Born possibly Kapitthaka, (India), 505
Died Avanti, (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India), 587
Varāhamihira's three major works are Pancha Siddhantika, Brihat Samhita, and Brihat Jataka. The first of these summarizes the five important astronomical schools current at his time, the second is an encyclopedia, and the third is an astrological text. The Pancha Siddhantika presents the theories of the Paulisha, Romaka, Vasishtha, Paitamaha, and Surya Siddhantas. The Brihat Samhita has chapters on astronomy, geography, the calendar, meteorology, botany, agriculture, economics, engineering, zoology, and so on. Varāhamihira's main importance lies in his review of older astronomical theories, especially the Surya Siddhanta, and the description in his encyclopedia of the popular knowledge that existed in India during his time.
Selected Reference
Sarma, K. V. (1993). Panca‐Siddhantika of Varahamihira. Madras: PPST Foundation.
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Vagiswari, A. (2007). Varāhamihira. In: Hockey, T., et al. The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-30400-7_1417
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