51

CHAPTER TWO ASTROLOGICAL WORKS IN SANSKRIT

Astrology can be defined as the 'philosophy of discovery' which

analyzing past impulses and future actions of both individuals and

communities in the light of planetary configurations. Astrology explains

life's reaction to planetary movements. In Sanskrit it is called hora

sastra the science of time-'^rwRH ^5R5fai«fH5iref ^ ^Tm ^ ^ % ^i^J' 11

L.R. Chawdhary documented the use of astrology as "astrology

is important to male or female as is the case of psychology, this

branch of knowledge deals with the human soul deriving awareness of the mind from the careful examination of the facts of consciousness.

Astrology complements everything in psychology because it explains the facts of planetary influences on the conscious and subconscious providing a guideline towards all aspects of life, harmony of mind, body and spirit. This is the real use of astrology^.

Dr. ^.V.Raman implies that "astrology in India is a part of the whole of Indian culture and plays an integral part in guiding life for all at all stages of life" ^. Predictive astrology is a part of astronomy that exists by the influence of ganita and astronomical doctrines. Winternitz observes that an astrologer is required to possess all possible noble quantities and a comprehensive knowledge of astronomy,

' Quoted from Sabdakalpadruma, kanta-ll, p.550 ^ L.R.Chawdhari, Secrets of astrology. Sterling Paper backs, New Delhi,1998, p.3 ^Raman.B.V, Planetary influence of Human affairs, U.B.S. Publishers, New Delhi, 1996,p.147 52

mathematics and astrology^ Astrology or predictive astrology is said to be coconnected with 'astronomy'. A number of works in Sanskrit is available on astrology. It may be defined as "The philosophy of discovering and analysing past impulses and future actions of both individuals and classes in the light of planetary configurations".

Astrology explains life's reactions to vibrations on the basis of rebirth:

It is standing out as a distinct science and is based on astronomical facts *^Tm i^]kmm\ %^ ?in^'^. The antiquity of Indian astrology

The antiquity of Indian astrology is remote. Premkumar Sarnna has documented many astronomical references from the Vedic

Samhitas and Brahmanas in his work entitled

Siddhdntasiromanergoladhyayasyopapatti as follows: '"^^ fspgi

M$iwfe

T^..! W^ «fti#^3a?Flt ^^Sfq ^: I '% T^ ^l^f^ SIS;?! H^TTSRT: I %R

' Winternitz, History of Indian Literature, vol.111, Motilal Benarsi dass, New Delhi, 1996 p.693 ^ Laghujdtaka, 1-3 ^ Bharatiyajyotisa, Nemichandra Sastri, Bharatiyajnanaplthaprakasam, New Delhi, 1995,p.1 53

Deviprasad Chatopadhyaya establishes that the science of mathematics was prevalent especially based on the calculation of the bricks sun/ived in the age of Indus valley civilization^.

N.V.P.Unithiri also observed that 'astrology and mathematics were lightly propagated in the age of Indus valley civilization^'. So astronomy, as a part of mathematics was applied in ancient society, which may be practical at the time of Indus valley civilization. However astrology or predictive science was originated only after the age of

Veddngajyotisa of Lagadha (1200 BC)

In India, astrology and astronomy were considered with equal status in application. Winternitz denotes "In India, astronomy is closely related with astrology. Astronomy is some times taken for astrology, but the two are different, former is visible while the latter is Invisible. To an extent however, both are complimentary to each other"*. Astrology was developed with the influence of astronomy and mathematics and it has been divided later as siddhanta, hora and samhita.

^Siddhantasiromanergoladhyayasyopapatti, Premkumar Sarma, Nag Publishers, New Delhi, 2005, p.iv, in preface. ^History of Science and Technology in ancient Indiathe Beginning, 1986 ^Samskritattinte Nizhalum veliccavum, N.V.P.Unithiri, D.C. Books, Kottayam, 1998, p.43. " Op.Cit, History of Indian Literature, p.691 54

Major works on astronomy

During the last forty to fifty years especially after the worid war

2^, several new astronomical manuscripts both original works and

commentaries have been critically edited, translated, and commented

upon by a number of scholars in India and abroad throwing new light on the subject. It now appears that the originality of Indian astrononny did not cease with the astronomical and mathematical productions of

Bhaskara II in the beginning of the twelfth century that both before and after him important works and commentaries were produced, and further that the medieval period from the twelfth to the eighteenth century, through largely marked by the secondary activities of the commentators, did occasionally produce brilliant minds with significant contributions to their credit. There are commentaries for famous astronomical works in India and especially of Keralite original works and commentaries on astronomy and astrology. Lagadha, Aryabhata I,

Varahamihira, Brahmagupta, Bhaskaracarya I and Bhaskaracarya II are the renowned scholars on astronomy in India. Vedangajyotisa of Lagadha

Though there are no astronomical references found in the Vedic literature, knowledge about the seasons, rains, cold, and so forth for guidance in the agricultural purpose was contributed to the origin of astronomy. A single remnant of a certainly not inconsiderable astronomical literature has come down to us in a small work bearing 55

the title Jyotisavedanga (1200 BC)\ It is a small treatise composed

in verses and has forty-three^ stanzas in the Yajurveda and thirty-six

stanzas in the Rgveda recession, that are exclusively devoted to

calculation of time.

The Jyotisavedanga stands on the boundary line in between

the Vedic and the 'middle period'; so called by Tibuat on Indian

astronomy. Gargasamhita of Garga is known to us only from

quotations and has always been considered as enjoying high authority

in astronomy^. The Yrddhagargasamhita that has come down to

us, deals with astrology mainly and contains also astronomical topics;

a fragment of 'Puskarasadin' the Naksatrakalpa and others are

older ones.

The Pahcamahasiddhanta that is known to us only through

the presentation of its contents in the Pahcasiddhantika of

Varahamihira (6**^ century AD) and in particular, in voluminous

astronomical upanga of Jains, the Suryapaddhati

[Suryapannatti). The astronomic cosmological selections of the

Mahabharata, of the Puranas and of the Manavadharmasastra too

belong to this category.

' About the time calculation in the Veddngajyotisa, R.Shamasastri is of the opinion that they refer to the period from 1400 BC to 850 BC. ^ Op.CiL, History of Indian Literature, vol. Ill, p.681 (according to Shamasastri there are fourty four slokas) ' Mahabharata, lX-37-14. 56

Aryabhata

Aryabhata was a famous astronomer born at Kusumapura

(Patna) in 476 AD. Varahamihira has mentioned in his

Pahcasiddhdntika the names of ancient astronomers like Lata,

Sirnha, Pradyumna, Vijayanandin, and Aryabhata. It is only of the last one that is posses a work that is equally important for a history of

mathematics and astronomy\ The credit of introducing the new ideas into Indian astronomy was usually given to Aryabhata. Winternitz

has indicated that the age of Aryabhata, according to his own statement, "Aryabhata wrote his work in Kusumapura (Pataliputra) and in fact in the three thousand six hundred the years of kaliyuga when he was at the age of twenty three .

There is controversy about his native place. Prof. Ramachandra

Menon opines that Aryabhata must have been a Keralite^. Aryabhata had applied the Brahmasiddhanta to interpret his astronomical theories and the non-Keralite scholars had been followers of

Suryasiddhdnta of Latadeva (4*^ century AD). Further it can be seen that nnost of commentaries on Aryabhatiya are also produced only from Kerala. Vatakumkur however observes that Aryabhata is non-

Kearlite astronomer'*. Aryabhatiya or the Laghuaryabhatiya also called the Aryasiddhdnta consists of four parts of which the last three are

' Op.Cit., History of Indian Literature, p.686. ^ Ibid., pmi. ^ Bharatiyaganitam, Ramacandra Menon, Keralabhasa institute, Tfiiruvananthapuram, 1984, p.55 •* Op.Cit., K.S.S.C, vo>.», in^retace. 57

considered to form independent work under the title

Aryabhatasataka.

Aryabhatiya is divided into four parts. The first part, the

Dasagitikasutra explains the special system of writing the numerals

that was introduced by Aryabhata alone and gives the basic technical

elements of the system. The second part ganitapatha consists of

thirty-three arya stanzas. It is in this metre that the entire work is

written giving a small anthology of mathematical teachings of

Aryabhata.

The third part, Kalakriyapada in twenty-five verses deals with the basic principles of astronomical time calculation while the fourth

part the Golapada, in fifty stanzas, the celestial sphere. Aryabhata denied all Siddhantas upto that age. One of them was 'the earth is rotating itself and all planets are revolving to the earth continuously.

But Aryabhata established his theory that 'the earth is rotating itself and all planets are revolving to the Sun, means Sun is concreted as pivot point of astronomy. But sorrov\rful truth is that, then and after, all famous astronomers namely Brahmagupta and others neglected his valuable observations\ Aryabhata had written other works also that have not come down to us.

Varahamihira

Varahamihira who flourished in the sixth century AD, has preserved and upto dated all norms of astronomy in his

Op.Cit., Samskrittinte Nizhalum Velichavum, p.46. 58

Pancasiddhantika. Some accounts of five works or siddhantas are referred to as Paitamaha, Romaka, Paulisa, Vdsistha and Saura.

The first one of these belonged to a very remote period, but the

other four show a more advanced stage of thought and spirit. It has

been urged by some scholars that all these four indicate knowledge of

astronomy, if not based upon Greek astronomy. Dr. Suvama

Nalapattu refers to the Pancasiddhantika of Varahamihira as there

are no mentions of Greek influence directly^. WinteTnitz opines that the

texts' namely Suryasiddhanta, Paulisa and Romaka had written

by him by the influence of Greek astronomy^. A.R.Rajaraja Varma also

agrees the Greek influence on Indian astronomy^.

Varahamihira has contributed six works on ail the three

branches into which he divided the jyotisastra viz. tantra, (astrology

and Mathematics) hora (horoscope) and sannhita (astrology).

Brhatsamhita is an encyclopedia of various branches of knowledge

such as movements of heavenly bodies and their effects upon man,

geography, architecture, construction of images, excavation of tax,

laying out of garden, special characteristics of the different classes of women and animals, jewels, augury marriage and so on.

He also deals specifically with auspicious times for marriage in two separate works, the Brhadvivahapatala and

' Suvarna Nalapattu, Indiayekandethalj National Bookstall, Kottayam, 20(X), p. 13 - Op.Cit, History of Indian Literature, Pp.683, 685 ^ Prabanthasangraham, (article) Kalaganana, A.R.Rajarajavarma, Kerala Sahltya Academy, Jhrissur, 1989, p.78 59

Svalpavivahapatala and a third work Yogaydtra^ is devoted to

omens to clear out good success for kings in the war. The work is

written in a perfect kavya style in verse composed in omate metre

partly with a poetical swing.

Whilst the section of jyotisastra that is devoted to natural

astrology is in the greatest measure a genuine production of Indian

science, the branch of astrology that is devoted to casting of

horoscopes is called jataka i.e., nativity what is under the influence of

Greek astrology.

The subject matter of the treatise, that is full of Greek technical

terms, completely agrees with that of the Greek books on the subject.

On this branch of stellar science Vrahamihira has written a great work,

the Brhajjataka and a small one, the Laghujdtaka, of which the

first one is the most popular. These works are devoted to the method

of calculation regarding a man's destiny on the basis of the position of

the heavenly bodies at the time of his birth. Other works are,

Mahdydtrd, Brhadyogaydtra, Yaksesvamedhikdydtra,

Svalpaydtrd, Vivdhapatala and Svalpavivdhapatala. More

than thirty works are credited on astrology to him, but many of them

are not available.

Brahmagupta

Brahmagupta was a famous astronomer of India, whose birth was at 'Bhilamala* in Gujarat in 598 AD^. He has written two works

' Published by Jagadeesh Lai Safari, Lahore, 1994, Available in Mysore University ^ Jyotisavum jyotisastravum, Paputy. K, Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishat, 2003, p.136 60

namely Brahmasiddhanta and Khandakhddya. The second one

was, very probably, composed in saka year 587, which was taken as

the base for calculations. He also seems to have composed the

Dhyanagraha in seventytwo verses in the arya metre, which was

referred to in the text Vedic age^.

Bhaskaracarya I

The famous astronomer Bhaskaracarya I (6**^ century AD) has

credited with two famous works namely Mahabhdskariya and

Laghuhhaskariya. The first one is an exposition of the astronomical

part of the Aryabhatiya. Wintemitz commented that; 'the author as

stated above was Bhaskara who according to the editor of the work

flourished in 550 AD to 628 AD as particularly the calculations in this work refer to the year 574 AD'. The author of the above mentioned Laghuhhaskariya is said to have flourished in 522 AD. Aryaryabhatiyabhasya is also written by him. He wrote only commentary works. Bhaskaracarya 11

The famous astronomer Bhaskaracarya II who enjoys high reputation as a mathematician, lived at Vijjadavidda (Bijapur or Patna) in sandilyagotra, son of Mahesvara during 1036-1114 AD.

Bhaskaracarya mentions himself his life and geneology in the prasnavicaraprakarana of goladhyaya of Siddhantasiromani^

' The Classical age, Manjumdar.R.C, vcd.lil, Bharatiya Vidyabhavan, Mumbai, 1988, p.323 ^ Siddhantasiromani, goladhyaya, prasnavicaraprakarana, 58,61, 62 61

some epigraphs provide liis geneology as "Trivikrama, Bhaskara,

Govinda, Prabhakara, Manoratha, Mahesvara, Laksmidhara, and

Ganyadeva^". Two works are credited to Bhaskara of which

Siddhantasiromani is remaining the most esteemed work on

astronomy after the Suryasiddhanta. The fame of this work is due

to the circumstances that it presents the ancient system more

completely and clearly than did the earlier works and that Bhaskara

has himself provided in his work written in verse in the arya metre. A

commentary in which namely; Vasanabhdsya he has elucidated and

proved the rules that generally are written in briefly.

The work Siddhantasiromani is divided into four parts

namely lilavati, bijaganita, grahaganita, and goladhyaya. The

Lilavati is known as Patiganita. The former two are related to

ganita and latter two to astronomy.

The second work Karanakutuhala dealing with

paricahgaganita was written in 1178 AD. The theory of gravitation is

the valuable contribution of Bhaskaracarya^ who has documented it years ago of modern views of scientist Isaac Newton. But one

sorrowful thing is that Bhaskaracarya had denied^ Aryabhata's bhubhramanasiddhanta'*. Many ancient theories of famous scholars

Sridhara's (10*^ century AD) Patiganita, Brahmagupta's

' Epigraphica Indica, vol. I, p.340, from founders of sciences in Ancient India by Satyaprakas, New Delhi, 1965,Pp.450-451 ^ Op.Cit., Siddhantasiromanigolavyakhya, bhuvanakosa- 6 ' Ibid., bhuvanakosa, 5 * Aryabhatiya, kalakriyapada- 5. 62

(6*^ century AD) Brahmaguptasiddhanta, Aryabhata's (5* century AD) Aryabhatiya, Lalla's (8*^ century AD) Sisyadhivrddhita and Sripati's (1039 AD) Sripatipaddhati etc are referred in his Siddhdntasiromani. Astrology after of Bhaskara II

After the great Astronomer, Brahmagupta (628 AD) the

astrology soundly flourished with the help of astronomy in India. There

are a number of Keralite works produced on astronomy, mathematics and astrology. Of them Vatesvarasiddhanta of Vatesvara (880 AD),

Laghumanasa of Manjulacarya (932 AD), Aryasiddhdnta of

Sadananda (11* century AD) are valuable astronomical works. A number of astronomical manuscripts of original works and commentaries have been edited, translated by scholars of Kerala throwing new light on the subject for public and scholars of interesting in this field.

In Kerala, astrology flourished with astronomy based on

Varahamihira's Brhajjataka from the very beginning. Still a number of astrologers are supporting the Aryabhata system. Numerous astronomical and astrological commentaries are flourished from Kerala since seventh century AD; which were based on Aryabhatiya,

Mahabhaskariya, Laghubhaskariya, Brhajjataka and the like.

Charles.M.Whish had published a paper 'On the Hindu quadrates of the circle' and in this, infinite series of the preparation of this circumference to the diameter are exhibited in the four sastras, 63

the Tantrasangraha, Yuktibhasd, Karanapaddhati, and Sadratnamald\ ''On the Hindu quadrature of the circle' points out that this first significant investigation of 'ft (pi) (the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter) was made in Kerala .

Kunjunni Raja clearly states in his work that Charles M. Wish expressed his views on the four texts namely the Tantrasangraha,

Yuktibhasd, Karanapaddhati, and Sadratnamdld. His studies of Kerala mathematics could not proceed further because of his premature death. As a result of these recent investigations it becomes clear that there has been a long and continuous period of creative and critical approach in the history of astronomy and mathematicians of

Kerala and that the achievements in the field are of great significance.

It was the first attempt to the progress of Kerala astronomy.

Predictive Astrology in Kerala

In Kerala also the predictive astrology was flourished with the influence of mathematics and astronomy. Kerala scholars wrote a number of mathematical, astronomical and astrological works and commentaries. Of them, predictive astrology flourished in Kerala, based on Varahamira's Brhajjdtaka is the famous work of predictive science, explains the application aspects of the astral bodies on the earthly life in detail.

' Transactions of the Royal Asiatic society, vol. B, 1835, Pp.509-523 ^ OP.Cit, Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, Pp.1, 2 64

The astrological works were written mainly on the basis of four

factors, jataka, nimitta, prasna and muhurtta. Many works and

commentaries have come down to us by Keralite scholars.

Katapayadi system of Kerala

There are different systems of numeral notion prevailed in

ancient India; of these the two popular are the 'Katapayadi' and

'Bhutasahkhya' both of which are used by the astronomers in Kerala.

Now the Keralite astrologers are using this system for the ganita of the

part of astrology. 'Katapayadi' system is mainly accepted in Kerala,

the system 'Aksarasaiikhya' which represents the numerals by the

words. It is generally believed as one of the major contributions of

Kerala to Indian mathematicsV The rules of 'Katapayadi' table are

given below.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

w ^ ^ ^ ^ rf ^ v5r IT of

z 3 ^ « TJI Cl 8T ^ q ^

TT W ^ •^ ^

^ 1 ef w ?I ^ ^ ? eT —

The 'Katapayadi' system of expressing numbers is seen in the

Candravakyas of Vararuci. It is generally considered that Vararuci himself was the proponent of this scheme. From circumstantial

Op.Cit, Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p.5. 65

evidence, we are led to surmise that Vararuci, the Keralite astronomer,

lived in the fourth century AD. The great astrologer Kanippayyur

Sankaran Namputiripad also agrees that the system 'Katapayadi* was

originated from Kerala\

A special advantage of this system is that even numbers running

to very many digits can be rendered into meaningful expressions or

verse- bits, which are easy to remember. The mnemonic of any

number is called its 'paralper'. Moreover the variety in the choice of

letters for each digit makes it possible to frame several different

expressions for the same number, ar^RRt -w^ ifrf: i (the numerals

proceed to the left) seems to be the rule very popular with Indian

mathematicians as can be seen in both 'Bhutasahkhya' system and the *Katapayadi' system.

