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Jyotisa shastra (Astrology) reckoned, as one of the six limbs of Veda (vedanga) is a corner stone of Indian culture. It reveals the laws of celestial phenomena and terrestrial occurrences. The Rsis of ancient India produced texts in both scientific astronomy and predictive astrology through their continuous observations and meditation on nature and life. Great astronomers and Mathematicians like Aryabhatta, Bhaskaracarya, Varahamihira and Vararuci lived in India and contributed their eminent works to the world of science. Kerala's contribution to Astronomy and mathematics is substantial. The astronomers in Kerela belonged to the Aryabhatta school. The 'Katapayadi' system of notation which substitudes letters for numerals in calculations is popular along with 'candryavakyas' attributed to Vararuci which contains the methods to calculate the position of the moon. Grahacaranibandhana of Haridatta (7th century A.D.), Sankaranarayana's commentary on Laghubhaskariya (9 th century A.D.) are important works. Vatasseri Paramesvara (15th century A.D.) revised the old methods of calculations (parahita) and introduced a more correct method namely 'Digganita'. Nilakantha

213 Somayaji of Kutallur family (15th A.D.) wrote commentary on Aryabhatiya and wrote Tantrasamgraha and sidhanta Samgraha Karanottama by Thrikkandiyur Acyuta Pisaroti is also well known. In Astrology Talakkulath Govinda Bhatta (13th century) wrote Dasadhyayi commentary on the first ten chapters of Varahamihira's Brhajataka. Prasnamarga of Panakkattu Namputiri (17 th century) is very popular. Kerala has also produced several Jataka paddhatis and books on Muhurtas. Horasastra of Kaikulagara Ramavarier is also an authoritative work. 72 The Ganita and astronomical calculations were developed in Kerala to high standards from the madieval times up to the colonial periods. There was a break in this traditions during the foreign occupation. The astrological part of Jyotisa is very much active in Kerala with many astrologers predicting the future and dealing with the common man's anxiety for future. Jyotisa that predicts good and bad times is very popular in Kerala. Writing of personal Jatakas, Marriages, ceremonies related to temples and muhurtas for Kodiyetu and Kalasam festivals etc. are decided by the traditional Jyotisa scholars in the field. Like Ayurveda this branch of knowledge has crossed the boundaries of caste system. Pazhoor padippura at Ernakulam has a long tradition in the field of Jyotisa. In the

214 north some of the 'Kaniyan' families has very deep knowledge in these sastras Pazhoor Kaniyans are the best examples of Pandits of Jyotisa. 73 The knowledge of Sanskrit is essential for the study of Jyotisa. Now a days as mentioned earlier, a number of Sanskrit Jyotisa texts translated into Malayalam are available. But to gain authority and mastery in this field. Sanskrit knowledge is needed because all higher texts and their commentaries are written in Sanskrit. The Kerala Jyotisa Parishad organizes weekly classes in Jyotisa at Thrissur. About 20 students are studying there. Most of the teaching learning process are informal carried out with the help of traditional scholars or self study. Today young people are turning to Jyotisa education because it is an economicaly profitable job. In olden days students in this field traditionaly learned Siddharupa, Balaprobodhana, Sriramodantam, Kadapayadi system, Horasastram, Krsniyam, Prasnamargam etc. But this type of education is become very rare nowadays. However, some of the practitioners were able to study this sastra from their fathers in a very early age. This senior Astrologers now practicing in this field with traditional konwledge are Sadanam Narayanan Payyannur, Soma Panikker Arikulangara, Kozhikode, Nellur Ramakrishnapanikker from Faroke, Ravunnipanikker from Kuttanad, Thrissur, Karunakara panikker, Vellarkad, Peringod Sankara Narayanan, Kunnamkulam, Thrissur, Raman Numputiri

215 Kaimukkumana from Mattatur, Thrissur. These scholars had received basic education in Sanskrit in a traditional way as cited above. Sadanam Narayanan comes from a traditional family of astrologers. They used to teach Jyotisa in their family. Recently they started Jyothisadanam institute and it is under the banner of this institutiin the family is conducting Jyotisa classes now. Another centre for Jyotisa study exists at Kaimukkumana, Mattatur, Thrissur. Raman Nampuriti is the teacher of Jyotisa. There are six students. now studying Jyotisa. For the teaching of Sanskrit a special teacher is appointed. It is to be noted that the objective of Sanskrit learning in the field of Jyotisa is to acquire a working knowledge in Sanskrit which is helpful for the understanding and interpretation of the verses and term dealing with the sastra. The instructors in Sanskrit need not give lessons. in Sanskrit literary texts or criticism. A student wants to acquire that much knowledge in Sanskrit which is sufficient for the study of the prescribed sastra portions and become professionally competant. On the contrary, the training of Kutiyattam or Kuttu require deep knowledge in Sanskrit language and literature. Therefor intense learning of Sanskrit takes place in those fields. The senior astrologers are keen to teach the profession to their sons and other family members. As the part of traditional education of

216 Jyotisa, Sanskrit is also taught in their families. Narayanan Numputiri cousin brother of Raman Namputiri of Kaimukkumana teaches both Sanskrit and Jyotisa. In an interview with the present researcher, he informed that there are four students studying under him and one of them is a girl student. His method of teaching gives importance to the practical or application side, always reciting the Sanskrit verses related to the astrological problem investigated and translating their meanings into Malayalam. His puplis listern to him while he is handling the problems of his customers. Gradually his pupils get a working knowledge in Sanskrit and ability for interpretation which is enough for the profession. But he is of the view that learning Sanskrit more is very much helpful to get excellence in this field. 74 As mentioned earlier Kerala Jyotisa parishad conducts Jyotisa classes on every Sundays at Thrissur, where a Sanskrit teacher take classes covering the primary lessons and some Kavyas. This is sufficient to impart a working knowledge. P. Ajithan, Sanskrit of Govt. H.S. School, Nadavarambu, is taking Sanskrit classes. Nalanda Viswajyotisalaya from Koorkanchery, Vedanga Jyotisa Parishad from Pullur, Thrissur also are some of the other example in this field. Young Jyotisa scholars who are interested in propagation of Sanskrit are also coming forward in Kerala.

217 The practioners and students of Jyotisa get their Sanskrit education informally through various agencies. These agencies include traditional Jyotisa scholars who have learned Sanskrit as a part of their education, organizations which conduct classes for interested pupils. The majority of which are adults, and Sanskrit teachers who are ready to help the informal learners. It is also should be noted that a remarkable section of pupil interested in Jyotisa always tries to increase their knowledge by reading. books and periodicals. In this course they become more familiar with Sanskrit language also.