[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [A History of the Kerala School of Hindu Astronomy (in Perspective)](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972) › c10.s3 # A History of the Kerala School of Hindu Astronomy (in Perspective) c10.s3: 6. Govindasvāmin (c. 800-850) A History of the Kerala School of Hindu Astronomy (in Perspective) c10.s3 - **Language:** English ### 6. Govindasvāmin (c. 800-850) ### [c10.s3.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c10.s3.1) In Govindasvāmin, teacher of Śaṅkaranārāyaṇa (see below) who was the court astronomer of King Ravi Varma Kerala, we have one of the ablest exponents of Bhāskara I and of the \*Āryabhaṭan\* system. His elaborate \*Bhāṣya\* on the \*Mahābhāskarīya\*⁶ contains new ideas and mathematical elaborations which remain to be fully recognised and expounded in terms of modern mathematics.⁷ An original work of his on astronomy and mathematics, which is quoted under the title \*Govindakṛti\* by later writers like Śaṅkaranārāyaṇa, Nīlakaṇṭha Somayāji and Nārāyaṇa,¹ is yet to be recovered. So also is his work on astrology which is referred to by Nilakaṇṭha as \*Govindapaddhati\*.² However, manuscripts of his short commentary called \*Prakaṭārtha\* or \*Sampradāyapradīpikā\* on \*Parāśarahorā\* are known but it is yet to be issued in print.³ ### [c10.s3.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c10.s3.2) ⁶ Cr., ed., T. S. Kuppanna Sastri, Madras, 1957. ### [c10.s3.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c10.s3.3) ⁷ For an exposition of some of these, see R. C. Gupta, ‘Second order of interpolation in Indian mathematics’, \*Indian Jl. of Hist. of Sc.\*, 4 (1969) 86-98; ‘Fractional parts of Āryabhaṭa's sines and certain rules found in Govindasvāmin's \*Bhāṣya\* on the \*Mahābhāskarīya\*’, ibid., 6 (1971) 51-59. ### [c10.s3.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c10.s3.4) ¹ For instance, see \*Śaṅkaranārāyaṇa\* in his com. on \*Laghubhāskarīya\*, \*TSS\*, No. 162, pp. 19, 55, 95; Nilakaṇṭha, \*Grahaṇādigrantha\*, ms., pp. 35, 42, 44. ### [c10.s3.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c10.s3.5) ² See his \*Grahaṇādigrantha\*, ms., p. 44. ### [c10.s3.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c10.s3.6) ³ On Govindasvāmin, see: T.S.K. Sastri, Intro, to his edn. of \*Mahābhāskarīya\*, \*op. cit.\*, pp. xlvi-1; Raja, 127-28; Ul. II.96-97. The identification of our author with the 13th cent. Govinda Bhaṭṭatiri, au. of \*Muhūrtaratna\*, made by Ulloor (I.169, II. 96, 97) is not correct. Again, Ulloor (I.169) refers to a com. on the \*Aryabhaṭīya\* by our author, but no such com. is known. ## Linked texts (3) - [Govindapaddhati](https://indike.org/pramana/in.astro.kerala.tantra.govindapaddhati) — Govindasvāmin (astronomer), Sanskrit - [Govindakṛti](https://indike.org/pramana/in.astro.kerala.tantra.govindakrti) — Govindasvāmin (astronomer), Sanskrit - [Mahābhāskarīya](https://indike.org/pramana/in.astro.siddhanta.early.mahabhaskariya) — Bhāskara I, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c10.s3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c10.s3) · Pramāṇa