[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) › c7.s7.3 # A History of the Kerala School of Hindu Astronomy (in Perspective) c7.s7.3 A History of the Kerala School of Hindu Astronomy (in Perspective) c7.s7.3 - **Language:** English ### [c7.s7.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c7.s7.3) (b) \*Kaṭapayādi notation.\* An extremely convenient method of expressing numbers through letters, known as the \*Ka-ṭa-pa-yādi\* notation, has been extensively used in Kerala from very early times. A legendary author named Vararuci is credited with this innovation and the authorship of the popular collection of \*Candra-vākyas\* or \*Vararuci-vākyas\* (‘Moon computation sentences’), composed in this notation. The \*Grahcāranibandhana\* of Haridatta (A.D. 683) also uses this notation extensively. In this notation, each of the four series of consonants beginning with \*k, ṭ, p,\* and \*y\* in the Sanskrit alphabet stands for the digits 1 to 9. In conjunct letters, the value only of the final consonants is to be taken into account. Vowels following the consonants have no value. \*n\* and \*ñ\* and the pure vowels stand for zero. - [Previous: c7.s7.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c7.s7.2) - [Next: c7.s7.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c7.s7.4) - [Up: c7.s7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c7.s7) ## Linked texts (1) - [Āryabhaṭīya](https://indike.org/pramana/in.astro.siddhanta.early.aryabhatiya) — Āryabhaṭa, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c7.s7.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.sarma-1972.c7.s7.3) · Pramāṇa