A History of the Kerala School of Hindu Astronomy (in Perspective) c10.s8.55

c10.s8.55

The *Praśnamārga*, the most popular and authoritative work on *praśna* in Kerala, was composed in about A.D. 1650 (*cf.* kolambe ‘muraha’-saṅkhye, M.E. 825) by a Nampūtiri of the Panakkāṭṭu family. Since his family was situated in a place called Iṭakkāṭ (or Eṭakkāṭ) (Skt. Madhyāṭavi or Madhyāraṇya), in North Malabar, he was known by that name as well. K. Mahadeva Sastri gives the name of the author as Parameśvara, on what grounds it is not known.¹ The author gives the name of his parents as Mahādeva and Śrī. In 32 chapters, the work presents a detailed exposition of the different topics and types of praśna. The author has also supplied a lucid exposition called Durgamārthapradarśinī on the work. It has several commentaries in Malayalam also, including some produced during modern times. Panakkāṭṭu Nampūtiri is said to have composed in 1676 a work on astronomy, which is not available now.²