhāntic astronomy can somehow be linked with the ancient period. This point will be discussed later on; but we have no information as to how the knowledge of astronomy reached the highest stage of calculating the true motions and places of planets, how observations used to be taken and how the motions of planets were finally fixed after comparing the different observations. The oldest of astronomical (Siddhānta) works reveal a sudden rise in the standard of astronomical knowledge. Those who raised the standard of such knowledge through their works were naturally regarded as superhuman, and thus arose the popular belief that the available ancient works on mathematical astronomy are regarded as ‘apauruṣeya’ (i.e. not compiled by any mortal man), and it is clear that this belief has been formed later.