Finally the question naturally arises, how did the computer obtain these values, i.e., how was the whole structure built up? On page 63 we found a 136,864 (not 136,884) set down in
strikingly small characters and crowded between the other numbers, which would remain a mystery unless one assumed that it was reserved there for this structure; it is 91 × 1504. At first I thought it possible that this 136,864 had been again multiplied by 91, the real basal number of this section; for we had found a second power once before (on pages 46-50) by computation, viz:—2 × 260 × 260. The result of multiplication in this case would be 12,454,624, and the differences between the eight numbers in the serpents would be as follows:—1a + 35,157, 1b - 66,503, 2a + 137, 2b and 4b - 60,884, 3a - 17,814, 3b + 12,318, 4a - 165. But these differences are doubtful, inasmuch as they bear no relation to the dates beginning and ending the serpent numbers.
On the other hand, another number contains the desired properties. I refer to the 12,412,920, i.e., it is 109 times the so-called Ahau-Katun of 113,880 days, and I believe I have found that the Ahau-Katun and its multiples were mostly used in the formation of the large numbers. In the following table I have placed this number beside each of the serpent numbers, have then found the difference between the two and have added to it the interval between the first and last day of each serpent number:—
| 1a) | 12,489,781 | 1b) | 12,388,121 |
| 12,412,920 | 12,412,920 | ||
| ————— | ————— | ||
| 00,076,861 = 295 × 260 + 161 | 00,-24,799 = 95 × 260 + 99 | ||
| 00,0XI Kan - III Chicchan = 161. | 00,0III Chicchan - XI Kan = 99. | ||
| 2a) | 12,454,761 | 2b) | 12,394,740 |
| 12,412,920 | 12,412,920 | ||
| ————— | ————— | ||
| 00,041,841 = 160 × 260 + 241 | 00,-18,180 = 69 × 260 + 240 | ||
| 00,0IX Kan - III Chicchan = 241. | 00,0III Kan - IX Kan = 240. | ||
| 3a) | 12,438,810 | 3b) | 12,466,942 |
| 12,412,920 | 12,412,920 | ||
| ————— | ————— | ||
| 00,025,890 = 99 × 260 + 150 | 00,054,022 = 207 × 260 + 202 | ||
| 00,0IX Kan - III Ix = 150. | 00,0IX Kan - III Cimi = 202. | ||
| 4a) | 12,454,459 | 4b) = 2b | |
| 12,412,920 | |||
| ————— | |||
| 00,041,539 = 159 × 260 + 199 | |||
| 00,0IX Kan - XIII Akbal = 199. | |||
Where the serpent number is less than 12,412,920, I have had to place the last day before the initial day.
The work of the Indian computer was, therefore, as follows:—
He took the days for granted. First he determined the differences between them; then he added to each difference a multiple of 260; and the choice of the multiple seems to have been quite arbitrary. The number thus obtained he added to 12,412,920, unless it was the smaller, in which case he subtracted it from 12,412,920, and the result he wrote down in the serpents.
We shall find the same process, only somewhat amplified, with the serpent on page 69.
Are the seven numbers intended to denote the destruction of the seven planets? I hope this question will be answered in the near future.