ब्राह्मस्फुटसिद्धान्त (ब्रह्मगुप्त - शून्य, कुट्टक, बीजगणित एवं सम्पूर्ण २१ अध्याय सान्वय सटीक)

ARABIC AND INDIAN DIVISIONS OF THE ZODIAC 281 It may be mentioned here that Brahmagupta and Bhāskara selected the southern for the principal star; while the Sūrya- Siddhānta took the northern. Hence the latitude stated by several Hindu authorities is the mean between both stars; and the difference of longitude, compared to the preceding and subse- quent asterisms, may be exactly reconciled upon this suppo- sition. 12. Uttara-Phalgunī, which is the twelfth nakṣatra, con- sists of two stars, and is figured as a bed or cot. These stars are ascertained by the place of one of them (the northernmost) 13°N. and 155° E. This indicates β Leonis; the same which singly constitutes the Arabian Lunar mansion Serfah, though Moham- mad of Tīzīn seems to hint that it consists of more than one star. 13. Hasta, the thirteenth nakṣatra, has the name and figure of a hand; and is suitably made to contain five stars. The principal one towards the west, next to the north-western star, is placed according to all authorities in 11° and 170° E. This can only belong to the constellation Corvus ; and accordingly five stars in that constellation (α, β, γ, δ and ε Corvi). The thirteenth lunar mansion of Arabs is Awwā, which is also described to contain five stars, situated under Virgo and so disposed as to resemble the letter Alif. They are placed by Ulugh Beg in the wing. Here obviously, there is nothing common between the Hindu and Arabian specification of the asterism. The agreement is only in the number of stars and in the longi- tude. 14. Citrā, the fourteenth nakṣatra, is figured as pearl. It is placed by the Sūrya-Siddhānta in 2° S and 180° E. and by Brahmagupta, the Śiromaṇi and Grahalāghava in 1¾ or 2°S and 183°E. This agrees with the Virgin's spike (α Virginis). The same star constitutes the fourteenth lunar mansion of the Arabs named from it Simāc ul aāzi. 15. Svāti, the fifteenth nakṣatra, is represented by a coral bead. The Sūrya-Siddhānta, Brahmagupta, the Śiromaṇi and Grahalāghava, all concur in placing it at 37°N. They differ one degree in longitude of its circle of declination, three of them