Anavama-darshin (IAST: Anavamadarśin), also known by his Pali name Anomadassi (fl. 1241 CE), was a Buddhist monk and author from Dambadeniya in present-day Sri Lanka. He is best known as the author of the Sanskrit astrological treatise Daivajna-Kamadhenu.
Anavama-darshin was a Buddhist monk associated with the Hattha-vanagalla (Hasta-vanagalya) Mahavihara,[1] a monastery located in present-day Western Province. As the leader (mahāsāmi) of this monastery, he had close contact with and received favours from king Parakramabahu II of Dambadeniya.[2] According to Chulavamsa, the king, through his minister Devapiti-raja, commissioned the construction of a three-storey pāsāda (mansion) at the monastery, "at great cost". The king also arranged repairs to its shrines and the erection of a cetiya there.[3]
One of Anavama-darshin's pupils, whose name is not known, wrote the Pali-language Hattha-vanagalla-vihāra-vaṃsa, a history of the monastery at his request.[2] [4]
In 1241, Anavama-darshin composed Daivajñā-Kāmadhenu, sourcing information from other authors such as Varahamihira and Bhoja-raja.[1] [5] This book is the most important Sanskrit-language astrological text from present-day Sri Lanka. It deals with omens, jataka, muhurta, and prashna.[1]
Some scholars, such as Charles Godakumbura,[3] also attribute the authorship of the Sinhalese grammar Sidat-sangara to Anavama-darshin.[6] Paropakāra, another work attributed him is now lost.[7]