Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Varaha Mihira, father of Asian Astronomy & Astrology





Varaha Mihira, was the father of Asian Astronomy, astrology, arts & architecture. He was one of the most celebrated scientise who strode like a colossus on the intellectual scene, and contributed to almost all branches of arts and sciences. Thus, Encyclopedia Britannica notes, "Varāhamihira of the Gupta age was a profound scholar of all the sciences and arts, from botany to astronomy and from military science to civil engineering." (Enc.Brit., "Education, History of," vol.18, p.4, 1990 ed.) He wrote three master treatises on the three branches of Astro Physics - Astronomy, Astrology & Samhita.

His major work in Astronomy is the Pancha Siddantika ( "Five Astronomical Treatises" )
In Astrology, the Brihat Jataka
In Samhita, the Brihat Samhita

His most famous work is the treatise on the Five Astronomical Treatises. Previously five major astronomical works held absolute sway on the astronomical scene. The Soorya Siddhanta by the Seer Soorya, the Romasa Siddhanta by the Seer Romasa, the Paulasa Siddhanta by the Seer Paulasa, Vasishta Siddhanta by Vasishta, and Paitamaha Siddhanta by the Seer Pitamaha were the prevailing astronomical texts. His genius summarised the quintessence of all these five as the Five Astronmical Treatises, the Pancha Siddhantika.

The Indian Government recognised his genius and a mural painting adorns the Parliament House at Delhi. This painting includes him along with another great astronomer, Aryabhata
He was the most brilliant amongst the Nem Gems of the court of the King Vikramaditya
The Master of Ayurveda, Dhanvantari
Poets Khapana, Amarasingha , Pangu
Vetala, Bhatta, Ghatakarpara
All graced the King Vikramaditya's court !
And of course the Master Poet, Kalidasa
Varaha Mihira was the Master of Astrology
Of legendary fame and the most brilliant
Was a cut above the rest and led the rest !
Dhanvantari Kshapanamaranigha Pangur
Vetalabhatta ghatakarpara Kalidasa
Khytho Varahamihiro Nripathe Sabhayam
Ratnani Vai Vararuchir nava vikramasya
He was a servant of the Absolute Self ( Sun )
Graced was he by the boons of the Inmost Sun !
He wrote summaries about the treatises
And compiled the magnificent Hora ( Astrology ) !

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