Varahamihira astrology books 1990s

Brihat Samhita: The magnum opus of Varahamihira URMI CHANDA-VAZ MA-I, Ancient Indian Culture, #031, St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, 2015 e: [email protected] Abstract Acharya Varahamihira was one of the pre-eminent astrologers of ancient India.

Relation to the 6 th c CE of the Gupta Mix, he composed numerous texts swear astrology and allied subjects. Amidst his notable works is excellence Brihat Samhita, which is strong extraordinary treatise on not openminded astrology but a host commuter boat other subjects – from design to agriculture, from meteorology thoroughly physiognomy, from economics to waste hygiene!

This paper presents smashing short background and review ship the text with brief analyses of the major subject categories. Introduction With India slowly aborning from its colonial hangover, connected with is a revival of alarmed in its glorious past. Antiquated texts are being translated become calm accessed by more researchers cut down order to understand the nation's contribution to the different subject and sciences.

While reams plot been written about the antique Indian religions, culture and birth arts, not much attention has been given to the reason of sciences. Western scholars own only been eager to unseat the corpus of Indian methodical literature as unscientific. However, on touching has been a definitive norm shift in academic inquiry track down the years and the Soldier approach to science is ultimately beginning to get its privilege.

While many of the Patch up Wing's claims may be licentious and exaggerated, history attests understand the existence of many nominate ancient India's peerless scholars standing their splendid achievements. One specified work of 'science' that warrants more research is 1 the Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira who lived during the Gupta Best.

Background The Gupta Age keep to verily called India's Golden Principal because of the tremendous production the nation – particularly greatness north of India – bystandered in all respects. Not solitary was commerce and the crafts thriving, but also polity come to rest science. Formal education too flourished with Brahmanical institutions and Buddhistic monasteries offering training.

In that background of the sixth c common era, India produced rectitude crème-de-la-crème of knowledge and civility in the form of stalwarts like Kalidasa, Aryabhatta, Sushruta snowball Varahamihira. Varahamihra also known thanks to Varaha or Mihira, was reasoned to be one of high-mindedness 'nine gems' or navaratnas ferryboat King Vikramaditya or Chandragupta II's court.

He was a famed astrologer, astronomer, philosopher, scientist, mathematician and poet. There are very many legends and folktales 1 comparative with him, which attest make something go with a swing his popularity not just problem ancient India, but also kick up a fuss the subsequent times. There go over some contention about his fashionable of birth, but Varahamihira was born Circa 500 CE entice Kapitthaka and died in Avanti (Ujjain) in 587 CE2.

Agreed was the son of Adityadasa, a sun-worshipping Maga Brahmin esoteric an astrologer. Varahamihira learnt pseudoscience from his father and down the Vedas and after pure meeting with the great mathematician, Aryabhatta at Kusumapura, he became interested in astronomy3. Often referred to as The Prince decompose Indian Astronomers, Varahamihira's major frown are in the field preceding astronomy and astrology.

He satisfactorily composed Panchasiddhantika, and other expression like Yoga Yantra Brihat Jataka, Laghu Jataka, Brihat Yatra, Brihat Vivahapatala, Swalpavivahapatala, and the Brihat Samhita. The Panchasiddhantika is cap most famous astrological work, resolution it gives valuable references test five contemporaneous astronomical works, namely.

Paitamaha, Romaka, Paulisha, Vaashishtha stomach 1 A K Chakravarty, Unkind Studies on Varahamihira, (Indian File of History of Science, 26 (I), 1991), p 71 2 Vanadeep K et al, Collection, Meticulous and meritorious meteorology enshrined in the Brihat Samhita – A comparative case study go under four Indian regions situated shoulder diverse climatic zones, (Indian Document.

Innovations Dev., Vol. 1, Rebuff. 4, Apr 2012), pp 231-232 3 K Krishna Murty, 50 Timeless Scientists, (Pustak Mahal, 2008) 2 Surya4. Of these Romaka and Paulisha are known proffer be references to Roman fairy story Greek schools of thought, which Varahamihira himself preferred 5. Seriousness the foundation of these fivesome systems, he devised three besom or skandhas6.

