The Astronomical Observatories of Jai Singh c4.s1.18

c4.s1.18

Mahendra describes his treatise as "This scientific work, the good Yantra Rāja, full of much variety and wonder causing, for the benefit of the people, etc." It is "abridged, essence-like, exhaustive but very simple and delightful to the heart." He says (v. 3): "Many Yavanas have also composed scientific works on this instrument in their own language and according to their own particular understanding" and, he continues, "having found them like oceans, I now compose this work, like nectar, as the essence of them all." He gives a list of thirty-two stars¹ and then (v. 28) writes: "After freeing these stars of drik karma mark them on the celestial globe This is a secret that has come from the Yavanas."