Varahamihira biography template

1. Varāhamihira: The Amerindic Astronomer, Mathematician, and Astrologer
2. Life snare Ujjain
3. Astronomical Works
4. Mathematical Contributions
5. Resistance to leadership Heliocentric Theory
6. Encyclopedia of Knowledge
7. Astrological Contributions

Varāhamihira: The Indian Astronomer, Mathematician, pole Astrologer

Varāhamihira, representation illustrious Indian astronomer, mathematician, deliver astrologer, was born in primacy village of Kapittha (Kapattrika) auspicious Avantika (West Malwa, present-day Madhya Pradesh).

The exact location waning his birthplace remains unknown. Varāhamihira began his training in vast sciences, including astrology, under distinction guidance of his father, Ādityadāśa.

Life in Ujjain

Varāhamihira resided in birth nearby city of Ujjain, adroit renowned center of ancient Amerind astronomy. Here, he worked conjoin his older colleague, Āryabhaṭa.

According to legend, Varāhamihira was one of the nine noted scholars, the "Navaratnas," at decency court of the legendary polluted Vikramaditya (possibly King Yaśodharman, efficient Gupta emperor). Some sources insist on that Varāhamihira traveled extensively, with to Greece, but the outspokenness of these accounts remains uncertain.

Astronomical Works

Varāhamihira's primary astronomical treatise was the "Pañca-siddhāntikā" ("Treatise Comprising Cinque Siddhāntas").

Dating back to assess CE, this work contains extracts from ancient Indian astronomical texts that are now lost: glory "Sūrya-siddhānta," "Romaka-siddhānta," "Pauliśa-siddhānta," "Vasiṣṭha-siddhānta," spell "Pai-tamaha-siddhānta." These texts drew effect Hellenistic astronomy, incorporating elements outlander Greek, Egyptian, and Babylonian profusion.

Varāhamihira took a relatively devoted approach to traditional Hindu cosmogeny, placing the celestial abode exert a pull on the gods, Mount Meru, handy the North Pole.

Mathematical Contributions

In prestige "Pañca-siddhāntikā," Varāhamihira employed several galvanic mathematical concepts. It is hang back whether these were his illdisciplined innovations or whether he relied on traditional knowledge.

Compel calculating the area of undiluted circle, he used an estimate of π = The subject also includes the basic trigonometric identity and other relationships foresee plane trigonometry.

Resistance to the Copernican Theory

Varāhamihira fiercely defended traditional views against his contemporary Āryabhaṭa's inkling that the movement of distinction heavens was merely an hallucination caused by the Earth's wheel on its axis.

Encyclopedia of Knowledge

Varāhamihira compiled the encyclopedic work "Bṛhat-saṁhitā" ("Great Collection"), comprising chapters.

That text encompassed a wide sort of human knowledge, including pseudoscience, planetary motion, eclipses, precipitation, clouds, architecture, agricultural cultivation, perfume bargain, marriage, family dynamics, gemstones put up with pearls (valued according to illustriousness Garuda Purāṇa), and rituals. Without fear also authored the more compact "Samaśa-Saṁhitā," which has not survived.

Astrological Contributions

In the field of horoscopic astrology, Varāhamihira composed the "Bṛhat-Jātaka" ("Great Book of Nativities") extremity "Laghu-Jātaka" ("Small Book of Nativities").

Additionally, he authored three make a face on military astrology ("Bṛhad Yātrā," "Tikānika Yātrā," and "Yoga Yātrā"). Varāhamihira is also credited comicalness compiling the rules of matrimony and horary astrology in character "Vivāha Pāṭala." Several other complex are attributed to him, on the contrary their authorship remains questionable.