Grahanila or Planetary position

According to the Indian system there are nine planets i.e., the seven planets whose names are attached to the weekdays and Rahu and Ketu. Their English names are: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury,

Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Dragon's head (ascending node). Dragon's tail

(descending node). The zodiac, which is a circle of 360 degrees, is divided into twelve rasis in which the planets are supposed to be traversing during their journey. These signs are called mesa, vrsabha, mithuna, karkitaka, sirpha, kanya, tula, vfscika, dhanu, makara, kumbha, and mina

' Ente smaranakal, Kanippayyur Sankaran Namputiripad, vol.1, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, 1963, p.63. 66

Each rasi is inclusive of two stars in full and a quarter or nine

quarters of stars in total. Thus 'mesa' has asvini, bharani and the first

pada of krttika; Vfsabha' the remaining 3 quarters of krttika, rohini and the first two padas of mrgasirsa and so on. About the orgin of

rasicakra, A.R.Rajarajavarma opines that the concept of twelve rasis in

rasicakra is the contribution of Yavanas or Greek to India . He quoted a reference from Bhaskarahhdsya that is given below:

^mrei c1c{'+lc^R*cMdl ^^ 11^

Prof. Vishnusarma explains that, the zodiacal forms are not the same in North India and South India. In Indian system of astrology, horoscope is drawn in a square or an oblong form, whereas in the western system, they are drawn in the form of a circle.

KAAiyt^ '^:;;^f»itA '^*^«?;?^-^^ ^.<^S^^ s.^,/^ /^ J -^X

' Op. at., (article) Kalaganana, Pp. 78, 79. 2 Ibid., 67

The difference between North Indian and the South Indian

horoscopes is that in the former, the ascendant is always put at the

top in the center and the counting of the houses is done in the anti

clock-wise direction. i 1^

MfiS^ /f<^"***^ 1% A- KUMfclM

SM4HA S»MH4j^C^ *1 PHAMV HAHYA TUWA /K^AiyU^ \.^/^f»C1KA \^ The horoscope as drawn in Northern India. In other parts of India In the South Indian horoscopes, on the other hand, the position

of several signs is fixed, but the position of the ascendant is

changeable. The counting of houses is done in the clock-wise

direction, starting from the ascendant. In the South Indian charts the

numbers denoting the signs are not written, while in the North Indian

charts the- 'lagna' and other houses are indicated by putting the

numbers of respective signs in places. Anyhow zodiacal signs

represent the planets' position on the birth of an individual.

Nemichandra Sastri refers a verse of Gargasamhita as given below-

^sTftfcfuM ^ ^ ^ ^ ^Enfcf w^ ^qfrTfT I f Famous astrologers and astrological works of Kerala

Since the Vedangajyotisa of Lagadha, both astronomy and astrology developed in India to a great extent. The first stage begins

Op.Cit, Bharatiyajyotisa, p.51 68

from Aryabhata's age (449 AD to 1114 AD) it begins with siddhanta period and the second stage begins from 1200 AD to 1800 AD.

During this period, a number of serious studies on the basic text in the form of commentary works were seen done.

In the secondary period, the Kerala scholars had significant contributions to their credit on mathematics, astronomy and predictive astrology. The commentators were not only from the Brahmins but also from the scholars of other castes. Gradually the astrology became the science of society. In the field of astrology in Kerala, there are many original works and commentary works on original works of mathematics, astronomy and predictive astrology. Some of the notable scholars are Vararuci, Haridatta, Govindasvamin,

Saiigamagrama Madhava, Paramesvara, Nilakantha Somayajin and the like. Many great savants and preceptors flourished in Kerala at different periods of time produced many authoritative treatises on jyotissastra. Devakerala^ Sukrakerala^ Vararucakerala and

Keraliyasutra are a few among those works\ Sukrakerala is also known as Bhrgukerala, Keralarahasya and Keralanirnaya.

These treatises mainly deal with horoscopy and astrology. Keralite commentaries on Aryabhatiya

In Kerala a stream of astrological and astronomical tradition had developed from fourth century AD to nineteenth century AD. Keralite astronomical theories are keeping accuracy than others theories

' Op.Cit., KS.C, vol.1,1953, p.192 69

because they were the followers of Aryabhata. A Number of

astrological and astronomical works are produced from Kerala by the

influence of Aryabhatiya. Varahamihira, Govindabhattatirl,

Paramesvara, Nilakantha Somayajin, Jyesthadeva and Sankaravarma

were the followers of Aryabhata. The Kerala astronomer, P.K. Koru

has written a commentary on Lilavati.

Batagutharthadipika by Kolathery Sahkaramenon only for

gitikapada, is the vyakhyana in Malayalam language.

•^illdTcbliJ^l^ilil •JT^iJ^TsHtf^ I

Ghatigopa has written a commentary on Aryabhatiya in Sanskrit

who is the disciple of one Paramesvara and a devotee of the god

Padmanabha. His date is unknown". Devakerala of Acyuta

The astrological work Devakerala is published by Govt.

Oriental Series, Madras No.XCIII. Ullur S. Paramesvara Iyer quotes a

verse of this work as-

Rahganathajyotsyar explained it in the preface of the same work as

' Op.Cit., Bharatiyaganitam, p. 95 ^ (Pub. in 1972, Srivanchi Setulaksmi Granthavali, Thiruvananthapuram) ' Op.Cit., KS.C, vol.1, p. 28 " Ibid., vol. Ill, p.249-50. 5'/bid. , vol.1. p.192 70

PlP^dcjlPir'M'fHid ijHMi^ci ^TFT^I^'. This work is much useful to

lagnanimaya in astrology. Sukrakerala • Sukrakerala, a work from Kerala consists of ten chapters.

Ullur S. Paramesvara Iyer says that it may be written by Vararuci, he is

generally known as Vyakhyakara (4^ century AD). This work is

prevalent in Karnataka and Tamilnadu^. Vararuci

Vararuci may be the first astrologer of Kerala tradition, who is a

legendary figure about whose identity and date, nothing can be said

definitely. Kunjunni Raja gives only some indication as "Katyayana is

known as Vararuci. According to Ubhayabhisarika^ one of the nine

gems in Vikramaditya's court, was Vararuci. In Kerala he is considered to be the author of the Vrarucasangraha a work on grammar and of the Asaucastaka. Candravakyas is the valuable contribution of

Vararuci. The authorship of the following two texts are attributed to him those are Sukrakerala and Vararucakerala. Hindu

Encyclopedia refers to a work namely Latakarahasya which is also attributed to him"^.

' Devakeralam of Acyuta, ed. Ranganathasarma, Govt.Oriental Series, Madras, 1952,in Preface.p.XII ^ Op.Cit., KS.CrVcHh p.l93 ^ Op.Cit, Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p.4 * Hindu Encyclopedia, Acharya Narendrabhushan, ed. C. Prasad, Rainbow Book, Chengannoor; Kerala, 2004, p.781 71

'Katapayadi' system is said to be the contribution of Vararuci. A

verse of Varamci has documented in Lalitasahasranama of

Bhasurananda in the beginning.

Haridatta

Haridatta (683 AD) was a Keralite astronomer who contributed

towards ganita namely Grahacaranibandhana and

Mahdmarganibandhana, He introduced the system 'parahita' in

683 AD, Ganesadaivajna (1507AD) the author of Grahalaghava has

documented that the ganita system changeable are: '^jjsprPr crf^ ^

^ ^jT^ ?el2| ^^....ii\ Haridatta not only re-organized the old system of ganita of Aryabhata, namely Parahitaganita in mamahka festival at

Tirunavaya in Malappuram district (in 683AD.) but also formulated several rules of ganita, one of which is Bijasarnskara or

Sakabdasarpskara. It was the first appreciable attempt of Kerala on astronomy.

Govindasvamin

Govindasvamin (824 AD) is mainly noted for his commentaries on Mahdbhaskariya and Pardsarahora, by name bfidsya and

Sampraddyapradipikd respectively. He was the court astronomer of King Ravivarman of Kodungallur. Besides the commentary, he is

^ Ganitanirnaya,ed. Purushothaman Namputiri, p. 3 72

credited with an original work, which is still untraceable . Muhurttaratnarn is another astrological work of Govindasvamin: '^ntfcp^ ^g^cfTgprf&r^^ '^ % dWf^dm 11^'. Siddhantadipika is the commentary of Mahabhaskariyabhasya of Govindasvamin. Comatiri of Kejallur salutes to the Siddhantadipika in his AryabhatiyabJmsya as 'ar^^tsniFMt '^T^ "^"^i^. Ri

...JTT?i''.

Sankaranarayana

§ahkaranarayana (825-900 AD) was the disciple of

Govindasvamin is well known as the author of Vivarana

y _ _ _ Commentary also called Sankaranarayaniya on the

Laghubhaskariya of Bhaskara-I '^ ^r^SP^^TRTznjft^ f^^^ ^>TR^>fl^

xi-5jiJ^"iMW ^i^l' From the frequent references given in the

commentary it is clear that Sankaranarayana was patronized by king

Ravivarma Kulasekhara (885-913) who reigned at Mahodayapura:

'^ft^K ^fTft^^ ^cT?t^3^ ^ ^?r»Tt ^?rcff%f^?f^R^ ^fnrTll"'. The

sentence: '^?^ ^ ^i\i\<\ ^^Icf^Ftt^W^ ^5^ ^ I' referse to the other

work of Sankaranarayana namely ''Brhatikarmanibandha^\

Sankaranarayana has documented a total eclipse of Sun that took place in 866 AD.

' Sharma. K.V, A history of the Kerala School of Hindu astronomy, Visvesvarananda Institute, Hoshiarpore, 1972, Pp.44, 45. ^Op.Cit., K.S.C, vol.11, p.108 ^76i{f., vol.11, p.113 '' Op.Cit., History of Indian Literature, p. 12 ^ Op.Cit., KS.S.C.wlN. p.220 73

There was an observatory at Mahodayapura or Kodungallur under the charge of Sankaranarayana. Time was regularly announced there by the beating of drums. He belongs to the Aryabhata School.

The following words are mentioned that 'r^^ ^^H^^ w?r^ Wf^

Siiryadevayajvan

Suryadevayajvan (1191-1250 AD) of 'nidhruva gotra' was a prolific writer who was recognized as an authority on astronomy by later writers in Kerala like Paramesvara and Nilakantha. He gives a list of his earlier works in his commentary on the Laghumanasa; from this it is known that first he commented on Govindasvamin's bhasya on the Mahdbhaskariya; then he wrote the Bhataprakdsa commentary on the Aryabhatiya; then a brief commentary on the

Mahdydtrd of Varahamihira; afterwards he commented on the

Lghumdnasa of Manjujaka and on the Jdtakapaddhati called

Jdtakdlamkdra of Sripati. *ff^ ^ wn ^ Tpem^aR^

Paramesvara's commentary on the Aryabhatiya is based on

Suryadeva's work; the Jdtakdlamkdra is also popular in Kerala. The

'Yajvan', who was honoured with the title Somayajin 't^«^

Laghubhaskariya, p.51 74

!ill*l^wii

of kumbha month in the year saka 1113 corresponding to 1191 AD.

Prakasa or Prakasika is a popular commentary of Suryadevayajvan

on Aryahhatiya^.

Udayadivakara

Udayadivakara (11*^ century AD) was a commentator on astrology generally accepted as a Keralite scholar^ and who had written a commentary on Laghubfmskariya namely Sundari. This text is presently not available.

Govinda Bhattatiri

Govindabhattatiri (1237-1295 AD) was a famous astrologer of

Kerala and he is known as Talakkujattur Bhattatiri. His birthplace is

Alattur near Thirur in Malappuram district in Kerala. He is an admirable personality. His Dasadhyayi commentary on Brhajjdtaka of

Varahamihira is outstanding commentary in the field of Kerala astrology. Muhurttaratna is another work on muhurtta is attributed to him. A detailed study on him is the subject matter of the next chapter of the present thesis. Sangamagrama Madhava

Sahgamagrama Madhava, (1340-1425 AD) author of the astronomical work Venvaroha^ is a well-known authority on

' Op.Cit., Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p.15 ^ Journal of Kerala Studies, (article) ^Sanskrit in Kerala commentarial Literature' N.V.P.Unithiri, ed.T.K.Ravindran, vol. X, Thiaivananthapuram, 1983 ' Op.Cit., Hindu Encyclopedia, p.405 '' Venvdroha, ed.wlth the Malayalam commentary of Acyuta PisarotI, by K.V.Sarma, in the Ravivamna Sanskrit Granthavaii, Thrippunithura.1956 75

astronomy and mathematics and is often refen-ed to by later writers as

the 'gojavid*^ (expert on spherical mathematics). The

Aryabhatiyabhdsya of Nilakantha gives some details about

Madhava that he was one of the teachers of Paramesvara, the famous

founder of the drgganita system (1360-1455 AD) 'q^^qr^

«I^HId1^ ^T5g?rg^^>Ici PIIIJW iJ^UHJ^4)J|!R^ ^T^^T 'HH

Madhava belonged to Sangamagrama or Irinjalakuda (near

Thrissur in Kerala) village. His house name is given in his work,

Venvdroha as 'etjdiRjffc^df^^Kl' which is the Sanskritised form of

Iranfiininna palli^.

j]^Hi*iiR #5^ 'MiBivjumiPi mm^ 11^

The Hindu Encyclopaedia refers to the work of Sangamagrama

Madhava, namely Candravdkydni belonged to astronomy''.

Madhava devefoped a procedure to determine the positions of the Moon every thirty-six minutes. He also provided methods to estimate the motions of the planets. He also contributed the power series expansions for trigonometric functions and for 'pi' correct to eleven decimal places. Lagnaprakarana^ in eight chapters dealing

' Op.Cit, Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p. 16 ^ (Article) Mangalodayam, K.Kunjunni Raja, vol.21,1954. p.322, 4 ' Venvaroha, v-13 •• Op.Cit., Hindu Encyclopaedia, p.874 ' Op.Cit., Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p. 19, 76

with the calculation of the 'lagna' is a work on astrology attributed to

Madhava. Paramesvaran Namputiri of Vatasseri

Among the astronomers of Kerala Paramesvaran Namputiri of

Vatasseri (1357-1450 AD) is the most outstanding astronomer mathematician and astrologer, who lived in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries AD and produced over a number of works on astronomy

(including mathematics) and astrology. He was Rgvedic Brahmin of the Asvalayanagotra belonged to the village of Alattur in south

Malabar, Kerala. His house name known as Vatasseri which was situated on the northern bank of the river 'nija' (Bharatapula)

PldMJ: >HMK>WlR #?^^ qT^^"^^

c^l>!s^MH>t^ ^TefPI cildNr-m.- c»»i1*^^H I 1^

Paramesvara was a versatile scholar and writer. He has to his credit several original works as well as commentaries mainly on astronomy, mathematics and astrology. He refers to one of his teachers named Rudra in several of his works. In the commentary on

Lilavati he has documented as:

TR^Ji^Tf^TP^ cJJKsJim.... 11.

In the Vdkyakarana of Paramesvara shows as:

^ The introductory verse in his commentary, on the Lilavati, Adyar Library, MS.68524 77

Rudra is different from tlie autlnor of Vivarana commentary on Brhajjataka.

Independend works of Paramesvara Acarasahgraha, Goladipikd, Grahananyayadipika, Grahanamandana, Grahanastaka, Candracchayaganita, Jatakapaddhati, Drgganita, and Vakyakarana are the important works of Paramesvara. He has commented upon the Muhurttaratna of Govindabhattatiri^. Drgganita

This is the author's magnum opus, it is an astronomical manual

in two parts; the first part consisting of four sections called

paricchedas deals with the derivation of ahargana that means

positions of the planets derivation of mandajya and sighrajya and the

method of calculating the case from the 'sine' etc. The main contribution of the work consists in the revision of the astronomical contents, tables of 'signs' etc, and the connections introduced. Goladlpika

K.Kunjunni Raja observed that there are two works by name

Goladipika dealing with the various aspects of spherical astronomy by Paramesvara. One is published in the Thiruvananthapuram Sanskrit

' Op.Cit., Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p.21. ' MuhUrttaratna, ed. Sreepadabhatta, Varahamihiraprakasan, 1999. 78

series (No.49) and the other is available in the Adyar Library pamphlet

series^. There is a commentary on the second Goladipikd by the

author himself.

'lld'W 41filcbl

representations. The work Vakyakarana is the other work of

Paramesvara^ giving the methods for the derivation of astronomical tables; it is different from the work of the same author and is commented on by Sundararaja. The Vyatipdtdstakavrttf deals with

'lata' and 'vaidhrta' methods of astronomy.

Commentary works of Paramesvara Paramesvara has commented on several standard works of astronomy and mathematics that were popular all over Kerala. They are Bhatadipika on the Aryabhatiya, Karmadipikd on the Mahdbhdskariya of Bhaskara-I, the Siddhdntadipikd^ on Govindasvamin's bhasya on the Mahdbhdskariya, the

' Ibid,, p.24 {No.32,1957)

2 Op.Cit., KS.S.C, vol.fV, p.221 ' Kerala University. No.778 B, L.1248 F, C166D, T.179A. " Kerala University No.762 * Ed.K.V.Sarma. JOR. Madras, vol.28, 1958-1959 * Kerala University, No. C.1334. ' Kerala University, No. 788 D ' Madras Govt.Oriental MSB Library, No.130 79

Paramesvari on the Laghubhaskariya^ of Bhaskara 1, another

work of the same title is referred to by Vatakumkur . The

Paramesvara on the Laghumanasa of Munjata, the Vrtti on his

own Goladipikd, the Vivarana^ on both the Suryasiddhanta of

Lata and Lildvati of Bhaskara II and the Vrtti in verse on an

anonynnous Vyatipaddstaka and Dipikd on Muhurttdstaka of

unknown authorship are .some of his notable commentaries.

Astrological works and commentaries of Paramesvara

Paramesvara is credited with many astrological works and

commentaries that are popular among the astrologers of Kerala.

