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BRHATJATAKA
THESIS SUBMITTED TO
SREE SANKARACHARYA UNIVERSITY OF SANSKRIT
FOR THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
IN SANSKRIT SAHITYA
BY
SUJAI KUMAR.C.K
CERTIFICATE
my supervision.
L
Dr. V. R. MuraJJdharan
Place: Kalady.
Date: 28-03-2010
DECLARATION
for the award of any degree, diploma and associateship, fellowship for
JAt^MAR.C.i
SUJAKCUMAR.C.K
Place: Kalady
Date: 28-03-2010
CONTENTS
CERTIFICATE
DECLARATION
CONTENTS
PREFACE
ABBREVIATIONS
Page no.
CHAPTER-1
silpa, ayurveda and jyotisa The vast literary output as well as the
learning.
and continues upto the nineteenth century. There are three major
chapters respectively.
BrJa. - BRHAJJATAKA.
C.K.S.L - CONTRIBUTION OF KERALA TO SANSKRIT
LITARATURE
G.S.R - GLIMPSES OF SANSKRIT RESEARCH
K.S.C. - KERALIYA SAHITYA CHARITHRAM
K.S.S.C - KERALIYA SAMSKRTA SAHITYA CHARITRAM
CHAPTER ONE
A SURVEY OF SANSKRIT COMMENTARY
LITERATURE IN KERALA
Commentary literature is an integral part of the world of writing in
Sanskrit works. Vedas, the earliest works from India were interpreted
knows the taste and skill of poetry, not the poet, 'ct>RdK^^l^4
interpretations.
enthusiastically, and from the eighth century AD, almost all branches of
with the study of and analysis of classical texts, like those of Homer^".
Vedas as:
The word tika can be derived from the root 'tik' meaning 'to
move' 'to go' etc ' ^ t ^ w^ ^p^iraf arrm ffcf -^tm\' Rajasekhara's
Both vftti and vivarana are derived from the root 'vf'and ' v i '
meaning 'to reveal and 'to unfold' respectively. It is defined as ' ^ ^rsf
vyakhyana may be derived from the root 'vi'-a-khya', meaning 'to tell'
cZTRSqFPTl ' .
explains vyakhyana as
^ l e H I 5lrq^^«fT ^ ^ f e l c i J I ^ H d « 1 " H 11
the ancient time. In later time many minute differences were discussed
bhasya and karika were generally written only in the field of sastraic
the detailed teaching notes. Sahkaracarya agrees that one of the eight
later times, the six vedangas developed through oral teaching. Later on
literature where ideas are arranged in too brevity. Subsequently all the
highly useful to grasp wordings and to recollect easily. James Mill, the
author of 'The History of British India'' observes: "all their (of the
in verse. Their sacred books, and even their books of sciences, are in
verse; and what is more wonderful still, their very Dictionaries . N.V.P.
time, this oral tradition had also to be put in writing. Thus came into
contemporary of Skandasvamin.
lived in the village namely Gomana near river Kaveri. His commentary
Sarikara. We have some proofs that the bhasyas were written when
there were other vrttis or short explanations of the sutras.
Kalidasabhattacarya mentions that "the Gaudapadakarika ^ of the
verses".
Sankhyadarsana of Kapila
Sankhyadarsana is probably the oldest one in our traditional
' Ed.by Gerald James Larson and Ramshankar Bhattacharya, Encyclopedia of Indian
Philosophies, Motilal Banarsidass, New Delhi, 1987
and Mahadevasastri (17*^^ century AD) comnnented sarikhya but their
Yogadarsana
Vaisesikadarsana
•
recently by Pancanana.
Nyayadarsana
The philosophy of nyaya from the ancient days to the beginning
mimarnsa
Purvamimamsa
This system diverted itself into two main schools, namely that of
mimarnsa philosophy.
' A. Berried ails Keith, A History of Sanskrit literature, Motllal Benarsidass, New Delhi,
1996, p.473
13
one, which is acclaimed as a masterpiece not only for its acute logical
analysis but also for its graceful style. His other important works are
and Brhadaranyaka.
Thiruvananthapuram,1996, p.3
16
his Kalpataruparimala.
and partly in verse and consists of four chapters exposing the nature
down through the detailed commentaries. Kerala has noted for a long
jyotisa etc. The vast literary outputs as well as the profound learning
have commenced in Kerala with the spread of this culture here. This
be remembered that all do not accept the claim for this nativity of
Prabhakara.
greatest son of Kerala, did not fascinate them as much as it did the
of Kerala studies, vol.111, ed. T.K. Ravlndran, Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram, p.162
1976.
20
Thrissur and Thirunavaya are famous of Vedic lore and even now
by a Sanyasin.
methodology.
commentators.
Commentaries on Veda
on Aitareyabrdhmana, Abhyudayapdda on
vyakhyana of Rgvedaparibhdsd^.
M i m a m s a tradition of Kerala
•
and moksa and the remaining four to that of artha and kama^"
g ^ q4?irf5f ^ %iT ^ c n ? E i ^ ^ 11
Prabhakara.
has been preserved in the Govt. Oriental Manuscript Library. The work
his name is not given. The manuscript contains the first two chapters
Pp.62 - 67
25
and first and second adhikaranas of the first pada of the third
adhyaya
written by a Keralite^.
Adhvaramimamsasutrarthadipikd on Jaiminiyasutra of
whose name is not given and the work salute Jaimini, Vyasa,
Mayavadins.
as in quality.
Dharmasastra
Kerala authors have given much attention to the studies of
Dharmasastras from a very remote past. Vararuci's Asaucastaka on
ceremonial rituals is commented upon by three anonymous Kerala
authors. Their commentaries are known as Vivarana,
Sucyagravedhana and Vydkhyd. Vatakkumkur quotes a verse of
Asaucastaka^ on Asaucastaka of Vararuci as follows:
' Ed. by T.K. Ravindran, vol. X, (article) Sanskrit in Kerala commentary Litareture,
N.V.P.Unithiri, Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram, 1983
^Op.Cit, K.S.S.C, vol.11, p.517
27
Advaitavedanta
From about seventh centuary AD onwards there has been a
steady growth in all branches of Sanskrit learning especially in the
darsanas like purvannimarpsa and uttaramimarrisa. The greatest
philosopher Sahkara (788-820 AD) is said to be a son of Kerala. And
following him several preceptors of Kerala have contributed many
creative works and commentaries. Satikara's place of birth has
generally been accepted as Kalady at Emakulam district in Kerala.
Saiikara's bhasya on Prasthdnatraya have established the
foundation of Advaitavedanta philosophy. Numerous exhaustive and
valuable commentaries of Sahkara have come down to us.
Mandukyakdrikd, Visnusahasrandma, Sanatsujdtiya,
Lalitdsahasrandma, Nrsimhapurvatapanyupanisad
Aitareydranyakd and Atharvasiksopanisad are also commented
by Saiikara.
Saiikara's direct disciple Padmapada enriched this path by his
Siddhantapancara. ^
Ayurveda
Kaikulanhara Ramavariyar.
1925 AD) has a commentary along with the text. P.S. Variyar (1869-
Vakyapradipika .
Tantric concept is very old and popular all over Kerala. Many
Puliyannur.
In the ninth century there was a special centre for the study of
Krodapatras.
Vaiyakaranasiddhantasahgraha^ of Rajarajavarma
palace, the profound scholar of his time has written a work called
Sastra kavyas
' Ullur.S. Paramesvara iyer, K.S.C, vol.lV, Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram, 1990,p.636
^ Being published in the Sanskrit journal ofTrivantrum,\o\.xn\.no.'\
36
Commentaries
Sabdabhusana is a commentary on Panini's Asthadhyayi.
Narayanasudhi Is the author of this commentary, who lived at Ponnani
in Malappuram district in Kerala.^ On Gaurikalyana of
Govindanatha, a commentary namely Padarthavadini is available
by unknown authorship.^
On the grammatical work Daiva, Krsnalilasuka composed a
commentary called Purusakara. Purnasarasvati (15* century AD)
has written a vrtti on the nipatas of Sanskrit grammar'*. Paramesvara-
II of Payyur Bhatta family wrote a commentary called Gopalika on
the Spotasiddhi of Mandanamisra. The Vararucasangraha of
Vararuci has a commentary called Dipaprabha written by Akkittam
Narayanan Namputiri. There is another famous commentary called
Vivarana^.
' See. 'Manuscript notes, S.V. Iyer, Sanskrit Journal of Thiruvananthapuram, vol.11, 1947
p.2-3
38
Prakriydsarvasva.
Melputtur.
Amarakosa in Malayalam.
Sandesakavyas
AD).
' Ibid., vol.1, p.316.( Fi/asi/ii commentary of Manaveda, ed N.P.Unni, Nag Publishers New
Delhi,1985.)
^ Ed. N.P.Unni, Vilasini commentary of Manaveda. Nag Publishers, New Delhi, 1985, p.61
' Vidyullata, Vanivilasam press, Sreerangam, 1989
41
predecessors:
f%f^rf%r'M # 1 # « m t ^ ^Tf^sifcr 11
' Ed. Dr. HP. Unni, Meghasandesa with the commentaries Pradipa, Vidyullata,
Sumanoramani, Bharatiyavidhya prakasan, New Delhi 1987
^ Op.Cit., Indian Theories of Hermeneutics, (article) The art of commentary: precepts
and practices by N.P. Unni, p.95
^ Raghuvarnsa with Prakasika, Ravivarma Sansikrit Series.No.3, Thrippunithura. Kochi,
1964
42
Commentaries on campokavyas
Santdnagopdla.
