A History of the Kerala School of Hindu Astronomy (in Perspective) c10.s8.100

c10.s8.100

The painstaking enterprise and zeal for propagating, among the Nampūtiris, studies on Jyotiṣa, evinced by a member of the Azhvāñceri Tamprākkaḷ's family is apparent from his series of adapted texts and extensive commentaries thereon, covering the entire field of astronomy and astrology in eleven books. In the penultimate volume of the said works, viz., *Phalasārasamuccaya-Bhāṣā*, while setting out his objectives, he makes a mention of his earlier works: "In the Malayalam area, those who are not eligible to learn Jyotiṣa study it. And, brāhmaṇas ask them about *muhūrta*, *praśna* etc. Since neither of these is proper, I, with a view to change this state of affairs through making the brāhmaṇas learn Jyotiśśāstra, summarised the most essential matters thereof in the *Jyotiśśāstrasaṅgraha* and, also prepared a commentary in Sanskrit-Malayalam on this *Saṅgraha*. Later, in order to enable the understanding of the working of the matters set out in the *Saṅgraha*, a *Saṅgrahasādhanakriyā* was written and also a Malayalam commentary thereon. Then I compiled the *Jātakasārasaṅgraha* and its Malayalam commentary. Then, in order to be of help in the drawing of horoscopes, I wrote the *Jātakanītimārga* and a Malayalam commentary on it. Later, with a view to enable an understanding of the results of astrological aspects, I compiled the work entitled *Phalasārasamuccaya*. Now, I am writing the present work, being its Malayalam commentary." The *Jyotiśśāstrasaṅgraha* is a résumé on the essentials of practical astronomy and astrology (text, 650 granthas; *Bhāṣā* 1700 gr.) is in two parts: I. *Siddhāntaskandha* or *Gaṇitaskandha*, on astronomy and II. *Horāskandha*, comprising of *Muhūrta*, *Jātaka* and *Praśna*. The *Saṅgrahasādhanakriyā* (text, 150 gr.; *Bhāṣā*, 600 gr.) is intended to indicate the working of the matters set out in the *Jyotiśśāstrasaṅgraha*.