Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t80.3

v2.c12.s2.t80.3

He compiled two astronomical works, Khetakṛti aud Pañcāngārka, and a work on astrology, entitled Paddhati Candrikā. Khetakṛti belongs to Śaka 1732. It may be regarded as following the Grahalāghava. It treats of only the very necessary subjects from the Grahalāghava. The figures for motions and other measures are more crude than those of Grahalāghava. He has adopted different devices for calculating mean places of planets. This work is in some respect more convenient for calculation than even the Grahalāghava. The author has incorporated in it also the methods of calculating tithis and other features of the almanac from the epochal positions for his own date, after quoting relevant verses from the Tithi Cintāmaṇi. On the whole, however, it is very inferior to the Grahalāghava. But it is better than Rāghava's second work ‘Pañcāngārka.’ The Pañcāngārka belongs to Śaka 1739. Rāghava compited it, because the earlier compilers of works on Pañcānga calculation used to keep secret the reasons underlying such terms as ‘abdapa’ occuring ih them. The commentary on the work is written by the author himself. It was compiled at Puṇtāmba. This work alone would not serve the purpose because, it instructs one to adopt the parākhya* correction from the Laghu Cintāmaṇi. Again the author has given the method of calculating only the mean places, white that for the true places has not been dealt with. One fails to see why then the calculation of mean places is given at all. The length of the year has been taken as 365d-15-31-31. The mean places are to be found from Varṣagna. But the annual motions given for this purpose appear to be very approximate as compared with those of the Sūrya Siddhānta. The motions have not been altered with any definite purpose in view. The second chapter deals with the calculation of the ascendant and the 3rd and the 4th describe how to calculate the eclipses of the sun and moon, provided the “nakṣatra” is known. The four chapters together contain 103 verses.