Brhaddesi is a landmark in Sangitasastra for more than one reason.  It is the solitary text that forges a link between Natyasastra and Dattilam on the one hand and Abhinava Bharati on the other, the gap extending over more than five hudnred years. Its direct influence on later texts like Sangita-Ratnakara and its commentaries is obvious in various ways, be it nada from the Tantric stream or the etymology of variuos terms or the description of ragas.  the fact that it is co-eval with the emergence of the special style of bhasya in various systems of philosophy has lent it a unique halo in the form of its scholastic style, indirect reference to quite a few systems of philosophy and incorporation of the Tantric tradition.  Speaking of Sangita, Brhaddesi is the first extant text to describe raga, to introduce sarigama notation, to usher in a fresh approach towards sruti, svara, grama, murchana, jati etc., to introduce prabandha, the compositional form independent of drama, to establish the concept of desi and its counterpart marga and to mention ethnic groups like sabara, pulinda, naga etc. in the context of bhasas (varieties) of gramaragas.