﻿2^2 ON THE ANTIQUITY OP 



Mesha, the Ram, Tula, the Balance. 



Vrisha, the Bull. 8. Vrishchica, the Scorpion. 



MiChuna, the Pair. Dhanus, the Bow. 



4. Carcata, the Crab. Macara, the Sea-Monfter. 



Sinha, the Lion*. Cumbha, the Ewer. 



Canya y the Virgin. 32. Afina, the Fish. 



The figures of the twelve asterisms, thus denominated 

 with respect to the sun, are specified by Sripeti, author 

 of the Retnamala, in Sanscrit verses ; which I pro- 

 duce as ray vouchers in the original, with a verbal 

 translation : 



Meshadayo nama samanaiupi, 

 Vinagadadhyam mit'hunam nriyugmam, 

 Pradipasasye dadhati carabhyam 

 Navi st'hita varini canyacaiva. 

 Tula tulabhrit pretimanapanir 

 Dhanur dhanushman hayawat parangah 

 Mrigananah syan hiacaro'tha cumbhah 

 Scandhe nero rictaghatam dadhanah, 

 Anyanyapuchch'habhimuc'ho hi minah 

 Matsyadvvayam swast'halacharinomi. 



r< The ram, bull, crab, lion, and scorpion, have the fi- 

 *' { gures of those five animals respectively : the pair 

 tl are a damsel playing on a viua, and a youth wielding 

 *' a mace; the virgin stands on a boat in water, hold- 

 M ing in one hand a lamp, in the other an ear oi 

 4< rice-corn ; the balance is held by a weigher with a 

 •* weight in one hand -, the bow, by an archer, whose 