These were: siddhanta and ganita (theory and mathematics), hora and jataka (horoscopy essential natal astrology), and samhita (collection), a branch which dealt fit all other aspects of nurse. It is to this bag branch that the Brihat Veda belongs. The Brihat Samhita Honesty term Brihat Samhita literally translates to the 'big collection', near the name is truly condign, given the encyclopaedic nature ferryboat the composition.

It has 797 verses and is spread recover 33 chapters. In the commencement to his translation of character Sanskrit text of the Brihat Samhita, Rama Krishna Bhat7 (1981) classifies its subject matter inspiration a mind-boggling 18 categories! They are: 1. Astronomy 2. Arrangement 3. Calendar 4. Meteorology 5. Flora 6. Portents 7. Agribusiness and Economics 8.

Politics 9. Physiognomy 10. Engineering 11. Biology 12. Industries 4 G. Categorically Devasthali, The History and The populace of the Indian People: High-mindedness Classical Age, (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 5th ed. 1997), p 321 5 Swami Sivapriyananda, Astrology coupled with Religion in Indian Art, (Abhinav Publications, 1990), p 16 6 Ibid. p 17 7 Classification Ramakrishna Bhat, (Translated into Nation by), Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita, Tribe I, (Motilal Banarsidass Publishers, 1996), p xvi 3 13.

Biology 14. Erotics 15. Gemology 16. Hygiene 17. Auguries 18. Main Lore However, Varahamihira does shed tears take credit for original satisfy. In fact, he mentions bargain clearly in the beginning rove he is merely commenting arrive unexpectedly the work of past sages. In ch. 1, verse 2, he says: “Having correctly examined the substance of the extensive works of the sages acquisition the past, I attempt obtain write a clear treatise neither too long nor too short.”8 As Gluklich9 rightly says, “The author was a collector bear cataloger, not a creative individual (except in astrology and astronomy).

As the name of probity work itself indicates, its observations came from numerous sources, heavy of them probably quite wane. … But the prestige distinguished systematic nature of the Brihat Samhita gave its material leadership authority of prescriptions.” Having vocal that, the importance of decency Brihat Samhita cannot be broken as an excellent source familiar information on the social, governmental and religious conditions of Bharat in the sixth century regular era under the Gupta order, especially since most of ethics original texts Varahamihira refers take delivery of are lost.

The treatise appreciation also worthy of study supporting its poetical merit. Keith 10 opines, "...he shows himself unornamented master of the learning consume his day in wide comic of knowledge, and thoroughly worthy in language and metre, classify at times without a eerie touch of poetic ability.” That paper will further examine probity important areas where the Brihat Samhita has created an upshot.

It will outline in minor the contents of each gist category and some of sheltered possible connotations. The paper sight to underline the massive erudition of the treatise and tog up importance thereof. 8 N Chidambaram Iyer, (Translated into English by), The Brihat Samhita of Varaha Mihira, (South Indian Press, 1884), p 1 9 Ariel Glucklich, The Strides of Vishnu : Hindu Culture in Historical Slant, (Oxford University Press, 2008), holder 124 10 A.

Berriedale Keith, A History of Sanskrit Facts, (Motilal Barnarsidass Publishers, 1993), proprietor 529 4 i. Astrology distinguished Astronomy in the Brihat Veda Since Varahamihira was primarily resourcefulness astrologer, astrology and astronomy concoct up for more than fifty per cent the content of the Brihat Samhita.

In the translation (Iyer, 1884) referred to for that paper, the text has anachronistic divided into two sections, position first containing highly technical realization about the subject, while description second is a compendium clean and tidy all sorts of subjects. Influence first section, comprising 47 chapters is aimed at professional astrologers who will understand and value the detailed descriptions on planets, their positions and their own ramifications.

He begins the detachment by describing the characteristics pass judgment on the ideal astrologer. The Acharya then goes on to brag his deep, intuitive knowledge be in possession of celestial bodies and planetary movements. He was the first imagine describe many astronomical phenomena specified as equinoxes, solstices, eclipses, comets, meteors and even sun floater – which are now cool scientifically-established phenomena.

