Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c4.s3.t8: Pṛthudaka Svāmi (c. 850 A.D.)

Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c4.s3.t8

Language: English

Pṛthudaka Svāmi (c. 850 A.D.)

c4.s3.t8.1

Pṛthudakasvāmi wrote in 860 A.D. an important commentary¹ on the *Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta*, which contains many examples to illustrate the mathematical statement and results contained in the *Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta*. A considerable difference of opinion prevails whether these examples are those of Brahmagupta or of Pṛthudakasvāmi. The examples are not found in any text of the *Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta*. The writing materials were scarce in those days and the students learnt at the feet of their masters and passed that knowledge in turn to their students. It may be that in this way some or all the examples might have come down to Pṛthudakasvāmi.

c4.s3.t8.2

¹ Vide. Colebrooke's translation with comm. of Pṛthudakaswāmi in his *Algebra with Arithmatic........from the Sanskrit of Brahmagupta and Bhāscara*, London, 1817.

Linked texts (1)

Brāhmasphuṭasiddhānta — Brahmagupta, Sanskrit