Anavamadarshin

Anavama-darshin (IAST: Anavamadarśin)^[a], also known by his Pali name Anomadassi (fl. 1241 CE), was a Buddhist monk and author from Dambadeniya in present-day Sri Lanka. He is best known as the author of the Sanskrit astrological treatise Daivajna-Kamadhenu.

Biography

Anavama-darshin was a Buddhist monk associated with the Hattha-vanagalla (Hasta-vanagalya) Mahavihara,^[4] a monastery located in present-day Western Province.^[5] As the leader (mahāsāmi) of this monastery, he had close contact with and received favours from king Parakramabahu II of Dambadeniya.^[6] According to Chulavamsa, the king, through his minister Devapiti-raja, commissioned the construction of a three-storey pāsāda (mansion) at the monastery, "at great cost". The king also arranged repairs to its shrines and the erection of a cetiya there.^[5]

One of Anavama-darshin's pupils, whose name is not known, wrote the Pali-language Hattha-vanagalla-vihāra-vaṃsa, a history of the monastery at his request.^[6]^[3]

Works

In 1241, Anavama-darshin composed Daivajñā-Kāmadhenu, sourcing information from other authors such as Varahamihira and Bhoja-raja.^[4]^[1] This book is the most important Sanskrit-language astrological text from present-day Sri Lanka.^[7] It deals with omens, jataka, muhurta, and prashna.^[4]

Some scholars, such as Charles Godakumbura,^[5] also attribute the authorship of the Sinhalese grammar Sidat-sangara to Anavama-darshin.^[7]^[2] Paropakāra, another work attributed him is now lost.^[7]

Notes

^ Also known as Anavamadarśin Saṅgha-rāja,^[1] Anavamadarshi Mahathera,^[2] and Anomadassi Mahāsāmi^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b David Pingree, ed. (1976). Census of the Exact Sciences in Sanskrit Series A. Vol. 3. American Philosophical Society. p. 13.
^ ^a ^b A. Adikari (2006). The Classical Education and the Community of Mahasangha in Sri Lanka. Godage. pp. 141–143. ISBN 9789552074097.
^ ^a ^b Kanai Lal Hazra (1994). Pāli Language and Literature: Literature : non-canonical Pāli texts. DK Printworld. p. 664.
^ ^a ^b ^c David Pingree (1981). Jyotiḥśāstra: Astral and Mathematical Literature. A History of Indian Literature. Otto Harrassowitz. p. 115. ISBN 3-447-02165-9.
^ ^a ^b ^c Amaradasa Liyanagamage (1968). The Decline of Polonnaruwa and the Rise of Dambadeniya. Department of Cultural Affairs. p. 16.
^ ^a ^b W. M. Sirisena (1978). Sri Lanka and South-East Asia. Brill. p. 38. ISBN 9789004056602.
^ ^a ^b ^c Heinz Bechert (1978). "Remarks on Astrological Sanskrit Literature from Sri Lanka". In Leelananda Prematilleka; Karthigesu Indrapala; J.E. van Lohuizen-de Leeuw (eds.). Senarat Paranavitana Commemoration Volume. Studies in South Asian Culture. BRILL. p. 46. ISBN 9789004054554.

External links

दैवज्ञकामधेनु:, the Sanskrit text of Daivajna-Kamadhenu, published as part of the Benares Sanskrit Series (1905)

[4] Also known as Anavamadarśin Saṅgha-rāja,^[1] Anavamadarshi Mahathera,^[2] and Anomadassi Mahāsāmi^[3]

[CESS-1] David Pingree, ed. (1976). Census of the Exact Sciences in Sanskrit Series A. Vol. 3. American Philosophical Society. p. 13.

[AA_2006-2] A. Adikari (2006). The Classical Education and the Community of Mahasangha in Sri Lanka. Godage. pp. 141–143. ISBN 9789552074097.

[KLH_1994-3] Kanai Lal Hazra (1994). Pāli Language and Literature: Literature : non-canonical Pāli texts. DK Printworld. p. 664.

[DP_1981-5] David Pingree (1981). Jyotiḥśāstra: Astral and Mathematical Literature. A History of Indian Literature. Otto Harrassowitz. p. 115. ISBN 3-447-02165-9.

[AL_1968-6] Amaradasa Liyanagamage (1968). The Decline of Polonnaruwa and the Rise of Dambadeniya. Department of Cultural Affairs. p. 16.

[WMS_1978-7] W. M. Sirisena (1978). Sri Lanka and South-East Asia. Brill. p. 38. ISBN 9789004056602.

[HB_1978-8] Heinz Bechert (1978). "Remarks on Astrological Sanskrit Literature from Sri Lanka". In Leelananda Prematilleka; Karthigesu Indrapala; J.E. van Lohuizen-de Leeuw (eds.). Senarat Paranavitana Commemoration Volume. Studies in South Asian Culture. BRILL. p. 46. ISBN 9789004054554.

[a]