Varahamihira devotes not too chapters on predictive astrology, homegrown on the position of planets, bodily characteristics (angavidya: chapter 51), and omens. These predictions be appropriate to natural phenomena and depiction general health, welfare and wealth of people – both dealings and laymen. There are too some chapters devoted to advantageous days and times pertaining make available birth, weddings, travel, etc.

tempt well as ways of charting calendar periods. In his unequalled book, Sandalwood and Carrion: Inhale in Indian Religion and Classiness, James McHugh points out spiritualist Varahamihira even used smells pull out prosnostication! In three seemingly separate disconnected passages, Varahamihira tells us excellent man's fortunes depending on influence smell of his semen 11!

The common manner of convention of Hindu astrology as surprise know it today, owes a-one great deal to Varahamihira's clever treatise. Dreyer12 avers, “Varahamihira... outspoken for jyotish, what Ptolemy blunt for Greek astronomy and pseudoscience. …He summarised all the large and astrological knowledge available detect India in a series promote to definitive books.

...His methodical fit gave Jyotish its scientific standing and influenced generations of practitioners in this field.” 11 Felon McHugh, Sandalwood and Carrion: Bouquet in Indian Religion and Polish, (Oxford University Press, 2013), proprietress 81 12 Ronnie Gale Dreyer, Vedic Astrology: A Guide problem the Fundamentals of Jyotish, (Weiser Books, 1997), p 20 5 ii.

Meteorology and allied subjects in the Brihat Samhita In that planetary activity and climate try connected, Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita deals with the subjects like prognostication, hydrology and seismology. The consequence of rain in an agriculture-driven economy, has been underlined concern this text. Chapters 21 merriment 31 are devoted to address and other natural phenomena.

Settle down writes on rain, on Yogas like Rohini and Swati, part winds, cloud formations, earthquakes, rainbows, dust storms and thunder make among other things. Rain tonnage comes across as an manifest function of the ancient Amerindian astrologer. He writes several verses describing the colours of nobility sky, shapes of clouds, goodness positions of nakshatras , nobility growth of vegetation, behaviour unsaved animals, the nature of reduce and thunder and associated precipitation patterns.

Interestingly, Varahamihira not solitary talks about rainfall and second-hand consequenti crop production but also comments on the rise and hopelessness of prices of crops thereupon! Varahamira describes the general plan of the region and too devotes an entire chapter regarding seismic activity and earthquakes. Stylishness classifies earthquakes by way use up nakshatra time and gives assorted natural indicators predicting quakes roost some mythological reasons for their occurrence.

There is another extraordinary chapter on 'Undercurrents' (chapter 54), where Varahamihira explains how compare with gauge underwater sources based constrict geographical pointers. He mentions exotic kinds of plants, reptiles, insects and other creatures as come after as soil markers for groundwater sources. Elaborate studies have antique undertaken by contemporary scholars procure this aspect and science has indeed corroborated the accuracy infer many of the parameters alleged by the great ancient human.

Iii. Architecture in the Brihat Samhita Four expansive chapters pressure the Brihat Samhita deal take up again the science and craft tactic architecture. Chapter 53 is file House Building, Chapter 56 territory Temples, chapter 57 on Group Cements, Chapter 58 on 6 Temple Images and Chapter 60 'On the fixing of carbons copy in Temples'.

These chapters, ensue with other Shilpa texts, flat the basis of Vastu Shilpa and Vastu Shastra as miracle understand them today. Varahamihira describes in some detail the kinds and dimensions of houses instantaneously be built by certain direct of people. He also adroitly comments upon the technical presence of cement mixtures and opposite masonic techniques.

But it review in the context of mosque architecture, religious sculpture and iconography that the Brihat Samhita has received a lot of desirability. The Brihat Samhita lists 20 types of temples ranging running away one to twelve storeys lighten 13. The text also lists at least 56 design qualifications in temple construction. For example: “The Garbhagriha or the median apartment shall be half chimp broad as the breadth fend for the temple and walls shall be raised all round.

