Rajaditya ( 1190 CE) was a Jain mathematician, scholar, and poet.Narasimhacharya, R. (1988). History of Kannada Literature. Asian Educational Services. pp. 33–34. In the court of Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana he was known as the earliest author of mathematical works in Kannada. He is remembered for his contributions to medieval Indian mathematics and literature in Karnataka.Mariappa Bhat (ed.) (1955). Vyavaharaganita. Government Oriental Manuscripts Library, Madras.Padmavathamma, Dr. (Mrs.) and Krishnaveni, K.G. Prakash. Vyavahāragaṇita and Līlāvati: New Kannada and English Translation. Government of Karnataka: Kannada Pustaka Pradhikara, Bangalore.
Early life and background
He described himself as a devotee of Neminatha Tirthankara and was a native of "Puvina Bage" in North Karnataka (today's Raybag, Belagavi district), thought to be near modern Hoovinahadagali or Bagewadi.Mariappa Bhat (1955). Introduction to Vyavaharaganita. Madras Government Press.
He was known for his poetic talent and scholarly ability, likely serving in a royal court. His patrons included "Bahubali" and "Bharatha". He described his father as Shripathi, his mother as Vasantha, and his guru as Shubhachandra Siddhanta deva.Mariappa Bhat (1955). Introduction to Vyavaharaganita. Madras Government Press.
Rajaditya was conferred several honorific titles for his mastery, including Ganita Vilasa, Ojevedanga, Padyavidyadhara, Uttamabhavyabhushana, and Jinapadakamalamadhukara.Mariappa Bhat (1955). pp. vii–viii.
Works Rajaditya is credited with authoring several mathematical and poetic works in Kannada. These include Vyavahāragaṇita, Kṣetragaṇita, Jainagaṇita Sūtrodāharaṇa, Vyavahāraratna and Līlāvati, and Chitrahasuge.Padmavathamma Krishnaveni and K.G. Prakash (translators). Vyavahara Ganita and Lilavati: With New Kannada and English Translation. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bangalore.Padmavathamma, Dr. (Mrs.) and Krishnaveni, K.G. Prakash. Vyavahāragaṇita and Līlāvati: New Kannada and English Translation. Government of Karnataka: Kannada Pustaka Pradhikara, Bangalore.Narasimhacharya, R. (1988). History of Kannada Literature. Asian Educational Services. pp. 33–34.
He is considered the first known author of mathematical treatises in Kannada. Vyavahāragaṇita is the only one fully preserved and was published in 1955 by the Government of Madras, edited by M. Mariappa Bhat.Mariappa Bhat (1955). Vyavaharaganita. Madras Government Press.
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