'Ibid., p. 167
45
Commentaries on stotrakavyas
Kerala's contribution to the stotra and commentaries on stotra
Coravana.
considerable merit.
Raghavananda (1250 - 1325 AD) was well known as a
CHAPTER TWO
ASTROLOGICAL WORKS IN SANSKRIT
Astrology can be defined as the 'philosophy of discovery' which
whole of Indian culture and plays an integral part in guiding life for all
' 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
but the two are different, former is visible while the latter is Invisible. To
and after him important works and commentaries were produced, and
further that the medieval period from the twelfth to the eighteenth
Vedangajyotisa of Lagadha
Though there are no astronomical references found in the Vedic
literature, knowledge about the seasons, rains, cold, and so forth for
calculation of time.
us, deals with astrology mainly and contains also astronomical topics;
older ones.
' 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
and in fact in the three thousand six hundred the years of kaliyuga
Kearlite astronomer'*.
Aryabhatasataka.
that was introduced by Aryabhata alone and gives the basic technical
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
Varahamihira
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
omens to clear out good success for kings in the war. The work is
Greek astrology.
terms, completely agrees with that of the Greek books on the subject.
first one is the most popular. These works are devoted to the method
the heavenly bodies at the time of his birth. Other works are,
than thirty works are credited on astrology to him, but many of them
Brahmagupta
' Published by Jagadeesh Lai Safari, Lahore, 1994, Available in Mysore University
^ Jyotisavum jyotisastravum, Paputy. K, Kerala Sasthra Sahitya Parishat, 2003, p.136
60
was, very probably, composed in saka year 587, which was taken as
Bhaskaracarya I
stated above was Bhaskara who according to the editor of the work
work refer to the year 574 AD'. The author of the above mentioned
' The Classical age, Manjumdar.R.C, vcd.lil, Bharatiya Vidyabhavan, Mumbai, 1988, p.323
^ Siddhantasiromani, goladhyaya, prasnavicaraprakarana, 58,61, 62
61
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
' 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
throwing new light on the subject for public and scholars of interesting
in this field.
clear that there has been a long and continuous period of creative and
Kerala and that the achievements in the field are of great significance.
ancient India; of these the two popular are the 'Katapayadi' and
Now the Keralite astrologers are using this system for the ganita of the
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 —
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
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,
traversing during their journey. These signs are called mesa, vrsabha,
quarters of stars in total. Thus 'mesa' has asvini, bharani and the first
and the first two padas of mrgasirsa and so on. About the orgin of
Prof. Vishnusarma explains that, the zodiacal forms are not the
'^:;;^f»itA KAAiyt^
'^*^«?;?^-^^
^.<^S^^
/ ^
s.^,/^
J
-^X
top in the center and the counting of the houses is done in the anti
clock-wise direction.
1^
i
A-
MfiS^ /f<^"***^
1%
KUMfclM
SM4HA
S»MH4j^C^
*1
PHAMV TUWA HAHYA /K^AiyU^ \.^/^f»C1KA \ ^
The horoscope as drawn in Northern India. In other parts of India
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
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
astrology. The commentators were not only from the Brahmins but
•^illdTcbliJ^l^ilil •JT^iJ^TsHtf^ I
Devakerala of Acyuta
The astrological work Devakerala is published by Govt.
lagnanimaya in astrology.
Sukrakerala
•
legendary figure about whose identity and date, nothing can be said
attributed to him"^.
Haridatta
Haridatta (683 AD) was a Keralite astronomer who contributed
astronomy.
Govindasvamin
...JTT?i''.
Sankaranarayana
§ahkaranarayana (825-900 AD) was the disciple of
' 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
The following words are mentioned that 'r^^ ^^H^^ w?r^ Wf^
Siiryadevayajvan
Suryadevayajvan (1191-1250 AD) of 'nidhruva gotra' was a
Laghubhaskariya, p.51
74
on Aryahhatiya^.
Udayadivakara
Govinda Bhattatiri
Sangamagrama Madhava
Sahgamagrama Madhava, (1340-1425 AD) author of the
Iranfiininna palli^.
Madhava.
^ The introductory verse in his commentary, on the Lilavati, Adyar Library, MS.68524
77
Brhajjataka.
method of calculating the case from the 'sine' etc. The main
Goladlpika
K.Kunjunni Raja observed that there are two works by name
series (No.49) and the other is available in the Adyar Library pamphlet
author himself.
1543 AD) gives detailed informations in his bhasyas about himself and
of older Indian planetary model for the inner planets (Mercury and
Sarikaravariyar
?fcr c P ^ R t W ^ f^2IT^>eTFt sfJ^^WJW I
T M cRsmsm^^!TTt^;^^TtesiTraT 11^
Citrabhanu
Citrabhanu (1475-1550 AD) was an astronomer and a scholar of
' 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
The work is a short treatise intended for the practical use of the
derivations of the mean and true positions of the nine planets the
Sankara of Mahisamangalam
' 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
Yallaya
All that is known about Yallaya is that he was the son of
Sankaravariyar of Trkkutavely
Sarikaravariyar (1500-60 AD) flourished in the first half of the
Sankaravariyar.
Jyestadeva
Jyestadeva (1500-1600 AD) was a Namputiri Brahmin of
1947.
Mattur Namputiripad
Mattur Namputiripad (1612 AD) was a famous astrologer and
Thrissur.
Acyutapisaroti of Trkkantiyur
that are to be made along with the ecliptic and the perpendicular to the
Somayajin of Putumana
This work is popular not only in Kerala but also even in Andhrapradesh
to him.
astronomy have not yet been discovered, but we have got some
is attributed to him.
Pancabodha^.
^MldifrlRcj^H'lfTbcbMul: ^ ^ > i e l l e i ^ ^
^ T ^ 5ei-^-4>x!c(4ulci^Rddvx<4lRlf2icii 3 f t ^ 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
Samkaravarman of Katattanad
• •
the end of the same work as 'dlcbi*«ilRi.£|^ci) 11' (1,797,513) giving the
astrology were his father (name unknown) and Sulapani Variyar the
it is called as Aganita.
Ramavariyar of Kaikulannara
him in Malayalam.
' Op.Cit.^.S.C,MO\.\\\,p.555
'/6id., if. S.C, vol. IV, p.313
93
'/6id.,p.16
^ The work has published by Bharatavilasam press, Thrissur.
95
author of Jatakasdra^.
and are still in the form of manuscripts. Most of the original works and
place.
Suryctsiddhanta commentary
Suryasiddkanta is an astronomical work of Lata or Maya
# 5 4 ^'&s{f^l'^l cicjHMif^l^l^
Sadpancdsikd commentaries
Sadpancasika is the popular work on astrology written by
Sripatipaddhati vyakhya
The Sujanapriya is a popular commentary on
astrology.
MfDmoM T|^ M f R f^>{<l'W Pl^n^llrHvjj f^^l
Jatakakarmapaddhati of Sripati.
Laghubhaskariyavyakhya
Laghuhhdskariyavyakhya of unknown authorship is a
Commeiitaries on Lilavati
Lilavati of Bhaskaracarya II is a renowned work on
mathematical notations^.
"0
Commentaries on Tantrasahgraha
A number of commentaries are availed especially in Kerala on
given below:
*>i*Hd*fcidq^w*-^^?m^«ra^ f^^p[T^
'/6irf..vol. Il,p.117
102
work is as follows:
Candrachayaganita
Candrachaydganita of Nilakantha Somayaji is dealing
Karanasara
»
Hence it can be calculated that the date of the text may be about
sn^S^JT^cfcR^T'TtcTt^^fg^f^ 11^
Bhasayuktibhdsa
In the anonymous astronomical work Bhasdyuktibhasd
l^nvaroham bhasd
• •
Malayalam.
Netrandrayanajnaya^
It is specializing with astronomical computation and maintains
verse as:
Drkkarana
Drkkarana of unknown authorship is an independant
might have been written in the same year (1608 AD). This Sanskrit
Bhadradipa
Ullur S.Paramesvara Iyer provides much information about
vighnesam kavirrmtineyumutane
krsnarn gurum vyasane
Uparagakriyakrama
The ganita work Upardgakriydkrama is attributed to one
Narayana who may be the member of Mahisamarigalam family:
J^«MI<il^vHtyH!^j^l'd<H>'iu|H t l
HI'ililulH ^ ? f ^ vJM^Ji'lf^illshH: i 1^
follows:
calculations.
astronomical work wrote in 1750 AD. The kali phrase (cbidctwl '^ft
century on the basis of a verse at the end of the script; but the verse
Jyotissastrasubodhini
Jyotissdstrasubodhini is an important and valuable work on
eightythree verses.
Jyotihprakasaka
the famous work of Rajarajavarma that was written for his students of
theories and their differences and especially proudly says about the
P.S.Purushottaman Namputiri^.
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
Pancabodha commentary
Ramakrishnan Embrantiri.
