सिद्धान्तदर्पण (महामहोपाध्याय सामन्त चन्द्रशेखर सिंह - नग्न-नेत्र खगोल वेध एवं गणित महाकोश)

xviii सिद्धान्त दर्पण
hardly of old days, though spiritually, I believe, he
is still the same.
The value of the Siddhanta-darpana, the work
of an orthodox Hindu, showing errors in our
current almanacs, cannot thus be over-rated. Here
is a man who has practically tested the elements
hitherto followed, and found reasons for correction.
And he has authority for doing so from the
honoured Rishis, who have given their sanction to
the adoption of such corrections as may be
necessary for the purpose of making calculation
agree with observation.
The influence which Chandrasekhar’s work has
already exerted upon society is not inconsiderable.
Some twenty-three years ago a meeting of learned
Panditas and Hindu astronomers was called at Puri
to select an almanac according to which the
numerous daily rites of worship were to be
conducted in the temple. The meeting decided in
favour of the almanac computed after this work.
One of the Chandrasekhar’s pupils has been
computing an almanac every year, which is used
not only at Puri but throughout the greater part of
Orissa. Another pupil of his publishes a Bengali
almanac which has a by no means insignificant sale.
Thus Chandrasekhara has already gained a
foot-hold in Hindu society and has inaugurated
silently but effecually an advance upon the current
almanacs. At any rate, he has silenced all
opponents, and has made the question of correction
possible in the near future.
To fully apperciate him, it is necessary to say
a few words on his early life and education. Some
four years ago, I first made his acquaintance, and
from conversation with him on astronomical