The Hindu-Arabic Numerals c6.31

c6.31

To this pre-Christian period belong also the *Vedāṅgas*, or "limbs for supporting the Veda," part of that great branch of Hindu literature known as *Smṛiti* (recollection), that which was to be handed down by tradition. Of these the sixth is known as *Jyotiṣa* (astronomy), a short treatise of only thirty-six verses, written not earlier than 300 B.C., and affording us some knowledge of the extent of number work in that period.² The Hindus also speak of eighteen ancient Siddhāntas or astronomical works, which, though mostly lost, confirm this evidence.¹