Varāhamihira: The great Astrologer And Astronomer

Varāhmihira: -Varāhmihira has made significant contributions as a famous philosopher, astronomer and mathematician of ancient India. He was a famous scientist in South Asia.

Time and Birth -

The exact date of Varāhmihira's birth is not known, but it is thought to be contemporary with the Gupta Empire. It is believed to be 578 or 587 AD. Varāhmihira was born in Avantinagar, India (now Ujjain). He was considered one of the Navaratnās in the court of the Gupta emperor Vikramāditya. It was through his contribution that he reformed the Indian calendar. He was the first to give an accurate idea of the size and volume of the earth.

His notable books are: -

1. Panchasiddhāntikā

2. Brihatsaṁhitā

3. Brihajjātaka

Brihatasaṁhitā manuscript

Contributions to Astronomy -Varāhmihira is known as the father of modern Indian astronomy. In his famous book Panch Siddhantika ( Five Decision maker), he unveiled various facts about astronomy. He has recorded various information in this text. For example, he has collected and discussed the views of Surya Siddhanta, Romak Siddhanta, Polish Siddhanta, Paitamah Siddhanta, Vasishta Siddhanta. At that time the book of a high class astrologer was called Siddhanta.

Paitamaha Siddhanta( Siddhanta=Decision) - There are 12 chapters and five sutras. These five sutra statements contain the essence of Indian astronomy. Here he divides each year into 36 days and each age into 60 solar months and 362 lunar months.

Basishta Siddhanta - Here he explains 12 Aryas. It has 12 verses in which the rules for determining the position of the moon have given a brief description of the method of determining the amount of day and night.

Surya Siddhanta - The book is the most important of all the Siddhantas. According to this decision, the time of a stellar year is 365 days 6 hours 12 minutes 36 seconds.

Roumak Siddhanta - This is basically a compilation of the essence of Western mathematical astrology. One Roman era = 2650 years. Multiplying this number by 12 gives rise to the solar month.

Polish Siddhanta- This Siddhanta (decision) is mainly explained by the method of calculating the number of months and dates of the cataclysm.

In another book Brihatsanghitā,he discusses -Planetary movements, eclipses, rain clouds, architecture, crop growth, perfume production, marriage, domestic relations, gems, pearls, and customs.Its main theme is prophecy.

His fascination with astronomy and astronomy was so great that he wrote over and over again on various more important topics in astronomy and presented his theories to the society.

His Contributions to Mathematics -

He has also made significant contributions to mathematics like Brahmihi's Astronomy. He discovered various formulas of mathematics. He discovered various formulas of trigonometry. Brahmihir improved Aryabhata's table of trigonometry.