श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती

ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम् (वगर्कमर् गुणकमर् च

K. Ramasubramanian

Cell for Indian Science & Technology in Sanskrit

IIT Bombay

AICTE Sponsored QIP program

( Understanding Classical Scientific Texts of India in an Immersive Sanskrit Environment )

IIT Indore
September 14–October 2, 2020
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

प्रक णर्का गर्ताः वषयाः — Topics under Miscellaneous operations

The following table presents the various topics discussed by Bhāskara to solve commonly
encountered basic arithmetic problems, in the section titled Prakīrṇaka.

क्रमः वषयः अनुवादः

1 व धः Inverting mathematical processes

2 इ कमर् Operations with assumed numbers
3 स मणं वषमकमर् च Operations with sums and differences
4 वगर्कमर् Operations with squares of numbers
5 गुणकमर् Dealing with univariate quadratic equations
6 त्रैरा शका दः Rules of three etc.
7 भा प्र तभा कम् Barter of commodities
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

वगर्कमर् —Operations with ‘squares’ of rāśis resulting in squares!

Having dealt with problems involving one unknown variable (referred to as rāśi),
Bhāskara proceeds to discuss problems involving two unknown variables.
Here is an interesting problem that involves the determination of two unknown
rāśis, the sum as well as difference of whose squares when reduced by one (unity),
also results in squares. This has been nicely articulated as follows:
ययोः योः अज्ञातरा ोः वगर्योः योगः अ रं च रूप वह नं वग एव भवतः तयोः साधनं वगर्कमर् भव त।

In other words, Bhāskara seeks to determine two quantities 𝑎 and 𝑏 such that

𝑎2 + 𝑏2 − 1 = 𝑆1 (1)
2 2
𝑏 − 𝑎 − 1 = 𝑆2 , (2)

where 𝑆1 and 𝑆2 are squares, with of course 𝑏 > 𝑎.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

वगर्कमर् — करणसूत्रम्

इ कृ तर गु णता क
े ा द लता वभा जते े न ।
एकः ाद कृ तः द लता सैकापरो रा शः ॥ ६०॥
रूपं गुणे हृतं से ं प्रथमोऽथवापरो रूपम् ।
कृ तयु त वयुती क
े े वग ातां ययो रा ोः ॥ ६१॥ । आय ।

The square of an assumed number multiplied by eight, deducted by one, [the

result] halved, and divided by the assumed [number] would be one [quantity].
The square of this [quantity] halved, [added] with one would be the other quan-
tity.[These methods determine two quantities], the sum and difference of whose
squares decreased by one would be square numbers.
Solution 1:
2
8𝑥2 − 1 𝑎2 1 8𝑥2 − 1
𝑎= 𝑏= +1= ×( ) + 1. (3)
2𝑥 2 2 2𝑥
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

वगर्कमर् — करणसूत्रम्

रूपं गुणे हृतं से ं प्रथमोऽथवापरो रूपम् ।

कृ तयु त वयुती क
े े वग ातां ययो रा ोः ॥ ६१॥ । आय ।

Or, unity divided by twice an assumed number, [added] with the assumed [num-
ber] would the first [quantity]. Unity is the other [quantity]. [These methods
determine two quantities], the sum and difference of whose squares decreased
by one would be square numbers.
Solution 2:

1 2𝑥2 + 1
𝑎= +𝑥= 𝑏 = 1. (4)
2𝑥 2𝑥
Verification that the expressions given above lead to square numbers when substituted in
(1) and (2) is straightforward.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

Demonstration that the first set satisfies the condition
It can be easily seen that the expression results in a square number when substituted in (1).
2 2 2
2 2 8𝑥2 − 1 8𝑥2 − 1 1
𝑎 +𝑏 −1=[ ] + [( ) × + 1] − 1
2𝑥 2𝑥 2
4 2
1 8𝑥2 − 1 8𝑥2 − 1
= ×[ ] +2×[ ] +1−1
4 2𝑥 2𝑥
2 2
8𝑥2 − 1 1 8𝑥2 − 1
=[ ] ×[ ×( ) + 2]
2𝑥 4 2𝑥
2
8𝑥2 − 1 64𝑥4 + 16𝑥2 + 1
=[ ] ×[ ]
2𝑥 16𝑥2
2 2
8𝑥2 − 1 8𝑥2 + 1
=[ ] ×[ ]
2𝑥 4𝑥
2
64𝑥4 − 1
=[ ] .
8𝑥2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

