1893.] Pandit Bapu Dova S'astri — A brief account of Bhdskara. 223 
CANTO I. 
Translation. 
1 . In this earth there once was a great city of the name of 
Ayodliya ; a city that surpassed all other cities in respect of wealth 
and prosperity. So prosperous (was it, that it looked) as if it had fallen 
down from heaven by the weight of its great wealth. It was a city 
which was a great resort of the Ksliattriya race, as the S'ami tree is the 
constant abode of fire. 
2. The moon became radiant by the reflected refulgence of the 
rubies that decked the spires of the lofty edifices of that city. Nay, 
her (the moon’s) countenance became florid through jealous wrath at the 
sight of the superior charms of the fair females that lived there. 
3. The opulence and prosperity of that city brought joy to all, 
except to young maidens that sought their lovers. For the lustre that 
issued from the gems of the golden gates of that city dissipated dark- 
ness and made night bright as day. 
4. The glowing flags of China satin, which streamed in the sky 
from the lofty steeples of the mansions of that city, seemed like projections 
chiselled out from the moon. 
5. The swans that were swimming in the moat surrounding the 
city-wall cast wistful looks towards the lakes of the city ; but out 
of despair, owing to the lofty walls which stood in their way, they were 
reminded of the exploits of Parasu-rama, who by his arrow cut a passage 
through the Mount of Krauncha. 
A brief account of Bhdskara, and of the works written, and discoveries 
made, by him.- Br the late Pandit Bapu Deva S'astri, C.I.E. 
[Note by Editor. — The following paper was found amongst the papers of the 
deceased Pandit after his death in 1890 and communicated to the Society, of which 
ho was an Honorary Member, by his relations. It forms a portion of the preface to 
his revised edition of Mr. Wilkinson’s translation of the Oolddhydya of the Siddhdnta 
S’iromani , published in the “ Bibliotheca Indica,” so far back as 1861. This preface 
was, apparently by an accident, not printed at the time, and the Pandit kept it by 
him, and spent considerable pains over numerous and careful corrections, which he 
subsequently added. There seems to be no doubt that he intended to publish it on 
some future occasion, and there cannot bo a better place for its appearance than the 
Journal of the Society of which he was so long a valued member.] 
Bhdskara was born in 1036 of the Sdlivahana era — or in the year 
1114, A. D. — Some authors mention that he was an inhabitant of Bira, 
a Maratha village ; but he himself states, at the end of his Golddh- 
ydya, that his native place was near the Sahyadri, or the Western Ghats, 
