The contribution of Kerala to Astrology is very valuable.
Most of the Ancient Astrologist in india was from Kerala. Most of the main
theories and hypothesis in astrology developed from kerala. The list of
astrologers from Kerala is big which includes the great astrologers,
Aryabhatacharya and Bhaskaracharya. It is evident from the Books on Astrology
that the studies and discoveries on Astrology were conducted in kerala more
than any other sectors in India. Let us know about a few great Astrologers from kerala
Aryabhatta-1
It is believed that aryabhatta’s origin was kerala.
Though there is no accurate evidence about his birth place, it is written in
his Text, Arryabhatteya that his origin was from a place named Ashmaka or
Agmakapada, and there are chances that these names are Sanskrit translation of
some places in kerala. Most commentators of Arryabhateya are from Kerala. This
book is most popular in kerala than other sectors of india. Like the
astrologers from kerala, Aryabhata also used Kalivarsha in his book, not
Shakavarsha or vikramavarsha. Historians say that Arryabhata might be a (bhattatiri)
Brahmin named Arya. Shape of earth, Gravitational attraction, Rotation,
Revolution of earth and other planets and such many things are explained in the
book Arryabhatteya. Arryabhatteya was written in AD-499.
Bhaskaran-1
Bhaskaracharya, a genius in Mathematics and Astrology was
from kerala. His writings are also very famous; Karmanibandham or
Mahabhaskareya, Laghubhaskareya and Aryabhateya commentary are his famous
books. It is believed that his life time was between AD-550 and 628.
Vararuchi
Vararuchi was a Brahmin Pandit and was a genius in astrology
and Mathematics also. It is believed that using the methods of Kapadayadi he was the first who
calculated and found the position of Chandra (Moon). The methods discovered by
Vararuchi to calculate position of Moon in astrology are very famous. It is
considered that vararuchi found the system of calculating the Nakshatras and
thithis(lunar phase) for each day. His life time was in AD 300.
Haridatta
Haridatta was a famous genius in Astrology. He put forward
the ‘Parahita’ system of calculating
planetary positions following the Aryabhatteya principle. He simplified the
system by using letters instead of
numbers (kapadayadi) thus avoided the complexity of Aryabhatteya principle.
Govindaswami
Govindaswami, a great astrologist in kerala who wrote
commentary for Mahabhaskareya, had
also followed the Aryabhatteya. He
was the Guru of the famous astrologist Shankaranarayana during the time of king
Kulashekara of Mahodayapura. Govindaswami wrote many books on Astrology. His
famous books are Sambrataya deepika, Govindapaddathi, Govindakriti
etc. he lived during the time AD800 and AD850.
Shankaranarayanan
He was the disciple of Govindaswami. Shankaranarayan wrote
commentary for Laghubhaskareeyam and
it is known as Shankaranarayaneeyam.
His research was more about Grahana
(eclipse) and he had run an Astrology experimentation centre at Mahodayapuram.
His life time was between AD825 and 900.
Udayadivakaran
It is believed widely that his origin was Kerala. He wrote a
commentary on Laghubhaskareeyam named
Sundari in 1073.
Thalakkulath Govinda
bhattathiri
Govindabhattathiri wrote Dashadhyayi,
a commentary for 10 volumes of Brihadjaatakam,
the famous book of Varahamihiracharya. Muhoorthapadavi
is a famous book by him which is considered as the principle text to determine
Muhoortham (date and time) by Astrologists in kerala. His life time was between
1237 and 1295. He native place was at Aalathiyoor near Tirur, Malappuram,
kerala.
Madhavacharyan
His lifetime was during 1340-1425. His famous other name was
Sangamagrama madhavan. He was a Brahmin born in irinjarappally illam (family), a
Brahmin family at irinjalakkuda, Trissur,
kerala. He was the Guru (teacher) of Parameswaran Nambootiri who founded the Druganitha system. He founded a new way
to determine Chandra gathi (lunar path) and Chandra spudam(lunar appearance), this is explained in his book Venwaroham. His other book is Jeeveparasparanyayam.
Parameswaran
Nambootiri
His important contribution to Astrology was the discovery of Druganita system. He wrote a book Druganita by. His finding of
Druganitha system has started a revolution in Astrology field. His other commentaries
and own writings were Sidhanthadeepika,
Goladeepika, Karmadeepika, Jatakapadhathi, Prashna nashta panchashikavruthi,
Surya sidhantha vivarana, Grahana nyaya deepika Grahana mandanam,
Grahanashtakam, Vrutipaadashtakavruthi etc. 1360-1455 was his lifetime. His native
place was at Aalathiyoor, Tirur.
Kelalloor Neelakanda
Somayaji
His famous writing was Tantrasamgramam,
a commentary on Druganitha systems. He
was born at Trukkandiyoor in 1443 near Tirur, Malappuram, kerala. His died in
the year 1543. Sidhanthadarppanam,
Golasaaram, Chandrachayaganitam, Grahana nirnayam, Sundararaja prashnotharam, Grahanagrandham
are his famous books. He has written a commentary to aryabhatteya also.
Chitrabhanu
His main work was Karanamrutam
based on Druganitha system. His life time was during 1475 and 1550.
Mahishamangalam
Shankaran Nambootiri
He wrote many Astrology texts in Malayalam. His important
works were Ganitasaaram,
Chandraganitakramam, Laghubhaskareeyam and Prashnasaaram. His lifetime was during 1494 and 1570.
Jeshtadevan
He wrote an Astrologic Dictionary known as Yuktibhasha which tells explanations for
different terms used in Astrology. He lived in a place known as Alathiyoor in
Malappuram district, kerala.
Achyutapisharadi
Sri Achyutapisharedi’s writings were Karnotharam, Uparagakriyakramam
and Horasarochayam (both were about
mathematics of Eclipse). His full name was Trikkandiyoor Achyuta pisharadi. He
translated Venwaroham of
Madhavacharya to Malayalam. His life time was between 1550 and 1621.
Puthumana Somayaji
Karanapadhathi was his famous writing. He lived at
Trissivaperur (Trissur) in Kerala. He used the system of Parahita and Druganitha
from Mathematics. His life time was between 1700 and 1760.
Appathamburan
Though he died in the age of 38, he gave a lot of
contributions to Astrology. His original name was Kadathanattu shankaravarma.
His famous book is Sadratnamala. From
1800 to 1838 was his life time.
