More Light on the Authorship of Bhasapariccheda

Summary

Revisiting debates about the authorship of the Bhāsāpariccheda, a popular Nyāya manual, the author examines colophons, manuscripts and commentaries. He notes that multiple scholars – including Krṣṇadāsa Sārvabhauma and Jagaddhara – contributed to the work, suggesting that it evolved through successive revisions rather than being solely authored by Viśvanātha Pañcānana. Some manuscripts refer to Krṣṇadāsa’s separate work, the Muḳtāvalī, as a ‘new feather’ in his cap, implying his authorship or substantial contribution. The article describes Krṣṇadāsa as a distinguished Navadvīpa scholar of the mid‑sixteenth century who wrote commentaries on Nyāya texts. It concludes that while Viśvanātha may have compiled the final form, earlier scholars played significant roles and the Bhāsāpariccheda should be viewed as a composite work.