Jyotihshastra: Astral and Mathematical Literature c7.43

c7.43

This congeries seems to consist of an original core, characterized by its being cast in the form of a dialogue between Maitreya and Parāśara, and various accretions. These latter may include: adhyāyas 5–6, 13–14, and 17–23, which are not dialogues and contain no vocatives; adhyāya 16, which is in the form of a dialogue between Pārvatī and Śaṅkara; adhyāya 33, which is in the form of a dialogue between Sujanma and Lomaśa; adhyāyas 36–48, which are spoken by Parāśara for the benefit of Maheśvara; and adhyāyas 49–51, which are attributed to Pārvatī. The elimination of at least adhyāyas 16, 33, and 49–51 would produce a more homogeneous text; but the precise extent of the pūrvakhaṇḍa must await a careful study of the manuscripts and of its relation to other texts—not only to the uttarakhaṇḍa and to Kalyāṇavarman, but also to Bhaṭṭotpala’s ṭīkā on the BJ from which some of its verses seem to be derived.