224> ON' THE HIXDU- 



immemorial, artificial systems, not only in astro- 

 nom}', but also for chronological purposes. There- 

 fore, to form a just idea of the Hindu histoiy and 

 its antiquity, a knowledge of these systems, and 

 of tlie various changes that have taken place from 

 time to time, is absolutely necessary. 



Two of the most ancient Hindu systems now 

 known, and which in early times were applied to 

 tlie purposes of chronology, are contained in an as- 

 tronomical work entitled the Graha Munjari. 

 This work is extremely valuable, as it enables us 

 to fix, with precision, the real periods of Hindu 

 history, vvitli their respective durations ; and to 

 shew from thence the alterations that have since 

 taken place by the introduction of new systems. 



The first system mentioned in this work consisted 

 of 2400000 years, which was called the Culpa. — • 

 This period v/as diviided into Manwantaras and 

 Yugs*., as follow : 



A Hatija Yug consisted of . . . 96O years. 



ATrha, 720 



A Dwapar, 480 



ACali, 240 



A 3Iaha Yug, 2400 



7] Malta Yi^gs, 170400 



with Si Sat 1/a of, 96O 



A Mamcantara, 171360 



14 Manwantaras, 2399040 



which, w'lXhdiSatya at beginning, 9QO 



Form, the whole C^^y^, . . .2400000 

 TheC'a/pa is also diviUea mlo 1000 Mahd Yugs, of 2400 years each. 