Uparagavimsati
The astronomical work Uparagavirnsati by Panditaraja K.
twenty verses^.
Varaganitapravesika
The ganita work Varaganitapravesika is attributed to
Malayalam^.
Prakirnasangraha
Prakirnasangraha of unknown authorship is a small valuable
^ 4 ^ ^ H-^JidHlf^dHHj I
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
' 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
SuksmadrgganUa
Muhurttaratna
Muhurttaratna^ and Muhurttadipika of Govinda Bhattatiri
Acarasan^aha
Acarasangraha of Paramesvara is a valuable Sanskrit
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^.
Varadipika
Varadipikd is one of the best valuable Sanskrit commentary on
5 T R ^ ^ cb«umi cj>{cnf>^cb|>5si|i
regard.
Muhurttanmdhaviya
Muhurttamddhaviya^ of Vidyamadhava {1325-1425 AD) is
chapters.
denoted that what the subjects in this work in brief are as:
sidNsiMssT Pl^-cHlR;fScil'^v^'+^Mi^^lRcb!^^:^ 11
^cIMfcikil - ^ 4 * 1 4 ^ 1 ^ ^Mlf^t|HMfclc»>lulHH I I
Commentaries on Muhurttamadhaviya
On Muhurttamadhaviya many commentaries are available.
Muhurttadipikd.
' Madkavlyam, Vidyamadhava, S.T.Redyar and sons kollam, 1987 (I- 4), p.2
2/6irf.,p.232-233
^ Muhurttadarsanarnbhasa, P.S.purushothaman Namputiri S T . Redyar and Sons, Kollam
" Op.Cit.. KS.S.C, vol.1, p.400
119
Madhava.
Muhurttasataka commentary
Acaradipika is a commentary written by Ravi Namputiri (1425-
Muhurttabharana m
Kerala.
Asaucacintamani 9
ul-Hll^JidlPl f m ^ rfm-
Vararucikrtam vakyam
This work is written in two parts. First part deals with
^Op.Cit.,KS.C, vol.lll.p.96
^ / 6 i d ^ 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.
Muhurttadipika:
^illMdciKUKM: ^i^e^i-^ldilRl ^JTcT^hfil^ 1^
in this regard.
Kriyasangraha
The work Kriyasangraha of unknown authorship elucidates
^l.^^'Sflf^^tuJHf^ijm^d-iJ^^^cl 11^
The author of this work is familiar with each and every custom of
Muhurttasaranidipa
Muhurttasaranidipa is an anonymous Sanskrit commentary
or Tikd on Muhurttapadavi. The first verse of Saranidipa quoted
by Ullur is as:
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.
Kaladipaka
Kaladipaka^ is also a muhurtta work of unknown authorship
Muhurttasangraha
Muhurttasahgraha^ is a popular work on muhurtta edited
general is given.
verses\
Prasnajnana commentary
in detail.
Krsniya
Krsniya of Krsnacarya is the valuable work on astrology which
Cintajnanam:
that the date of this work may be in fifth century AD that according to
Ujutira Variyar, the great astrologer, who admits the work Krsniya an
in his PraAnamarga:
HldlPl<llc;tifcl ^c<f^ci>bw<t>u^ I
Prasnabhasa
•
of this work was very familiar with medicine and sorcery that well
quoted a verse from this work but he did not give any further details
of astrology.
M R<chldvj14>ei t ^ ^ ^ r f ^ ^fT^ 11
Commentaries on Prasnanusthanapaddhati
DaivajhapdritosinV is a valuable and popular commentary on
Prasnasara
The work Prasnasara of Madhava of Ramamahgalam dated
incakalvamadhavanpdthyamdkki
bhdsdprasnam connativannamallo^.
badha (sorcery) etc in one seventy two verses. The author salutes to
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
• • • • •
' 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
languages. It must have been made with the influence of the Dravidian
Prasnalancana
Prasnaldncanarn of unknown authorship focuses mainly the
He mentions that the good and bad omens are closely related to past
birth of a person.
Prasnatantra
Prasnatantra of unknown authorship is a work on prasna part
remarkably fulfilled^".
Citraprasna
Citraprasna of unknown authorship is one of the rare works
only in Malayalam^.
Prasnapradipa
Prasnapradipa of Srinarayanasiddhadasa has a bhasa
vHfrfcr44 ^ * r ^ xi rrfm^^PTi
Siddhantadtpika commentary
Arudhaprasna
to Sahkara^.
Prasnamarga
Prasnamarga is a valuable systematic work on prasna part on
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: c R T f T ^ ^ ^ 11
Prasnanusthanapaddhatf.
Commentaries on Prasnamarga
Durgamarthaprakdsini is a commentary but the work is
sara are given one by one in detail. Prof. N.D.Vijayanunni also has
parts\.
Prasnamargam bhasa
Prasnamdrgambhasa^ of unknown authorship is a work on
Namputiri:
prasnamargam pravaksyami
bhasayay vistariccatum.
varahahora kandittum
sadpancasikayum tadvat
yathd sastranusaratah.^
Prasnariti
Prasnariti of Itakkatt KOkaniyal is a valuable and authentic
Dvisati
Dvisati deals with the prasna part of astrology. The author of
Kannur.
Prasnayana
Prasnayana is a Sanskrit astrological work with a Sanskrit
Purusottama:
Bhusanaprahha
Prasnahhusajia is an important work on prasna part of
explanation respectively .
Nimittasastra
The concept of nimitta is highly influenced the human mind
is well discussed.
>^lf^liI^|U|i ^ ? r ^ ^ f t ^ ^efT^cFT I
The author says that the ahgacalana and sakunas are taken from the
Prasnadipika
The work Prasnadipikd^ of unknown authorship is a
psychological treatment.
Prasnakautuka
The Prasnakautuka^ of Rudraparasava is a very useful work
Devaprasna
In Kerala only a few works are available on devaprasna section
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
Strijataka commentaries
astrologers.
•^=S\o^ vjp*TW g e ^ 5?rRTl^ ^ I ^ T M H
V c i i i f ^ y ^ T l l ^ u i ^xT?T? " m ^ ^ ^ c R r
Ratnaprabha in Malayalam.
chapters ^.
Jatakasara
By name Jatakasara, many works are available in the field of
commentaries are available from Kerala in the same title. One of them
gurukkanmdre vandiccittavaraluktamdyatil
jatakaphalamotitam manusarkku dharikkuvan
It is written in two sections. First part deals with lagnadibhavas and
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<aran Namputiripad, panchangam Bool< stall,
Kunnamkulam, 2005
143
Santanadipika
Santdnadipika of unknown authorship is specialized only on
verses.
Jatakaphala
The astrological work Jatakaphala of unknown authorship
Gurukkanmare vandiccittavardluktamayatil
curukki jdtakaphalam kurannonniha likhyate^
Jatakaratna
The Jatakaratna^ of unknown authorship is a valuable
Jatakacandrika commentaries
The work Jatakacandrika of unknown authorship deals with
connmentaries on Jatakacandrika.
Jyotisa ullamutaydn
Jyotisa ullamutayan^ is a comnnentary work on Tannil
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
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
ganapatiguruvdnim arkacandrdrasaumydn
suragurusitamandam rdhuketum vananni.
lalitamapimuhurttam jdtakam prasnabhdgam
laghutaramiha colldm mandadhi dhdrandya^.
Laghukalarpana
The astrological work Laghukalarpana of unknown
'Sasahkasaradlya
Sasankasaradiya of Sasarikasarada is an extraordinary
Sangramavijayodaya
Sahgamagrdmavijayodaya^ of unknown authorship is a
According to the rules of this work one can calculate good and bad
Ranadipika
Ranadipikd is also an independent and popular Sanskrit work
' / 6 i d . , 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<rit series,
1928,p.1
148
Jatakakarmapaddhatibhasa
Jatakakarmapaddhatibhasd of unknown authorship is a
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
Cintamanicintana
The Cintamanicintana^ of unknown authorship in four
Phaladipikd commentary
Phaladipika of Mantresvara is a popular work on astrology. It
Bhavacintamanf.
Uttarakdlamrta
Uttarakalamrta is an astrological work of Kalidasaganaka
from the great poet Kalidasa^. His work discusses predictional part
chapters.
very popular.
Jatakapaddhati commentary
Jatakapaddhatf of Paramesvara of Vatasseri(1360-1455 AD)
district.
Siddhantadarpana
Siddhdntadarpana of Gargakerala Nilakantha Somayajin
Jatakabharana commentary
Jdtakdbharana is an astrological work of Dundhiraja (1463
Jatakalankara Commentaries
The renowned astrological work Jatakalankara of Ganesa
T.N.Narayanapillai^.
Jatakakaldnidhi
The astrological work Jatakakaldnidhi of Nfsirphavarya
Sphutanirnayatantravivrti
Sphutanirnayatantravivrti of unknown authorship is a
Ekavirnsatiprasnakrama
Ekavimsatiprasnakrama of unknown authorship is written
verse as:
'/6irf., p i
^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
Khetakautuka
Khetakautuka of Abdurahimkhankhana (1556 AD) is a small
Lord Krishna as
Camatkdracintdmanivyakhya
Camatkaracintamani of Narayanabhatta (14*^ century AD^)
(he is entirely different from Narayanabhatta of MelputtOr, a renowned
name Sanollekha:
Bhavakutuhala commentary
' 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
qNi"«ciMri?i>ti><l^^<sq-
cZTRslft f% f^RTP#HM2n I f
Bhavacintavali
Bhdvacintavali of unknown authorship and date is an ancient
Karmavipaka
Karmavipaka^ of Punnasseri Nambi Nilakantha Sarma is a
verses.