Demonstration that the first set satisfies the condition

Similarly,

2 2 2
2 21 8𝑥2 − 1 8𝑥2 − 1
𝑏 −𝑎 −1=[ ×( ) + 1] − [ ] −1
2 2𝑥 2𝑥
4 2 2
1 8𝑥2 − 1 8𝑥2 − 1 8𝑥2 − 1
= ×[ ] +[ ] −[ ] +1−1
4 2𝑥 2𝑥 2𝑥
2 2
1 8𝑥2 − 1
=[ ×( ) ] .
2 2𝑥

Thus we see that the expression results in a square number when substituted in (2).
The resulting number need not be an integer. All that Bhāskara mentions that it has to be
a varga, which indeed is satisfied.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

उदाहरणम्

रा ोयर्योः कृ त वयोगयुती नरे के

मूलप्रदे प्रवद तौ मम मत्र यत्र ।
बीजग णते पटवोऽ प मूढाः
षोढो बीजग णतं पिरभावय ः ॥६२॥ [वस तलका]

My friend! Tell those two numbers, the sum and difference of whose squares
reduced by one result in square numbers, wherein even experts in algebra who
know the cryptic mathematical techniques stated in six ways, being bewildered,
face difficulty [in solving
x this problem].

𝐱 𝐚 𝐛 𝐒𝟏 𝐒𝟐 𝐱 𝐚 𝐛 𝐒𝟏 𝐒𝟐
2 2 3 2 2
1
1 3
( 32 ) ( 12 ) 1 2 1 ( 32 ) ( 12 )
2 2
2 2 9 2 2
1 7 57
( 63 ( 49 2 1 ( 94 ) ( 74 )
2 8 8 ) 8 ) 4
2 2 19 2 2
2 31 993
( 255 ( 961 3 1 ( 19
6 ) ( 17
6 )
4 32 32 ) 32 ) 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

Qualifications required to undertake study of astronomy

It may be worth recalling a couple of verses in this context.

Bhāskara, in his gola chapter of the Siddhāntasiromaṇi, commenting on eligiblity criteria to
study astronomy observes:
यो वेद वेदवदनं सदनं ह स क्
ब्रा ाः स वेदम प वेद कम शा म् ।
य ादतः प्रथममेतदधी धीमान्
शा ा र भव त श्रवणेऽ धकार ।। ४ ।।

Nityānanda goes one step beyond this and explicitly and derisively states that one who does
not possess this skill set doesn’t qualify to be counted as a competent astronomer:
पाटीकु कबीजगोल नपुणो वेदा पार मः
का ाल ृ त श शा कुशलो यो ायशा ा द वत् ।
स ा ऽ े त्र सम व सु हते त ा धकारो भवेत्
चेदव
े ं न यथाकथ द भधामात्रं प्र स ं नयेत् ।।

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

अथवा सूत्रम् – A third solution

इ वगर्वग घन ताव संगुणौ प्रथमः ।

सैको राशी ातामेवं े ऽथवा े ॥६३॥ [आय ]
The square of the square, as well as the cube of an assumed number, are both multi-
plied by eight, and the former is increased by one. Thus would be the two quantities in
arithmetic or algebra.

Here are the solutions given above along with demonstration of the result:

𝑎 = 8𝑥4 + 1 𝑏 = 8𝑥3 . (5)

𝑎2 + 𝑏2 − 1 = (8𝑥4 + 1)2 + (8𝑥3 )2 − 1 𝑎2 − 𝑏2 − 1 = (8𝑥4 + 1)2 − (8𝑥3 )2 − 1

8 6 4
= 64𝑥 + 64𝑥 + 16𝑥 + 1 − 1 = 64𝑥8 − 64𝑥6 + 16𝑥4 + 1 − 1
= 16𝑥4 × (4𝑥4 + 4𝑥2 + 1) = 16𝑥4 × (4𝑥4 − 4𝑥2 + 1)
= 16𝑥4 × (2𝑥2 + 1)2 = 16𝑥4 × (2𝑥2 − 1)2
2 2 2
= [4𝑥 × (2𝑥 + 1)] . = [4𝑥2 × (2𝑥2 − 1)]2 .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

