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Jaina Granths Bhandars in Rajasthan,
JYOTIŞA LITERATURE
There are numerous works on Jyotışa literature written by the Jaina authors & which are available in the Jaina Bhandărs. The Jainas contribution towards Jyotişa literature is quite large Astronomy, Astrology and Mathematics formed the main divisions of this Branch, and it can be safely said that contributions of the Jaina Scholars towards all the three branches are considerable.
Süryapragnapti, Candragnapti and Jyotisa Karanda which are written in Prakrit language deal with Astronomy. Malayagin of the 4th century wrote commentaries in Samskrit on all the three works.
Bhnwan Deepak was composed in Samvat 1221 (1164 AD.) hy Padmaprabha, pupil of Devasūt of the Nāgpuriya Tapigaccha. A commentary was written on this work by Singhatilak Suri in Samvat 1326 (1269 A D.)
Udayaprabha is the author of Arambhasiddhi which deals with Astronomy. Hemahansa Gani wrote commentary on it in Samvat 1514 (1457 A.D.). Thakbar Pheru wrote Jvotisasăra in 1315 AD It is in Prährit and deals with astionomy and astrology hoth.
Haribhadra Suri wrote Lagan Suddhi. Närcandra, the famous Astrologer composed Närcandıa Jyotişa Sāstra in 257 stanzas. He belonged to Maldhari Gaccha. This is a very popular work and therefore its manuscripts are found in several Bhandārs of Rajasthān.
Harsakirus wrote Jyousa Sästia. It contains three Chapters. He also composed Janmapatri Paddhati and Lagnavicāra in Samskrit. Jyotisa Sära was composed in Samvat 1621 (1564 A. D.) by Hira Kalasa of Khartar Gaccha. It is in Prākrit and contains two Chapters
On the subject like Mathematics Jain scholars showed great interest. Mahaviri cārya was the first scholar who contributed to this field one of the richest works on Mathematics by writing Ganitasåra sangrah. He was a 8th century scholar and lived at the time of Amoghavarsā, the Ristaküta Prince. Sridhatåcårya wrote Ganitásar in the year 1046A D. This is also in Samskrit. In the 12th century Rājāditya, a great scholar of Mathematical science composed Vyavahira Ganita in Sanskrit. Lilavati which is also a famous work on this science remained popular amonst the Jainas and commentares both in Samskrit and Hindj have been written by them. Hemaräja, a 17th century scholar composed in Hindi a work named Ganitisar.
