Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c15.s3.4

v2.c15.s3.4

One of the important reasons why the science of astronomy has attained the highest degree of excellence in Europe to-day is navigation. This does not hold good in our country, still there are other reasons that necessitate the study of astronomy. The first of these is the need of compiling the almanac, which includes the needs of both Dharma śāstra and Muhūrta. Astrology is the second reason and curiosity the third. Some are of opinion that our old astronomy has become utterly worthless, that nothing would be amiss if the almanac is lost. But even a little enquiry will show them that none of the ancient nations put in as much effort as our ancient ancestors did in the sphere of astronomy, and that they could achieve much greater success in it than in any other empirical science like medicine. Again, if they give some thought to the state of things in the villages, they will come to know that 90 or even 95 per cent of the population do require the almanac. The educated modernist may choose to ignore the almanac, but that does not mean that the common man would follow suit. In fact our astronomy owes its origin to the necessity of the almanac which serves as the mirror of the heavens. The educated people, however, would be justified in demanding that the almanacs should be reformed and in wishing that our feeling of veneration towards astronomy should be directed to some more desirable channel. But they are not justified in repudiating the almanac itself or the sense of veneration which it inspires.