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VarahamihiraIndian astronomer, mathematician and astrologer
Date of Birth: 01.01.0505
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Varāhamihira: The Indian Astronomer, Mathematician, and Astrologer
- Life in Ujjain
- Astronomical Works
- Mathematical Contributions
- Resistance to the Heliocentric Theory
- Encyclopedia of Knowledge
- Astrological Contributions
Varāhamihira: The Indian Astronomer, Mathematician, and Astrologer
Early Life and EducationVarāhamihira, the illustrious Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer, was born in the village of Kapittha (Kapattrika) in Avantika (West Malwa, present-day Madhya Pradesh). The exact location of his birthplace remains unknown. Varāhamihira began his training in astronomical sciences, including astrology, under the guidance of his father, Ādityadāśa.
Life in Ujjain
Varāhamihira resided in the nearby city of Ujjain, a renowned center of ancient Indian astronomy. Here, he worked alongside his older colleague, Āryabhaṭa. According to legend, Varāhamihira was one of the nine distinguished scholars, the "Navaratnas," at the court of the legendary king Vikramaditya (possibly King Yaśodharman, a Gupta emperor). Some sources claim that Varāhamihira traveled extensively, including to Greece, but the veracity of these accounts remains uncertain.
Astronomical Works
Varāhamihira's primary astronomical treatise was the "Pañca-siddhāntikā" ("Treatise Comprising Five Siddhāntas"). Dating back to approximately 575 CE, this work contains extracts from ancient Indian astronomical texts that are now lost: the "Sūrya-siddhānta," "Romaka-siddhānta," "Pauliśa-siddhānta," "Vasiṣṭha-siddhānta," and "Pai-tamaha-siddhānta." These texts drew upon Hellenistic astronomy, incorporating elements from Greek, Egyptian, and Babylonian sources. Varāhamihira took a relatively liberal approach to traditional Hindu cosmology, placing the celestial abode of the gods, Mount Meru, at the North Pole.
Mathematical Contributions
In the "Pañca-siddhāntikā," Varāhamihira employed several intriguing mathematical concepts. It is uncertain whether these were his own innovations or whether he relied on traditional knowledge. For calculating the area of a circle, he used an approximation of π = 3.1416. The text also includes the basic trigonometric identity and other relationships in plane trigonometry.
Resistance to the Heliocentric Theory
Varāhamihira fiercely defended traditional views against his contemporary Āryabhaṭa's theory that the movement of the heavens was merely an illusion caused by the Earth's rotation on its axis.
Encyclopedia of Knowledge
Varāhamihira compiled the encyclopedic work "Bṛhat-saṁhitā" ("Great Collection"), comprising 106 chapters. This text encompassed a wide range of human knowledge, including astrology, planetary motion, eclipses, precipitation, clouds, architecture, agricultural cultivation, perfume production, marriage, family dynamics, gemstones and pearls (valued according to the Garuda Purāṇa), and rituals. He also authored the more concise "Samaśa-Saṁhitā," which has not survived.
Astrological Contributions
In the field of horoscopic astrology, Varāhamihira composed the "Bṛhat-Jātaka" ("Great Book of Nativities") and "Laghu-Jātaka" ("Small Book of Nativities"). Additionally, he authored three works on military astrology ("Bṛhad Yātrā," "Tikānika Yātrā," and "Yoga Yātrā"). Varāhamihira is also credited with compiling the rules of marriage and horary astrology in the "Vivāha Pāṭala." Several other works are attributed to him, but their authorship remains questionable.