Auspiciousness!

Lilavati

With Prose Order and Commentary.

-> with its concise syllables and tender, pure words. || 1 ||

Commentary— It is an ancient tradition that scientific treatises which have auspicious beginnings, middle sections, and endings will flourish, and their students will become heroic men. Therefore, at the start, the author composes an auspicious invocation original: "Mangala" in the form of a salutation, beginning with the words "He who generates joy." The meaning is: He who, when remembered, destroys original: "vinighnan"; meaning to completely remove obstacles—those sins that act as barriers to the work being undertaken—and generates joy in the devotee who has placed his heart in Him. To Him, whose lotus feet are worshipped by the groups original: "vinda"; a multitude or host of gods original: "vrundaraka"; to the elephant-faced one original: "matanganana"; having the face of a majestic elephant, meaning Lord Ganesha; having bowed to Him with body, speech, and mind—this is the intent.

I, Bhaskaracharya A renowned 12th-century Indian mathematician and astronomer, am declaring original: "vachmi"; I speak or reveal the system Patiganita: A branch of mathematics dealing with arithmetic and measurement, literally "the mathematics of the board" of good mathematics, as defined by wise scholars. This work is called the Lilavati The title translates to "The Beautiful" or "The Playful One," often personified as a graceful woman, which possesses great charm original: "lalitya". It is very clear and provides mental satisfaction to the clever—those whose intellect has been sharpened by the study of grammar and other sciences. It is composed with concise syllables that convey vast meanings, and with words that are both tender and pure.

Interpretation regarding Lord Rama: In the context of Rama, "the obstacle" original: "vighna" refers to Ravana, the killer of the bird Jatayu. The "elephant-faced one" refers to Kumbhakarna, who had a massive face like a great elephant. After bowing to the husband of Janaki (Rama), who destroyed these figures and brought joy to his devotee Vibhishana, the rest of the meaning is as before.

Interpretation regarding Lord Krishna: In the context of Krishna, the "obstacle" refers to the demonic forces, and the "elephant-faced one" refers to the elephant demon Kuvalayapida, whom Krishna destroyed. After bowing to the son of Nanda (Krishna), who brought joy to his devotee Ugrasena, the rest of the meaning is as before. The author uses a poetic device called "shlesha" or double-entendre, allowing the same verse to praise Ganesha, Rama, and Krishna simultaneously. || 1 ||

Prose Order— He who, when remembered, generates joy for the devotee by destroying obstacles—having bowed to that elephant-faced one whose feet are worshipped by the hosts of gods, I compose this Lilavati, a clear [system] of good mathematics, which gives pleasure to the clever through concise syllables and tender, pure words. || 1 ||