Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c4.s4.t4.5

c4.s4.t4.5

He was a Nambutiri Brāhmin of Kellalure family of Tṛ-k-kaṇṭiyur near Tirur, South Malabar. He was a Bhaṭṭa and belonged to Gārgagotra and the Āśvalāyana school. His favourite deity was Lord Śiva. His father was Jātadeva and had a younger brother named Śaṃkara. He was one of the pupil of Parameśvara's son, Dāmodara.¹ From him, he learnt mainly mathematics and astronomy. Nīlakaṇṭha often refers to Parameśvara as his *paramaguru* and considers him as a great authority. Parameśvara, the great astronomer was still alive when Nīlakaṇṭha went to the house of his teacher Dāmodara; and the young Nīlakaṇṭha might have possibly received some instructions from him.²