The Brihat Samhita

Language: Translated into English with NotesPages: 413PrefaceIndia has long continued to be the centre of attraction not only in respect of its wealth and civilization but in that of its intellectual advancement. To it converged, as to a common focus, the eyes of foreigners from the earliest period of the world's history. It was the one fountain of knowledge from which issued streams to water distant lands of ignorance at every point of the compass, now yielding abundance of intellectual harvest. Time was when Indian wisdom shone resplendent, and, from its eminence, dazzled the eyes of distant nations-distant geographically and distant chronologically,- illumined every corner of the intellectual horizon and served as a beacon, lighting the paths of erring travellers. History is puzzled in its attempt to reach the data of Aryan civilization. Antiquarians are at logger-heads in their conclusions touching the age of Aryan learning.Now it is well known that Aryan learning dates from the remotest antiquity. The Aryans have cultivated almost every department of knowledge. As the art of printing was unknown a large proportion of Aryan literature ha been washed into oblivion by the mighty ways of time. Not a few remain, "Like Stranded wrecks the tide returning hoarse to sweep them from our sight". Unless rescued from their fate. But most of the Hindus, of the present day, can not use the books themselves.The public can therefore do much if their eyes could only be opened to the importance of the subject, Most of the English knowing natives hardly know what these books treat of. I have many a time astonished young Collegians and graduates they were surprised to find that the Aryans knew what the Europeans know forgetting that these sciences were taken to the west from here.Now it has come to my knowled