Jatakaporutta
Jatakaporutta^ of K.K. Kunjunni Menon is an important work
this work is that the author gives importance to mind relation ship of
couples at first.
^r??Jt HH^H*1I^TJ7 c T T ^ Rci^cJ^y:
Jatakacintapaddhati
JatakacintapaddhatV is an astrological work of Krsnan potty
Jyotisasarasangraha
Jyotisasarasahgraha of M.Nilakanthapillai deals with
astrological works and has adopted even verses from earlier works.
muhurttahhal-cilavisisthatatvahhal, taccusastravisayahhaj,
Dasahhuktitilaka
Dasabhuktitilaka^ of K.P. Kumara Menon is an astrological
work and it depicts about the dasakalas of each planet and how they
Jatakalekhanakrama
So many works are available on astrology in the form of poenns
Navinagrahapkalahnal
The Navinagrahaphalahhal of unknown authorship is one
Jyotisabdlabodhini
JyotisabalabodhinP of P.K.Koru is an astronomical work
Golatatvaprabodhini
Golatatvaprahodhini of unknown authorship is an
works. It begins as
Dasdphalamuktavali
The work namely Dasdphalamuktavali of K. Paramesvaran
planets as:
Brhajjatakapaddhati
BrhajjatakapaddhatV is an independent work on astrology
VivaJiavijndna
Vivahavijnana^ is a useful work on astrology which deals with
has copied almost all verses from ancient astrological works. His
Jyotisayogamahjari
Jyotisayogamahjari is a contemporary work on astrology
all yogas using the predictional part from the famous astrological
works.
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.
important and popular work in Kerala but also the first Sanskrit
Vivarana commentary
After the Dasadhyayi commentary, Rudravariyar (1475- 1575
The verse:
infer that one of them must have indepted to the other. Anyhow the
Horahhiprayanirnaya
Hordbhiprayanirnaya is a Sanskrit commentary on
Paramesvari.
Hordphalaratnavali
Hordphalaratndvali an elaborate commentary on
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
metre. The two parts are available on same manuscripts. One of them
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
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
one Saiikara:
Hrdyapatha commentary
The Hrdyapatha of Kaikulaiihara Rannavariyar (1833-1898 AD)
Caturasundarivyakhyd
After the commentary Hrdyapatha of Ramavariyar, a
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.
namely Nauka^.
Horaratna
Horaratna^ is also a later commentary work on Brhajjataka
Hordhrdaya
Horahrdaya is also a latest commentary of Brhajjataka of
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^.
CHAPTER THREE
LIFE AND WORKS OF TALAKKULATTUR
GOVINDABHATTATIRI
Kerala had made substantial contributions in the field of
silpa, ayurveda and jyotisa. The vast literary outputs as well as the
f^lirg^:' which can be dated 470 of the 'kollam era"*. Anyhow it may
general title term of the Vedic teacher^. After the Vedadhyayana during
etc.
(is also called Narayananunni) and his friends were engaged in playing
near teacher's house. When the teacher had gone outside, Bhattatiri
(I^TW*:). During the prasna, the friends were arising various questions
students and Bhattatiri's answers also. Among the friends, one asked
prescribed remedy also, that to offer rice and delicious food items to
provided them with all kinds of delicious food items like payasa, laddu
etc. Within a short time, the wife of the teacher became pregnant and
delivered a child and the teacher blessed Govinda that 'he would be a
assumed that his higher studies on jyotisa might have been from out
of Kerala. Ullur says that Kunjannur Alvar was the teacher of Bhattatiri
any change even now. Sridevi Antarjjanam opines that the word
Bhattatiri's illam\
decaying Illam and other one is a Siva temple situated around one
temple.
the grhasthasrama and bring forth to a son. But the son accidentally
son from his preceptor Tancavur Alvar. The preceptor realized its
betterment in astrology.
Later on that woman knew that it was not her husband. But Bhattatiri
she will give birth a son who should be a great astrologer in future.
Bhattatiri also predicted his time of death as at the age of twelve of his
son.
177
out that missed ornaments. In the prasna they proclaimed the theif's
name is composed of two letters and the first letter is 'ka' and other
people gathered there believed that he is the thief and put him to the
hearing the news ascertained that theft was done not by 'Kakku' but
family.
There are many legends connected with Bhattatiri with many
Such legends are connecting Bhattatiri with Palur patipura. But there
says that Bhattatiri's body kept there in the form of sacred altar and
patipura and so sonne are saying that his education also nnust have
Namputiri illam namely 'Mullasseri illam'\ After the birth of kaniyar son
the illam and properties were handed over to that kaniyar family. It can
now^.
' Interview held on 10-05-2007 (From Palur patipura at Piravam in Ernakulam district)
^ Informations got from Etamaratt Mana, near Thirur in Malappuram district.
^ Amarakosa(paramesvari), ksatriyavarga, verse. 14, p.544
180
some clear picture about him and his devotedness towards Gods and
Malappuram district.
corresponding to Trpraniiod.
Works of Govindabhattatiri
Although Bhattatiri's knowledge had been spread out on many
meant only for his disciples and so the language and style are simple
wrote this commentary only for ten chapters but that was sufficient to
Muhurttaratna
The Muhurttaratna"^ is a work of Bhattatiri which deals with
information about Bhattatiri and he agrees only that the work belongs
to Bhattatiri as
>!Rrj.^|fc(R|P|R-J|d<Hldvri4lR|(<^jyH^I*^(^+J.U4ldl
Jltf^'^H ^^^H^IHf^l*<^d ^ g d l * l ^ d m 11
Muhurttaratna as:
Jllf^tJI^vr^m^H ^41'Hf^TtJ^d'HI I
c l f ^ R r f % i s q x M ^ t%;qtf?^c«KTnf|RT I
authorship of Govindabhattatiri''.
ceremonies while interpreting the good time for marriage^. The work
Tamaranallur hhdsa
•
Sanskrit. But he gives no details about this work and only informs that
Bhattatiri wrote the work for one Narayanan Namputiri of Cellur . The
Muhurttapadavi
Four muhurtta works are available by name Muhurttapadavi
in Kerala. Ullur informs that two of them are unique and similar and
calculation.
Followers of Govindabhattatiri
••
one among the traditional student of Bhattatiri. He says that his grand
%= f ^ JJ>(»{yv^-Hl
Krsnanasan
Hordydm arthahdhulydt
samsayam valutdivarum.
Dasddhydyydm visesiccum
vakrasabdattinarthavum.
Vakracdrigrahdsceti
samsayam tirtturakkaydl.
Dasddhyayimatam
caitadupadhyayamatam tatha^.
Conclusion
Legends may or may not mislead from the original themes. But
' Ibid., p. 29
190
CHAPTER FOUR
METHODOLOGY OF DASADHYAYI
The work Dasddhyayi is a Sanskrit commentary on
commentary.
This chapter discusses all such matters in general and above all, the
Brhajjataka of Varahamihira
which this text is the original authentic work of Indian astrology and is
observations.
Commentaries on Brhajjataka
A number of commentaries are available on Brhajjataka of
Mumbai^.
another one in the form of palm leaves. He states^ that the manuscript
multiplicity of meaning.
Dasadhyayi as a commentary
Dasddhyayi commentary.
connects all ideas of astrology in a crystal clear view within the span
of ten chapters. Hence it is really the most significant work in the field
of astrology.
below;
2 Grahayonibhedddhydya 21 144
3 Viyonijanmddhydya 8 34
195
4 Nisekadhyaya 22 40
5 .Janmddhyaya 26 36
6 Aristadhyaya 13 32
7 Ayurdayadhyaya 13 4
8 Dasantardasadhyaya 23 130
9 Astakavargadhyaya 8 14
10 Karmajivadhyaya 4 44
prasna theory. Hence it can be supposed that the work Sdrdvali was
Govindabhattatiri.
muhurtta, prasna, nimitta and the like and the views of Satya, Yavana,
his commentary. For example while explaining about the nine planets,
he provides a scientific picture and their position in order with the help
in numbers.
^ Ibid., p. 142.
^ Saravali, ed. and trans, by Chaturvedi, Varanasi, 1977
198
prasna theory of astrology he has quoted many verses mainly from the
astrology.
with citing the name of texts, only on a few occassions he did not
mention the authorship. All these references show the fact that he has
literature.
theories. In it, the author has added comparative and critical remarks
Traditional standpoints
horasastra helps to light up every past actions and duty which leads
to forward itself as a guide which are given below 'f^ 3R?I Ff^RiTF^^
significant in this regard. There are a number of words that are used in
the plural form of the^tftin case and ^rf% case as SR^nf^ and srffTT^
Rational method
'/6icf.,!-3. Pp,15.17
2 Ibid., p.61
^Ibid., Pp180,183, 189, 546.
