Important Books and Authors of Ancient India | Scriptures of Ancient India

A List Books and Authors of Ancient India:

Writers / Composers	Scriptures
Shusrut	Shuahruta Samhita
Panini	Ashtadhyaee
Vishnusharma	Panchtantra
Patanjali	Yogasutra, Mahavasma
Kautlya	Arthshastra
Ashwaghosa	Buddha Charita
Manu	Manusmriti
Hala	Gahasattasai (an anthology of poems)
Vatsayan	Kamasutra
Charak	Charak Samhita, Charak Sasruta
Vishakhdatta	Devichandraguptam, Mudrarakshas
Varahmihir	Suryasiddhanta
Sudraka	Mrichchakatikam
Banbhatta	Harshacharita
Mahedravarman	Mattavilas Prahasan
Dandin	Kavyadarsha, Avantisundari, Daskumarcharit
Vakpati	Gaudavo
Bilhan	Vikramanka Devcharit
Kalhan	Rajtarangini
Megasthinis	Indica
Harshavardhan	Nagananda, Ratnavali, Priyadarshika
Bharat	Nayashastra
Somdeva	Kathasaritsagar
Vas	Swapnabasabdatta
Amarsimha	Amarkosha
Bhadrabahu	Kalpasutra
Varavi	Kiratarjuniyam
Rajshekhar	Kathavastu
Parsian Wars	Herodotus

Note: It is believed that the Mahabharata was composed by Ganesh, the Hindu god of wisdom, and described by Vyasdev.

Some Renowned Writers and their Works:

1. Varahmihir –

Panchasiddhantika. (Pancha Siddhanta) – meaning – Treatise on Five Astronomical Canons.

The Panchasiddhantikas are –

• Surya Siddhanta,
• Romaka Siddhanta,
• Paulisa Sinddhanta,
• Vasishth Siddhanta,
• Pitamaha Siddhanta.

The Surya Siddhanta describes rules to calculate the motions of various planets, and the moon relative to various constellations. 

It also describes diameters of planets and orbits of various astronomical bodies.

The word Romaka Siddhanta (means "The Doctrine of the Romans") is only one of the Indian astronomical works based on the tropical system.

The Paulisa Siddhanta ("The Scientific treatise of Paulisa Muni") is an astronomical treatise based on western source.

The Vasishtha Siddhanta is attributed to the monk Vasishtha.

The Pitamaha Siddhanta is also known as Brahma Siddhanta.

2. Adishankar – 

• Vivekkudamini, 
• Upadesh Sahasri, 
• Shatasloki, 
• Dashsloki, 
• Eksloki, 
• Panchikaran, 
• Atmabodha, 
• Aparokshanubhuti, 
• Nirvana Satkam, 
• Yatipanchakam (a commentary on Vedic texts).

 3.  Bhaskar II –

• Siddhant Shiromani, 
• Leelavati, 
• Vijganit, 
• Gola Adhyaya, 
• Grihaganitam, 
• Karun Kautuhala 

— All of them deal with Mathematics. 

4. Jimutvahan –

Jimutvahan’s works include –

• Dayavaga, 
• Kalvivek, 
• Nayaratnamatrika.