They are, Jdtakapaddhatf, Acdrasangraha is a popular

astrological work. The commentaries are Muhurttaratna of

Govndabhattatiri of Talakkulattur^ is known as

Muhurttaratnavydkhyd, Jdtakddesa of Sripati (1039 AD) and

Sadpancdsikdvrtti on Sadpancdsikd or Prasnasadpahcdsikd of

ft Prthuyasas . Kunjunni Raja gives forth some evidences about the

relative chronology of Paramesvara's works through the quotations

taken from commentaries on Mahdbhdskariya, Lildvati,

SurycisiddhdntaJ. Other works credited to him are Vrtti in verse on

Vyatipaddstaka of unknown authorship and Grahandstaka^.

' Ananda Sarma Sanskrit Series, No.128. Wp.Cit.,K.S.S.C, vol. II. p.502 ' Madras R.3730, Kerala University, 8358J •• Treatise on horoscopy, ed. Kolatheri Sankara Menon, Thiruvananthapuram ^ Kerala University T.I44 * Kerala University .5963, 12235,T.612 ' Op.Cit, Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p.26 ' Op.Cit., Hindu Encyclopaedia, p. 384 80

Nilakantha Somayajin of Kelallur

The famous astronomer Nilakantha Somayajin of Kelallur (1443-

1543 AD) gives detailed informations in his bhasyas about himself and

his predecessors and academic activities of his time too. He was a

pupil of Paramesvara's son Damodara and an ardent advocate of

Drgganita system. Nilakantha was a Namputiri Brahmin of Kelallur

family at Trkkantiyur (Sreekanthapura) (Kundapura) in Ponnani taluk,

Malappuram district who belonged to the Gargagotra Hence he is

known as 'Gargyakerala Nilakantha' or 'Gargyakeraja sahgrama

Nilakantha' and was patronized by Ajvanceri Tamprakkal.

Works of Nilakantha Somayajin

Nilakantha Somayajin, the celebrated author of the

Tantrasangraha, wrote at the age of fifty-six,

Aryabhatiyabhasya. The Malayalam work Prasnasara which deals with astrology, is comprised in 1542 AD^. Siddhantadarpana, also called Darpana, the Grahananirnaya, the

Candracchdyaganita^ the Golasara and the

Sundararajaprasnottara are other works of him. Among these,

Grahananirnaya is not available. A group of physicists from the

Madras University recently reported that Nilakantha Somayajin as a renowned astronomer of the Kerala school carried out a major revision of older Indian planetary model for the inner planets (Mercury and

Venus) in his treatise Tantrasangraha (1500 AD) and it has an

JOR, K.V. Sarma, vol.26, p.38 81

implied heliocentric model of solar system proposed much ahead of

European model like that of Kepler in the seventeenth century^.

Jyesthadevasisya wrote a commentary on Tantrasangraha

of Nilakantha^ and commentary of Nilakantha Somayajin on

Candrachdyaganita is referred to by Ullur as given below:

vj1'HR^RlgdiJ'i^4j|cll iiWId JFI^ clcjsl^ I

There are two commentaries in Sanskrit on Tantrasangraha of

Nilakantha. One of them is belonged to one Namputiri of Trprahriod:

Another one is Laghuvivrti commented by Tfkkutaveli

Sarikaravariyar

?fcr cP^RtW^ f^2IT^>eTFt sfJ^^WJW I TM cRsmsm^^!TTt^;^^TtesiTraT 11^ Citrabhanu

Citrabhanu (1475-1550 AD) was an astronomer and a scholar of literature, as is evident from his commentary on the first three cantos of the Kiratarjuniya of Bharavi^. His only astronomical work,

' K. Ramasubramanyam, Current Science, M.D Srinivas, and M.S. Sriram vol. 6, 1994, p. 784 ^ Journal, Sanskrit in Kerala commentarial literature, N.V.P.Unithiri, vol. X, ed.T.K. Ravindran, Thiruvananthapuram, 1983, p.224 Wp.Cit, K.S.C, vol.11, p. 134 "/iirf.,?. 135 ^Ibid., p. 135 * Op.Cit., C.K.S.L, p.103 82

Karanamrtam^ deals with astronomical calculations in four chapters, following the Drgganita system. The famous work

Karanamrta gives the date of its composition as 'kali' year 4631 corresponding to 1531 AD. The exact date is known from the

'ahargana' given in a chronogramme:

The work is a short treatise intended for the practical use of the astrologers and the almanac makers. Citrabhanu gives in the first chapter the absolute minimum of formulae, tables and consonants, derivations of the mean and true positions of the nine planets the essential requirements for making the Kerala calendar, in fourtyfive anustup stanzas of the text with its commentary.

Sankara of Mahisamangalam

The name Sankaran Namputiri is seen among the Brahmin scholars of Kerala frequently. One of them is Sankara of

Mahisamangalam (Mazhamangalam) (1494-1570 AD) born at

Peruvanam village near Thrissur. He studied astronomy and astrology from Paramesvaran Potti of Vajumaveli in Chengannur. All works written by him are in Malayalam language. However his grammatical work Rupanayanapaddhati is written in Sanskrit. He concentrated only to propagate the astrological ideas to the public.

' Karanamrtarn, ed. V.Narayanan Namputiri, The Oriental Research Institute, Madras and Manuscript Ubrary, University of Kerala, 1975 ^ Op.CiL, Karanamrtarn, 1V-34, 1975, p.45 83

Narayana

Narayana (1500 AD) was a famous astronomer of Kerala, and

disciple of Citrabhanu. He is credited with a commentary work namely

Karmadipikd on Lildvati of Bhaskaracarya. Acharya

Narendrabhushan documented that Kriydkramakari commentary

on Lildvati is attributed to the authorship of Narayana . Yallaya

All that is known about Yallaya is that he was the son of

Sridhara, the Kerala mathematician.Dr.Kern says that there is one

manuscript of the Prakdsa on Aryabhatiya belonging to the library

of the Royal Asiatic society, London, which is interspersed with the

annotations of a certain Yellayen or Yallaya^. Sankaravariyar of Trkkutavely

Sarikaravariyar (1500-60 AD) flourished in the first half of the

16"^ century and he was a student of Nilakantha Somayajin. He wrote

Laghuvivrti commentary ori the Tantrasangraha in 1556 AD^.

The commentary Laghuvivrti on Pahcabodha is attributed to him'*.

Kriydkramakari on Lildvati of Bhaskara II provides the rationale

and proof of the theorems and formulae, also seems to be a work of

Sankaravariyar.

Op.Cit, Hindu Encyclopedia, p.406 ^Aryabhata, (article) Commentaries and Commentators, p.40 ^ Op.Cit., Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p.38 •• LUdvati with Kriydkramakari, ed.K.V.Sarma, V.V.R.Institute, Hoshiarpore, 1975, introduction page .xix and further on. 84

Jyestadeva

Jyestadeva (1500-1600 AD) was a Namputiri Brahmin of

Paraririottu family in Alathur village and he was a student of

Damodara. He was the teacher of Acyutapisaroti of Trkkantiyur^. The

work Yuktihhdsa is attributed to Jyestadeva it was written in 1639

AD with the help of Tantrasangraha and Kriyakramakari, the commentary on Lilavati by Narayana; because a number of similarities are seen between them. Both Ramavarma Maru Tampuran and Akhilesvara Iyer have interpreted the first part of Yuktibhdsa in

1947. Works and commentaries of Sankara The works and commentaries of Sankara of Mahisamarigalam are both in poetry and prose. The Bdlasankara commentaries on the Kdladipaka and the Muhurttapadavi and the Laghubhdskariya, Ganitasdra, Candraganitakrama, Prasnasara, Pancabodha, Pancabodhdrthadarparm and Bhdsdkdladipaka are very popular in Kerala. Other works are Ayanacalanadrgganita, Jdtakakrama, Jdtakasdra, Karanasdra and Bhdsdsangraha. Kunjunni Raja states that he wrote the commentary on the Kdladipaka in 1540 AD and the Muhurttapadavi in 1554 AD^.

' Op.Cit., Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p. 40. ^ Ibid., p.39. 85

Mattur Namputiripad

Mattur Namputiripad (1612 AD) was a famous astrologer and

astronomer of Kerala at Mattur (Mahavastupuram) near Chelakkra in

Thrissur.

mo=c|ldy Hell'Weill f|u[T cpf?rR#fxRT I f

He has written many muhurtta works. Muhurttapadavi is the

famous muhurtta work of Kerala, but four Muhurttapadavis are

presently available. One of them is credited to Mattur Namputiri, which

is interpreted by Mahisamahgalam "^ahkaran Namputiri^.

Acyutapisaroti of Trkkantiyur

Acyutapisaroti of Trkkantiyur (1550-1621.AD) a well known

astrologer and grammarian, and the preceptor of Melputtur

Narayanabhatta was a member of Pisaroti community, and was an

expert in medicine and literature. A verse is famous by Narayanabhatta

on the occasion of the death of Acyutapisaroti in which his proficiency

on the various branches of knowledge and date of his death also

documented in Katapayadi notation that corresponds to 1621 AD. t ^i«JMW, f%^ %EmTg?^f%ftf%^ w^ vxijlfcit(cir5i M4ciRidi frrs^enft^ ^am

>=j|6e3*Mc|uiiRi ^?r?rM ^Ms^fJicTf^N, iffr

' Op.Cit, Hindu Encyclopedia, p.714

2 Op.Cit., KS.S.C, vof.ll, p.489 ^ Melputtur Narayanabhattatiri, K.P.Narayanapisharoti, Sahitya Acadamy.New Delhi,2002, p.10 86

Works and commentaries of Acyuta

Acyutapisaroti has to his credit a commentariai work on

Suryasiddhanta and his own works have been brought to light recently. They are namely Sphutanirnaya, Acyutastaka, Upardgavimsati and Karanottama\ ^M^^^Tfcgcms^ iMM fcTfct ^?m I

The Uparagakriydkrama^ also known as Kriydkrama deals with the ganita of planets in twenty verses.

f%cTR ^fp^ll^Ht ^WPT%3II^^ ll"*

Sphutanirnaya is written in six chapters,

Rdsigolasphutdnitf gives all measurennents of longitude and latitude that are to be made along with the ecliptic and the perpendicular to the ecliptic respectively on astrology. Acyuta wrote the work

Hordsaroccaya^ that is an interpretation of Sripati's

Jdtakapaddhati in seven chapters.

^ Karanottama, pb. Raghavanpillai, Anandasayana Samskrita Granthavali.1965 ^ Op.Cit, Astronomy and mathematics in Kerala, p.43. & Karanottama, verse 21, p.47 ^ Thiruvananthapuram palace Library, 770.B " Ibid., p.44 ' Adyar Library pamphlet series. No. 29.1995 *M.S. Thiruvananthapuram, AD-8327 ^ Op.Cit., K.S.C, vol.ll,Pp.352-53. 87

He has also written a commentary on Madhava's Venvaroha in

Malayalam\ Chayastaka^ and the Uparagavimsati are also

credited to Acyuta^. Prave§aka an independent work on vyakarana,

is also written by him in eight chapters.

Somayajin of Putumana

Somayajin of Putumana (1700-60 AD) was a contemporary of

Vatasseri Paramesvara known as 'Putumana Comatiri' lived at

Thrissur. Kunjunni Raja says that the word 'Putumana' is also

sometimes called 'Putuvana'. The Sanskritised form is 'navinavipina',

'nutanagrha'- '•jdH'j^^lH-iirii...''* His real name is not known. He says

that he belonged to the Sivapuragrama:

Works of Putumana Somayajin

Karanapaddhati 'czn^f^ ^g^^J^mr *>iUN^Ri: ^R^CTT

R

ganita of Somayajin, It follows generally the 'Parahita' system but advocates the'Drgganita' system only in the calculation of eclipses.

This work is popular not only in Kerala but also even in Andhrapradesh and Tamilnadu. There are three old commentaries of the work in

' Venvaroha, ed.K.V.Sarma, Ravivarma Grantavali, Thripunithura. & (See Op.Cit., Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, Pp.44-45 ^ Thiruvananthapuram palace Library, 4116, A. ^ K.V.Sarma, AL5, vol.18, p.311 ^ Op.Cit., Astronomy and mathematics in Kerala, p.45 ^ Ibid., p.26.{last verse of Karanapaddhati) ''Op.Cit., KS.S.C, vol. I, p.478 88

Malayalam, besides a modern exposition of by P.K.Koru. Yuktidipika on Karanapaddhati is one of them.

Ullur states about an anonymous Malayalam Commentary on Karanapaddhati:

N and Karanapaddhatibhasd is a Malayalam prose commentary on it^. Yuktiprakasika deals with the astronomical calculations of planetary positions. Jatakadesa or Jdtakadesamarga is a popular work on astrobgy among Kerala astrologers. Kanippayyur Sankaran Namputiripad has commented on it in Malayalam in 1949 AD^. Jdtakadesamarga has another commentary named Saratnadipikd by Manjalur Kalarikkal Acyuta Panikkar. One Narayanapisaroti (1057-1116 AD) of Mapranam near Irinjalakuda has translated it into Malayalam^. Other commentators of JdtakddeSa are T.S.Bhattatiripad and Acyuta Variyar. Jdtakddesaratna of Narayanan llayat of Machattu near

' Karanapaddhati, Astro Press, Cherppu, 1953, p:39 ^ Op.Cit, K.S.C, vol.11, p.120 ' Ibid., vol.111, p.254 •* Ed.Sankaran Namputiripad, Pachangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, 1949 ' Op.Cit, K.S.C, vol. IV, p. 575 89

Vadakkanchery is a work similar to Jatakadesa\ Tlie work is started

witli an invocatory verse as:

The Bahvarthaprayascitta^ in one seventytiiree verses deal

with all expiatory cerennonies. Nyayaratna^ is an astronomical

manual dealing with ganita in eight chapters, which is also attributed

to him.

The work namely Asauca written in Malayalam^ is also attributed

to him. The Venvarohastaka^ is a short work belonged to Putumana

Somayajin in the colophon; it is said that he has also credited with a

commentary work called Pahcabodha of unknown authorship.

Kanippayyur Sankaran Namputiripad has commented on it and it is

published by Panchangam bookstall Kunnamkulam''.

Other works of Somayajin

Some of the original works of Putumana Somayajin on

astronomy have not yet been discovered, but we have got some

information about them. One of them is Manasaganita which is a

' Ibid., vol.lll,p.563 ^ Kerala University,T-16 ' Kerala University, 414 C, 517B " Op.Cit., KS.C, vol.ll,p.22 ' Kerala University, 8378 C * Kerala University, No.414 ' Pancabodha, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, 2005. 90

work attributed to him\ Venvarohastaka is another one which is

definitely different from that of Madhava's work, Venvdroha. In it he

discusses the calculation of Candrasphuta. One Pancabodha also

is attributed to him.

Five Pahcabodhas are available by the same title . One of

them may be of the authorship of Somayajin because of the present

work is beginning with the same invocatory verse of Somayajin's other

works as 'T^hn^^TR^....'. Another evidence is that a verse of

Jdtakddesa of the same author is seeing here.

Besides, this text discusses grahana, cchaya, srhgonnati,

maudhya in four khanthas. Punnasseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma has

encoded 'the Grahanakhantha in a chapter of Somayajin's work

Pancabodha^.

^MldifrlRcj^H'lfTbcbMul: ^^>iellei^^

>{|4'«hMl

^T^ 5ei-^-4>x!c(4ulci^Rddvx<4lRlf2icii 3ft^ I l"^

' K.Ramavarma Raja, (article) Brahmins ofmalabar. Journal of the Asiatic society, London, 1920,p.335. ^ M.O.R.I. MD._339, 414 A- Thiruvananthapuram manuscripts Library, L.866, L.893, DL1229, T 150A-B. Ksirapatham, (article), K.V.Sarma, p. 17

' Jyotiiastrasubodhini, Punsseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma.part-ll, In preface. " Op.Cit, Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p.49 91

Samkaravarman of Katattanad • • Samkaravarman of Katattanad was the brother of King

Udayavarman and the heir-apparent Ramavarman of the royal family of Katattanad in North Kerala. He was also known as Appu Tampuran of Onciyil. Sadratnamdla is the astronomical and mathematical studies written by him. The date of composition has documented at the end of the same work as 'dlcbi*«ilRi.£|^ci) 11' (1,797,513) giving the kali days, corresponding to 1823 AD. Then Svatitirunal Maharaja of

Travancore patronized him.

Acharya Narendrabhushan notes in his Hindu encyclopedia that one anonymous scholar has composed a commentary on

Sadratnamdla in Malayalam\ Kunjunni Raja also documented about a commentary on Sadratnamdla. Sankaravarman also wrote a

Malayalam commentary on the same work extending up to the middle of the sixth chapter.^ Kocukrsnanasan of Netumpayil

Kocukfsnanasan (1756-1812 AD) was born in Kilakke

Maiigalasseri at Aylrur at Thinjvalla in saka year 931. His teachers on astrology were his father (name unknown) and Sulapani Variyar the famous astrologer of Kozhikode. His contribution on astrology Is outstanding. Bhdsdjdtakapaddhati, Bhdsdpancabodhaganita,

Karuikkusdstra are famous commentary works attributed to him.

' Op.Cit, Hindu Encyclopedia, p.879 ^ Op.Cit., Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p.49 92

Ullur states that the work Bhasagolayukti on astronomy must have been written by him^. Subrahmany a Sastri of Nallepal li

Subrahmanya Sastri (1829-88 AD) was a scholar of various

sciences of Knowledge like jyotisa, tantra, and music etc, born at

Nallepajli in Kochi in 1904 AD\ Aganita is the celebrated work of

Subrahmanya Sastri, which is one of the important works of ganita of

astrology and astronomy. The work helps to calculate the position of

navagrahas for thousand years without ganitakriya (kavidikriya) and so

it is called as Aganita.

Ramavarma koil Tampuran of Gramattil

Ramavarma Koil Tampuran was a great astrologer and versatile

genius. His parents are Talipparambatt Madhavan Bhattatiri and

Ambikadevi Tampuratti. The work Jyotisapradipa is attributed to

him which is much useful to students.

Ramavariyar of Kaikulannara

Ramavariyar of Kaikulatifiara (1833-1898 AD) was a versatile

genius, born at Ki|akkevariyam (near Kaikujahiiara) in Thrissur district

as a son of Narayana Bhattatiri, Kaitakkatt and Narayani Varasyar. His

contributions are not only on astrology but also on vyakarana, sahitya,

ayurveda, nyaya etc. Most of the commentary works are written by

him in Malayalam.