202
spring season, the season for physical enjoyments. Mars is the planet
Scientific method
The theory of conception is explained in astrology in a scientific
the radical charts. Here moon stands for blood that is liquefied and
Mars for pitta; it is the pitta that vibrates the blood and thus menses
'/6itf..ll-12.p.131
^Ibid., 11-12, Pp.131-32.
203
reflects with the influence of the Sun light. ' M ^ ^ T ? T ^ vtd^'tj ^^^^prf^
Besides this, the absence of father from the place and his
with the help of the planets. Bhattatiri has applied his logic here in
planets Saturn and Mars are positioned in between lagna and the
the planets Moon, Mercury and Venus are speedy than the Sun:
astrology.
in simple words. At first, come Saturn then Jupiter and Mars, Sun,
jj't^Nji'^R^jb^tjxi'sJi: f\ The first hora, which begins with the rise of the
sun every day, is ruled by the planet of that weekday. For instance the
beginning hora of Sunday is that of the Sun, the lord of thie first hora
6.A.M (from
Practical method
Govindabhattatiri explains each and every word of the original
Here he denotes the yoga or results of more than three children to the
couple. Bhattatiri says that such yoga is very rare in the mortal life. So
its results also should be the same: ' S R ^ AJVI>W ^c^'H^id ww^ ^cH
'/6id.,IV-15
^/6id.,IV-15.p.271
^/6id.,IV-10.p.264
206
f ^ r f ^ 41tIilU4|^,i>HRjf^d>HN'1Hll^
Bhartfhari also agrees this view while saying ' ^ "JJOTTT ^fJioxHrn^nrf^ I .
Bhattatri has explained the words ' ' j f ^ ^f^^f^ra??t?r?^....' as: ' ^ [ ( ^
'/b«i.,lV-10, p.264
^ Nitisataka, p.20
'/6/rf.,ll-14
Ubid., !l-14.p.144
' Ibid., Pp. 60, 66
207
astrological view that denoting by the word ' 3 M ^ ' as 'sf^m " ? R r ^
Bhattatiri independently.
' Vedasandesam, (mal) of V.K.Narayana Bhattatiri, Kerala Sahitya Acadamy, Thrissur, 1993.
p.131.
^ Op.Cit., Dasadhyayi, p.66.
^ Op.Cit, Brjjataka, 1-2
209
For example "If one planet represents two contrary results the
than the other the stronger will prevail. If one planet represents one
good and another indicates a contrary result, there will be both the
astrology are
Ubid., I-3.P.17
^Ibid., 1-4.p.20
Ubid..pA7
211
mentioned as:
WQ\^ ^ 5 ^ 2 R ^ ilcJ-^f^C'Ud: I
^ ^ ^>T^ ^ ^ ' ^ ^ ^ ^
^ ^ ?iR5r ^rarp^TRt s i d N d R y n d : i
language.
that above said theory is also impressed by Varahamihira too. ' 3 I N I 4 ' W
kalapurusa.
informative knowledges like rtus, the order of the weekdays and rise
of each planet on each day etc. Thus he has commented each and
introduced as in a guide.
'/6fd.,l-3.p.14
^ /6id..ll-1 ,p.92
214
the first verse in third chapter as: 'CT^STWT^ ^c^T^nf^ sisrf^^R^Rf^ I 'cRf'
good and bad state of planets at the birth of a child, rasibhavas and
^yfMcpK^f^TFM^ 1^'
description of the nature of the house where the birth take place,
'/6fd.,lll-1,p.208
-/6fc?.,lll-1,p.211
'/6id.,IV-6,p.254
215
who collect at the critical time are also given with a view to correct the
infants, which prevent early death and prolong the life to greater
terms of life, in which each planet is able to give good or bad results
exaltation, retrogression, etc and how to find out the total number of
cWF ^ f e l t e d ^ ^ f ^ T r R t f ^ l^'
'/6/d.,VI-1,p.350
2/6irf.,VI-13, p.379
'26id.,Vll-8, p.390
216
the major and minor periods of planets with the influences they are
given in detail.
^^m^loyifcHI ^ 5 T T ^ 2 m l ^ ' .
relative strengths of the planets and the rising sign (lagna) by their
occupation of peculiar positions and the extent of good and evil they
which may be expected from the planetary positions during the future
career of the native. This extends over eight verses but is in full of
work out astakavarga table of each graha and the auspicious and
verses for astrologers. It can be said that his effort was concluded
Conclusion
CHAPTER FIVE
DETAILED STUDY OF DA^ADHYAYI
Dasadhyayi is the most valuable and popular Sanskrit
Popularity of Dasadhyayi
^ g f^|fcij|c|6|ly|yf ^ f ^ ^ f^feRsJI^ 1^
used the word ?r?r5^ corresponding to the 'mind' due to the usage
Above said interpretations are given below '"m im^ ' J f ^ ?r#fc^
' Dasadhyayi, p. 1
Ubid., Pp.1, 2
" Brhajjataka 11-1
22]
Mode of presentation
The form of explanation in Dasddhyayi is a dialectical method.
The verse- i j q ^ ' M^^f^P^ ^T^f^ .WFTfi Bhattatiri places the verb
and much helpful for a reader with wide range of meaning in a lucid
has included all informations and their applications of the six limbs of
Bhattatiri.
'/6id.,1-4,Pp.20-21
^Ibid..\-15
' Ibid., p.66
^ Ibid., p-20
223
Here Bhattatiri states that the Sun is fixed permanently in the sphere.
says that the meaning and definition of the word '3fBt?T^' which is
follows the raising time (Udayarasi) of each sign which may neither
scientifically. Saturn, Guru, Kuja, Sun, §ukra, Budha and Moon are
t?^TTO?rr ^J5^^^^1^jen3^PTczR2TTII
husband from the native place at the time of delivery of wife based on
'/6irf.,p.198
' Op.Cit., BrhajJataka.V-1
' Op.Cit., DasadhyayI,p.289
226
Lagadha (2500 BC), the muhurtta is used mainly to find out good
'/6i<i.l-3.p.17
Ubid., Pp.20.21
^ Op.Cit., Punnasseri Nambi Neelakanthasarma, p. 179
" Sabdakalpadruma, kanta II, p.550
' Op.Cit, Dasddhyayi. 1-4, p.20
* Ibid., p.20
227
past life.
first drekkana for its own rasyadhipa, the second is to the 5^*^
forms the first one is prevalent in muhurtta that applied by the word
vinadikas as one kalahora. Above said two methods have also sub
'/6irf.,p.16
^Ibid., 1-12
^Ibid., 1-11
" Ibid., p.61
228
Another one is starting from 5"^ planet of this order. But Keralite
scholars follow it from only 6*^ planet; and 5*" is followed only during
word of the same verse as living beings in water, flesh, twins, one who
sounds, one who carries weapons, business man, flaming fire, boat
' Bhagavadgita.l. 31
^ Op.Cit., Dasadhydyi,\-4.p.20
3 Ibid., 1-5
" Ibid., l-5,p.37
230
context Bhttatiri denotes bad omens by the word ' ^ ' that means
related to many factors like astrologer's mind, ears, eyes etc are to be
considered. In Mahdhharata the great epic, at the time of war
that feels good at the sight of good things and feels bad results at the
etc such as entrance of guilty man, one who comes forward with
weapons, plucking of trees, turned off light and even illness of mind of
time of bad times or in bad omens may caused to his own death
^•f^dWIH'-
divided into three parts as siddhanta, sarphita and hora. The last one
are main factors and both are probably following similar rules also.
In India the prasna section must have been well rooted from
prasna. Prasna means questioning, one who asks about himself his
refers that the prasna section must have been developed at the age of
7* century AD^. Anyhow the prasna section has been well developed
•76id., Vl-1,p.352
^Sarvarthacintamani, 1-5
' Op.Cit., Bhdratiyajyotisa, p.4
233
the like are more prevelant.. In Kerala, the work Krsniya of Krsna is
' Prasnamarga,\-32
^ Op.Cit., Dasadhyayi,p.20
234
assumed that the prasna section was an oldest one. Bhattatiri has
thinking about the thief, it can be said that drekkana is to t>e equal to
of them is the first hora which belongs to its own rasyadhipa and
that as the second one is to be used in jataka and first one can be
detail. Most of them are taken mainly from Krsniya. Thus Bhattatiri
Dasadhyayi.
Valmiki, the first immortal epic of the world which clearly pictures
subjects. Hence one can infer that the astrology was prevalent at that
time. Before the age of Ramdyana also the astronomy and planetary
mentioned^.
Jatakasangraha.
^irn^ ij^uii4>'HlHiilHlcs^ ?mT cijtjjicfl g^?3?rgi
past life to him, that device is accepted here. He says that '^m^^
^ i f ^ P ^ ^*li\^ i^4"^Tt)ti!?ll4)dH I
positioned in the mesa sign on 10*^ day, the Mercury should not be
positioned in the 25* 'ili' at the same time. So the astrologers must
that planetary calculations are more accurate at the present time and
predictional part.
and especially in Kerala. It was very popular from the age of Vararuci
digital method of India but it was corresponded with only a few things.
