BHASKARACHARYA, (1114A

BHASKARACHARYA, (1114A.D.-1185 A.D.)

Bhaskaracharya (BAskarAcArya) (ಭಾಸ್ಕರಾಚಾರ್ಯ) was a great astronomer and a mathematician who lived in Karnataka during the twelfth century. He was also known as Bhaskara or Bhaskara-2. He was born in Bijapura in North Karnataka which was then known as ‘vijayapura’. His father, Maheshvaropadhyaya, (mahEshvarOpADhyAya) was himself a well known astrologer and a mathematician. Bhaskara must have learnt the rudiments of mathematics from his father. Later on, he became the head of the astronomical laboratory located at Ujjain in Madhyapradesh. The institution was already well established, because reputed mathematicians such as ‘varAhamihira’ and ‘brahmagupta’ had worked there. ‘In many ways Bhaskaracharya represents the peak of mathematical knowledge in the 12th century. He reached an understanding of the number systems and solving equations which was not to be achieved in Europe for several centuries.’ Six works are credited to Bhaskaracharya:

1. ‘Lilavati’ (ಲೀಲಾವತಿ)

2. ‘Bijaganitha’ (Algebra) (ಬೀಜಗಣಿತ)

3. ‘Grahaganitha’ (Astronomy)(ಗ್ರಹಗಣಿತ, ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತಶಿರೋಮಣಿ ಭಾಗ-1)

4. ‘Gola’ (on Sphere) (ಗೋಳ, ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತಶಿರೋಮಣಿ, ಭಾಗ-2)

5. ‘Karanakutuhala’, ‘A simplified version of Siddhantashoromani’ (ಕರಣಕುತೂಹಲ ಅಥವಾ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮತುಲ್ಯ)(ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತಶಿರೋಮಣಿಯ ಸರಳೀಕೃತ ರೂಪ)

6. ‘Vivarana’ ( A commentary on ShishyadhiividdhIdatantra by Lalla) (ವಿವರಣ) (ಲಲ್ಲನ ‘ಶಿಷ್ಯಧೀವಿಧ್ಧೀದತಂತ್ರ’ ಎಂಬ ಕೃತಿಗೆ ಭಾಸ್ಕರನು ಬರೆದ ಭಾಷ್ಯ)

Western scholars have appreciated the works of Bhaskara. “The Siddhantasiromani is a mathematical astronomy text similar in layout to many other Indian astronomy texts of this and earlier periods. The twelve chapters of the first part cover topics such as: mean longitudes of the planets; true longitudes of the planets; the three problems of diurnal rotation, lunar eclipses; solar eclipses; latitudes of the planets; risings and settings; the moon's crescent; conjunctions of the planets with each other; conjunctions of the planets with the fixed stars and the paths of the sun and moon.

The second part contains thirteen chapters on the sphere. It covers topics such as: praise of study of the sphere; nature of the sphere; cosmography and geography; planetary mean motion; eccentric epicyclic model of the planets; the armillary sphere; spherical trigonometry; ellipse calculations; first visibilities of the planets; calculating the lunar crescent; astronomical instruments; the seasons; and problems of astronomical calculations.” (J J. O'Connor and E F Robertson)

”Mitakhara has written a commentary called ‘Vaasanaabhaashya’ to Bhaskara’s ‘Siddhantashoromani’.

There is a legend that the work Leelavati’ was narrated to Bhaskara’s widowed daughter by the name Leelavathi to assuage her sorrow. This is not supported by documentary evidence. However, Bhaskara’s contributions to his chosen discipline are yet to be surpassed in India.