' Op.Cit.^.S.C,MO\.\\\,p.555 '/6id., if. S.C, vol. IV, p.313 93

A number of commentaries are credited with Ramavariyar like the commentaries on Naisadhiyacarita of Sriharsa, Raghuvamsa, Kumarasambhava and Meghasandesa of Kalidasa, Sisupalavadha of Magha. Balapriya and Balabodhini are the famous commentaries on Amarakosa of Amarasimha. Among this Malayalam commentaries Amaresam, Astangahrdayam, Bhagavadgitdkilippatt (incomplete) Siddharupam, Balaprabodhanam, Samasacakram and Astakavimsati are notable. Padasarnskaracandrika is a famous work based on Siddhantakaumudi.

Astrological works of Ramavariyar

His well-known commentary is on Brhajjataka of Varahamihira namely Hrdyapatha written in two parts^. It has been considered as the standard commentary that created mainly according to nyaya philosophy, which is very difficult to understand even by scholars too. Ratnasikhd is a commentary of Ramavariyar on Prasnamarga of Panakkatt (Itakkatt) Namputiri in Malayalam^. Nambi Nilakantha Sarma of Punnasseri • • Nllakanatha Sarma (1858 AD) was a renowned scholar of Kerala, bom at Punnasseri illam near Perumudiyur at Pattambi in Palakkad district in 1858 AD. His birth has documented as: ^fttfcfT liU'Htiln^ ';|iiJ|HR|J|d: ^lld'^l;i4y<4!Tt

' Hrdyapatha commentary by Ramavariyar, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, 1930 ^Krishnan llayath.C.P.Vidvan, Punsseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma, Kerala Sahitya Academ Thrissur, 1974.p.114 94

Jyotisastrasuhodhini is a prose work of Punnasseri Nambi for astrological information that is divided into two parts as pOrvakhantha and uttarakhantha The work begins with the verse: '%JtF ^ ^rf^^T^cRt ^ ^f^ ^RT^t^TTof^iFr...%Eram ^?f^sPTRTll' Punnasseri Nambi wrote a commentary on Camatkaracintamani, work of jyotisa that is called as Sanollekha (bhasavyakhyana). Works of PunaSseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma

Mahisamangalambfmnarn and Srikrsnavilasa in four sargas are written by Nilakantha Sarma in Sanskrit. Ghosapurimaharajhicaritam is a kavya belonged to prose and poetry, Sailadhisvaracaritam, Pattabhisekaprabandha, Srjigaramanjarimandanabudhastaka, Dipastambhdstaka are composed in Sanskrit. Ihapuraryastava is a stotrakavya of Punnasseri in hundred verses in Sanskrit. — ^ Astrological worl(s of Nilalcantha Sarma JyotisastrasubodhinP is a simple work on ganita written in two parts as purvakhantha and uttarakhantha:

'/6id.,p.16 ^ The work has published by Bharatavilasam press, Thrissur. 95

This work is helpful to grasp planetary calculations easily. He has written four commentaries. The commentary Uparatnasikhd on

Prasnamarga of Panakkatt (Idakkatt) Namputiri, composed in two parts as Pun/ardha and Uttarardha in Malayalam. The name Uparatnasikhd, is given by him to express his reverences to the commentary work Ratnasikhd on Prasnamarga of Kaikulatihara Ramavariyar\ Other commentary works of Punnasseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma in Malayalam are on Pahcahodha, Camatkdracintdmani and Asaucadipika. The commentary on Camatkdracintdmani called Sdnollekha was published in 1951 AD. Panditaraja Sankaran Namputiripad of Kanippayyur Panditaraja Sankaran Namputiripad of Kanippayyur (1891-1981 AD) was a versatile genius in various areas of knowledge like ayurveda, vastusastra, jyotisa and the like. He was bom at Kanippayyur near Kunnamkulam in Thrissur district in 1891 AD. Kanippayyur Sankaran Namputiripad was a multifaceted genius whose contributions to astrology, traditional architecture and above all Sanskrit Literature were remarkable. As a Prolific writer he had authored scores of treaties among which Aryanmdrute kutiyettam, Ndyanmdrute purvacaritram, Ente smaranakal, Sanskrit Malayalam dictionary and a dictionary on ayurveda are outstanding works.

' Op.Cit., Punsseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma, p.114 96

Astrological commentaries of Panditaraja

Panditaraja's contributions to astrology are only commentaries in

Malayalam. There is no independent works by Panditaraja on astrology

in Sanskrit language. However, he had deep knowledge in astrology,

astronomy and in all other classical sciences.

The first attempt of Panditaraja was to start a Pahcanga or

almanac that is popular now by the name of Yogaksemapancangam.

He proved through his untiring experiments based on eclipses,

sunrises that the computation of Pahcanga should be reformed

according to the cyclic motion of time or season. Panditaraja commented Jatakadesam (Jatakddesamdrga)

of Putumana Somayajin in 1949\ The work Jatakasdra of unknown

authorship has commented by him but he provides no details about the

author of Jatakasdra^.

Pahcabddham bhdsd^ is a commentary on Pahcabodha by

Panditaraja. It deals with planetary ganita Besides he composed a commentary on Balapindavum Ayurdddyavum in two parts as

Balapinda and Ayurddaya. In the Balapinda section he depicts planetary calculations in simple way. Ayurdddya the second part gives the results of the calculations of individual's life duration.

Panditaraja advises here:

' Jatakadesa, Sankaran Namputiripad, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam. •^ Jatakasara, Sankaran Namputiripad, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, 2005 ' Pahcabodhambhdsa, Sankaran Namputiripad, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, 2005. 97

The work Balapindavum Ayurddayavum is attributed to

Govindabhattatiri of Talakkulattur\ Pancangaphalangalum

Dasaphalanglum is anotlier bhasa commentary of Panditaraja in which he discusses the varaphalarn, naksatraphalarn, yogaphalarn etc and it is very useful to make jataka. It was written in Sanskrit. General Discription of astrological works of Kerala

Astrological and astronomical tradition of Kerala is notable for its qualitative and quantitative availability of texts and their practical usage and application in Kerala. A number of manuscripts of original works and commentaries are published and many are unpublished and are still in the form of manuscripts. Most of the original works and commentaries are known only from the authoritative references in the ancient works. A discussion about such works and commentaries from Kerala on ganita, astronomy and astrology may not be out of place. Suryctsiddhanta commentary

Suryasiddkanta is an astronomical work of Lata or Maya which deals with astronomical calculations, discussing ecliptic calculations of Sun and Moon and computation of movements of planets etc. Suryasiddhantavivarana is an elaborate Malayalam commentary on it of unknown authorship. Ullur quotes some verses from that commentary as:

^Balapindavumayurdayavum, Sankaran Namputiripad, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, in preface. 98

#54 ^'&s{f^l'^l cicjHMif^l^l^

Sadpancdsikd commentaries

Sadpancasika is the popular work on astrology written by

Prthuyasas, son of Varahamihira. Prasnasadpahcasikavrtti is a commentary on it credited to Paramesvara of Vatasseri. As attributed to Paramesvara it is also called Paramesvari. The bhasavyakhyana

Gudhdrthaprakasika of K. E. Nilakanthajyotsyar of Cattanur on

Sadpancasika of Pfthuyasas is also available^. Sripatipaddhati vyakhya

The Sujanapriya is a popular commentary on

Jatakakarmapaddhati or Sripatipaddhati of Sripati by P.S.

Purushottaman Namputiri which discusses ganita as a part of astrology.

MfDmoM T|^ M fR f^>{

Paramesvara of Vatasseri has written a commentary on

Jatakakarmapaddhati of Sripati.

' Op.Cit., K.S.C. vol. II, p.116 ^ Sadpancasika, Nilakanthajyotsyar, K.E. (Gutharihaprakasikd) by.S.T.Rediar and Sons.Kollann.1996 ' Sripatipaddhati, Purushottaman Namputiri, Suvarnaprakasini press, Kollam, 1936. 99

Laghubhaskariyavyakhya

Laghuhhdskariyavyakhya of unknown authorship is a

famous commentary on Laghuhhaskariya of Bhaskara 1^':

Commeiitaries on Lilavati

Lilavati of Bhaskaracarya II is a renowned work on

astronomical mathematics and it has been commented on by many

scholars in India and especially in Kerala. Ullur introduces an

anonymous commentary on it called Lilavativyakhya, which

applied some technical terms used in mathematics as 'c|

T?^. ^, f^, si-^Jjci. w^,...and the like which are corresponding to

mathematical notations^.

Vatakkumkur also has referred to two commentaries on

Lilavati, one of them was by Matigalasseri Namputiri near Chirakkal

who was the preceptor of Itakkad Namputiri, the author of

Prasnamarga. But he provides no details of this work^. Second one

is very popular, namely Karmapradipika written by one Narayana.

' Op.Cit., KS.C, vol.ll,p.115 ^/6td.,/CS.C, vol.11, p.115 '76Kf.,voi.lll, p.258 * Op.Cit., KS.S.C, vol.1, p.315 100

The name Kriyakramakari is the synonym of the sanne commentary.

Sarabodhini, a commentary on Lildvati by Narayanapanickar, Arikkulangara is published by the author. Grahanamandana and Grahanastaka

The two works Grahanamandana and Grahanastaka on astronomy are attributed to Paramesvara of Vatasseri. The last verse of this work mentions: ^*^ ?fx[ct Hc||[eicj,i

^|U|*Hi WWJR TJn il^uHU-^H f^^ P Grahanamandana starts with a verse as: %rm cT^ ^T^ ^f«^ TftcTPi ^tf^# wprr I

The second work Grahanastaka begins as:

^H'i^bKW 'cT '^S^^ cT^ %!> ^ 'T^ l'*

Both works Grahanamandana and Grahanastaka are compiled in eightynine verses in 'arya' metre. Vyatipatdstakavrtti is a

' 76irf., vol.1, p.355 2 Op.Cit., KS.C, vol.11, p.136 '/6irf., vol.11, p.16 "Ibid., p. 116 001414 . .. :-'"^^^x 101 //;^ "; m

"0 commentary on Vyatipdtastaka of unknown authorship by

Paramesvara. Ullur quotes a verse from this work:

Commentaries on Tantrasahgraha

A number of commentaries are availed especially in Kerala on

Tantrasangraha of Nilakantha Somayajin. Vatakkumkur quotes only the benedictory verses of that anonymous commentary which is given below:

*>i*Hd*fcidq^w*-^^?m^«ra^ f^^p[T^

ftcTRfTeqftrat ^T?^ ^tli^nifm^ t^feRsZI^ 11^

Laghuuivrti is another commentary on the same Tantrasangraha by Trkkutaveli Sahkaravariyar: 'i vyakhyanam trkkutaveli cankaravariyarotukkattu camaccatu dlvahcerikkuvendittu sukhame siksiccu camaccu ennu pdhnottu parahhukettu'. It begins with an invocatory verse saluting to goddess Sarasvati as:

'/6irf..vol. Il,p.117 102

ilcy>HKId *41^cci Tp^sf^ W^ SFfKT

The work Ganitayuktibhdsa of unknown authorship is

created with the influence of Tantrasangraha of Nilakantha

Somayajin, which discusses eight types of grahaganitas. The work is

in two sections without any chapter divisions. Invocatory verse of this

work is as follows:

Candrachayaganita

Candrachaydganita of Nilakantha Somayaji is dealing with ganita part of astronomy with a commentary by the same author.

Both the work and commentary are in Sanskrit: vJ^'+^R^Rl^di^'Wiv,vJ[^|d1 TRITTCT vmm ^<^^

^Ep^^fRPif^ ^Tjft czn^sura^s^ JIH4UI I I^ Karanasara » The work Karanasara of unknown authorship deals with ganita or astronomical computation according to'Dfk' system. The author did not expose himself his name. He salutes Comatiri of

Kelallur, the great astronomer as:

'/6id, vol.11, p.407 ^ Ganitayuktibhdsa, Madrass Govt.Oriental Manuscript Library, D 332,p.1 ' Op.Cit., K.S.S.C, vol.lli, p. 326 103

TnTRI foi<54Jc) f^f^d ^flPfRT

Hence it can be calculated that the date of the text may be about eighteenth century AD that based on the date of Comatiri:

sn^S^JT^cfcR^T'TtcTt^^fg^f^ 11^ Bhasayuktibhdsa

In the anonymous astronomical work Bhasdyuktibhasd discussion of planetary calculations, ecliptic computations etc in

Malayalam prose style are done. It is dated between eighteenth and nineteenth century AD^. l^nvaroham bhasd • • Venvdroham bhdsd is a commentary on Venvdroha of

Madhava of Saiigamagrama by Acyutapisaroti of Trkkantiyur. It is made according to the command of Alvaficery Tamprakkal in

Malayalam. Mddhavan tan camacculla Venvdrohattinaccutan bhdsdvydkhydnamuntdkki

' Op.Cit., KS.C, vol.ll.Pp.136-137 ^Ibid., p. 136 '/6id., p.137 104

Netrandrayanajnaya^

It is specializing with astronomical computation and maintains

accuracy in planetary calculation. The commentary is starting with a

verse as:

Drkkarana

Drkkarana of unknown authorship is an independant astronomical work which discusses astronomical calculations belonging to'Drgganita' system. The phrase 'chlci*^ eif^'^Hfl^' beginning of this work is corresponding to the date 783 in Malayala era. Hence it might have been written in the same year (1608 AD). This Sanskrit work contains ten chapters. Bhadradipa

Ullur S.Paramesvara Iyer provides much information about astronomical and astrological works. Bhadradipa on ganita is a valuable work in this regard. The author of this work Itakramancheri

Namputiri (1665 AD) lived at Perumanur at Perunchellur village. His preceptor was Damodaran Namputiri of Mahgalasseri. The work is written in a mixture of both Malayalam and Sanskrit: vighnesam kavirrmtineyumutane krsnarn gurum vyasane

^Venvarohambhasa ed. K. Acyuta potuvaj, Samskritagranthavali, vol.111, The Sanskrit college committee, Thrippunithura, 1955, p.22 2/6id., p.1 ^ Op.Cit., K.S.C, voi.ll. p.523 105

suryadirnsca navagrahanudu gandn laksmipuradhisvaram vandiccittutan indirdpatimajam visnum purdnam param, vandeham perumdnpurdkhya bhavane vdlunna ndrdyanam. Itakramaficeri camappatinna- nnupakramikkunnitu bhadradipam Pathiccukontalitukontutanne yarinnukolldm ganitaprakdram}

This work describes astronomical calculations in eleven chapters and it concludes with the description of many temples. Uparagakriyakrama

The ganita work Upardgakriydkrama is attributed to one Narayana who may be the member of Mahisamarigalam family:

J^«MI'iu|H tl

HI'ililulH ^?f^ vJM^Ji'lf^illshH: i 1^

One of the best commentaries available on it is a bhasavyakhya.

Vatakkumkur quotes a verse from that bhasa commentary which is as follows:

' Ibid., K.S.C, vol.111, p.247 ^ Op.Cit, K.S.S.C, vol.11, p.556 106

It deals only with ganita part of astrology aiming mainly planetary calculations. Yuktibhasa and Ganitayukti

Yuktibhasd of Jyesthadeva^ (1500-1600 AD) was a Namputiri

Brahmin of Parahiiottu family in Alathur village and he was a student

of Damodara. Brahmadattan Namputiri of Alattur is a vast

astronomical work wrote in 1750 AD. The kali phrase (cbidctwl '^ft

^'fteRSR'siRgr r is corresponding to the same year 1750. Brahmadatta is another Brahmin whom Kunjunni Raja states that the editors of

Yuktibhasa (Ramavarama Maru Tampuran and Akhilesvara Aiyer) assigned the work Yuktibhasa to one Brahmadatta of the eighteenth century on the basis of a verse at the end of the script; but the verse refers only to the copying of the manuscript by Brahmadatta:

3T^f^ i^^'H\m M^ ^^

The author makes respect on the work Tantra^angraha of Comatiri of Kelallur and Kriyakramakari and the Lilavativydkhya of Narayana at first. The form of presentation is in prose style. Ganitayukti of unknown authorship is a Sanskritised translation of Yuktibhasd.

' Ibid., K..S.S.C, p.557 ^ K.v. Sanma, Jyestadeva and his Identification as the author of the Hiktibhasa, ALB, vol.22. Pp.35-40 ' Op.Cit., Astronomy and Mathematics in Kerala, p. 39 1U7

Jyotissastrasubodhini

Jyotissdstrasubodhini is an important and valuable work on astronomy. Although it deals mainly with astronomy, planetary calculation for predictive astrology is also discussed. The author of this work is Punnasseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma of Pattambi and this work is written in 1921 AD.

The work is published in two parts. First part deals with

Pancarigakhanda, Grahaganitakhanda and Sraddhanirnayakhanda.

Pancahgaganita is an essential part of astrology. K.P. Narayana pisaroti says that 'in astrology, students are studying planetary calculation with the help of pancanga and so they should study pancahgaganita first of all^'. Second part contains five khandas.

Vyatipata, maudhya, chaya, srhgonnati and grahana are the topics, and so it is called as Paficabodha, This part depicts many devices for grahaganita of astrology.

Pisaroti says 'the grahaganita is calculation of gativigatis or movements of the planets. So it is more complicated than pancahgaganita^'. Punnasseri has depicted all these parts with a number of his own Sanskrit verses. So the work

Jyotissastrasubodhini is an outstanding ganita work on both astronomy and astrology which is written in one hundred and eightythree verses.

' Punnasseri Nambi Nilakanthasarma, K.P. Narayanapisaroti, dept. of Cultural publication, govt.of Kerala, 1990, p.179. ^/6id., p.179 108

Jyotihprakasaka

A.R. Rajarajavarma (1863-1918 AD) was a great astronomer.

His contributions on astronomy are noteworthy. Jyotihprakasaka is

the famous work of Rajarajavarma that was written for his students of

Thiruvananthapuram Sanskrit institutionV This work follows as a

commentary on Goladhyaya of Siddhantasiromani of

Bhaskaracarya. In it he included eastern and western astrological

theories and their differences and especially proudly says about the

astrological traditions of Kerala.

He has written a number of astronomical papers. 'Some myths in astronomy \ ^Development of Hindu astronomy. Astronomy of Kerala and Kdlaganana are famous in this category. Samayanirnaya

Samayanirnaya is a work on ganita by A. Cellappan jyotsyan

Ajakulatt near Kovalam in Thiruvananthapuram district. He highlights some methods to find out accurate birth time of a person and introduces several types of simple methods of jatakaganita. The work is written purely in Malayalam prose with an elaborate preface by

P.S.Purushottaman Namputiri^.

