The Jewel of Auspicious Moments

This small portion is being explained by the grace of the Lord, exactly as it was heard from the tradition.

Determination of the Author’s Date

Regarding the date of the author Govinda, no direct information is found anywhere in the works composed by him. Nevertheless, based on the date of Paramesvara A famous 15th-century astronomer and mathematician from Kerala, who authored a commentary on the Muhurtaratna, the approximate time of this Govinda can be established. Historians conclude that this Govinda generally lived between 1234–1295 CE.

Other Works of the Author

There is a significant difference of opinion regarding the other works of this author, Govinda. Some are of the opinion that this Govinda composed the commentary titled Dashadhyayi Literally "The Ten Chapters" on the Brihat Jataka of the great teacher Varahamihira. Others disagree, claiming that the author of the Dashadhyayi was a different person. This Dashadhyayi text is highly celebrated in the regions of Kerala. In this book, there is a strong conviction that the intention expressed by Varahamihira in his pledge—"brief, in varied meters, and rich in meaning"—is clearly realized. The author of the Prashna Marga A seminal 17th-century treatise on Horary astrology praises the Dashadhyayi extensively in his first chapter, as follows:

"An astrologer who specifically desires to predict results should exert great effort in studying the Dashadhyayi commentary on the Hora The Brihat Jataka. || 30 ||

If one has not specifically put effort into the Dashadhyayi, the declaration of results becomes difficult; such is the saying of the learned. || 31 ||

He who wishes to predict results without having seen the Dashadhyayi is like one who wishes to cross the ocean without a boat." || 32 ||

By this, it becomes clear how significant the Dashadhyayi text was in the land of Kerala.

It is also said that this Govinda composed a text on electional astrology Muhurta: the selection of auspicious times for beginning an activity called Muhurtapadavi. However, there is also a difference of opinion suggesting that the Govinda who wrote Muhurtapadavi was someone else.