Vedic mathematics

LILAVATI OF BHASKARACHARYA _ A treatise of Mathematics of Vedic Tradition: Translated by Krishnaji Shankara Patwardhan, Somashekara Amrita Naimpally, Shyam Lal Singh; Motilal Banarasidass, 41, U.A. Bungalow Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi- 110007. Rs. 295 (paperback). Rs. 495 (clothbound).

TRANSLATION IS a difficult art. While being literal and accurate, it must also bring out fairly clearly the meaning of the original, all the while preserving its genius.

The book under review is largely a translation of the Lilavati Punardarshana written in Marathi by Dr. Phadke. While we cannot comment on the Marathi translation, knowing the original Lilavati intimately, we can happily say that the present authors have done an appreciable job.

The English style is lucid and easy to understand. After reading Mr. Colebrooke's archaic translation of the same text, it is a relief to read the modern rendering of the Lilavati.

The publishers are to be congratulated for the error-free neat printing and the nice get-up. To the student of research, of Sanskrit or mathematics, the work is important and its publication in that respect now is opportune.

SITA SUNDAR RAM

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