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Varāhamihira

Varāhamihira was born around 505 CE in Ujjain, a renowned scholarly center in central India. He belonged to a Brahmin family and showed early brilliance in astronomy and astrology. Deeply influenced by Greek, Roman, and Persian sciences, he synthesized foreign ideas with Indian traditions, producing groundbreaking works. He was one of the Navaratnas (Nine Gems) in the court of King Yashodharman Vikramaditya of Malwa.

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Contributions and Achievements

His most famous text is the "Pancha-Siddhantika" (The Five Astronomical Canons), where he critically analyzes and compares five earlier Indian astronomical systems: Surya Siddhanta, Romaka Siddhanta, Paulisa Siddhanta, Vasishtha Siddhanta, and Paitamaha Siddhanta. This work uniquely integrates Indian and Hellenistic traditions, particularly showing the influence of Greco-Roman astronomy.

Varāhamihira also authored the "Brihat Samhita", an encyclopedic Sanskrit text covering a wide range of topics: astronomy, astrology, architecture, agriculture, meteorology, omens, gemology, and divination. He attempted to predict rainfall based on planetary alignments and contributed to hydrology by identifying underground water sources through botanical indicators.

In mathematics, he explained combinations and permutations (used in astrology), Pascal’s triangle-like arrangements, and trigonometric relations, including sine and cosine tables. His use of logic, empirical methods, and openness to foreign knowledge distinguished him among Indian scholars.