' A.R.Rajarajavarma, ed. Chandrika Sankaranarayanan, Keralabhasha Institute, Thiruvanthapuram, 1991,p.133 ^ Samayanirnaya, Published by the author, Thiruvananthapuram, in 1967 109

Kanakkusaram

The astronomical work Kanakkusaram of unknown authorship contains astronomical computations for students and astrologers and astronomers. The work is written in simple Malayalam verses. Ganitasucika^antha

Ganitasucikagrantha is an astronomical work discussing with planetary calculations. It introduces ganita techniques in six chapters. The work is written by Govindabhatta who is a member of the great Talakkujattur Govindabhattatiri's genealogy and may be dated about 1700 AD. Ganitanirnaya

The work Ganitanirnaya belongs to ganita section of astrology written by Purushottaman Namputiri of Puliyur near Chengannur. The author states that the work Ganitanirnaya is a renovated work for newcomers in astronomy. With the influence of ancient ganita texts he introduces all techniques of ganita easily in eleven chapters. Paiicangadhikara, madhyamadhikara, sphutakriyadhikara, triprasnadhikara, candraganitadhikara, kostakadhikara, visesadhikara are the areas of this work. The commentary is known as Pancabodhaprakdsika;

^YT?Wr*cRT4^TSelccig5MiTeRJpT I 110

PahcabodhxiganUahhasa

Five works are available in tlie same title

Pahcabodhaganitabhasa. Pancabodhaganitabhasa is a translated work. One of the above said Pancabodha is in Malayalam in eight khantas. The first khanta is not translated and it enumerates astronomical computations namely dhruva, haraka, grahasphuta, kalidinayanam, visuvadhruva, vyatipata etc.

Pancabodha commentary

Pancabodha^ of unknown authorship is an astronomical work.

N. Gopalapanikker has commented it recently. He refers the

Sastrasucini (Satsarasucini) as a commentary on it written by

Ramakrishnan Embrantiri.

It is written in nintythree verses in nine khandhas. The word 'bodha' is corresponding to the digits '93'. Gopalapanikker commented it with sufficient quotations from a number of works.

' Ganitanirnaya, Purushottaman Namputiri, Kottayam, 1930, p.1 ^ Pahcabodham, ed. N.Gopalapanikkar, Jyotishavidyapitham, Thiruvananthapuram, 2002. ' Ibid.,\n preface.p.ii 11

Uparagavimsati

The astronomical work Uparagavirnsati by Panditaraja K.

Acyutapotuval with Malayalam commentary^ is concentrated on

grahaganita, grahana, suryasphutaganita, candrasphutaganita in

twenty verses^. Varaganitapravesika

The ganita work Varaganitapravesika is attributed to

P.K.Koru .It explains only astronomical notations and computations

namely gamaganiyamas, nyasaganabhedas, dvipadakhatavistarana,

gamagasreni, jyavivarana, bhedakasamakalanas, ganitaprayogas, varaganltasiddhantas, Tellarsiddhanta Maelorinsiddhanta,

laugriisiddhanta etc. The form of presentation is in prose and Malayalam^. Prakirnasangraha

Prakirnasangraha of unknown authorship is a small valuable work on astrology which is focusing on astrological and astronomical calculation. The starting verse of it is as follows:

^4^ ^ H-^JidHlf^dHHj I

' Uparagavimsati, ed. K. Acyutapotuval, the Sanskrit college committee, Thrippunithura. ^Ibid., (^MT^Rm* ^ •=^^ *^M\'^ ^ giRmlTift^irm HmH\-i (C)«I«JSHII) p.l ^ Varaganitapravesika, P.K.Koru, Kerala Sahitya Academy, Thrissur, 1959 •* Op.Cit, K.S.S.C, vol. Ill, p.329 112

Kanakkusaram and Kanakkusaram » 9 0 • halaprahodhanam The two works Kanakkusaram and Kanakkusaram balaprabodhanam^ both are dealing with the ganita in Malayalam. Both these works are very different in presentation. So it can be assumed that the authorship of these works is remaining to different persons. Balendusekharasutarn ganariathamettam vandiccu vaniye vananni harirn gurum ca nana munin tolutukondu kairnkkusararn nere camappatinnu sdmpradamdrabhe nan. lildvatimapi kanakkathikaravum kandennotu madguru parahhatumorttukontu bdlaprabodhakarandya manipravdlai- ruktam maydlpahrdayena kanakkusdrarn^ Karanapariskarana ^ndPancangasuddhipaddhati

Karanapariskarana^ is an important Sanskrit work on both

astronomy and astrology written by A.R.Rajarajavarma, which is

composed and based on the deep study and observations of ancient

astronomical works and planetary positions. The work is created with the help of a group of famous astronomers in astronomical conference

' Kanakkusaram balaprabodhanam, critically ed.by. CT/^:hyuta Menon, MORI no. XXII, 1950. ^ 76 jd.,verse 1,2 ' Karanapariskarana, Bhaskara press. Thiruvananthapuram,1914 113

was held at Kalady in 1910 AD. The work is starting with an invocatory

verse as:

Suddhadrgganita

The. valuable and popular work Suddhadrgganita by

V.P.Kunjikannapotuval of Payyannur in Kannur is a renovated ganita

work which introduces the process of calculation of planets,

pancaiigaganita etc in nnodem method. The author has stated that

most verses are his original contribution^. Ganitaprakasika of

K.V.A.Rama potuvaj and Suksmadrgganitasopana of unknown

authorship are other renowned works on ganita. The work

Suddhadrgganita is written due to the influence of the

Ketakigrahaganita of Vehkata Ketaka^. SuksmadrgganUa

Suksmadrgganita is a mathematical work dealing with

astronomy and astrology written by N. Gopalapanikkar based on

fifteenth chapter of Siiddhadrgganita of V.P.Kunjikkannapotuval

and Sripatipaddhati of Sripati. The explanation is going on in six

parts as sutrakarikas, ayanarpsa, dinamana, ratrimana, rasipramana, udayalpara, udayalpurva, and lagnasphutayana.

' Ibid., p.1 ^ Suddhadrgganita, Kunjikanna potuval, Silvar jubilee printing worl<, Kannur .1978, in preface, viii ' Ibid., p.vi &vii. 114

Works and commentaries on muhurtta in Kerala

The word muhurtta means 'time'. Muhurtta was \/ery popular in

classical tradition of Veda. Taittariyabrahmana provides some

details about muhurtta as: 'am cTsn? f^ra^g^fer 5r5[KTT ^^rf^ jRrf^cnf^RiR^^JT^ IT?^ T?^ CRT I ^ ^ 3f?^ gicff: ^ ^ 11^' Muhurtta

is one of the impotant part of Indian astrological tradition. Kerala strictly follows them. There are a number of works on muhurtta from

Kerala.A brief sketch of such works is provided here. Muhurttaratna

Muhurttaratna^ and Muhurttadipika of Govinda Bhattatiri of Talakkulattur (1237-1295 AD) are two valuable works on muhurtta.

Paramesvara of Vatasseri has written a commentary on

Muhurttaratna of Govindabhattatin. '^ ^frf^Rl^l^znMw ^TT^^g^

^ ^5^#?r?rajRan^ ^i^;sfc6qraTll^'. But Vatakkumkur states that

Paramesvara, the commentator of Muhurttaratna, is absolutely different from Vatasseri Paramesvara'*.' Acarasan^aha

Acarasangraha of Paramesvara is a valuable Sanskrit muhurtta work on astrology. It deals with the selection of auspicious

' Taittariyabrahmana, 3-10-6, see, 3-10-1 ^ Muhurttaratnam ed. Dr. A.Sripaclabhatta, Varahamihiraprakasan, T?iiruppathi,1999.P.xi, in preface. The CuratoK)ffice Library, Thiruvananthapuram Col.No.131. (Mai), devanagari CO. LNo.144.A.4B.no.750a. And the Govt oriental MS library, Madrass (GOML.N0.3295.) ^ Ibid., chapter.lV " Op.Cit., K.S.S.C, vol.l,p.407 115

moments for the commencement of momentary functions in one's life.

It will be very useful to anyone who believes in astrology.

3?ramm? Ri«^f^dmissi ^j^t'^m 11^

Muhurttapadavi Four muhurtta works are popularly available by name Muhurttapadavi in Kerala. Ullur informs that two of them are unique and similar and one among them may be attributed to Talakkulattur Bhattatiri^.

Another Muhurttapadavi is a famous work on muhurtta of Mattur Namputiri (15*^ century AD). Several commentaries are available on it. Muhurttam bhasd by Alvanceri Tamprakka}'* and Balasankara by Mahishamangalam Sankaran Namputiri (1534 AD), Varadipika by Paramesvara Namputiri of Purayannur (1775 AD) and Sarvarthabodhini by S. Purushottaman potty of Puliyur (1912 AD) are famous commentaries on it.

' Acarasangraha ed.by KVisvesvafiamma & Acarasangraha, O.R.I.M.S.S Library, Thiruvananthapuram, (No.250.TSS) 1981, verse.2 ^ /6id.,verse-366,p.66 ^ Op.Cit., KS.C, vol.1, p.123 * Muhurttambhasa, Ajvanceri Tamprakkal, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, 1955. ' Muhurttapadavi, verse.2 116

Varadipika

Varadipikd is one of the best valuable Sanskrit commentary on

the Muhurttapadavi of Mattur Namputiripad written by

Paramesvaran Namputiri of Purayannur. He was a disciple of

Agnidattan Namputiri. He says that it is written by him as per the

demand of his preceptor.

'snwn ^g^sRTT "Efv^ ftm ^^^tf^ 11

He wrote this commentary with the help of a number of muhurtta

works. His life time is said to be in 1775 to 1839 AD.

^^^<^o^\is^\ -f^ sp^^tf^ 11^

5TR^^ cb«umi cj>{cnf>^cb|>5si|i

While he explains the verse "pratyuhapranihantaram...^'' he has mentioned several renowned works namely Pahcasiddhanta, Sadsutra, Muhurttaratna, Muhurttadipikd, Vidhiratnasarasamuccaya, Sarvasiddhi, Pancasika,

' Op.Cit., K.S.C, vol.111, p.510 ^Ibid., p.511 117

Kdlaprakdsikd, Acdradipikd, Acdrasangraha, AMdhaviya etc.

Besides he gives a note about his commentary to indicate the

greatness of the Varadipikd commentary. His words are as follows:

Dr. N. Gopalapanikkar has written a commentary on

Muhurttapadavi^ namely Dipaka in Sanskrit.

Sugamabhdsdvydkhyd^ is a commentary on Muhurttapadavi

written by A. Velupillai of Karalikkal is also an important work in this

regard. Muhurttanmdhaviya

Muhurttamddhaviya^ of Vidyamadhava {1325-1425 AD) is

an authoritative work on muhurtta section. It deals with the

determination from an astrological point of view of the proper time for

the performance of the religious rites and ceremonies in fifteen

chapters.

Vidyamadhava who proposes to put in correct language the

essence of what is contained in the works of Vasistha, Brhaspati,

^Ibid., vol.11, p. 124 ^Muhurttapadavi, Gopalapanikkar, Jyotisastra vidya pitham, Thiruvananthapuram, 2000. ^ Sugamabhasdvyakhya, Velupillai, Sreeramavilasam press, Kollam, 1949 " (N0.13593, M.O.R.1) (13594) ^ Madhaviyam, Madhava, 1-4, ST.Redyar&sons.1987, P.2. 18

Gargya and others. Madhaviya, Muhurttamadhaviya,

Vidyamddhaviya and Muhurttadarsana are synonyms of

Muhurttamadhaviya. '^ f^iMi^iP^ ^5|^k?t^l^'. The auother has

denoted that what the subjects in this work in brief are as:

sidNsiMssT Pl^-cHlR;fScil'^v^'+^Mi^^lRcb!^^:^ 11

^cIMfcikil -^4*14^1^ ^Mlf^t|HMfclc»>lulHH I I

cTRTf^ cPH"!!^ 4^tMi4^j|lx|>!|fc; 4)d>H5l: ^fcfl

Commentaries on Muhurttamadhaviya

On Muhurttamadhaviya many commentaries are available.

One of them is written by P.S.purushottaman Namputiri by name

MuhurttadarsanaTn bhdsa^ and it is published in 1987 AD.

Another one is written by Subrahmanyan Tirumumpu of

Kunnathumana which is known as Bhdvaprakdsa. Vatakkumkur has documented some details from the commentary Bhdvaprakdsa as

"HNMcblJei^ Moxjcjj^lltiii^: ^ I '.Visnu the disciple of Vidyamadhava has also written a commentary on it namely Adarsa or

Muhurttadipikd.

' Madkavlyam, Vidyamadhava, S.T.Redyar and sons kollam, 1987 (I- 4), p.2 2/6irf.,p.232-233 ^ Muhurttadarsanarnbhasa, P.S.purushothaman Namputiri ST. Redyar and Sons, Kollam " Op.Cit.. KS.S.C, vol.1, p.400 119

He was known as Madhavapandita, Madhavabhatta and Vidya

Madhava. Muhurttasataka commentary

Acaradipika is a commentary written by Ravi Namputiri (1425-

1500 AD) on Muhurttasataka of unknown authorship.

Muhurttabharana m Damodaran Namputiri of Alattur, the son of Paramesvaran

Namputiri has written a muhurtta work namely Muhurttabharana

It is very popular and an outstanding work among the astrologers of

Kerala.

' Op.Cit., KS.C. vol. II. p.107 ^Ibid.,K.S.C, vol.ll.p.127 ^ Op.Cit., K.S.S.C, vol.l.p.352 120

Asaucacintamani 9 Asaucacintamani of unknown authorship is also belonged to

muhurtta section which contains brief explanation of Asaucadipikd

of Paramesvaran Namputiri of Malamangalam. The work starts with an

invocatory verse as:

ul-Hll^JidlPl fm^ rfm-

"^^ f^?Ft^ TTTcfT^f^ 11^

An elaborate but anonymous commentary is available on this

text in which he salutes to the deity God Siva of Nilayakrodu and

goddess Bhagavati of Kodikkunnu. It must have been written in the

nineteenth century AD^. Vararucikrtam vakyam

This work is written in two parts. First part deals with

Vararucivdkyas of Vararuci and in the second part namely

Kaladipam auspecious muhurttas for ominous ceremonies which has been done in prose style. Majamahgalam Saiikaran Namputiri is believed as the author of this work^

?p»T^4g siidMi *id5im-ti 41MCJJH 11

^Op.Cit.,KS.C, vol.lll.p.96 ^/6id^ vol.111, p.96 ^ Kaladipam, ed. Gopalavariyar.P.R of Pandanatti! Sriramavilasam press.Kollam,1129, p.17 121

Muhurttadipika

Muhurttadipika is a good work on muhurtta written by

Narayana of Kannanparamb.

A notable commentary of Syamalavarana is available on Muhurttadipika:

^illMdciKUKM: ^i^e^i-^ldilRl ^JTcT^hfil^ 1^

Muhurttara bhdsd of unknown authorship and date is also available

in this regard. Kriyasangraha

The work Kriyasangraha of unknown authorship elucidates

muhurtta which is very popular and valuable. It mainly aims to

sraddhaganana related to the death ceremony.

^l.^^'Sflf^^tuJHf^ijm^d-iJ^^^cl 11^

The author of this work is familiar with each and every custom of

various areas of Kerala.

^Ui\>Hin-i^ J^J||[c|xa>!>t>cH^ld 3>4^ejb)'^*H I

7ft3Ti^nf%5? ^ ^mfcT cb)d*^ TT^ f^im 11'*

' Op.Cit.,KS.S.C, vol.ll,p.498 = /6irf., vol.111, p.327 ^Ibid., vol.11, p.557 * Ibid., p.558 122

Muhurttasaranidipa Muhurttasaranidipa is an anonymous Sanskrit commentary or Tikd on Muhurttapadavi. The first verse of Saranidipa quoted by Ullur is as:

One of the Muhurttapadavi^ commentaries with introduction of Kolatteri Sankara Menon is a famous commentary on Muhurttapadavi. Balasahkara in three pariccedas contains thirty- six verses. Vanimdtavinevandiccu gurum ca parame^vavaram muhurttapadaviminnu bhdsydy vydkaromyaham^. Muhurttam bhdsd and Sugamabhdsd vydkhyd both are the commentaries on Muhurttapadavi written by Alvanceri Tamprakkal and A.Velupillai of Karalikkal respectively. Muhurttavidhi Muhurttavidhi is a muhurtta work written by a member of Tamaralallur (Taranalallur) family. The work is also known as Muhurttam bhdsd and popularly known as Tdmaranallur bhdsd which mainly deals with fixing of auspicious time for good ceremonies.

' Op.Cit., KS.C, vol.ll, p.124. ^ TTie work is published under the authority of the court of Travancore, In 1926 ' Muhurttapadavi, p.1 123

Kaladipaka

Kaladipaka^ is also a muhurtta work of unknown authorship

and date which is commented by N.E. Muttusvami. Gopalapanikkar

also commented it by the same name, which is published in 2000 AD.

Another one is Kalamrtam of unknown authorship which is

commented by M.C Krishnapillai of Koipram by name Piyusadhara^. Muhurttasangraha

Muhurttasahgraha^ is a popular work on muhurtta edited

by Ramakrishnapanikkar of Perihgad. It is not an independent work.

He has compiled essential verses on muhurtta section from authentic

popular muhurtta works.

Keralite ^orks on prasna part

Like any other section of astrology, the prasna section was

familiar even in classical age. In Kerala it was highly developed from

very remote past. Vivahaprasna, Mustiprasna, Tambulaprasna,

Astamangalaprasna etc are some sub sections of prasna. There are a

number of works and commentaries available on prasna. A number of

prasna works are available written by Keralite scholars. Some of them are published and many are yet to be unpublished. Here a brief discussion about the prasna works and commentaries of Kerala in general is given.

' Kaladipakam, ed N.E. Muttusvami, Bhagyabook house. Thiruvananthapuram .1685 ^Kalamrtam, M.C Krishnapillai, Pancangam Bool

Prajnanapradipa, Prasnajnana, Krsniya, Prasnabhdsd, Prasnaprakdsika, Prakdsadhdrd Prasndnusthdnapaddhati, Daivajhapdritosini, Prasnasdra, Santdnadipika, Prasnamdldbhdsd, Prasnamdrgambhdsd, Prasnaldhcanam, Prasnatantra, Citraprasna, Prasnapradipa, Arudhaprasna, Prasnamdrga, Prasnaprajndnapradipikd, Prasnariti, Dvisati, Prasrmyana, Prasnabhusana, Prasnadipikd, Prasnakautuka, Devaprasna, Astamangalaprasna, Devaprasnavicintana etc are the major prasna works available now. Prajnanapradipa

Scholars attributed that the author of the work

Prajnanapradipa is Jaimini. Some agree that the author of this text may be a Keralite one. N.E. Muttusvami edited this work in both

Sanskrit and Hindi languages by name of Keraliyajyotissdstra. It is also published from Madras and Delhi by name jaimini's

Jndnapradipa which contains four hundred and seventy two verses\ Prasnajnana commentary

Prasnajhdna of Bhattolpala {2^ century AD) is a valuable astrological work .The work is dealing with various matters of prasna in detail.

