Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t79: Cintāmaṇi Dīkṣit

v2.c12.s2.t79.1

This astronomer flourished under the Peśwa rule. His date of birth is about Śaka 1658 and the date of death Śaka 1733. He was given a pension of Rs. 125/- by the Peśwas. He was a resident of Sātārā. He prepared tables for the Sūrya Siddhānta; he compiled in Śaka 1713 a work entitled Golānand, which is devoted to the instruments of observation. Its description will appear in the chapter on ‘Observations’. There is a commentary on it compiled by Yajñeśwar alias Bābā Jośī Roḍe. The descendants of Cintāmaṇi are at present residing at Sātārā. The author had met in Śaka 1809 Bhāū Dikṣit Ciplūṇkar, the grandson of Cintāmaṇi Dīkṣit. The above account is given on the basis of the information given by him personally and also from what could be gathered from the work. It was told that he had a brass instrument called Golānand and the directions etc. have been fixed in Sātārā for the purpose of taking observations. It is mentioned in the Golānand, that Cintāmaṇi’s gotra was Vatsa, his father’s name Vināyaka and the original place of residence of his ancestors was Ciplūṇ.