Vyomasiva, the author of Vyomavati

This short note proposes that Vyomasiva, who wrote the Vyomavati (or Vyomamati) commentary on Prasastapada’s Bhāṣya, is identical with the Vyomasiva mentioned in an inscription from Niroda. Traditional sources like Gunaratna and Rajasekhara refer to Vyomasiva as the commentator. Vardhamana places him before Udayana (c. 984 AD). The author suggests that the undated Niroda inscription, previously assigned to the early 11th century, may actually belong to the late 10th century. It describes Vyomasiva as an eminent scholar proficient in Siddhānta, Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, Mīmāṃsā, Sāṃkhya, Lokāyata and Buddhist and Jain philosophies. He is praised as equal to Mahesha, Akṣapāda, Kaṇāda, Jaimini, Kapila, Bṛhaspati, Buddha and Jina in their respective systems. Notably, the inscription does not call him a Vedāntin and shows him criticising Mīmāṃsā, Bauddha and Jaina doctrines. These details align with the intellectual profile of a commentator on Nyāya‑Vaiśeṣika texts. Thus the note concludes that the Niroda Vyomasiva was likely the author of the Vyomavati and that he flourished in the late 10th century.

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