A couple of interesting verses before proceeding to गुणकमर्

पाटीसूत्रोपमं बीजं गूढ म वभासते ।

ना गूढममूढानां नैव षोढे नेकधा ॥६४-१॥
अ त्रैरा शकं पाटी बीजं च वमला म तः ।
कमज्ञातं सुबु ीनां अतो म ाथर्मु ते ॥६४-२॥
Algebraic rules [which are] similar to [well understood] arithmetic ones, appear
cryptic. [However], for the intelligent, there is nothing which is hidden (un-
known), nor are they merely six-fold, but can be manifold. …What is unknown
to the intelligent, therefore this is stated for the dim-witted.
What is noteworthy here is:
the relative difficulty of algebra compared to arithmetic
mention of arithmetic, rule of three, and pure intellect
the intelligent apply algebra far beyond these six primary operations.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

गुणकमर् – Quadratic equations

Quadratic equations are univariate second order equations, usually represented in

the form
𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
These equations have been studied in India at least, from the time of Āryabhaṭa,
with Brahmagupta prominently addressing them in his Brahmasphuṭasiddhānta.
Bhāskara too addresses problems of this type, but in contrast to the given equation,
he frames his equation in the form

𝑥2 ∓ 𝑏𝑥 = 𝑐,

where 𝑥2 is referred to as rāśi, 𝑏 is called guṇa or mūlaguṇa, and 𝑐 is dṛṣṭa or dṛśya.

Bhāskara arrives at the solution to these kinds of problems by modifying the
equation by adding the square of half the guṇa to both sides. Therefore, he refers to
this operation as guṇakarma.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

गुणकमर् – Quadratic equations

2 2
गुण मूलोनयुत राशेः 𝑏 𝑏
𝑥2 ∓𝑏𝑥 + ( ) = 𝑐 + ( )
दृ यु गुणाधर्कृ ा। 2 2
मूलं गुणाधन युतं वह नं 𝑏
2
𝑏
2

वग कृतं प्र ु रभी रा शः ॥६५॥ ।उपजा तः ।

(𝑥 ∓ ) = 𝑐 + ( )
2 2
2
The square root of—[either] the rāśi mi- 𝑏 𝑏
𝑥 ∓ = √𝑐 + ( )
nus or plus the product of the guṇa and 2 2
the square root of the rāśi, [or] the dṛṣṭa, 2
added by the square of half the guṇa— 𝑏 𝑏
𝑥 = √𝑐 + ( ) ±
added or subtracted by half the guṇa, 2 2
2
and [the result] squared, becomes the 2
𝑏 𝑏⎤
desired quantity of the questioner. ∴ 𝑥2 = ⎡√
⎢ 𝑐 + (2) ± 2⎥ .
⎣ ⎦
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

गुणकमर् – Quadratic equations

In modern mathematical texts, the roots of a quadratic equation of the form

𝑎𝑥2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 are usually represented as
√
−𝑏 ± 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= .
2𝑎
Bhāskara’s expression can also be simplified and re-written as follows:
√
𝑏2 + 4𝑐 ± 𝑏
𝑥= .
2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

गुणकमर् – Quadratic equations

In this verse, Bhāskara presents how

यदा लवै ोनयुतः स रा शः to solve quadratic equations having
एकेन भागोनयुतेन भ ा। coefficient of 𝑥2 other than one
दृ ं तथा मूलगुणं च ता ां 𝑝
सा तः प्रो वदेव रा शः ॥६६॥ ।उपजा तः । (1∓ ) 𝑥2 ∓ 𝑏𝑥 = 𝑐,
𝑞
When that raśi is subtracted or added
then, dividing the entire equation by
by [its] parts, then having divided
the coefficient of 𝑥2 , we have
the dṛśya and the mūlaguṇa by one
decreased or increased by [those] 𝑥2 ∓ 𝑏′ 𝑥 = 𝑐′ ,
parts, thereafter, using those [mod-
ified dṛśya and guṇa], the rāśi should 𝑏 𝑐
where 𝑏′ = ′
𝑝 and 𝑐 = 𝑝
be calculated as stated [earlier]. 1∓ 1∓
𝑞 𝑞
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

Problem involving solution of a quadratic equation
Example based on flora and fauna – an enticing description!