^^St ^W^cR JR^T^TPf %cTRI ^cif^cjm I f

' Keraliyajyotisastram, N.E. Muttusvami, in introduction, p. 17 ^ Frasnajnanam, com.by P.V. Sukumarasastri, Thankam printers, Puthiyakav.1994, p.1 125

P.V. Sukumarasastri commented it in Malayalam language. Each and

every word of this work was well explained by him. Krsniya

Krsniya of Krsnacarya is the valuable work on astrology which

is dealing with mainly prasna section. The work is also known as

Cintajnanam:

^fcUJ-W ^fclf^-tll^lH' ^pjM5^ ^^TTRT11^

It is an authentic work on prasna section. Talakujattur Bhattatiri

quotes many verses in Dasadhyayi from Krsniya. Ullur observes that the date of this work may be in fifth century AD that according to the reference from ancient works Unniyaccicarita^.

Caturasundari by unknown authorship is the famous Sanskrit commentary available on it. ^Tc^ Rl*lddcti5i ^e4ff f^5^ 'Rfl

Ujutira Variyar, the great astrologer, who admits the work Krsniya an authentic work on astrology. Itakkatt Namputiri also strictly follows it in his PraAnamarga:

HldlPlbwu^ I

' Krsniya, verse. 32- last verse ^ Op.Cit., K.S.C, vol.1, p.199. ' Ibid., KS.C, p.200 126

^ wm, 'TScft -m^ ^f^JTT 11^

Also ?t^ ^fcujlij W?=^ W^ ^^TRT ^>l^. f

The modern commentary written by P.S. Purushothaman Namputiri

named Daivajhavallabha^ in Malayalam is also noteworthy. Prasnabhasa • The work Prasnabhasa '* of unknown authorship is an ancient

and popular work on astrology especially on prasna cinta. The author of this work was very familiar with medicine and sorcery that well influenced in this work. He strictly followed the work Dasadhyayi of

Talakkaulattur Bhattatiri. All descriptions are in simple Malayalam verses. He opines that 'the prasna cinta is accepted by all varnas

(casts) in all times in society as: Prasnam masattil vipranam KsatHyarmm dinam prati. Mandalam prati vaisyanam Sudrandrn vatsaram pratv' Prasnaprakasika

Prasnaprakasika is a popular work on prasna which focusses prasna of astrology in seven chapters. Ullur has

' Prasnamarga, 1-29 Ubid.,)-2Q ^Krsniya commentary by Purushothaman Namputiri, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, 1995 " Prasnabhasa, Published under the authority of Government of Travancore, 1926. ^Ibid.,pA 127

quoted a verse from this work but he did not give any further details about the author and date. Prasnam veccal nate suksmamalappu- atineravum atukontu pularnulla- natikadin varuttuka talkdla lagnasamayamarkkddindm sphutahnalum prasna nirnayavum pinne varuttu trisphutannalum . Prasnanusthanapaddhati

Prasndnusthdnapaddhati of unknown authorship is a work on astrology. It deals with astrological norms like prasnavidhana, badhapratikriya, bhavacinta, laksanakathanam etc in twenty-five chapters. The fifth chapter deals with only to the astamahgalaprasna of astrology.

M Rei t^^^rf^ ^fT^ 11

Itakkatt Namputiri quotes many verses from

Prasndnusthdnapaddhati in his Prasnamdrga. The work starts with an invocatory verse praising the Sun as

3?^ ^d)chM4lMI^ Trmf^mcT^rM I

' Op.Cit., KS.C, vol.111, p.258 ^ Prasnanusthanapaddhati, S.T.Redyar & sons, Thiruvananthapuram, 1982, p. 1 128

Commentaries on Prasnanusthanapaddhati

DaivajhapdritosinV is a valuable and popular commentary on

Prasnanusthanapaddhati written by P.S.Purushothaman

Namputiri. 'ffcf vrij)(c|tt<)TlH!^l4^d5tl5ldl[^"'!JI'(siJWi TNTSn^sSTRt

Paddhatipradipa^ is another commentary on it by

N.E.Muttusvami for purvardha only in fifteen chapters. In the first verse

he attributes the authorship of Daivajhavallabha to Varahamihira.

^^TM^ f^^ t^lRccrm ^TFT l"* Prasnasara

The work Prasnasara of Madhava of Ramamahgalam dated

about eighth century is a good work on prasna section.

incakalvamadhavanpdthyamdkki

bhdsdprasnam connativannamallo^.

It is dealing with astrological theorems likes lagnanayana, ayuhprasna,

badha (sorcery) etc in one seventy two verses. The author salutes to the Brhajjdtaka. Most of the verses are taken from Dasadhydyi commentary of TalakkulattOr Bhattatiri.

' Daivajnapdritosini commentsry, P.S.Purushothaman Namputiri, published in 1950 ^ Ibid., p.388 ^ Paddhatipradiparn, N.E.Muttusvami, Bhagya book house. Ttiiruvananthapuram, 1993 ^/6Mi.,p.1 ^ Prasnasara, Edited by K.Sambasivasastri, published under the authority of the government Her Highness the Maharajni regent of Travancore in 1929 *76irf.,16-223 129

Horarthamayatupadesamenikkutannu govindamangalamdyatunambitanne\ Santanadipika

Santanadipikd^ of unknown authorship is a famous worl< on astrology which deals with prasna theory in seven chapters. A number of verses of Santanadipika is referred to in Prasnamarga of Itakkatt Namputiri. Hence the date of this work must have been before 1650 AD. Prainamala hhasd

Prasnamdld bhdsd of unknown authorship is a work on prasna section written in the form of prose. The work not only deals with prasna theory but also discusses nimitta and omens. Jdtakasdraniialilum dutalaksanamNimitta • • • • • sakunddikal sphutapariksakal ihnane tutanni parahnirikkunna laksanannale oronnine kramattdl arihnavannam bdlaprabodhanamdyittu etuttdutunu^ Ullur observes that the work may be dated about ninth or tenth centuries AD"*. It is written in mixed Sanskrit and Malayalam.

' Ibid,, I -9 ^ Santanadipika with the commentary of K.K.Janarddanakurup, Girijakumar astrological Research foundation, koratty. Koratty,1999 ' Op.Cit.J(.S.C, vol.111, p.257 " Ibid., p.258 130

Prasnaprajfianapradipika

Prasnaprajnanapradipika of unknown authorship is an

astrological work deals with prasna section of astrology.

Paramesvaran pillai of Vatayattukotta has written a commentary on it.

Most of the verses are compiled in mixed Sanskrit and Tamil

languages. It must have been made with the influence of the Dravidian

astrological work Cinentimala^ It is also called Jndnapradipikd:

Prasnalancana

Prasnaldncanarn of unknown authorship focuses mainly the

cause or nimitta using in prasnacinta. The author of this work says

that he created it with a long time observation.

He mentions that the good and bad omens are closely related to past birth of a person.

-^X^^ ?If^ ^W Pl^cJAjRl J|xWdH I l'*

' Prasnaprajnanapradipika of Paramesvaran Pillai of Vatayattukotta, Sri Ramavilasam press, kollam.1936 ^76Ki.,1-2 ^Prasnaldncanarn, Publisfied by Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam.1932 " /6iU,p.107 131

Sankara Variyar of Konatt has commented it by name Nimittasastra with elaborate explanations^. Prasnatantra

Prasnatantra of unknown authorship is a work on prasna part of astrology which is written with the help of the astrological work

Tajiknilakanthi of Nllakantha, written in four hundred and twentyfive verses in four chapters. It discusses several astrological terms like 'ithasalam', 'mrthasalam' etc that may not familiar to

Keralite scholars. B.V.Raman says "In my practice most of the predictions made by me essentially based on this book have been remarkably fulfilled^". Citraprasna

Citraprasna of unknown authorship is one of the rare works on astrology. Nimitta and prasnacinta are mainly discussed in it. Each of the verses is beginning with the pictures of gods and goddesses, thirty-six in number. It is written in Sanskrit and explanation is seen only in Malayalam^. Prasnapradipa

Prasnapradipa of Srinarayanasiddhadasa has a bhasa commentary in the same name written by Gopalavariyar of

Pandanattil. It discusses the rules of prasnacintana. In this valuable

' Pra^naldncanam com.of Sankara Variyar Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam.1932 ^ Prasnatantra, ed. by B.V.Raman, in Introduction. ' Citraprasnam, Sreeramavilasam granthavali, no.45, Malayala parishkarana committee, Kochi,1939 132

work he has introduced several popular divisions of prasna namely

aksaraprasna, tambulaprasna, nastaprasna, musthlprasna etc.

Prasnapradipa Is compiled with the application of notable

vrttas in eleven chapters. The name Narayanasiddhadasa means 'the

devotee of god Visnu. Starting verse is as:

vHfrfcr44 ^*r^ xi rrfm^^PTi

M^^TfoH ^^fcR? M*v!lPl ^W-k^H I f Siddhantadtpika commentary

Prakdsadhdra^ is an important commentary work on

Siddhantadipika of Paramesvara of Vatasseri written by

K.K.Janarddana kuruppu. It deals with prasna cinta in detail.

Arudhaprasna

Sahkara the author of Mantrasdra has written a work on

astrology by name Arudhaprasna. In this work he discusses all

astrological informations of prasna section. The invocatory verses of

both works Mantrasdra and Arudhaprasna are same. And so it

may be said that the authorship of Arudhaprasna may be attributed to Sahkara^.

' Prasnapradipam, P.K. Gopalavariyar of Pandanattil, Sriramavilasam press Kollam,1960 ^ Prakasadhard commentary, K.K.Janarddanakurupu, Girijakumar astrological Research foundation, koratty. 1999. ^ Op.Cit., K.S.S.C, vol.11, p.588 132

Prasnamarga

Prasnamarga is a valuable systematic work on prasna part on

astrology of Kerala written by Itakkatt Namputiri (1625-1695 AD) near

Kannur. He was famous by name Panakkatt Namputiri.

Still his name is not known. Some say that his name may be Visnu\

His birthplace and name of preceptors can be seen in this work as:

^ VJIHRT ^cl5ll: cRTfT^^^ 11

f^lWIJiJ ^RjcbNIki Mi^Hc|rHlMRl^iJ<^ I P

The present work contains with elaborate explanations of prasna discussions. It is written based on several ancient classical works on various areas of knowledge especially astrological works like Brhajjataka, Krsniya, Dasadhyayi, Ratnadipika, Madhaviya, Vidvajjanavallabha, Aryasaptati, Sadpahcasika, Parasarahora, Muhurttaratna, Prasnasangraha etc.

'Jyotisalekhamala, (part-l)ed. Muttusvami (article) '^Prasnamargam by Itakkatt Narayanan, Bhagyabook house, Thiruvananthapuram, 1984 ^Prasnamarga, 1-1 ' Ibid., I -4 134

The verse '^pfBgRo^WT^'R^ •^iHv^wmHl^l' mentions that a work

on ganita also may be attributed to him. The work Prasnamarga is

dated 1650 AD.

Narayanan of . Itakkatt points that the author of the

Prasnamarga who had written commentary on Krsniya of

Kfsnacarya, Mddhaviya of Madhava and

Prasnanusthanapaddhatf. Commentaries on Prasnamarga

Durgamarthaprakdsini is a commentary but the work is known only through the references like '^^T?^ ^ HCII^CI f^psErni^rm ^^ cm ^*IHI4: 5TcPT9^l^' Uparatnasikhd is a famous commentary on it written by Punnasseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma'*. Ratnasikhd of

Ramavarfyar of Kaikulahhara is the elaborate commentary on it.

Nllakanthanasari (acari) (1964 AD), a disciple of Valiya Koccunni

Tampuran of Kodungallur has written a commentary for the purvardha of Prasnamarga by name Jyotisikamanoramd. SdrabodhiniP is a latest commentary on Prasnamarga written by M.K.Govindan of

Krishnalaya in two sectbns as Purvardha and Uttarardha.

' Op.Cit, Jyotisalekhamald, p.36 &K.S.C. vol.111, p.92 ^Ibid., p.38 ^ Op.Cit., KS.S.C. vol.111, p. 336 * The educational supplied depo, Thiruvananthapuram, 1986 ^Prasnamarga with commentary, by M.K.Govindan, Krishnalayam publications, Kochi,1986 135

^5?^^ TTFH wfH ^^Tc^ siKsJjt cb><1^^H I

This commentary is very useful to all astrologers. Anvaya and

sara are given one by one in detail. Prof. N.D.Vijayanunni also has

commented the Prasnamarga with Malayalam interprettation in two

parts\.

Prasndnusthdna^ is a recent commentary based on

Prasnamarga by N. Gopalapanikkar. Presentation of this

commentary is simple with elaborate explanation. Many verses are

taken from several ancient astrological and astronomical works. Prasnamargam bhasa

Prasnamdrgambhasa^ of unknown authorship is a work on

astrology especially focussing prasna theory in ten prakaranas written

in mixed manipravala and Sanskrit verses. Of them the first three

prakaranas are dutalaksana, arudhanayana, and

karakadravyavijrianas. In the fourth prakarana comprises of

coraprasna, satruprasna etc and the fifth prakarana enumerates the

astamangalyaprasna in detail. Sixth prakarana explains mrtyulaksana.

Seventh prakarana describes about longi life of a person or dirghayus.

Eighth and ninth chapters are respectively depicting rogalaksanas and

badhavivarana. The tenth chapter describes different rules of different

' Prasnamarga, ed. N.D.Vijayanunni, Panchangam Book stall, Kunnaml

temples. It is not a commentary on Prasnamarga of Itakkatt

Namputiri:

natva vighnesvaram vacam

gurum catha navagraham.

prasnamargam pravaksyami

bhasayay vistariccatum.

varahahora kandittum

prasnamargam tathaiva ca.

sadpancasikayum tadvat

yathd sastranusaratah.^ Prasnariti

Prasnariti of Itakkatt KOkaniyal is a valuable and authentic work on prasna section. The author of Prasnariti was a desciple of

Itakkatt Namputiri.The first twelve chapters discuss about

Prasnamarga in verses. It is written In Malayalam. Nilakanthanasari

(acari) has recently commented It in Malayalam^. Dvisati

Dvisati deals with the prasna part of astrology. The author of this work was a Brahmin of North Malabar near Thalipparambu at

Kannur.

' Ibid., in preface, p.ii ^Prasnariti commentary, Nilakanthanasari (acari), S.T.Rediar&sons, Koltam, 2005 137

A verse of daily routine for a good astrologer is given at first as:

Prasnayana

Prasnayana is a Sanskrit astrological work with a Sanskrit commentary. It deals with the prasna part written by one

Purusottama:

^Tcm m^m n^ ^HI^ #=T ^eftf^^ 11

There are no personal details about the author. His full name is given in the last folio of its manuscript as 'Kuttaledatt Purusottaman muttat.

He was a resident of 'Sfpradesa'. Vatakkumkur identifies that the

'Srpradesa' is Thriprayar'^.The work is written in fifteen chapters. Bhusanaprahha

Prasnahhusajia is an important work on prasna part of astrology by Jivanatha in sixteen chapters. N.E.Muttusvami has

' Op.Cit.^.S.S.C, vol.111, p.512, ^Ibid., p.513 ^ Prasnayana, l-i p.1 ^Kerala sahitya caritram carcayumpuranavum, part-l, 1967.p.225 138

commented on it in Malayalam language by name Bhusanaprabha.

The method of commentary is simple as he is given anvaya and

explanation respectively . Nimittasastra

The concept of nimitta is highly influenced the human mind especially as seen in Ramayana, Mahabhdrata,

Kumdrasambhava, Raghuvamsa etc. In astrology the term nimitta is well discussed.

>^lf^liI^|U|i ^?r^ ^ft^ ^efT^cFT I

Nimittasastra of Satikaravariyar is a famous work in which discussed this sort of information. A number of classical astrological works like Vardhasamhitd, Mahdydtrd etc discuss this nimitta.

The author says that the ahgacalana and sakunas are taken from the work Mahdydtrd of Varahamihira"*. It is an authoritative work on astrology as well as prasna section. Prasnadipika

The work Prasnadipikd^ of unknown authorship is a renowned work on astrology, written in the form of questionnaire. The

' Bhusanaprabha commentary by N.E.Muttusvami, Bhagyabook house, Thiruvananthapuram ^ Nimittasastra, Sankara Variyar, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, in preface, p.lv,1986 " Ibid., In preface, p. iv ^ Pub.by. A.R,P. Press In 1937 139

astrologer identifies client's problems through these questions as in a

psychological treatment. Prasnakautuka

The Prasnakautuka^ of Rudraparasava is a very useful work

on astrology. It discusses devaprasna.

It starts with an invocatory verse as:

cbldl^>icj>^M|,Hcflcil !?lfTb::

Devaprasna

In Kerala only a few works are available on devaprasna section

of astrology. One of them is by name Devaprasna"^ with Maricika

commentary written by Sankaraganaka of Onakkur.

Tantrasamuccaya, Prasnamarga, Krsniya, Muhurttapadavi, Prasnariti, Tantraratndvali etc are the works referred to in Devaprasna. The work is divided into nine chapters.

' Prasnakautukam, Parasava, Panchangam press, Kunnamkulam,1986 ' Ibid., see at the end of the work. Ubid.,pA * Devaprasna by Sankaraganaka, National Bookstall, Kottayam, 1981. '/bid., p.1 140

Astamangalaprasnam

Two works by name Astamangalaprasna are available. One of them is written by Ulutira Rudra Variyar of Desamaiigalam. He provides full details of astamarigalaprasnacinta of Kerala. On it a Malayalam commentary is available by name Astamangalaprasnam bfmsa of unknown authorship. Second one is written by N.E.Muttusvami^ in " twenty-four chapters by name Astamangalaprasna in Malayalam prose. He has quoted apt verses as pramanas wherever necessary. Devaprasnavicintana

Devaprasnavicintana^ of N.E.Muttusvami is a work on astrology that specialises mainly the devaprasna theory based on the references of several valuable works. Keralite works on Jataka Brhatparasardhord commeiitary

Brhatparasarahora of Parasara is a popular, authentic and systematic work on astrology. Sampraddyapradipikd is a commentary on it written by Govindasvamin and Pradipa^ written by N.E.Muttusvami in eight chapters which deals with all astrological theories in detail. Brhatpardsarahorasamksepa of unknown

' Astamangalaprasnam, N.E. Muttusvami, Bhagyabook house, Thiruvananthapuram, 1995 ^Devaprasnavicintana of N.E.Muttusvami, Bhagyabook house, Thiruvananthapuram, 1996 ' Pradipa commentary on Brhadparasarahora by N.E.Muttusvami, Bhagya book house, Thiruvananthapuram, 1999. 141

authorship has also a Malayalam commentary on it written in fifteen

chapters in two parts .

