पञ्चसिद्धान्तिका (आचार्य वराहमिहिर - सूर्य, रोमक, पौलिश, वासिष्ठ एवं पितामह सिद्धान्त)

74 PAÑCASIDDHĀNTIKĀ III.36 acquires sin which is to be expiated. Therefore, a study of this Romaka itself is to be expiated. How is that sin may accrue by not performing a rite at the time enjoined by the Śāstras. But by simply studying the Romaka, we cannot say one would also perform the rite at the improper time. The Romaka may give the time wrongly, but one may study it not for the sake of using its time, but for other purposes, as for instance to understand where it goes wrong, and expose its weakness to others and save them, for which the man who studies even deserves merit. Let us understand that these things, sin and merit, are subtle and cannot be known without a deep study of the Śāstras, and if the author steeped in the Dharma Śāstras says a thing, let us accept it. The Vedas promise svarga not only to the performer of the yajña but also to one who knows how to perform it properly. We frequently meet in the Vedas the expression ya u cainam evam veda. The Vedāṅga Jyotiṣa says that people who know astronomy know as it were the correct performance of the sacrifices themselves, yo jyotiṣaṃ veda sa veda yajñān and they go to svarga after establishing a long line of progeny in this world. Now, it stands to reason that if the mere study of a good thing gives merit, the mere study of a bad thing brings sin. It is said that even association with bad characters and sinners bring sin, as also doing sinful things even in dreams. As for the argument that the person even deserves merit for intending to keep off people from the improper times, he does deserve it and will get it. But that does not mean expiation is not called for. Contact with craftsmen may be necessary to keep the temple idols in form, but that does not mean that purificatory ceremonies need not be performed for the idols on that account. We can say this much that in these cases the expiation is light, like the utterances of the Lord's Name, like 'Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Śiva Śiva! We should also take into consideration the spirit if the times in which these statements were made. स्फुटगणितविदिह लब्धा धर्माऽर्थयशांसि दिनकरादीनाम् । (कुकरणकारस्सत्यं सहते नरके कृताऽऽवासा: ॥ ३७ ॥) 37. The person having correct knowledge of the Sun, Moon, etc. gets Dharma, which will take care of his future world, Artha which will ensure his prosperity in this world and fame, which will perpetuate his memory. But the bad astronomer who misleads people by his writings will certainly have to go to hell and dwell there. 36a. A. विधय b. B. श्रौता स्मा० c. B1.2. प्रायश्चिती. A1. भवती c-d. A. कुकरणविदो द्विन्यो ये कथयन्त्यस्फुटं कुकरणकारः (A2. करः) B. अकरणविदो द्वित्यो ये कथयसत्यं अकरणकरः सहते नरके कृतावासाः । C. कुकरणविदोद्विन्यो ये कथयन्त्यस्फुटं कुकरणकरः सहते नूनं नरके कृतवासाः । D. कुकरणविदो द्विजा ये कथयन्त्यस्फुट [म] सत्यं [स गणितम्] । कुकरणकारसहि [ताच्च] ते क्षणं नरके कृतवासाः ॥ 37. In A and B, स्फुट etc. occurs as the second half of the verse. It is put here as the first half to suit the sense. a. D. लब्ध्वा