Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t3.4

v2.c12.s2.t3.4

The elements described by the Pañcasiddhāntikā show that the Siddhāntas were different from the five modern Siddhāntas. Not only are these not available at present, but even the original work, entitled Pañcasiddhāntikā is not available and so, not much is known to any one on this side. Two copies of the work brought from Kashmir by Dr. Buhler are preserved in the Government collection of Manuscripts in the Deccan College (See Reg. No. 37 of 1874-75 and No. 338 of 1879-80) ; but these are very incorrect and incomplete and one is unable to find, at places, where one āryā (couplet) ends and the next one begins. The author has written out for himself a copy from the two versions, and calculations made therefrom have shown that the Sūrya and other Siddhāntas described in it, are different from the modern ones, in that they differ in the length of the year and the motions of planets. The astronomical works compiled during the last 800 years do not show that any one knew that there existed before a Sūrya-Siddhānta different from the modern one. He came to know of their existence in 1887 and no doubt reed be entertained about it, since this can be proved by calculations and by other evidence. The booklet of the Pañcasiddhāntikā is very incorrect and the major portion of it is unintelligible for want of a commentary ; however mary important points have been understood.. *The author would, therefore, describe briefly the five Siddhāntas in the order of the dates of their compilation as found by him.