ON THE EQUINOXES. 215 



e * S'irdmaiii, contrary to what is declared by Arca (Stjrya) and others, 

 *'• from not rightly understanding what was by them declared, muft 

 es be rejected by the wife." He certainly here exprefTes the pre- 

 valent opinion of the Hindu aftronomers, which is decidedly in favor 

 of a libration of the places of the colures. 



Besides Munjala mentioned by Bhasc a r a, the only other ancient 

 author, whole name I find quoted for a complete revolution of the 

 equinoctial and fwlditial points, is Vishn'u Chandra,* from whofe 

 works a paffage is cited by Pr'it'hu'dacaswa'mi, declaratory of a 

 folftitial yuga, or period of the ay ana* The text is corrupt in refpect 

 of the lowed digits of the number; and, having found no other quo- 

 tation of it, I (hall not attempt to (late the period from a conjectural 

 emendation of this paflage. 



It is neceffary to obferve, that fome of the ancient writers on 

 agronomy have not admitted a periodical motion of the equinoxes. 

 This is adverted to by Bhascara himfelf/f who inflances Brah- 

 megupta. The rcafon of that omiffion or denial is fuppofed by 

 Bhascara J to have been the inconfiderable quantity of the deviation 

 or precelhon, not then remarkable, and confequently unheeded by 

 Brahmegupt a ; Goce whofe time it is become fenfible and there- 

 fore it is now taken into account)] Bhascara next inquires " why 



* Author of the Vafijhi'ha-Sid.rhanta, a di.Hnft work from the Laghu.'vafijhCha cited by Dada'bha'z, and 

 (under \ht t'u\zo( ya/t/At'b.i-Si-JJ'hdrita} by NR'isiNHA. 

 ■+ In ihc Vafana bhafoyn, 

 % Ibid. 



