1868.] The Adjustment of the Hindu Calendar. 189 



" that at the beginning of Aries (Vaicakha) presents of flour and of 

 jugs filled with water are to be made to Brahmanas." 



This ceremony is now performed on the 12th of April. Some doubts 

 as to the propriety of performing the ceremony Ghatotsarga on this 

 date having arisen, Professor Bapu Deva of Benares was addressed on 

 the subject. The errors of the Hindu calendar were pointed out in the 

 letter, and he was requested to give his opinion on the proposition of 

 changing the beginning of the Hindu year from the 13th of April to 

 the real mesha Sankranti, or the vernal equinox.* 



The proposed change of the beginning of the year from the 13th of 

 April is not contrary to the ^astras. Suiya Siddhanta, the highest 

 authority in questions of Hindu astronomy, acknowledges in the fol- 

 lowing, that time effects great changes in calculations. 



" (0 Maya,) hear attentively the excellent knowledge (of the 

 Science of Astronomy) which (the) Sun Himself formerly taught to 

 the saints in each of the Yugas." 



" I teach you the same ancient science which was formerly told by 

 (the) Sun Himself. (But) the difference (between the present and 

 the ancient works) is caused only by time, on account of the revolu- 

 tion of the Yugas." 



Vacishtha says — 



^ \» 



An examination of the Puranas will show at once that the Castras 

 and the ceremonies are changed in time, the gods, and the ceremonies 

 (*nT%TWTix) of the Vedas are now forgotten. 



The Rig Veda mentions the 27 stars as being married to the moon 

 and the astronomical phenomena recorded there, show that the vernal 

 equinox happened in Krittikd and the autumnal, in Radha or Vicakha 

 (y Libras). 



• His favourable reply with the original letter of query was noticed in the 

 original circular. J 



26 



