Nirnayakaustubha or Laghunirnayakaustubha of Visvesvarabhatta
Summary
The article introduces the Nirnayakaustubha, also called Laghunirnayakaustubha, a late Nibandha on auspicious timing written by Visvesvarabhatta. It traces the tradition of kala‑nibandhas from Jimutavahana’s Kalaviveka in the 11th century through numerous works to this text. The Nirnayakaustubha survives in a single manuscript and synthesises rules for determining tithis, nakshatras, yogas and karanas for rituals. The author reconstructs the genealogy of Visvesvarabhatta: from Deva‑bhatta through Cangarinm, Ramcandra and others to Visvesvara, situating him around the 18th century. By comparing the work with earlier texts, the study shows how it compiles previous authorities, offering a concise manual for ritual specialists. The article underscores the importance of such works for understanding practical ritual and calendrical calculations and calls for critical editions to be published.
AI-generated summary, automatically checked against the article text.
Conclusion
By bringing the Nirnayakaustubha to scholarly attention, the article enriches our knowledge of late Hindu ritual literature. Visvesvarabhatta’s digest synthesises centuries of astronomical and ritual expertise into a practical guide for determining auspicious times, reflecting both continuity and innovation within the kala tradition. The genealogical reconstruction situates the author within a learned lineage, underscoring the hereditary transmission of scholarly pursuits. Publishing and studying such works will deepen our understanding of how ritual practices adapted to changing historical contexts.