Vasishtha Indian astronomer and astrologer of the 3rd century. AD Country: India

Biography of Vasishtha

Vasishtha, an Indian astronomer and astrologer of the 3rd century BCE, played a significant role in Vedic-Hindu mythology as one of the seven divine sages known as rishis, symbolizing the stars of the Big Dipper. He was the son of Brahma but was cursed and lost his body, only to be reborn from the seed of the gods Mitra and Varuna, who were infatuated with the celestial nymph, Urvashi.

In the hymns of the seventh Mandala of the Rigveda (which are attributed to him), Vasishtha is depicted as a friend of the gods, particularly Varuna, who welcomes him into his abode, shows him the cycle of day and night, and takes him on a ship. In Indian tradition, Vasishtha served as the ideal Brahmana; he and his descendants, who formed the powerful Vasishtha lineage, were regarded as the domestic priests of the Solar dynasty kings. According to the Vishnu Purana, Vasishtha's wife was Urja, the daughter of Daksha. Other sources mention Arundhati as Vasishtha's wife.

Vasishtha also had a notable career as an astronomer and astrologer in the 3rd century CE. Although his original work, the "Vasishtha Siddhanta," did not survive to the present day, it was preserved in the treatise of Varahamihira, an Indian author. Several Indian authors identify Vasishtha with the sage mentioned in the Vedas (see Vasishtha I), using this fact as evidence that Indian astrology originated in mythical ancient times. Another astrological work, titled "Vasishtha Samhita," also includes Vasishtha's name in its title, but it was written much later, with the oldest manuscript dating back to 1443 CE.