Date of Varadaraja
By V. Varadachari
Summary
Focusing on the Nyaya scholar Varadaraja, this article seeks to determine when he lived. Varadaraja wrote the Tarkikaraksha, with his own commentary Sarasangraha and a commentary on Udayana’s Nyayakusumanjali. Earlier scholars placed his date between A.D. 1050 and 1300, with S.C. Vidyabhushana suggesting around 1150. The author surveys later writers who mention or quote the Tarkikaraksha. Jnanapurna, a disciple of Visnusvamin, wrote Laghudipika on Sarasamgraha in the 14th century and refers to Varadaraja as an ancient authority. Cinnabhatta (patronised by Harihara II of Vijayanagar), Madhava (author of Sarvadarshanasamgraha), Vedantadesika (1268–1369) and Mallinatha all cite Varadaraja or the Tarkikaraksha, showing that his work was well known by their time. Comparisons with Vedantadesika’s definitions on topics such as kathanga, nighnasthana, pramana, jati and upadhi indicate Varadaraja’s influence. Based on this chain of citations and the absence of references in earlier sources, the author argues that Varadaraja most likely flourished around the middle of the 12th century.
Conclusion
By analysing citations and commentaries, the article places Varadaraja in the 12th century, around A.D. 1150. Later logicians and Vedantins of the 14th century regarded him as an ancient authority, confirming that he preceded them by at least two centuries. This dating clarifies the development of Nyaya philosophy between Udayana and the later medieval commentators.