SOME OPiNiONS ( 1 ) he Siddhanta-BeAlhdra " is the principal work of Sripati, a mathematician, astronomer and astrologer of considerable distinction in ancient India. Hitherto have been printed two of his books on astrology, namely, the Jataka-puituti and the Ratna-mdld, which have always remained popular. The authority of Sripati in astronomy has been acknowledged by the greatest Hindu mathematician and astronomer, Bhaskara II (born 1114 After Christ), as also by those posterior to him. Besides, he fourished at a tima-the early part of the eleventh century of the Christian era. —-when Al-Biruni, the celebrated Persian mathematician, astronomer, astrologer chronicler and traveller," came to India, and in his despair and disgust at the prejudice of the orthodox Hindu scholars of the time against teaching a foreignet like him inspite of his high inquisitiveness and best efforts to learn, passed , occasionally sweeping strictures against contemporary Hindu astronomy and astronomers. So the significance and impor. tance of the publication of a great treatise on astronomy like the Siddhinta-४ekhara are apparent to all lovers of the history of science. And thanks of them are certainly due to Pandit Babua Misra, Jgotisicrga, Lectureria - Hindu Mathematics and Astronomy in the University of Calcutta, for the great amount of pains that he has taken in explaining and editing this work. We know of only one anoient Sanskrit commentary on the work by Makkibhatta (1877 A.C.). But the available manuscript of it unfortunately breaks about the middle of the tourth chapter of the original text. The editor has therefore added an original commentary of his own, and has thus much enhanced the . - worth and usefulnes8 of his publication. His Introduction to the work is also valuable. 497; 7, 1982 BABHUJIBHUSHAN DATTA, D.Sc. Reader, University of Calcutta .
