INTRODUCTION XV The eighth chapter is composed of 19 verses and deals with the conjunction of a planet with a star. Verses 1-4 state the longitudes of the junction-stars of the twenty- seven zodiacal asterisms. Verse 5 defines the conjunction of a star with a planet. Verses 6-9 state the latitudes of the junction-stars of the twenty- seven zodiacal asterisms. Verse 10 relates to the conjunction of the Moon with a star. Verses 11-16 give the latitudes of the Moon when she occults some of the prominent stars of the zodiac. Verses 1 7-18 give two astronomical problems on indeterminate equations. Verse 19 states the object, scope and authorship of the book. A comparative study of the contents of the Mahi-Bhdskartya
- and the Laghu-Bh&skariya confirms the author's claim that the
latter work is an abridgement of the former. The Laghu-Bhas- karlya is, truly speaking, a well-planned summary of the MaK&- Bhllskarlya, in which the unnecessary or irrelevant rules have been omitted, the defective or erroneous rules ha^e been rectified or replaced, and some new rules which were considered important for the beginner have been added. The following table provides a comparative analysis of the rules occurring in the two works. It will show at a glance which of the rules of the MahZ-BhZskarlya occur in the Laghu-Bhaskariya in abridged or modified form, or have been omitted in the Laghu- Bh&skarlya, or which of the rules of the Laghu-Bficlskarlyd have no counterpart in the Maha-Bttiskariya.
