ON THE EQUINOXES. 215 



Si giromniii, contrary to what is declared by Arca (Surya) and others, 

 " from not rightly underftanding what was by them declared, muft 

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

 valent opinion of the Hindu aflronomers, 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 

 equinovtial and fulftitial points, is Vishn'u Chandra,* from whofc 

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

 folftitial yuga, or period of the ayana. The text is corrupt in refpecl 

 of the -lowell digits of the number j 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,+ who inftances Brah- 

 megupta. The reafon of that omiflion or denial is fuppofed by 

 Bhascara J to have been the inconfiderable quantity of the deviation 

 or preceffion, not then remarkable, and confequently unheeded by 

 Brahmegupta; Gnce whofe time it is become fenfible and there- 

 fore it is now taken into account[| Bhascara next inquires " why 



* Author of the Vnfijhi'ha-Sill'hanta, a di.Unft work from the Laghu-<vaftjbChai\VZ$L by Dada'bha'i, and 

 {under the title of Vafijbt'ho-Sidi'bdnta) by Nmsinha. 

 •+ In ihe Fa/and bhdfya. 

 % Ibid. 



