Bharatiya Jyotihshastra (History of Indian Astronomy), translated by R. V. Vaidya v2.c12.s2.t26: Balabhadra

v2.c12.s2.t26.1

The commentary on Brahma Siddhānta by Pṛthūdaka, cites Balabhadra's name several times and has given a number of verses in ‘anuṣṭup’ metre in his name. Those verses quote, in versified form, the elements given in the Brahma Siddhānta itself. Even Bhaṭṭotpala's commentary on the Bṛhat Saṃhitā quotes some verses and Ārya couplets in the name of Balabhadra. They relate to the section on mathematics; they have, however, no connection with the Brahma Siddhānta. This shows that he may have compiled an independent work on planetary calculation. The lines which have been given by Pṛthūdaka as quoted from Balabhadra may have been from his commentary on the Brahma Siddhānta. The author thinks that it might have been customary in ancient days to have at least a part of the commentary in verse form, when the text itself was in verse form. That Paramādīśara has quoted in his commentary on Āryabhaṭīya, some verses from his commentary on Līlāvatī would serve as an instance in point. In case Balabhadra had written an independent work, it is not now available. His date is clearly earlier than that of Bhaṭṭotpala, that is Śaka 888.