[ 23 ] ealled by the people Ráj-Jyotishi as a sort of nickname. The Rájá of the State considered bimself degraded by the profession of his uncle, and could never countenance his pursuits. Thus his relations with the Rájá have become far from cordial, and the latter has been unable to appreciate the utility of his work. At the age of twenty-three, Chandrasekhara began to note down systematically the results of his observations and three years later the idea of embodying them in a work flashed into his mind. By this time, his mastery over Sanskrit had become so complete that he could compose elegant verses in it impromptu, Indeed, the composition of his work had begun in his mind long before it was written on palm-leaf. In this way, between observation and measurement and composition, his days were divided. He was incessantly engaged with his work for the full period of six years, and the first copy was not ready before he was thirty This constant strain upon his body which had never been strong, began to undermine his system. He contracted a disease which has been his constant companion. Besides, the privations he had to bear, consequent upon his scrupulous adherence to the Sástric injunctions of strict vegetarianism, proved too much for his naturally weak system. Dyspepsia, with its attendant colic has impaired his health. At times it becomes so painful that he is compelled to break off conversation and roll down on the ground till the attack is over. Full meals, frugal as they are, he has not enjoyed for the last thirty years, and has seldorn "permitted himself the indulgence of even half meals twice a day. The study of astronomy has been a passion with him, and any Digitized by Google
