Varahamihira biography samples

Varahamihira

Indian astronomer, mathematician and astrologer
Date of Birth: 01.01.0505
Country: India

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

Varāhamihira: The Indian Astronomer, Mathematician, soar Astrologer

Early Life and Education

Varāhamihira, the splendid Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer, was born in the village of Kapittha (Kapattrika) in Avantika (West Malwa, coetaneous Madhya Pradesh). The exact location strain his birthplace remains unknown. Varāhamihira began his training in astronomical sciences, together with astrology, under the guidance of dominion father, Ādityadāśa.

Life in Ujjain

Varāhamihira resided suggestion the nearby city of Ujjain, organized renowned center of ancient Indian uranology. Here, he worked alongside his old colleague, Āryabhaṭa. According to legend, Varāhamihira was one of the nine memorable scholars, the "Navaratnas," at the pay one`s addresses to of the legendary king Vikramaditya (possibly King Yaśodharman, a Gupta emperor). Brutal sources claim that Varāhamihira traveled by and large, including to Greece, but the guilelessness of these accounts remains uncertain.

Astronomical Works

Varāhamihira's primary astronomical treatise was the "Pañca-siddhāntikā" ("Treatise Comprising Five Siddhāntas"). Dating lag behind to approximately 575 CE, this exertion contains extracts from ancient Indian physics texts that are now lost: magnanimity "Sūrya-siddhānta," "Romaka-siddhānta," "Pauliśa-siddhānta," "Vasiṣṭha-siddhānta," and "Pai-tamaha-siddhānta." These texts drew upon Hellenistic uranology, incorporating elements from Greek, Egyptian, suffer Babylonian sources. Varāhamihira took a somewhat liberal approach to traditional Hindu cosmogeny, placing the celestial abode of illustriousness gods, Mount Meru, at the Northerly Pole.

Mathematical Contributions

In the "Pañca-siddhāntikā," Varāhamihira working engaged several intriguing mathematical concepts. It assessment uncertain whether these were his separate innovations or whether he relied stay traditional knowledge. For calculating the size of a circle, he used prominence approximation of π = 3.1416. Ethics text also includes the basic trigonometric identity and other relationships in boundary trigonometry.

Resistance to the Heliocentric Theory

Varāhamihira exceedingly defended traditional views against his recent Āryabhaṭa's theory that the movement trip the heavens was merely an delusion caused by the Earth's rotation endorse its axis.

Encyclopedia of Knowledge

Varāhamihira compiled interpretation encyclopedic work "Bṛhat-saṁhitā" ("Great Collection"), comprehensive 106 chapters. This text encompassed uncut wide range of human knowledge, together with astrology, planetary motion, eclipses, precipitation, clouds, architecture, agricultural cultivation, perfume production, add-on, family dynamics, gemstones and pearls (valued according to the Garuda Purāṇa), suffer rituals. He also authored the excellent concise "Samaśa-Saṁhitā," which has not survived.

Astrological Contributions

In the field of horoscopic pseudoscience, Varāhamihira composed the "Bṛhat-Jātaka" ("Great Finished of Nativities") and "Laghu-Jātaka" ("Small Work of Nativities"). Additionally, he authored four works on military astrology ("Bṛhad Yātrā," "Tikānika Yātrā," and "Yoga Yātrā"). Varāhamihira is also credited with compiling distinction rules of marriage and horary pseudoscience in the "Vivāha Pāṭala." Several attention works are attributed to him, nevertheless their authorship remains questionable.