Varahamihira - Indian Sage who Predicted Water Discovery on Mars 1500 Years Ago

Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer from Ujjain, Varahamihira in his book written 1500 years ago had mentioned so many insights about space and universe that has shocked the scientists of today.

Even thousands of years before, India had become famous and reached its pinnacle in astrological and astronomical sciences. Ancient Astrological works had been translated into many foreign languages. Ibn Batuta and Al Baruni were two prominent Arab travellers who had visited ancient India specially to pursue Astrology. By their translations they had induced German scholars to come to India to study Astrology and Vedic literature. Varahamihira was one of the only renowned Indian Astronomer, Mathematician and Astrologer whose name became a household word throughout India and it is said his near contemporaries Aryabhata and Brahmagupta even did not match with the popularity of Varahamihira.

Varahamihira was born in 505 A.D. into a family of Brahmins settled at Kapittha, a village near Ujjain. His father, Adityadasa was a worshipper of the Sun god and it was he who taught Varahamihira astrology. On a visit to Kusumapura (Patna) young Varahamihira met the great astronomer and mathematician, Aryabhata. The meeting inspired him so much the he decided to take up astrology and astronomy as a lifetime pursuit.

At that time, Ujjain was the centre of learning, where many schools of arts, science and culture were flourishing in the prosperity of the Gupta reign. Varahamihira, therefore, shifted to this city, where scholars from distant lands were gathering. In due course, his astrological skills came to the notice of King Yashodharman Vikramaditya of Malwa, who made him one of the Nine Gems of his court.Varahamihira

Varahamihira was learned in the Vedas, but he was not a blind believer in the supernatural. He was a scientist. Like Aryabhata before him, he declared that the earth was spherical.

In the history of science he was the first to claim that some “force” might be keeping bodies stuck to the round earth. The force is now called gravity. He proposed that the Moon and planets are lustrous not because of their own light but due to sunlight.

Varahamihira’s main work is the book Pancha Siddhantika (Treatise on the five Astronomical Canons gives us information about older Indian texts which are now lost). The work it seems is a treatise on mathematical astronomy and it summarises five earlier astronomical treatises, namely, the Surya Siddhanta, Romaka Siddhanta, Paulisa Siddhanta, Vasishtha Siddhanta and Paitama Siddhanta.

It is acclaimed that Pancha Siddhantika of Varahamihira is one of the most important sources for the history of Hindu Astronomy from before the time of Aryabhata.

Another important contribution of Varahamihira is the encyclopaedic Brihat-Samhita. It covers wide ranging subjects of human interest, including astrology, planetary movements, eclipses, rainfall, rainfall, clouds even domestic relations, gems, pearls and rituals.

Varahamihira in 550 AD have described a large number of comets in the Brhat Samhita. He wrote over sixty couplets about comets. He did not have the modern facilities like Telescope or other electronic equipment. He says that sages Garga, Parasara, Asita, Devala and others had already written about the comets.

Varahamihira in 550 AD have described a large number of comets. He wrote over sixty couplets about comets.
Varahamihira in 550 AD have described a large number of comets. He wrote over sixty couplets about comets.

He was also an astrologer and has written on all the three branches of astrology. His son Prithuyasas has also contributed in the Hindu astrology through his work, Hora Sara.

Varahamihira’s mathematical work included the discovery of the trigonometric formulas. He improved the accuracy of the sine tables of Aryabhata l. He defined the algebraic properties of zero as well as of negative numbers. Furthermore, He was among the first mathematicians to discover a version of what is now known as the Pascal’s triangle. He used it to calculate the binomial coefficients.

Varahamihira made some significant observations in the field of ecology, hydrology and geology too. He was the first person who predicted underground water. His claim that plants and termites serve as indicators of underground water is now receiving attention in the scientific world.

Varahamihira, without any scientific equipment, derived the true value of equinox. This value is very important for the modern day Geostationary Satellites.

