Yavanaparipati-Anukrama or Patra-Praasti

Summary

Yavanaparipati-Anukrama or Patra-Praasti explores a little known Sanskrit text concerning the Yavanas a term traditionally used for Greeks and later for westerners in general. The article introduces the manuscript which includes a list anukrama or preface praasti of Yavana kings or teachers. The author provides an edited transliteration of the verses explaining difficult words and offering interpretations. He suggests that the text may have originated in a milieu where Greek science astronomy and medicine had been transmitted to India and that it reflects Indian curiosity about foreign knowledge. By comparing the names listed in the text with Greek dynasties and with references in other Indian sources the author attempts to identify the historical context. He notes for example that the list may refer to Indo Greek kings of Bactria or to Alexandrian sages known to Indian astronomers. The article discusses previous scholarship on Yavana contributions to Indian astronomy citing works that argue for Greek influence on the development of the Indian zodiac and planetary models. It also points out the unique blend of praise and critique in the patra-praasti which highlights the wisdom of the Yavanas while asserting the superiority of Indian tradition. The author concludes that although the Yavanaparipati-Anukrama cannot be dated precisely it demonstrates the intellectual exchanges between India and the Greco Roman world. He calls for further study of such texts to better understand the flow of knowledge and the perception of foreigners in ancient India.