Strijataka commentaries

Strijataka is a part of the astrological work

Vrddhayavanajataka of Yavanacarya (4* century AD). It is an

outstanding astrological work on which two commentaries are

available. One of them is written by P.V. Sukumarasastri^ and other

one is by P.S.Purushottaman Namputiri^, Caturasundari by name in

Malayalam. Purushottaman Namputiri says that there are no much

works in astrology about women. Hence it is very useful to all

astrologers.

•^=S\o^ vjp*TW ge^ 5?rRTl^ ^I^TMH

Vciiif^y^Tll^ui ^xT?T? "m^ ^^cR r

Laghujataka of Varahamihira is a famous astrological work on which a Malayalam commentary by name Tatvarthadipika^ written by Vasudevan Pillai of Ambalapuzha is available.

Brhatsamhita of Varahamihira is an important work on both astrology and astronomy. It mainly deals with samhita part of astrology. P.S. Purushottaman Namputiri has commented it by name

Ratnaprabha in Malayalam.

' Brhadparasarahorasamksepa, Rediar & Bbcxjk dippo, Thiaivananthapuram,1982

^ Strijataka commentary by. P.V. Sukumarasastri, Pellisseri printers, Kottayam, 1994. ^ Caturasundari commentary by P.S.Purushottaman Namputiri, S.T.Redyar $ Sons, Koliam,1999 ^ Tatvarthadipika commentary by Vasudevan Pillai, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, 1998 142

Sarauali of Kalyanavarma {500 AD) is an ancient valuable work

on astrology like Bhrhajjataka. Purushottaman Namputiri has

written a Malayalam commentary on it by name Darpana in thirty

chapters ^.

f^?T4tf^^ ^irmrairGipn c;4uil'teq-i4l 11^ Jatakasara

By name Jatakasara, many works are available in the field of

astrology. Nfsimha^ has written one Jatakasara. Several

commentaries are available from Kerala in the same title. One of them

is written by M.Krishnan Potti of Karakulam"*. There is no mention about the author and date.

gurukkanmdre vandiccittavaraluktamdyatil jatakaphalamotitam manusarkku dharikkuvan

It is written in two sections. First part deals with lagnadibhavas and second part explains maiigalyacinta of women in one hundred and twelve verses. Sankaran Namputiripad of Kanippayyur has written a commentary on it in Malayalam^.

' Darpana commentary by Puliyur Purushottaman Namputiri, S.T. Redyar and sons.Kollam. 1180 ^ Ibid., p. 19 ' Samskftasahityetihasa-p. ^ Jatakasara commentary by M. Krsnanpotti Vidyarambham publications, Alapuzha, 1962 ' Jatakasara, commentary by Sanl

Santanadipika

Santdnadipika of unknown authorship is specialized only on the Santanabhavas in astrology in one hundred and twenty one verses.

The author's preceptor was one Vasudeva.The verse is given below.

^5^RRi -m^^ w^Hm w\^ xi I

^{^^4 ^ Ezn^^ ^«^ ^F^TH^^fWmi 1^ Jatakaphala The astrological work Jatakaphala of unknown authorship explains predictional views of astrology. It is written in mixed manipravala and Sanskrit verses; Gurukkanmare vandiccittavardluktamayatil curukki jdtakaphalam kurannonniha likhyate^ Jatakaratna The Jatakaratna^ of unknown authorship is a valuable astrological work. V.K.Vasuasari (acari) of Tannirmukkam has written a comnnentary on it. This work discusses all yogas of jyotisa in detail.

^Op.Cit. K.S.C. vol.11, p.96. ^ Ibid., p.255 ^ Jatakaratna commentery, by V.K.Vasuasari, Vidyarambham publication, Alappuzha. 144

Jatakacandrika commentaries

The work Jatakacandrika of unknown authorship deals with

astrological rules for predictions in five chapters. It is very popular in

Kerala and several verses of this work are taken from

Brhadparasarahora. Prakasadhara of K. K. Janardanakurup,

Tatvahodhini of unknown authorship and

Ududdyapradipavyakhya of N.E.Muttusvanni are some

connmentaries on Jatakacandrika. Jyotisa ullamutaydn

Jyotisa ullamutayan^ is a comnnentary work on Tannil

astrological work Vimesvaraullamutayan it is commented by M.

Krishnan potti of Karakulam by name Sarahodhini with the preface

of Ramalingam pillai. {Maranakkandi and Sitajyotisa are the other

commentary works of Krishnan potti) Sitajyotisa^ has translated by

Amsi into Malayalam. He provides no further details about the original

work. Udujdtakodaya

Udujatakodaya^ of unknown authorship is an astrological

work composed in metrical style. It deals with the dasa results in one hundred and three verses. The only information about the author is that he was a Brahmin belonged to Venad

' Prakasadhara commentary by K. K. Janarddanakurup, 1998 ^ Jyotisaullamutayan, Rediar press and book, Thiruvananthapuram, 1968. ^ Sitajyotisa, S.T.Reddyar and sons, Kollam,1988 " Udujatakodaya ed.K.Visvesvariamma, University of Kerala, (No.244) of the Tiiiruvanantfiapuram Sanskrit series, 1977 145

Jdtakakalpataru The astrological work Jatakakalpataru of unknown authorship is an authentic work on astrology that deals with mainly bhava section of predictive astrology based on a number of classical astrological works namely Brhatparasarahord, Saravali, Kundalikalpataru, Jatakasangraha, Jatakamuktavali, Yavanajatakadipam, Vrddhagarggahora, Jatakabharana, Bhdvakutuhala, Brhajjdtaka etc. The work is written in twelfth chapters that corresponding to twelve bhavas of astrology. Jyotisadipamala

Jotisadipamdld of unknown authorship is composed in

manipravala style. Although it is written in four chapters and it

discusses all primary astrological elements in simple poetic style.

Hence it is very famous among Keralite scholars. ganapatiguruvdnim arkacandrdrasaumydn suragurusitamandam rdhuketum vananni. lalitamapimuhurttam jdtakam prasnabhdgam laghutaramiha colldm mandadhi dhdrandya^.

' Ibid., p.29 ^ Op.Cit, KS.C, vol.11, p. 254 146

Laghukalarpana

The astrological work Laghukalarpana of unknown

authorship is famous and popular in Kerala. No further details about

this work is available. Vatakkumkur has quoted a verse from it as:

vj^lfclf% l^U^Mmlf^dMJdn^Vj^: 2}l^

cbldlcHI rf5)^cflTVi ^lcrf$R% 7|^ ^ ^5f^ -W^ 11^ 'Sasahkasaradlya

Sasankasaradiya of Sasarikasarada is an extraordinary

independent astrological work. It deals with porutta part of astrology.

This work is written in poetic style. A.N.Acyuta pillai of Aluva has

commented on it. . He gives the name of the author as

Sasankasarada on account of a verse of this work.

The work Sasankasaradiya, introduces five types of marriages referred to in Keralite astrology as:

f^^T?T xiosrar ^fiw. 5frar^ H-flf^P^ 11^

The work is starting with a beautiful verse in poetic style:

' Op.Cit, KS.S.C.vdM, p. 325 ^ Sbsankasaradiya commentary by A.N.Acyuta pillai, Vidyarambham publishers, Alappuzha. 1995p. 1 ^/6fd.,v-6-p.12 147

Sangramavijayodaya

Sahgamagrdmavijayodaya^ of unknown authorship is a

Sanskrit independent work on astrology written in twenty-four chapters. It nnainly discusses the protection of kings and Kingdoms.

According to the rules of this work one can calculate good and bad times for attacking enemies as well as enemy's accidental attacks.

v^'l^*^^^i?ll WJ]^ viFTcft flr[ra ^T%:|

Ranadipika

Ranadipikd is also an independent and popular Sanskrit work on astrology written by Kumaraganaka in eight chapters;

awt^Hlsf elldMi f^>^ >

It deals with a number of advices for the kings based on astrological rules. Nayaviveka, yatraviveka, jayajayaviveka, kalaviveka, sulacakradiviveka, pancasvaraviveka, mrgaviryaviveka, bhupalaviveka etc are discussed in detail. In Prasnamdrga the author Itakkat

Namputiri has quoted many verses of Ranadipikd authentically. So at the time of Prasnamdrga it was very popular.

'/6id., p.1 ^ Ed.by Sambasivasastri, pub. under the authority of the Govt, of His highness Maharaja of Travancore.1936 ' Op.Cit., K.S.C, voi.il, p. 125 " Ranadipika of Kumaraganaka, ed. Sambasivasastri, Thiruvananthapuram Sansl

Jatakakarmapaddhatibhasa

Jatakakarmapaddhatibhasd of unknown authorship is a

commentary on Jdtakakarmapaddhati of Sripati. interpretations

are mixed with Malayalam and Sanskrit. It is very useful for preparing

jataka There is no mention about the author and his date in the work. Jatakaparijata commentaries

Jdtakapdrijata of Vaidyanathasuri is an important and

elaborate work on astrology written in eighteen chapters as there is a

kali chronogram '%ftcgcfj?eftfcp^J^' Keralite scholars have written

many commentaries on it. N. Purushottaman Potty of Ceriyanad has

written Daivajnahhusana^ for the first ten chapters.

Saradipa is another Malayalam commentary on it written by Acyuta

Variyar of Veppatt is published in 1949. Cintamanicintana

The Cintamanicintana^ of unknown authorship in four

chapters is a commentary on Sarvarthacintdmani of Sf ivehkatesa.

Srivehkatesa is the son of Srivaidyanatha Diksita the author of

' Jatakaparijata, XVIII ^ Daivajnabhusana commentary by N.Purushottamanpotty, 8 .T. Rediyar and sons, Koilam, 1987 ^Ibid., p.1 •* Cintamanicintana commentary on Sarvarthacintamani, in preface. 149

Jatakaparijata. The Commentary Cintamanicintana is attributed to a Keralite scholar. Mdnasagari Jatakapaddkati commentary

Manasagari Jatakapaddkati of Manasagara is a good work in the field of Indian astrology. He provides almost all information of astrological theories in it. Ayanacandrikavyakhya is a Malayalam commentary on it written by M.C. Krishnapillai.

fm ^fcuiif^tji^H ^dxRn ^'ii I

Phaladipikd commentary

Phaladipika of Mantresvara is a popular work on astrology. It deals with almost all areas of astrology in twenty-six chapters.!.N.

Nanupillai asan has written a Malayalam commentary on it by name

Bhavacintamanf. Uttarakdlamrta

Uttarakalamrta is an astrological work of Kalidasaganaka

(1164 AD) who was patronised by one Vikramaditya. He is different from the great poet Kalidasa^. His work discusses predictional part and prasna section of astrology. The author of Uttarakalamrta

' Ayanacandrikavyakhya on A^nasagarijatakapaddhati, M.C. Krishnapillai, Vidyarambham publishers Alappuzha,1998 ^ Bhavacintamani commentary by T.N. Nanupillaasan, S.T.Redyar and sons, P.V press Kollam. 1962 ' Ganakatarangini of Sadanandasukja, Hemant Sanskrit series, Varanasi,1986,p .44 150

says that the work is written by him in two sections as

Purvakaldmrta and JJttarakalamrta. But Uttarakaldmrta is

only available now. It has two popular commentaries. One of them is

written by P.R. Gopalavariyar of Pandanattil by name Tilaka in seven

chapters.

Amrtavarsini commentary on this text written by N.E.Muttusvami is

very popular. Jatakapaddhati commentary

Jatakapaddhatf of Paramesvara of Vatasseri(1360-1455 AD) is a valuable work on astrology especially in predictional part.

Bdlabodhini of unknown authorship is a commentary on it. The only information about the author is that he is a disciple of Govindavariyar and a devotee of Lord of Peruntrkkovil of Vaikkam in Ernakulam district.

^jfM feRsq^ oZTRSTT ^?^cqT ^5n?Tcpt?^ I I

' Uttarakaldmrta commentary by Gopalavariyar of Pandanattil, chandra press and Book dippo.Thiruvananthapuram, 1976, p.3 ^ Ed.Kolathery Sankara Menon, Thiruvananthapuram. 151

ii^^H

Siddhdntadarpana of Gargakerala Nilakantha Somayajin

(1443-1543 AD) is an independent and short Sansknt work on

astrology written in thirty two verses deals with the fundamental

astronomical constants the theory of epicycles etc. An elaborate

commentary on it was written by the author himself^. K.V Sarma has

edited and written an exhaustive preface on it^.

Jatakabharana commentary

Jdtakdbharana is an astrological work of Dundhiraja (1463

AD). He is not a Keralite scholar. A commentary on it from Kerala is

written by Gopalavariyar of Pandanattil by name Tarkaprabhd.

'^ vjlld*^"1tjH|ii ^tp^ cii\i^\ f^?nenfJpTPT l"*'

Navagrahaphalannal, Nityapahcdngaganita, Prasnadipa etc are other astrological works of Gopalavariyar. This commentary begins with an invocatory verse as;

' Ibid., vol III, p 95 ^ Thiaivananthapuram Palace Library, MS 975 It is rncompleted ^ Siddhantadarpana, ed by K V Sarma.Visvesvsranandavisvabandhu Institute of Sanskrit and indological studies, Panjab University, Hoshiyarpur, 1976 * Tarkaprabha commentary on Jatakabharana of Dundtiiraja, by Gopalavariyar, Nat.onal bookstall, Kottayam, 1967,p 1 152

Jatakalankara Commentaries

The renowned astrological work Jatakalankara of Ganesa

(1500 AD) is very popular in Indian astrology and it is written in seven chapters. It is also known as Jyotirvidopajivana.Two Keralite commentaries are available on it. One of them is Daivajnapriya written by Visnusarma published in 1956 and other one is written by

T.N.Narayanapillai^. Jatakakaldnidhi

The astrological work Jatakakaldnidhi of Nfsirphavarya

Diksita (1508 AD) is a small Sanskrit work on astrology written in the form of sutra. '^ 'jf^^cj4cO[M^ f^rf^ ^dcbd^U'W^H'^ii^: cnrcRTfRciTT

^TTcTcfHpenf^ E|K!^mic|: ^fprcjTjf:!^' The work depicts the bhavaphalas according to the position of each planet (navagrahas) corresponding to twelve bhavas in detail, '^fcqif^ri^rn^ cirwig ITTCM WW^'^ I N K.Nilakantha Kuruppu of Azhakath has commented on it. He attributes the authorship of this work to a Keralite scholar^. This work begins with an invocatory verse praising to the planet Sun.

' Ibid., p.1 ' Unknown commentary by T.N Narayanapillai, Vidyarambham publishers, Alapuzha, 1948. ' Ibid., p.39 " Jatakakaldnidhi commentary by K.Nilakantha kuruppu, S.T.Reddyaar and sons, Kollam, 1996. ' Ibid., in preface 153

Sphutanirnayatantravivrti

Sphutanirnayatantravivrti of unknown authorship is a

Sanskrit work on astrology. It introduces the whole views of ancient

astrologers ..and their works like 'si^^4 wftr^^femcA^rafli

cfHTt, eTcefr f^I^ZTEft^f^^RsJR^ cT^^TfU ^KTf, ^:>x||cH*l ^M^H'W cfjcrf, TfffcT^

fT^ fli^ziT ^-ildttjucj: d'^>H<^i<^icrni cjKif, Trra^ ^CHKI^ICOHI '^ i' It

begins with a beautiful verse praising the ancient astrologers:

^Mri|l4'*T^ cj'i elect ^ ^o^JtlcHctJ^J

JllR-^ q^^ ^fRH4 #^fteR|5US 7j^

Ekavirnsatiprasnakrama

Ekavimsatiprasnakrama of unknown authorship is written with the help of Tantrasafigraha of Comatiri of Kelallur.

d'^'H4y^>HHllTt>cJ^m^HI^>HKd: I

Dvirasiyogam, antaram, khatam, varggayogam, varggantaram, khanayogam etc are explained in Malayalam prose. It begins with a verse as:

'/6irf., pi ^Op.CiL, K.S.C, vol.1, p.197 ^ Ibid., vol.tl. p.255 154

Sphutanirnaya-tantra

Sphutanirnaya-tantra^ is a work on astrology written by

Acyuta Pisaroti (1550-1621 AD).

c1d^*|x!^rJ|x^

Khetakautuka of Abdurahimkhankhana (1556 AD) is a small

astrological work written in nnixed Sanskrit and Farsi in one hundred

and twenty three verses.

W?ff ^T^rfitf^ IJ^STTT ^ qfu'^rl: fcTTT ^1

N.E. Muthusvami has edited and connmented it with anvaya in

Malayalam. Khetakautuka begins with an invocatory verse praising

Lord Krishna as

' Ibid., vol.111, p.255 ^ Sputanirnayatantra of Acyuta Pisaroti, ed. with intro of K.V.Sarma, Visvesvarananda Institute, Hoshiarpur, 1974. ^ Rasigolasphutanitt^eci. K.V.Sarma.Vlshveshvaranand lnstitute,Hoshiarpur,1977, in preface, p.6 '* Khetakautuka commentary, by N.E. Muttusvami, Bhagya Book house.Thiruvananthapuram, verse.2,p.2 155

Camatkdracintdmanivyakhya Camatkaracintamani of Narayanabhatta (14*^ century AD^)

(he is entirely different from Narayanabhatta of MelputtOr, a renowned

author of the popular work on astrology, which is also called

Bhavacintamani. Two connmentaries are popular on it from Kerala,

one of them is written by Punnasseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma by

name Sanollekha:

^ ^dci4iuHtiPitjm M^l^^ d^wikiR^inRif^: I

Second one written by Sukumara Sastri of Tekkumbhagam by name

Manoramavyakhya . Sukumara Sastri has commented

Bhrgusutra, Strijdtaka of Minaraja and he wrote a translation of Dasadhyayi by name Dasadhyayivivartana*.