(1800-38 AD) has implemented its rules that are given below:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
^ 13 T ^ ^ ^ H v^ H 3r
^ S ^ S ^ ?I 81 ^ £1 ^
^ ^ 6l '^ ^T
^ ? cT ^ 1\ 1? ^ F cT —
.'HciRr 1^' Here the word 5lHlc;ij: corresponding to the numerals 1800.
Venus, Saturn and Rahu as ke-1, sa-7, ri-2, bho-4, ga-3, se-5, sa-6,
astrologers are still using this traditional system for mentioning sputa
the past. It contains many astronomical details, which are very useful
as it has five limbs. Though there are various details, the almanac
goes by that name because of five important particulars for each day.
These five features are the tithi-day after the new Moon or full Moon,
including these two Moon days. The vara name or the week days, the
daily uniting degree of the Sun and Moon and the karana or the half
portion of tithi.
sphere. Years, weekdays, months rtus etc are based on the Sun.
Thirty ahoratras are equal to one month. Two months are equal to one
rtu or season. Six rtus are equal to one year. Bhattatiri gives a clear
remarkably. The first part of the above said verse indicates week days
order of planets as stars. The order is like Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun,
measurement of time. The Sun is the lord of Sunday and the other six
planets are the lords of the other six days respectively of the week.
lordship of one or other of the seven planets and the hora under the
• The planet of that weekday rules the first hora, which begins
with the rise of the Sun every day. For instance the beginning hora of
Sunday is of the sun, the lord of the first hora of Monday is the Moon
N N
M*1l"ll«<i"^|J|lRm«fT: sP^ I
^ 3JI^J^Hiy>W1 l^ctlklH-W 11
Planets - a description
The word graha is derived from the verbal root 'grah', which
grahas are nine in number. The following verse may be worthy to note
in this regard.
^?j4?Ep?ft ^R^^nef?W ^JER^nf^ fF^qfcTT I
The planet of that weekday rules the first hora, which begins
with the rise of the Sun every day. For instance the beginning hora of
Sunday is of the sun, the lord of the first hora of Monday is the Moon
M^(U||<<i'*1|J|lf^HI«TlT J P ^ I
^ 3rra?PTT2R^ Tt?^T^^fR?III
Planets - a description
The word graha is derived from the verbal root 'grah', which
grahas are nine in number. The following verse may be worthy to note
in this regard.
^g;4?t?^'Tf^Tef^ET ^ERxnl^ ^?^qfciT I
The nine planets are Surya (the Sun), Candra (the Moon),
astronomy is affixed luminary round that all the heavenly bodies and
century AD) discovered the heliocentric theory of the solar system. But
Planets in Dasadhyayi
In the Brhajjataka of Varahamihira only seven planets are
considered. The author mentions the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu
is given here.
ahoratra, one month, and one rtu by two months, one year with six.
philosophical systems.
luminary around which all the heavenly bodies and the Earth revolve in
Sun also along the Zodiacal orbit'\ Bhattatiri has indicated the fixed
among them half rays absorbing water elements from the earth and
other half rays shower by rain into the earth. His wordings are as:
The Sun is the sovereign ruler of the planetary system and the
heavenly bodies. His nature is dark -red in colour and he is the lord of
thin, silvery whitish in colour and is with fine eyes. He represents the
night and the dark half of the lunar month. The parts of the body
associated with him are the bone, marrow, bile, eyes, limbs, and
etc. The ailments denoted by Mars are high fever, cuts and burns,
' Ibid., p. 92
' Op.CiL, Brahmandapurana, 24-48
' Op.Cit, Dasadhyayi, 11.4
'' Op.Cit.,Brhajjataka IV-1
' Op.Cit., Dasadhyayi p.235
251
stability. He says that Kuja is the son of the earth ' ^ ^vsikr ^prr,
the sun and is lean bodied and green in colour '^cilie-UH)^'. It governs
it can be seen as
Udaya Narayana says that the word Guru means 'large', as its
eastern direction and is powerful during the day and the bright half of
wealth, fame, wisdom etc. Bhattatiri states that the Jupiter represents
Jupiter rules over the feet, stomach, intestines, and ears. The
names. Sita, Usana, Kavya and Bhargava etc are some of them. The
he controls over the sexual organs, semen, urine, face, and hair.
rules over the southeast and is strong during the day and the bright
planet and takes thirty years to complete a full round along the zodiac
^ Brahmandapurana, 23-81-83
^ Op.Cit, Dasadhyayi, 11-1 .p.94
^/6/d., p.114
'' Op.Cit., Brhajjataka, 11-3
' Ibid., 11-4
255
^T^^rRTl^'. One of the important factors is that all planets are revolving
in equal speed but we feel that speed because of their distance from
our sight. Bhaskaracarya says that the planets are revolving in equal
speed
excretory system and teeth etc are also under the Saturn in astrology.
night and dark fortnight. Saturn is dark, lame, and lazy in astrological
predition. Its body is lean, the eyes sunken, nails thick, teeth
protruding and limbs and hair stiff. Saturn is dirty, foolish and cruel in
nature. Suryanarayana Rao says that 'antyajas' are those who are
which are as important as the other planets. This is evident from the
fact that they have no signs of their own in the zodiac. These two are
Rahu and Ketu are however two definite points of the Zodiac
and are the points of intersection of the orbit of Moon and Sun around
the earth. Rahu is called the ascending node and Ketu the descending
Again the motion of the two is in the direction opposite to the motion
Vrsabha as the svaksetra and exaltation sign. Ketu has Vrscika and
and Mina have been considered as the signs owned by Rahu and
Ketu. Rahu is called 'Agu' which means bright rays. Bhattolpala the
and ' g u ' means bright i.e., 'not brightness'. '^?T^ -bxn]^- ^ ^ w^. w^-
% ^ R^'vl ^zR^ ^ f^T^ 1^.' Bhattatiri says both planets Rahu and Ketu
result bad effects due to neither their own signs nor ksetra etc. '-^ig^cj
and he is the lord of the southwest. Ketu is also tall and faded white in
etc. The diseases caused by Ketu are measles, smallpox, itches and
leprosy.
M a n d i or Gulika in astrology
JjfcJcblcjyRxl'r'MI:^'.
Mandi in Dasddhydyi
Although Varahamihira does not indicated to Mandi in
Planet Saturn that only based on the verse ^d-wil^lMfrl:^' in detail. ' ^
general.
orbit. Unlike the stars, which have fixed positions in the sky and are
always visible; the planets change their positions and sometimes even
Bhattatiri says the Sun and Moon are considered as King and
Saturn are provides of bad affects. Jupiter and Venus are with good
results and Rahu and Ketu also, bad results. Bhattatiri informs that
^^Tf^3T?flT^?>ef^l^'.
corresponding colours to each planets, the Sun is dark red, the Moon
^^rfrgrg]^ TtT>#?^xr ^ ^ 11
c|U|iwitlRldlfcl>!Tt>^RdciJ|LndRj^lRidl
M|J||^I ><R!^Jsbdlf^ddH>wll^'^Rc^>!iJ:
^ Ibid., p.100
^Ibid., p.100
^ Op.Cit., Brhajjataka, 11-4
261
Above said two verses provide colours of planets. The first one
According to the first verse Bhattatiri explains the meaning and its
colour of that child should be equal to the colour of that planet '^qf^T^
Tft WerafcT W^. w. c^Fff cfge^f^ ^rafcT 1^'. Though colours are assigned
to the signs, the colours of the planets they will influence them. And
Karakatva of Planets
The Universe exists with the influence and help of planets as far
as astrology is concerned. All living beings are living with the influence
these planets. The nine planets are representing each and everything
as follows.
certain terms or relations. The Sun represents soul and father, the
virtues and earth. Mercury signifies to the word, knowledge and fame,
3TRRfcqTftr^r^a#r T ^ ^r ^T^^ERRT I T
'l^'Hcbltesfl ?T%?jg>l ^gcRft "^fU^ ?NTT 11^' that means Mercury and Saturn
are eunuchs. Moon and Venus are female planets and others are male
Bhattatiri says the word 'i\w' that means among the planets
Sun, Mars, and Jupiter, the Sun represents to 'father' and Mars
the second part among the planets Moon and Venus, the Moon
Astrology considers the nine planets including Rahu and Ketu for
Saturn, Rahu and Ketu, The last two although are shadowy planets, in
"Sun is a star, the Moon, a satellite of the earth and Rahu and Ketu,
two imaginary points of concourse of orbits of earth and the Moon are
refers the shadowy planets by name in his work. Mercury, Jupiter and
Venus are naturally benefic. Similarly the waxing Moon is also benefic.
The waning Moon and Mercury in union with papa are malefic. The
worship. But one of the important factors is that astrology was mainly
tempest, etc were looked by the man with curiosity and they
worshipped them as super natural powers. It was spread out all the
worship. The deities that presiding over the nine planets are given in
order. The Sun signifies God Siva or Rudra and Agni, Moon represents
planet that must be done with flowers, new cloths, cow etc according
persons etc''.
astrology. When the orbit of a planets motion becomes slow and then
while Rahu and Ketu transit always anti-clock wise. Astrology assigns
motion is not real but only apparent, it will appear the less marked the
further away a planet is from us^".