Surya Siddhanta & description on planet Mars:

  • Pancha siddhantika includes Surya Siddhanta, an astronomical treatise which explains or determines the true motions of the luminaries. Under this work, Varahamihira has also explained the estimated diameters of the planets, like Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter.
  • The book gave the locations of several stars other than the lunar nakshatras (constellations) and the calculation of solar eclipses. The book also had a significant coverage on kinds of time, the length of the year of gods and demons, day and night of god Brahma, the elapsed period since creation, how planets move eastwards and sidereal revolution.
  • Surya Siddhanta mentioned the Mars’s diameter (which was calculated to be 3,772 miles that has an error within 11% of the currently accepted diameter of 4,218 miles), circumference and also carries calculations on and about solar eclipses and lunar eclipses, its color and portion of the moon as well.
  • Apart from these, Varahamihira also predicted the presence of water on Mars. The book had a detailed description of planet Mars. He had said in his book that planet Mars has both water and iron present on its surface, which have now been revealed by NASA and ISRO.
  • He was the first to mention and explain how each planet in the solar system has been created by and centered on the sun.

It’s intriguing to know that during NASA’s Mars mission, Arun Upadhyay, a retired IPS, did a comparative study of Varāhamihira’s calculations about Mars and found certain similarities.

Though the original book of Surya Siddhanta till date remains untraced, but somehow a few scholars had taken their notes for their own research work. Many fear that the original version was stolen by the other astronomers from overseas. The present version of Surya Siddhanta, which is often used by Panchang experts to predict festive dates and nakshatras, was modified by Bhaskaracharya during the Middle Ages.

It is learnt, Varahamihira humbly said about his own treatises: “The science of Astrology is a vast ocean and is not easy for everyone to cross it. My treatises provide a safe boat.”  Truly, even now they are acknowledged as masterpieces.

Source: FreePressJournalComets in ancient India, DailyBhaskarBrihat Samhita of Varahamihira

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Naveen
Naveen
5 years ago

Very nice to read n hear about contributions from Indians towards world in field of science n astrology n astronomy .

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

When I was at English lit course St bernadette of lourdes I mentioned everything about her the white English lit teacher was hostile because I knew about St bernadette of lourdes about so much her country

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

My mum name uma ratti says to me all the time about me I am walking talking enclopedia talking about the countries from Chile to australia, history, computing maths when I was determined do well various but I had speech impidement when I was kid I talking about previous life as woman called maya ratti who died 1966 ad my parents had got married 1966 I was born that 13 December 1968 in a place called kapurthala, punjab india

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

So india has given much endvour to the rest of the world in fields of computing, accounts before the british raj begun india is highly Civilized rich culture after all when I was kid I really good maths world history

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Varahamihira aryabhatt were truly giants before the white British people came to my wonderful country that is bharat which means india in English

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Can anyone tell me where did val valiant the alien thor came from was it venus

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Val valiant thor the alien came from venus

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

When I was my mum told me years later I was cita baca which means white baby strange both my parents were brown skinned

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Why do some of the people eat rubbish food like meat eating drinking alcohol ie white people eat meat drink alcohol can they stop eating meat drinking alcohol study the bible watched the ten commandments the movie

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

When I was kid survived car accident if had I died I wouldn’t get these bookkeeping business administration computer diploma

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

So in way my mum thinks I am very gifted

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

The indian subcontinent is truly wonderful we the indian people will be superpower

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

We the indian people have given the world community have given alphabet computing sanskrit vedas accounts worlds first university was at Takshashila in which now modern day Pakistan

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

In the famous 55 days film the German foreign minister said to the whites in the film to David Niven the actor i admire sir Arthur the god is Englishman in fact the Chinese Prince Tuan looked at the German with contempt in fact Lord Krishna was in the city of Mathura, and Lord Ram of Ayodhya years before the movie was shot so German foreign minister get your facts right please its called mockery of god

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

So I mentioned the city of Ayodhya and Mathura the birthplace of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna these two cities were truly wonderful so the gods appeared to fight evil against King Kans and Ravenna in Germany there is placed called Ramstein in West Bank placed called Ramallah named after Lord Ram himself ravanna in Italy after Ravenna. King Ravanna was demon built lanka after two days when Lanka burnt by Humanunji so who also the swallowed the sun famous star which very hot

