Samhita Series - The Brihat Samhita of Varaha Minira #266318

Bharata varsha has long continued to be the centre of attraction not only in respect of its wealth and civilization but in that of its intellectual advancement. To it converged, as to a common focus, the eyes of foreigners from the earliest period of the world's history. It was the one fountain of knowledge from which issued streams to water distant lands of ignorance at every point of the compass, now yielding abundance of intellectual harvest. Time was when Aryan wisdom shone resplendent, and, from its eminence, dazzled the eyes of distant nations — distant geographically and distant chronologically,~ illumined every corner of the intellectual horizon and served as a beacon, lighting the paths of erring travellers. History is puzzled in its attempt to reach the date of Aryan civilization. Antiquarians are at logger-heads in their conclusions touching the age of Aryan learning. Though at loggerheads most of the Christian antiquarians take care not to assign to any Indian event dates earlier than what is permissible under their Biblical Chronology. Now it is well known that Aryan learning dates from the remotest antiquity. The Aryans have cultivated almost every department of knowledge. As the art of printing was nu known a large proportion of Aryan literature has been washed into oblivion by the mighty wave of time. N ota few remain, Like stranded wrecks the tide returning hoarse To sweep them from our sight.