'cfjf)' means one who moves anticlockwise and '^w^[^^'' means one
^Ibid., p. 196
^ Op.Cit., Brhajjataka, 11-19
^ Op.Cit, Dasadhyayi, p. 152
269
t f « f t ^ f^H<*»!>W RRlkL+llg:
said that Saturn, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Moon and Sun are
'76irf., p.152
^Ibid.,pAb2
Wp.Cit, Brhajjataka, 11-20,21
'' Op. Cit.,Dasadhyayi, Pp. 152-153
270
Means Mercury and Jupiter are strong in the east i.e., in the rising sign
or lagna. The Sun and Mars are powerful when they occupy the tenth
house (the south), while Saturn has strength in the west ie, the
seventh house. The Moon and Venus are strong when in the north ie,
a planet in the ayanas, the sun and Moon are strong in uttarayana -
from month of makara to the end of the month of mithuna while the
other five planets from Mars to Saturn are strong when they are in
retrograde motion or when they are along with the Moon in the same
sign.
from makara to the end of the mithuna. But Bhattatiri says that the
Sun is strong in uttarayana but the Moon is entirely different from the
Sun and so the kalabala is more accurate to the Moon and not
3Ptr»rfcrRTf'.
Jupiter, Venus, Moon and the Sun. Apart form the above mentioned
kinds of strength of planets, two other kinds are also noted of such as
combination).
order. Bhattatiri says if one or more planets are equal in strength that
Kala means time .The Sun, Jupiter and Venus are strong in
daytime, while Moon, Mars and Satum gain strength at night. Mercury
is deemed powerful both day and night. The growing Moon, Mercury
Jupiter and Venus are strong in the bright fortnight, while the waning
Moon, the Sun, Mars and Saturn are strong in the dark fortnight. The
powerful in the rasi of which they are the lords and also in their
^>\^ ^dll^cWHl^'.
'Ibid., 11-21
^Ibid., pA62
^Ibid., p. 162
273
(Planets aspect quarter, half, three forth and full in the 3^^^ and 10'*^, in
the 5*^ and 9*^ in the 4*^ and 8*^ and 7*^ respectively. Saturn, Mars and
Jupiter have special aspects and are powerful in 3^"^ and 10*, and 4*^
and 8*^ and 5*" and 9*^ respectively.) Krsniya uses the term rasmi as
All planets have a quarter aspect on the third and tenth houses
from the house in which they are situated and a half at the 5*^ and 9**^
good results and that of a malefic, bad effect. Further the effect also
The seventh aspect of the Sun and Moon are fully effective the
glances on the third and tenth signs from his position are very strong.
The day on which the duration of day and night are equal the
position of the point of the vernal equinox. The first degree of mesa is
the equinoctial point of the rasicakra or zodiac and the timing of the
Scholars speak of two kinds of zodiac, one fixed and the other
'sayanakrama'.
The one which takes into account the first degree of nnesa as
period of time (ages ago) the two cakras have a common beginning
point and that because of the slanting axis of the earth, difference in
distance between the two has occurred. The position of the earth vis-
Viyonijanma -a description
Varahamihira uses the term viyoni or vividhayonis to denote
various kinds of the human species like animals like cows goats, birds,
reptiles, insects and plants and so on. The first verse of the chapter is
with ninth bhava as there is the application of the word 'sm' which
all things under the sky like trees, flowers, etc. The seventh verse of
internally strong trees, Saturn raises useless trees, the Moon makes
milky trees, Mars produces dry plants. Mercury and Jupiter produce
The Moon makes bright plants, and Mars makes bitter plants.
particular planet. Under the ududasa system the span of human life is
one hundred and twenty years and that this dasa is distributed among
period is of six years. After this, the period of the Moon is of ten years.
Then that of Mars for seven years then that of Rahu for eighteen
years. Then that of Jupiter for sixteen years. Then that of Saturn for
nineteen years. Then that of Mercury for seventeen years, that of Ketu
Bhattatiri pointed here that the dasa should be started from the
Moon for one year, Mars for two years. Mercury for nine years, Venus
for twenty years, Jupiter for eighteen years. Sun for twenty years and
planet Sun. First two lines are given as 'the Sun gives wealth by
fire and king in the same period. Bhattatiri clarified it as the first
section of this verse is effective only if the Sun is the most powerful
provides good results and in poweriess state bad results too' ' ^ w g
Astakavarga
Great astrologers such as Devakirti, Yavanesvara, Gunakara
seen from the beginning. Every person's horoscope has signs of the
seven major planets and the rising time or lagna. (For the shadow
verse.
astrology. He says
good results. Second one, in the case of caragati, Bhattatiri says that
occupy they make bad results due to the astakavarga give results
historical and social information of that age may be assumed from this
astrologers and the like are indicated. For example the work
astrologers.
Kaniyar family
from the Sanskrit word 'Ganaka' which means 'one who calculate
they were trainers of martial art, kalari, in South India^. But the Kaniyar
other famous astrological works are not dealing with the matters
prefer putrasthana to complete his life span and four asramas and
his wife. All these duties depend upon wealth so next comes the
second bhava and then fourth bhava. All these deeds are giving
pleasure according to our good and bad actions or karma. And these
matching was there during the Vedic period. Nor was this practice in
existence during the epic period and there is no mention of this in the
types of marriages^:
Brahma; - The bride's father invites the bridegroom and gives his
daughter to him with all ornaments etc. Daiva; - during the course of
yaga or yajria a girl is given to the ftvik or the person v\/ho perfornns
father of the bride a bull and cow and receives the girl. Prajapatya; -
The father of the girl gives her to the bridegroom escorting them to
Raksasa; - A girl who is captured and taken away and kept as wife.
birth or by intoxication.
Ma/mbharata respectively.
but not before the marriage. Besides he provides the meaning wife to
the word ' ^ 1 ' ' ^ ^ k l « ^ f^ f^^feml ^Nk^iid "^^T^m ^T^f^l ^^^
the seventh bhava mentions all good virtues of her husband. And
3TF#^f^ggR^RTflRf%cfP^^ g^r^TT^
cause death of her husband. Besides Battatiri informs two major bad
bhava of a male horoscope will cause death of his wife before his
death. Similarly if good planets are in the same way that may cause
•JT^ I * and Bhattatiri insists another points as if the cruel planets are
minister, a friend and the like. She is also the goddess of the house,
encouraging her husband to earn wealth, name and fame. She stands
human beings are not aware of their would-be partners in life. Hence
they search for a suitable person to fill the vacant. Anyhow it can be
discussed all good and bad results and even death of her husband
future.
Pancamahayogas
factor especially in the jataka part. Those are five in number, being
purusamahayogas .
lived in the seventh century AD. The work must have been written after
the Brhajjataka. In the last part of the first chapter of Saravali it can
raising sign aspected by Mars or weak Moon she dies. Here Bhattatiri
adjective '?f>T^f^' applied with the wording '^J^r?rfTflR#^ 'n ^ ' after
planets in the eighth bhava which causes to death of wife before the
words ' # r ' and 'CFJXI' first one points hair of back side of the neck even
W 'MNICJC^H'''.
past life in astrology. Dream is divided in two types. One of them known
during the time of an auspicious planet the mind of the person will be in
pleasure mood. It enables the man to get wealth and secure happiness
.The dasa may also be known by the happiness or misery the man
past life and in gatija stage, reflections are about next birth of a person.
dasapahara etc;
kalpita, bhavija and dosaja. One who sees the dream in the first yama
of night, which will be effected within one year, if in second yama of the
night the result will be within half an year, if in the third yama of the
night that may with in three years, if in fourth yama effect will be within
Brhadyatra as:
3TT^^^teRmff^^ c|4MldlxJci)i) I
Peculiarities of commentary
Govindabhattatiri gives equal importance to logic and scientific
some times he has solved such matters logically. One of them may be
the Moon. By the word ' T ^ ' means Bhattatiri says 'form, ornaments,
age, dress, caste, good and bad character etc of the women servants
room.
one who stay out side of the delivery room that is indicating '^?zn^'
very attentive on each word and even every letter of the words. One of
them as follows 'eF^ 5JM ^if^iPi^'. Here he says about the yogas of
death of a child as 'If week Moon joins the lagna with malefic in the
lagna as above state malefic in the seventh and eighth without the
aspect of good planets, the Mother as well as the child will die'.
each verse and in even letters. Bhattatiri leads us with detailed and
means 'If the rising sign and the Moon are betwixt two evil planets not
pregnancy. Bhattatiri explains it only when the rising sign and the
Moon are betwixt two evil planets', but in the verse 'H^iiR^s; ^fRm
houses) Bhattatiri find out that among the above said two verses the
first one does not connected to the second one and so by the first
• verse the death of a child will be with in one year after delivery '?f? ^
He says that 'If the cruel planet aspects to the Sun of occupied in the
Views on Drsti
• ••
' Ibid.y\-8
^ Op.Cit, Dasadhyayi, p.363
^ Ibid., p.281
Ubid., Il-13.p.134
296
Krsniya uses the term kirana instead of drsti. Specific nature of drsti
(planets aspect v*. 'A VA and full in the third and tenth, in the fifth and
ninth, in the fourth and eighth and in the seventh respectively. Saturn,
Mars and Jupiter have special sights and are powerful in aspect third
J|dliJ^m>dl: f'
Tf^3r??ft1%%f^^d%l^'.