बाले मरालकुलमूलदला न स
तीरे वलासभरम रगा प म् ।
कुवर् के लकलहं कलहंसयु ं
शेषं जले वद मरालकुलप्रमाणम् ॥६७॥ ।वस तलका ।

The given problem can be represented by the follow-

ing quadratic equation, where 𝑥2 is the total number of
geese:
𝑥
𝑥2 − 7 = 2.
2
In the above equation, the guṇa (𝑏) is equal to 72 , and the
dṛṣṭa (𝑐) is 2. So,
2
2
1 7 1 7⎤
𝑥2 = ⎡√
⎢ 2 + ( 2 × 2 ) + 2 × 2 ⎥ = 16.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
⎣ ⎦ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

Problem involving गुणकमर् – Quadratic equations

पदैनर्व भयुर् ः ा ािरं शताऽ धकम् ।

शतं ादशकं व न् कः स रा श नर्ग ताम् ॥६८॥ ।अनु ु भ् ।

O scholar! Let it be said, what is that number which added by nine times its
square root would be twelve hundred more by forty.
The verse poses the following problem:

𝑥2 + 9𝑥 = 1240.

Substituting 𝑏 = 9, and 𝑐 = 1240, we have

2
2
𝑥2 = ⎡ √1240 + ( 9 ) − 9⎤
= 961.
⎢ 2 2⎥
⎣ ⎦
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

Problem involving गुणकमर् – Quadratic equations

यातं हंसकुल मूलदशकं मेघागमे मानसं

प्रो ीय लप नीवनमगात् अ ांशकोऽ टात् ।
बाले बालमृणालशा ल न जले के ल क्रयालालसं
a
दृ ं हंसयुगत्रयं च सकलां यूथ स ां वद ॥६९॥
।शादूर्ल वक्र डतम् ।

a
यूथं = सजातीयसमूहः

Of a herd of swans (at a water body), ten times the square root went (migrated)
to Mānasa (lake) on the approach of clouds (rainy season). One-eighth having
flown, went to a forest of sthalapadminī (Hibiscus mutabilis) from the shore of
the water. Three pairs of swans were observed to be absorbed in sporting in
water having delicate stalks of lotuses. O girl! Tell the total number [of swans]
the group has.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

Problem involving गुणकमर् – Quadratic equations
The given problem is as follows:

𝑥2
𝑥2 = + 10𝑥 + 6
8
1
𝑥2 (1 − ) − 10𝑥 = 6
8
10 6
𝑥2 − 1𝑥=
1− 8 1 − 18
80 48
𝑥2 − 𝑥=
7 7
Applying the solution for quadratic equation, we have
2
2
𝑥2 = ⎡ √ 48 + ( 1 × 80 ) + 1 × 80 ⎤ = 144
⎢ 7 2 7 2 7⎥
⎣ ⎦ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

Problem involving गुणकमर् – Quadratic equations
पाथर्ः कणर्वधाय मागर्णगणंa क्रु ो रणे स धे
त ाधन नवायर् त रगणं मूलै तु भर्हय
र् ान् ।
श ं ष ः अथेषु भ भर प छत्रं जं कामुर्कं
च े दा शरः शरे ण क त ते यानजुर्नः स धे ॥७०॥
।शादूर्ल वक्र डतम् ।

a
मागर्णः = मागर्य त ल म त ; शर इ थर्ः।

An enraged Pārtha (Arjuna), in order to slay Karṇa in battle, shot a succession of arrows [on his
bow]. Having countered his (Karṇa’s) series of arrows with half of that (Arjuna’s own), [he stopped]
the horses by four times the square root [of his total arrows], [immobilised] Śalya by six arrows,
then [destroyed] the umbrella, flag and bow by three arrows, [and] cut his head by one arrow. How
many were those [arrows], which Arjuna nocked [on his bow]?

𝑥2
𝑥2 = + 4𝑥 + 6 + 3 + 1.
2
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K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्

Thanks!

ध वादाः!

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K. Ramasubramanian श्रीम ा राचायर् वर चता ल लावती – ा ानम् 11: प्रक णर्कम्