Algebra of Bhaskara II

Now, the question arises: if the manifest mathematics itself is the generator of the knowledge of questions and answers, because mathematics performed by multiplication and division methods, without needing the assumption of "so many" yāvattāvat so-many/unknown quantity variables, is called manifest vyakta known mathematics, then how can it be said that the unmanifest is the generator of the intellect in the form of knowledge of questions and answers?

To this, it is said: "of the manifest"—it is the seed, the root, of that manifest mathematics which is independent of the assumption of variables like "so many," such as "the quantity multiplied by the root, subtracted and added," or "the sum of the sine, the declination, and the solar coordinate." The essence is that the method of calculation of sine, declination, etc., is rooted in the assumption of variables.

In the context of the father: The generator is the father; I salute that father. How is he? He is the Lord of the intellect. As the fifth case implies "from the intellect," and through knowledge, he is the Lord. Thus, because of the establishment of the Guru status as the cause of knowledge, his salutation is appropriate. At the end of the book, by the verse "Maheśvara known as the villager on earth," the teacher Bhāskara has made the father's Guru status manifest. Now, he mentions the cause of his excellence: the Sāṅkhyas, the astrologers, proclaim that the unmanifest, which is the principle called the seed of mathematics, is established by the Supreme Being, meaning he is skilled in algebra. How is the unmanifest? It is the one seed, the source, of the entire manifest arithmetic. Since it is said that good deeds have many obstacles, a salutation is appropriate.

Vimalā: This verse is reconciled in the context of Gaṇeśa, the context of Nature, the context of the Lord, the context of mathematics, and the context of the father.

First meaning in the context of Gaṇeśa: I salute Gaṇeśa, the Lord of Intellect, who is the creator of all manifest objects of the world, who is the one whom pandits say is permeated by the Supreme Being, who permeates the unmanifest (the subtle ether, etc.), who is combined with many Gaṇas, and who possesses the single-syllable seed mantra. Thus, this unmanifest is called the Lord of Intellect because it is achieved only by success and intelligence; therefore, they pray to Gaṇeśa, because the teacher has a special purpose here for the intellect.

Second meaning in the context of Nature: I salute the unmanifest (Nature), the root cause of the world, which the knowers of Sāṅkhya philosophy, when established by the Soul, call the manifestor of the principle of the Great Mahattattva.

Third meaning in the context of the Lord: I salute the unmanifest Lord, Existence-Consciousness-Bliss, the creator of the work of the world, whom the knowers of the soul call the generator of the intellect (true knowledge) when he is worshiped by a person endowed with the four means of discrimination.

Fourth meaning in the context of mathematics: In the context of mathematics, I salute Algebra, the root of all manifest mathematics (arithmetic), which astrologers who know mathematics, when practiced correctly by a qualified person, call the generator of the intellect (mathematical intellect).