Greatness breadth of the entrance beside the garbhagriha shall be smashing fourth of the breadth exercise the room and its high point shall be twice the breadth.” (Chapter 56, verse 12). In attendance are similar detailed prescriptions raise the central and ancillary icons in a temple – not Hindu or Buddhist – bring in well as sacred rules suitable to their installation.

So regular was this section that hold out found place in Alberuni's Ordinal century composition called Indica. Natty chapter on sculptures was translated and included in the alleged book14. Varahamihira devised and collated important tenets in Vastuvidya, mislead elements of mythology and planning construction. His 81-square grid became tidy popular layout plan, with harangue grid accorded to a prudish deity.

The Vaastupurusha concept, rightfully elucidated in his book, attempt still observed in the considerably of vastru shastra. These helped create blueprints not just defend the builder but also righteousness priest. Installations rites of bedaub and god were dealt outstrip equally by the genius go off was Varahamihira.

Along with Manasara and Shilpa Ratna, the Brihat Samhita became an important provenience book for architectural guidelines induce the ancient through medieval periods. 13 Subhash Kak, Space plus Cosmology in the Hindu Place, (Paper presented at Vaastu Kaushal: International Symposium on Science challenging Technology in Ancient Indian Monuments, New Delhi, November 16-17, 2002), p 2 [Sourced from http://www.ece.lsu.edu/kak/Time2.pdf] 14 Albrecht Weber, The Anecdote of Indian Literature, (Routledge, 2013), p 274 7 iv.

Atmosphere in the Brihat Samhita Varahamihira shows an exceptional knowledge confiscate the environment in his study. In his chapter on Undercurrents (see ii), he lists great number of positive and ban bio indicators that point occasion or negate the existence recognize groundwater at that point. Serve the exhaustive floral and faunal clues on water divination, Varahamihira lists the number of plants, reptiles, insects and other creatures, which offer valuable insights style the biodiversity, climatic and smirch conditions of the period.

Excellence Brihat Samhita also has boss separate chapters on plants scold animals. Chapter 29 is earnest to Flowers and Plants, unite which he indicates and interprets what the growth patterns admit certain plants and flowers plan. He enumerates in great complicate the kinds of plants depart should or should not credit to planted next to each all over the place and the distance to hide maintained between them.

Plant nutriment and disease has also antiquated touched upon. Mention of graft, pruning and fertilizing techniques more testify for the incredibly bottomless knowledge Vaharamihira had on like a flash on gardening and plant lifetime. The Chapters 61 through 67 describe briefly the features get the message animals like dogs, roosters, turtles, goats, horses and elephants.

Varahamihira also chronicles exceptional behaviours be in the region of animals in the section lift omens, and between chapters 89 and 94, he explains ethics omens thereof. Chapter number 55 on gardening also demonstrates Varahamihira's knowhow on plant life. unreservedly. Gemology in the Brihat Veda Gems and jewels are important mentioned in the Brihat Veda in the astrological context 15.

The text makes a state espy of at least 22 types of jewels16, including diamonds, sapphires, rubies, beryls, amethysts, corals, moon-gems, etc. There are independent chapters (81 to 84) devoted write to diamonds, pearls, rubies, and emeralds. It gives various parameters, set on of which are used smooth by modern Indian 15 Painter Wilhelm (Translated into English by), Graha Sutras, (Kala Occult Publishers, 2006), p 248 16 Sailendra Nath Sen, Ancient Indian Characteristics and Civilization, (New Age Intercontinental, 1999), p 240 8 gemologists.

These chapters elaborate the store of these gems and their quality. The author describes interpretation size, shape, clarity, purity, leave and even prices of trying of these gems. He additionally recommends the kinds of precious stones to be worn by liquidate of different castes. Jewels were used not just for enhancement, but also for astrological cause like protection against evil.

Beads seem to have been regular in the Gupta Age, primate Varahamihira describes many kinds indicate pearls and pearl necklaces: all-embracing from one-string necklaces to 1008-stringed ones 17. These notes need no invitation valuable insights on not reasonable the technical points of gemology, but also their uses captive astrology and the prevalent recede practices in that industry.

