Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c15.s3.6

v2.c15.s3.6

We have already studied the question of calendar reform in elaborate detail and three possible modes of reform have been suggested (P .323). It is highly desirable that all people should carefully consider and decide by the vation and to give them information about the history of our ancient works, in order to induce them to study the astronomical theory by the old or new methods! Efforts made in the way to awaken the nation as a whole are bound to have a more lasting, even if slow, effect as compared with the isolated action taken in this respect. If our ancient instruments and ancient works are collected together and preserved in some principal cities in our country and if observatories are built for taking observations both by the ancient and modern methods, and institutes for study are established, the science of astronomy once brought to a splendid condition by our ancestors will not only recover its former splendour but even grow more brilliant. The threefold duty suggested above for Śaṅkarācārya and others in respect of the question of calendar reform is only the first step towards curing the malady. But we ought to aim at some achievement of lasting value rather than ephemeral results. This tree of astronomy was planted in excellent soil in our country and was growing very vigorously in ancient times. It was being watered from time to time. People used to feel gratified on tasting its fruit. The fragrance of its flowers had not only spread far and wide not only in this country but had also reached even the remote lands of the earth. And although in very ancient times some wind-borne clouds of distant skies—the foreign astronomers—may perchance have let a few drops of water fall into its basin, history shows beyond doubt that the seed thus begotten was wafted back to those foreign lands and a new tree of astronomy began to grow there, or the old one was revived. Glorious and flourishing as our tree was, its growth was arrested in course of time. It ceased to receive water; and naturally its tender foliage has withered. The tree is now feebly clinging to life somehow, thanks to the water received in ancient times and the few drops that trickled down later on rare occasions, and it is still yielding fruit of a sort, sour and bitter. As we look abroad, however, we find that the sapling which owes its origin or revival to this tree on the Indian soil has grown and is still growing so vigorously that thousands of people are getting shelter in its shade. The astounding expansion of the offspring would hardly lead one to suspect that it had ever any kinship with the parent tree in India.