Bhavakutuhala commentary

Bhdvakutuhala of Jivanatha (16*^ century AD) is a popular astrological work. '^ft^l^rfeRFj^rm '|U|*IC+1VJ! v4)cjHiai R>

It has a Malayalam commentary by G.Kochusankaran Vaidyar of

' Camatkaracintamani of Narayanabhatta ed. Braja Bihari Lai Sharma says that the author's native place may be Andhrapradesh because of the usage of the word 'Bhatta', in preface, p. 6 ^Sanollekha commentary on Camatkaracintamani by Punnasseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma, P.K. Brothers, kozhikod, 1961, p.1 ^ Manoramavyakhya on Camatkaracintamani, published by the author, priya printers, Chavara, 1987 '• Ibid., In preface. 156

Tamarakkulam by name Cintamani\ Bhavacinta of astrology is discussed in this work in detail. qNi"«ciMri?i>ti>

cZTRslft f% f^RTP#HM2n I f

Krishnan Nair of Kodungallur has written a Sanskrit commentary on it

by name Sahayika in fourteen chapters.

Bhavacintavali

Bhdvacintavali of unknown authorship and date is an ancient

astrological work. The author of this work was a disciple of great

astronomer Citrabhanu. The work deals with the depiction of bhava

section of astrology. And so it is very useful in the field of astrology.

"^^Krn f^fer?5i^ fchfJbjd 'mcifci-Tiicicfl ^m 11'' Karmavipaka

Karmavipaka^ of Punnasseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma is a

significant Malayalam commentary work on astrology. It deals with

' Cintamani commentary on Bhavakutuhala of Jivanatha by G.Kochusankaran Vaidyar, S.T.Reddiar & sons.Kollam, 1987 Ubid.,P.A ' Sahayika commentary on Bhavakutuhala by Krishnan Nair 14-28, Normal printing Bun-ow, Kozhikode,1930, p.5 " Op.Cit., K.S.C, vol.11, p.352 ' (Karmavipaka of Sayanacarya is the original work that explains diseases and Its causes in detail.) 157

some major diseases and their causes according to astrological way

based on 23^^ chapter of Prasnamarga of Itakkatt Namputiri in forty

verses.

Jatakaporutta

Jatakaporutta^ of K.K. Kunjunni Menon is an important work

on astrology because it deals with porutta section of astrology in

detail. He introduces a number of other poruttas (apart from ten major

poruttas) of present astrology in Malayalam prose. The author has

explained all rules of poruttas elaborately. One of the peculiarities of

this work is that the author gives importance to mind relation ship of

couples at first.

^r??Jt HH^H*1I^TJ7 cTT^ Rci^cJ^y:

Jatakalocana^ depicts only the theory of general astrology in

fifteen chapters and Dasdpahdralocana^ deals with only the

discussion of dasapaharas like naksatradasa, adityadasa,

candradasa, sanidasa, budhadasa etc in ten chapters. Both works

are written by the same author in 1949 and 1950 respectively.

' Karmavipakamol Punnasseri Nambi Nilakanthasarma, bhagya book house, Thiruvananthapuram, p.1 ^Jatakaporutta of K.K. Kunjunni Menon, published by the author, 1951 ' Ibid., p.21 * Jatakalocana, K.K. Kunjunni Menon, bhashabhushanam publication, Thrissur, 1949 ^ Dasapaharalocana, K.K. Kunjunni Menon, mangalodayam Ltd. Thrissur, 1950 158

Jatakacintapaddhati

JatakacintapaddhatV is an astrological work of Krsnan potty

of Karakulam. In this work he has compiled a number of verses from

ancient astrological works. The work is written in Sanskrit and Tamil

verses in twenty-six chapters. The work is starting with an invocatory

verse praising to Subrahmanya as:

Jyotisasarasangraha

Jyotisasarasahgraha of M.Nilakanthapillai deals with

astrological theories in fourteen chapters. It follows all ancient

astrological works and has adopted even verses from earlier works.

Jyotisastrannal, jatakanimitthnal, bhavacintanam,

ayurbhavacintanam, putrabhavaphalam, roganirnaya, kalatrabhavam, dasaphalani, tamilsastrasiddhantanhal, poruttavisayahhal, muhurttahhal-cilavisisthatatvahhal, taccusastravisayahhaj, yogacintanannal are the areas discussed in it^. Dasahhuktitilaka

Dasabhuktitilaka^ of K.P. Kumara Menon is an astrological work and it depicts about the dasakalas of each planet and how they effect on human beings. Sanskrit verses are given and explanations are done in Malayalam.

' Jatakacintapaddhati of Krsnan potty of Karakulam, Reddiar press &Book depot, Thiruvanantfiam, 1979 ^/6irf.,p.1 ' Jyotisasarasangraha of Nilakanthapillai, Sankaravijayam press. 1932 * Dasabhuktitilakam of K.P.Kumaramenon, ViidyararDbham publishers, Alapuzha.1994 159

Jatakalekhanakrama

So many works are available on astrology in the form of poenns

and prose. Jatakalekhanakrama of unknown authorship is a prose

work. It describes the method of making jataka in prose. Navinagrahapkalahnal

The Navinagrahaphalahhal of unknown authorship is one of the extraordinary and rare work which enumerates all predictions based on Vedic Gods Indra, Varuna, Rudra etc and planets. It is written in Sanskrit in fourteen chapters. Gopalavariyar of Pandanattil has commented it by name Spasthaphalaprahodhini. Jyotisabdlabodhini

JyotisabalabodhinP of P.K.Koru is an astronomical work which discusses astronomy and planetary positions in detail. The author propagates astronomical theories throughout this work. It has been written in two parts as Purvakhanda and Aparakhanda. Golatatvaprabodhini

Golatatvaprahodhini of unknown authorship is an astrological work written in fifteen chapters. Krsnakurup of

Nadavaramp at Iringlakuda has commented it. '^fcT ^nteRTc^PRflf^RJt

' Navinagmhaphalannal commentary by Gopalavariyar, Chandra press & Book depot, Chala, Thiruvananthapuram, 1993 ^ Jyotisabalabodhini of P.K.Koru, Manglodhayam Ltd, Thrissur, 1953 160

^^•H\i\: -q^cf^ssijm ^^i^^4 >HM\k\H I ' The origin of astrology, general

description of ancient astronomers and astrologers etc is included in

the introductory part. This work nnainly focuses on predictional part. A

number of pramanas are taken from selected classical astrological

works. It begins as

Dasdphalamuktavali

The work namely Dasdphalamuktavali of K. Paramesvaran

Pillia of Vatayattukotta^ is a major astrological work focusing

dasaphalas of astrology. It is written with the help of famous

astrological works like, Parasarahora, Vardhahora, Sdrdvali etc.K. Paramesvaran Pillia of Vatayattukotta has written a commentary on it. He has given a verse denoting dasaphala and planets as:

' Golatatuaprabodhini, Krishnakurup, C.K, Suvartia press, Iringalakuda, 1949.p. 71

^Dasdphalamuktavali of K. Paramesvaran Pillai, S.T Rediar and Sons.Kollam.1989 '/6id.,p.1 161

Brhajjatakapaddhati

BrhajjatakapaddhatV is an independent work on astrology

written by P.S. Purushottaman Namputiri of Puliyur which depicts

methods of making jato^a in twenty-two chapters. VivaJiavijndna

Vivahavijnana^ is a useful work on astrology which deals with

only the discussion of marriage ceremony according to the popular

classical works on astrology and astronomy namely

Prasnasangraha^ Cyavanahora, Kulapaddhati, muhurtta

works, etc written by Sankaraganaka of Onakkur in Malayalam. He

has copied almost all verses from ancient astrological works. His

commentary is known Vacaspatyam. Jyotisayogamahjari

Jyotisayogamahjari is a contemporary work on astrology written by K.K.Janarddana kurup of Koratty with Malayalam explanation. It is not an independent work. The author has explained all yogas using the predictional part from the famous astrological works.

Hora commentaries in Kerala

Hora means 'time'. Generally the term hora is considered to mention science of astrology. Brhatparasarahora, Gargahora

Cyavanahora, Laghuhora, Brhajjataka are the famous hora

' Brhajjatakapaddhati commentary of P. S . Purushaottaman Namputiri S.T. Redyar and sons, Kollam,1944 ^ Vivahavijnana of Sankaraganaka, 162

works. Among these works Brhajjataka of Varahamihira (7'*^ century AD) is very popular and authoritative and it is considered as an encyclopedia in Indian astrology. Several commentaries are available on it both in Sanskrit and Malayalam Bhattolpala, Mudrakshari, Subodhini, Sripatiyam, Dasadhyayi, Vivarana, Mitaksari, Vacaspatya, Pdramesvari, Madhusudani, Vyakhya of Ulpala, Apurvarthapradarsika of Srinivasaraghava Ayyankar (Adyar Libarary 1951) etc are renowned commentaries. A number of commentaries are available on it because of its specialty. Some of them are out of print and of unknown authorship. A brief sketch of some Keralite commentaries on Brhajjataka in general is given forth. From Kerala more than twenty commentaries are available on Brhajjataka in Sanskrit and Malayalam languages. They are listed here. Dasadhyayi, Vivarana, Horabhiprdyanirnaya, Hordphalaratndvali, Laghuhordvivarana,Hordvydkhydbhdsd, Brhajjdtakavivrti, Hrdyapathd, Gudhdrthadipikd, Caturasundari, Vacaspatya, Ahordtradasddhydyi, Hordratna, Hordhrdaya and Hordsdstrapdtha.

Dasadhyayi commentary One of the commentaries of Brhajjataka written by Govindabhattatiri of Talakkulattur (1237-1295 AD) by name DasddhydyP may be the second Sanskrit commentary after the Bhattolpald commentary on Brhajjdtaka of Varahamihira.

' Ed, by Harijayantan Naputiri.Malhrbhumi pubJshers, Calicut,1998 163

He has commented it in ten chapters that were sufficient to

explain twenty-five chapters of Brhajjataka. It is not only the most

important and popular work in Kerala but also the first Sanskrit

commentary from Kerala. It is highly informative to both astrological

students and even scholars. All related subjects on astrology are

Included in this Keralite commentary. Vivarana commentary

After the Dasadhyayi commentary, Rudravariyar (1475- 1575

AD) has written a commentary by name Vivarana' which is very popular. The commentary is also known as Nauka:

f^rcr#r ^f^^FcM sn^ ^f^gjt... i

The verse:

In the first two chapters of both Dasadhyayi and Vivarana commentaries there are some parallel passages which give rise to infer that one of them must have indepted to the other. Anyhow the commentator has written it with the help of different astronomical and astrological works like Arayabhatiya, Sripatipaddhati,

Bhattolpala, Saravali etc.

' H.O. 80. TSS.919, Adyar Library, Madrass. ^ Dasadhyayi commentary by Rudravariyar, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram,1957, p. 372 164

Horahhiprayanirnaya

Hordbhiprayanirnaya is a Sanskrit commentary on

Brhajjdtaka written by Paramesvara. The work is also known as

Paramesvari.

.. ViW^ f^f^ ^?^T^ Ft^rf^WRf^fe 11^

The author has included many quotations taken from valuable astrological works. He has commented it in brief explanation with anvaya for all the verses of the whole of original work. Hordphalaratnavali

Hordphalaratndvali an elaborate commentary on

Brhajjdtaka, is a notable commentary because it discusses astrological elements based on vyakarana and nyaya theories written only for eight chapters on Brhajjdtaka '^ ^^vraiid^ '^krq^cR^^Mcft

''W\ 'Hm\<^\'(sn\-\'i\{h^ 3{^^ 3m\w.\^'. The commentary follows in the form of catechism between preceptor and disciple in Malayalam medium. The author of the commentary is said to be

Kannasapanikker. kanimsanenulla panikkaraccan khandiccu mattulla matannalelldm nirnita hordphalaratnasdram varniccu collunniha sisyanotdi^

'Hordbhiprayanirnaya, pi - Horaphalaratnavali, p. 140 ' Ibid., p. 1 165

Laghuhoravivarajia

Laghuhoravivarana^ of unknown authorship is a brief

explanatory work on Brhajjataka written in Malayalam anustup

metre. The two parts are available on same manuscripts. One of them

is Laghuhordvivarana and another one is the original Sanskrit

verses of Laghuhord in twelve chapters.

In the Laghuhordvivarana the eighth chapter astavargadhyaya of Brhajjdtaka is lost. The work is published by

Kerala University grantha series (No. 122). The authorship of both works may be attributed to same author. The only information available is that he had a brother and a disciple one Ramacarya. His date is documented as kalJ-1731630 (1630 AD)

w^ ^Idf^n'-Micl

The author has given much information about himself. It can be realized that he was a commentator on Brhajjdtaka: ndndsdstrannal kandittu rmndvrttannalil note hordsdstram camaccittunddryd vrttannaldl punah laghuhord camakkunnenatile sdramdmitu^

' ORl kerala universityJ_ibrary, Thiruvananthapuram, 1968 ^ Laghuhoravivarana, p.ii 3 Ibid., In preface " Ibid.,\ -2, p.iv 166

The author salutes first to the Sun in the invocatory verse which is given below: Yatoruttane vandikkum nityamastodayannaUl sivan trailokyarmthantdnasuryane vanahninen' Horavyakhyabhasa Hordvyakhyabhasa of unknown authorshipis is a Malayalam commentary on Brhajjdtaka. Ullur mentions that it may be dated approximately to eighteenth century AD. Whole chapters of Brhajjdtaka are commented on in the form of prose.

f^r^r^^?rfNkff^rf^m^jRHi«tRT

"j slokam kondu purvajanmattile avasthaye sanksepiccu collunu. Janmattingal candrano ddityano balamullu ennarihhu balameriyavan nilkunna drekkdnattinudayatu vydlamenkil purva janmattingal devalokattil irunittu avideninnu ponnividepirannu ennu colluka..."^ Brhajjatakavivrti Brhajjdtakavivrti of Paramesvara^ is a Sanskrit commentary on Brhajjdtaka of Varahamihira. '?frr W^^d-^R^^RlclMi ^ld*T4R«}>Wi «|^vAJiidct>R^dl f^ijlf^oi-HiwjW: g^t^TTi' also '?fcr ti^«£R f^^rf^mmt

' Ibid., p.1 2 Op.Cit., K.S.C, vol.111, p. 256 ^ Op.Cit, KS.S.C, vol.ltl. p.327 167

1%»g]5t4^PlRn i|^vjvjiwch[^^dfl c^^iiujiij: i' By these phrases it can be

assumed that the work must have been known as Jatakacandrika and VUvdrthadipini. The author Paramesvara was the disciple of one Saiikara:

Hrdyapatha commentary

The Hrdyapatha of Kaikulaiihara Rannavariyar (1833-1898 AD) on Brhajjataka is an exhaustive and popular Sanskrit commentary.

'3itn>J^c| ^i^^i^ ^ fnqsTT ^?TrrPTi^'. It is Considered as the standard

Sanskrit commentary in the field of Keralite astrology. Ramavariyar commented it based on nyaya, vyakarana, and vedanta approach. He wrote it mainly for scholars. Caturasundarivyakhyd

After the commentary Hrdyapatha of Ramavariyar, a

Malayalam commentary on Brhajjataka is written by Sankaravariyar of Konatt byname Caturasundari^. He was the disciple of the famous astrologer Raghavavariyar of Kattukujam. In this work he provides many quotations from famous astrological works while the time of explanation. He introduces a Sanskrit commentary on

' Ibid., p.328 ^Hrdyapatha on Brhajjataka, Vidyarambham publishers, Alapuzha, 1994, p.1 ^Brhajjataka commentary, by Sankaravariyar, Panchangam Bookstall, Kunnamkulam, 1931. 168

Brkajjataka by name Jayamangala written by Sankaravariyar from Kerala\ Gudharthadarpana Gudharthadarpana is a detailed Malayalam commentary on Brhajjataka written by M.C. Krishna Pillai. He commentaed it with the help of famous astrological works like Saravali, Prasnamarga, Uttarakalamrta, Jatakaparijata etc.This commentary is included in Abhinavakeraliyajyoti samasika^. Vacaspatya

Vdcaspatya is a latest Malayalam commentary on Brhajjataka written by Sankaraganaka of Onakkur. Verse, anvaya, sara, and detailed explanation are given in this commentary. He has commented all chapters of Brhajjataka. It begins with an invocatory verse as: ^j*cj>»7:j>!U|^x!lv{)^pi,y*i>ict,>t)U||ciciiTiqRrcrf^i^ i

Ahordtradasadhyayi Ahoratradasadhyayi is a commentary on Brhajjataka written by N.Gopalapanikker in ten chapters. The author has written it in two sections. The first part is dealing with serious discussions on each verse of Brhajjataka with referring ancient famous astrologers and astronomers.

' Ibid., in preface. ^ Abhinavakeraliyajyotisamasika, 1959. ' Brhajjataka commentary, by Sankaraganaka, Current books, Kottayam, 1997 169

Second section is a simple explanation of each original verse

that may be useful for newcomers of astrology. He explained all

technical terms of astrology in this section. At the end of this

commentary he has listed forgoing chapters in alphabetical order. The

present work is written by him based on a Tika on Brhajjataka

namely Nauka^. Horaratna

Horaratna^ is also a later commentary work on Brhajjataka

written by K.K. Janarddanakurup of Koratty in Thrissur district. The

commentary is called Vicitrarthaprakasika. He introduces new

method of explanation with the application of new meanings and

techniques. Anvaya, artha, brief explanation, detailed explanation and

some notable meanings (vicitrartha) are followed respectively in it.

Prakasika or Visamaksaravivrti of Nityaprakasa Yati, anonymous

Pathya, Brhajjatakaprathamaslokavyakhya, by Krsna, are the other commentaries on Brhajjataka from Kerala. Hordhrdaya

Horahrdaya is also a latest commentary of Brhajjataka of

Varahamihira written by T.K Chandrasekharan of Muthalapuram written in Malayalam prose. Commentary is called

Bhdratibharatam^. In it he discusses all theories and opinions of

' Ahoratradasadhyayi, GopaJakrsnapanikker, National academy of astrology and traditional science, Thiruvananthapuram, 1998. ^Horaratna of K.K.Janarddanakurup, Girijakumar astrological Research foundation, Koratti, 2003 ' Hordhrdayam, T.K Chandrasekharan, Karthika publications, Kaduthuruthi, 2004 170

ancient Keralite Brhajjataka commentators like Talakkulattur

Bhattatiri, Rudra, Kaikulaiigara Ramavariyar and otiners. So it is much different from other commentaries on Brhajjataka. Horasastrapatha

Horasastrapatha is another modern commentary on Brhajjataka written by Ravunnipanikkar of Kuttanad near Kunnamkulam in Thrissur district. It aims at newcomers of astrology. Hence it is written in simple Malayalam with a number of significant view points and thoughts^.

' Horasastrapatha, of Ravunnipanikkar. Jyotishaparishat, Thrissur, 2000