Some Notes on Brahmadeva's Activity as a Commentator

Among the works utilized by Daihana for the composition of his Nibandhasamgraha on the Susrutasamhita figures a tippana by Brahmadeva, only known from quotations by a number of commentators on various ayurvedic texts. As it was assumed by P.K. Gode that Brahmadeva also wrote a commentary on Vrnda's Siddhayoga, the available evidence on Brahmadeva's activity as a commentator is collected and critically examined in this article. The conclusion is reached that the quotations from Brahmadeva in the Vyakhyakusumavali on the siddhayoga derive for the greater part from his commentary on the Susrutasamhita. The consequences with regard to Brahmadeva's chronological position and his identity are summarily described.