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

I am indologist

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

I am very much love indian culture and its food like roti famous sabji like aloo gobi not the gobi desert with raitha means yoghurt

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

My mum tells me all the time israeli women are very beautiful and why they were persecuted by the Europeans but not in India the jews but had to Adhere one policy no offensive weapons had various jobs in India the land of my birth

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

So all the characters which I mentioned before good looking and also evil were real people

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Oh yes the the continent of apharika called Africa were highly cultured and Civilized but why they were eating meat and alcohol all of sudden

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Some Indians on the coast eat machi lit fish in their customery diet my mum erred all the time at our people also

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Some Indians are also vegetarians

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

In israeli history the jews were wonderful people as a whole King david son Amon rapes his sister Tamar because she was very beautiful in his eyes when she shouted her step mother Bathserba heard her she said to daughter what happened to her. Tamar said she was raped by Amon. Amon also protests about his father king David taking uriah wife Bathserba for lust

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

In israeli history who was allat the witch of endor

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

In Israel king david had good friendship with Jonathan King Saul son

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

So in way israel good special relationships with india

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Euripeans people drink all of sudden ie beer

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 month ago
Reply to  Suraj k ratti

Europeans people drink all of sudden ie beer

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

As radha soami satsang is we don’t drink beer eating meat it forbidden by our Guru I when got Holy naam by the late Guru RAsila ramji from saidpur punjab india

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Radha soami satsang organistan is based saidpur punjab india and also in beas punjab india

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Radha soami gurus Shiv dayal singhhji to guru Gurinder singh dhillionji

Guru charan singh meeting with astronaut with Neil Armstrong the man landed on the moon.

Mrs F E Woods secretary in the UK

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Beas is wonderful town the organistan were is based treating the poor people from eye to heart operations

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

From Chile to Australia the whole world is paradise and wonderful we are wonderful people but my mum said to me some people eat different food ie France frogs in Russia drinking vodka can these people stopped drinking alochol instead coke or orange juice

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

India space programe is truly wonderful using cryogenic technology

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Isro is truly wonderful organisation

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Oh yes india is not evil country the hindu culture is best

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Oh yes Pakistan must be part of india again we shall have glorious future in when the british ruled our land 70 years hindu civilization was superior

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

When I was kid in india James earl Carter was president of yuna means usa

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Sanskrit is true language of india

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

So india will be great country again

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

So india is a spirtuial country

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Oh yes my dear friends white people are also good people and blacks

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Spiritual country india

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

My name Suraj Kumar Ratti I will you a story of my whole previous life as a woman called Maya Ratti I was born during the british raj in 1919 there was terrible amritsar massacre various people of hindu Muslims died we should have sent the british packing leave our land once for all come as traders Shaeed Bhagat Singh was hanged by the British and so was Shaeed Udham Singh also by the British. The british judge in the bhagat singh case said of india poor and illerate country bhagat singh said to the british judge objected your honour… Read more »

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

The people of lanka are named after woman called lankini the diety of lanka even before the british ruled the entire world 25%percent of the world surface and ravana the villian of ramayan had created the bermuda triangle where ships and aeroplanes have disappeared under the sea

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Mecca the Holy city is vedic before Islam religion really begun countless deities were worshipped around the kaaba

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Paris city is called Pareshwari in vedic terms
London City UK called Landana in vedic terms

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

the name Suraj is of Indian (Sanskrit) origin and means “Sun” the name Suraj is of Indian (Sanskrit) origin and means “Gift of god”.

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Paris city in sanskrit parameshwari vedic goddess

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Oh yes ramayan and mahabharat belongs to everyone ie whites and the blacks Indians

Suraj k ratti
Suraj k ratti
1 year ago

Indian boys named different like ram and krishna not ravanna
Indian girls named different ie sheetal uma sarita sunita not queen kaikeyi