concrete evidence of Sripati. He says Sripati does not agree the drsti
the woman dies. If Saturn occupies the raising sign aspect by Mars or
weak Moon, she dies. Here Bhattatiri not only reflected the false
same context. He says that the adjective '^gpR^fe' applied with the
'/6id.. p.136
^Ibid., p. 134
Ubid., p.236
" Op.Cit. Brhajjataka,W-20
299
ganita, nimitta and the like. While he informs about the Sun as a star,
he gives its position in the sphere and has explained the relation
between the Sun and the Moon with scientific background. 'MCJJI^I^JWJ
orbit is accepted. But in western system Sun and Moon are not
included in the list of planets. The sun is a fixed luminary round and
the earth revolves in it's their different orbit. Bhattatiri knows the fixed
position of the Sun in the sphere and it was written by him as ' ? T ^
that the fixed state of the Sun in sphere . About the influence of Moon
solar system was geocentric, the earth in the middle and all stars and
planets moving around it. But later science has shown that the solar
system is heliocentric, the Sun in the middle and all planets revolving
around it. Even though Indian astronomers knew this long ago, the
astrologers stuck to their old belief that the system was geocentric.
astronomical calculation^.
from the earth and half of the rays spray as rain into earth. His words
section. Prasna means 'questioning' means one who asks about his
mode of astrology.
been well developed later with the help of a number of valuable works
jTSRgqf^Fl^ 1^'. Then he gives more details of prasna section and its
these are synonyms of rasi using in jataka and prasna very differently.
fTZTsfrT'. For instance in the Coraprasna while think about the thief,
on the same area. The verse '%fxrpkt Jramt "m^ ...xiif^mHH l^' in
The sight of the mysterious objects like the Sun, Moon, wind,
rain, and stars might have overwhelmed the nature and suspended as
though become in the sky and environment that was their ignorance
without which life would be impossible. The Moon also gives light and
coolness at night. The stars sprinkled all over the firmament were a
and Saturn might have been spotted after long naked eye observation.
During the course of thousand years the ancients were able to know
beginning of astronomy.
which was more prevalent in the age of Rdmayana the great epic (3'^'^
might have played its part equally well. The sages must have noted
306
such observations must have convinced the sages that the birth in
sign and this zodiac became merely a symbol rendering possible the
jftwiT 1^'. Astronomy and astrology are interconnected each other. The
he finds out a false calculation prevalent in old age that is 'when the
fifth 'ili'. Bhattatiri explains about this false calculation as it may be the
word 'sf^ft'. He says that 'some times dasa results of Jupiter are not
are also been citing here. Bhattatiri says in the verse ' d H i d ^^n^ef^
spiritual way and ultimate goal of this science is anticipation from the
mortal world. So human body, soul, mind, are the primary pivotal of
in Dasadhyayi.
upanisads. The cardinal canon of this system is the identity of jiva with
jnanakanta.
as
MrWMrijm>Wcb*1uid>{l #3RTT ^ » J e r ^ l
Bhattatiri has explained its process by his own words that are
represented v\/ith the sheath of food, while the subtle body, with the
identified with the sheath of bliss. But Bhattatiri encoded these five
pranas those are prana, apana, samana, udana, vyana, naga, kurma,
The subtle body contains nine pranas, twelve indriyas totally twenty-
Bhagavadpadacarya as
? ? d|c|<iJH<!^l* TT?n "^ ^ f e d ^ H i J I c)|^4|lJ|: I
x3?q^l^'.
breathing is experiencing through left side and right side one by one it
akasabhOta.
the device to know the gender of that child even at the time of sexual
throughout left side of the cavity of the nose, the baby will be female.
gender. But the breath feels both sides of the cavity of the nose that
'/6id., p.113
^ Ibid., p.245
'Ibid., p.245 & Brhatsamhitd., 76-1
314
CHAPTER SIX
OBSERVATIONS ON DASADHYAYI
consisted of mainly three branches namely (1) ganita (2) sarphita and
(3) hora and the last branch can be further classified as jataka,
started, has continued for more than seven hundred years. Still PajQr
others 17* century AD as his life time. Nothing could be said definitely
section became more popular all over kerala Kerala with this valuable
He uses words and sentences and even letters very carefully and
like muhijrtta, jataka, nimitta, ganita, sarphita, prasna and even dream
commentary is more accepted for its clarity and popularity than any
An appraisal of Dasadhyayi
Bhattatiri has discussed many views on astrology based on
Satya. Among them he has pointed out apt opinion logically and some
'Bhattatiri wrote this commentary not only to support and explain what
uttarapaksa method that begins by the word ' ^ ' . One of the merits of
Brhajjdtaka i.e., nine montiis sixteen days and two nadika. He says
focused this and he says that an astrologer should think each bhava
makes results of the death of the son, wife and teacher separate
u s a g e o f t h e w o r d s a s ' ^ g c T R ^ T c P ^ R ^ , T T ^ P r ^ I e F ^ N ^ , ^JpPTPvZTeTRT^'
previously stated dasa period of the planets, they get also this
nisargikadasa, they produce good results. Some Yavanas say that the
child within one year. Moon is signifying to water and so its results
of past education, ownerships, fame, awards etc. Then upto the age
^j^?f^aT^..^' that means 'If the Jupiter does not aspect birth and Moon
or if the Moon is with a malefic combination with the sun then say
Skill of Bhattatiri
Logic and rational explanations can be seen throughout in
explains that the six ftus are representing happy and miseries in
falling and acute of cold and so that period consists time of worry.
Mars is also cruel in nature that represents heat hence that period
>Hlf^ct>ctiH T'.
also explained the device to know the gender of that child even at the
through left cavity of the nose the child should be female. Similarly if it
feels through the right side it should be male in gender. But if that is
through both sides of the nose in equal, that causes to birth of neuter
verse is as follows:
Horoscope matching
Horoscope matching has been discussed in the fifth chapter of
In astrology both prasna and jataka consider the process mainly from
f^fwi^^^\^i^i^ m^i^TbH f' but he admits that the fifth and ninth bhava
mentions about the bhava of Venus. But Bhattatiri had known the
Brhajjataka.
Innovation of commentary
positioned in the eighth bhava it is good for the life span of a person.
^#f?ml".
third, sixth and eleventh bhavas it is good. But if they are positioned in
vfsabha, and if all the rest are in their deep exaltations, the person
gets the utmost limit of life viz. 'one twenty' years and 'five' days.
^iT^cftfcr^#cmi^'
impress the importance of the Moon here. His own words are as
indeclinable 'rf' in the same verse. (The second bhava from the Sun
call 'vesi' and the twelfth bhava from the sun is known as 'vasi')
^4dAc| 1^'. But Kannasapanikkar says that the word '^TJCT and iilf^d'
horoscope matching^.
meanings, all are equally notable and important and he insists how to
use them all. He says: ' e i ^ creT% WefcfcT m^^lRT Piuli|: ^fnfsTTl
Samhita skandha
•
H'dJ|e^s{<^l"li T ^ ^ B I R ^ I T I ^ 11
W ^ I ^ I ^ ^ ? ^ ^ ^ 4ki*l4'Wlf<^ t T r ? n ^ T [ ^ 1^'.
especially in prasna part. K.S. Nair says that prasna part is very rare in
Scholarship of Bhattatiri
ct>KU|cbl4"*)<lM^NId
WcRFs^ ?fcr MNMH 1^' Clear evidences for his scholarship can be seen
Conclusion
quoted:
cji^iMwl f^«^l^u| ?Ffr % ^ ^ 1
'Ibid.,2-W
^Ibid., pA57
^ Op.Cit., Varahahoradasdhyayi, K.S.Nair, p.xii and xiii.
*Op.Cit., Prasnamarga, 1-31
331
Conclusion
Brhajjdtaka is a valuable and systematic work on astrology
original meanings in the words, letters, and other literal symbols of the
anskrit Works
2. Sphutanirnayatantra, (Ed.)
K.V. Sarma, Visweasvarananda
Visvabandhu Institute of Sanskrit
and Indological studies, Punjab
University, Hoshiarpore, 1976.
3. Rdsigolasphutaniti, The
Adyar Library and Research
Centre, Madras, 1995.
26. Uttarakalamrtam,
Amrtavarsini fcom.)
Muttusvami, Bhagya
Book house,
Thiruvananthapuram. (nd)
27. Kalyanavarman Saravali, (com.)
Purushottaman Namputiri,
S.T.Redyar and sons,
V.V. Press, Kollam, 1927.
33. Madhava of
Sahgamagrama Sphutacandrapti, (Ed.)
K.V.Sarma, Hoshiarpore, 1974.
47. Tantrasangraha,
Yuktidipika com. Sankara,
(Ed) K.V. Sarma, V.V.B.Institute
of Sanskrit and Indological
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Hoshiarpore, 1977.
54. Brhadpardsarahord,
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Muttusvami, Bhagya
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55. Paramananda
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340
75. Jdtakacandrika,
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1999.
79. Pahcabodhambhasd^
Sankaran Nannputiripad,
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87. Horaphalaratndvali,
(com.) Kannasapanicker,1950
English works
4. Bhatt.M.Ramakrishna Fundamentals of
Asiro/oigy, Motilal Banarsi
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Vv.
^ v -