Mathematics in Ancient and Medieval India c6.s7.9

c6.s7.9

The *Śulbas* continued to remain classics with the priestly class having academic interest and were followed in practice wherever, there were occasions during the succeeding centuries. That people interested in them did never disappear will be sufficiently realised from the necessity that arose in the middle ages from writing commentaries on the *Śulbasūtras*. Two commentaries are now available on the *Śulbasūtras* of Baūdha-yana. They are *Śulbadīpikā* of Dvārakānātha Yajvā (between 5th to 8th centuries), *Śulbamīmāṁsā* of Vyaṅkaṭeśvara Diksita. On the *Śulbasūtra* of Āpastamba, five commentaries are available viz., *Vyākhyā* by Karavindasvāmī (between 5th to 8th century A. D.), *Śulbasūtra-bhāṣya* by Kapardisvāmī (before 12th century A. D.), *Vyākhyā* by Sundararāja (c. 1575 A. D.), *Āpastamba Śulba-bhāṣya* by Sundarasūri, *Vyākhyā* by Gopāla Yajvā. Similarly four commentaries are written by Gaṅgādhara, Karka, Mahīdhara and Rāma Candra on the *Kātyāyana-Śulbasūtra* etc. These commentaries, apart from interpretations, have collated many-verses on the *Śulbasūtras* which show that these texts became popular in later times to suit different purposes. For manuscripts and other references, our *Bibliography*¹ may be consulted.