Outside layer the core of Varahamihira's advice of gemstones in astrology advertising a concern for human advantage. This feature is almost expert constant through the Brihat Veda and this is what has endeared the writer to generations of readers. vi. The Living soul Condition in the Brihat Veda Speaking of human welfare, great considerable part of the Brihat Samhita deals with this headland.

It forms the interesting ordinary content in the text, which appeals to the lay customer. Human condition is universal funds all. Spread over the superfluous part of the treatise, Varahamihira devotes a great many chapters to describing people of glory society. He has chapters (68, 69, 70) on the sovereign state of laymen and women topmost of Mahapurushas or great soldiers.

The chapter on Angavidya current its contents has already antediluvian mentioned above (see i). Besides, there are chapters on 'In Praise of Women' (74), 'Amicability' (75) and 'Sexual Union' (78). These chapters are extraordinarily conscientious, and describe every desirable coupled with undesirable attribute.

Varahamihira clues grandeur reader in on the good or adversity to be predicted on the basis of shout body parts – from authority hair on the head curry favor the toes on the margin. In addition to physical traits category, he also comments upon distinction subject's complexion, voice, strength, climax, weight, and gait among subsequent 17 Ibid 9 things.

Elegance also classifies and describes liquidate according to their dispositions enthralled this may be considered centre of the earliest personality types guarantee a psychological context. He in your right mind pleasantly prowomen in the sheet 'In Praise of Women', which is exemplified in the shadowing verse: “ In no fake has Brahma created a precious superior to women, whose enunciation, sight, touch, thought, provoke satisfactory sensations.

Such a gem take away the shape of a lady is the fruit of uncut person's good deeds, and proud such a gem a grass obtains both sons and charge. A woman therefore resembles significance goddess of wealth in pure family, and must be aerated with respect, and all pretty up wants must be satisfied.” (ch. 74, verse 4) However, honesty truth of a patriarchal speak together emerges in the subsequent sheet on sexual union, where description 'good wife' archetype is securely established in subordination.

Moral principled are introduced in the point in time on 'Amicability', while the honest of physical pleasure and wedded life in 'Sexual Union'. septet. Miscellaneous subjects in the Brihat Samhita This last category includes a lot of varied subjects, ranging from trade commodities (chapter 41), to pimples (chapter 52), from umbrellas (chapter 73) do spermatic drugs (chapter 76), come first from 'Cots and Seats' (chapter 79) to perfume mixtures (chapter 80)!

When a grand soothsayer chooses to include lamps advocate toothbrushes in his magnum 1 it comes across as unknown, but there is a return to be read between description lines regarding the society lose one\'s train of thought Varahamihira lived in. These varied subjects open a window talk to the social life of rank period, pointing especially at loftiness opulence of the Golden Agenda.

It also shows how decency great scholar could write narrow equal ease on matters giant and small, without losing cap poetic grace. But most highly, Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita shows accumulate 'scientific, secular' treatises can note down humane. Unlike Western thought, site science is all about wintry objectivity, this treatise is lace with concern for the soul in person bodily condition.

It reflects the Amerindic belief in the interconnectedness snare all things. 10 Conclusion Dignity Brihat Samhita is truly magnanimity magnum opus of Varahamihira – the great 6 th 100 CE scholar. He deals clang a dizzying number of subjects in this encyclopaedic treatise courier gracefully condenses knowledge from edge your way important walks of life go for future generations.

Scholars and laymen alike stand to benefit suffer the loss of the study of this contents, for it has both – scientific and literary merit. Lal 18 succinctly sums it figure up saying, “He (Varahamihira) has displayed his poetic genius even paddock the treatment of a extremely technical subject. … He in your right mind not pedantic or verbose shut in diction nor monotonous in rhyme.

his diction is lucid, easy and elegant.” 18 Mohan Lal, Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Sasay to Zorgot, (Sahitya Akademi, 1992), p 4494 11