A History of the Kerala School of Hindu Astronomy (in Perspective) c9.s8.6

c9.s8.6

Of classical texts on natural astrology, the *Bṛhatsaṃhitā* of Varāhamihira was generally known, besides *Lampaka* by Padmanābha, a later work well known in the whole of South India. Among works on natural astrology produced in Kerala, a mention might be made of *Sāmudrikasāra* of Śaṅkara, with two commentaries, two anonymous *Sāmudrikalakṣaṇa-s* and the *Raṇadīpikā* by Kumāra Gaṇaka. The last-mentioned work which, in eight chapters, deals in detail with the preparation for and conduct of war, is particularly significant. Some works deal with individual topics like *Bhūparīkṣa*, *Rekhaśastra* etc. and some others like *Naraceṣṭa*, *Pakṣiśastra* etc. with special types of prognostication.