The date of Varaha Mihira is controversial, some say 100 BC others 500 AD.

He was the first one to mention in his work Pancha Siddhantika that the
ayanamsa, or the shifting of the equinox is 50.32 seconds.
Varahamihira's other most important contribution is the encyclopedic BrihatSamhita. It covers wide ranging subjects of human interest, including
astrology, planetary movements, eclipses, rainfall, clouds, architecture, growth
of crops, manufacture of perfume, matrimony, domestic relations, gems,
pearls, and rituals. The volume expounds on gemstone evaluation criterion
found in the Garuda Purana, and elaborates on the sacred Nine Pearls from
the same text. It contains 106 chapters and is known as the "great
compilation".
He was also an astrologer. He wrote on all the three main branches of
Jyotisha astrology: Brihat Jataka - is considered as one the five main treatises
on Hindu astrology on horoscopy., Daivaigya Vallabha, Laghu Jataka, Yoga
Yatra, Vivaha Patal.
Some important trigonometric results attributed to Varahamihira.

His son Prithuyasas also contributed in the Hindu astrology; his book "Hora
Saara" is a famous book on horoscopy.
Mihira was a Brahmana, the son of Aditya Dasa, from the region of Avanti,
near present day Ujjain, in Western India. He was instructed in astrology by
his father and was a devout worshipper of Surya Narayana, that is, Krsna who
manifests as the Sun. By performing severe austerities to please Surya
Narayana, Mihira got blessed with knowledge of ganita, hora, and samhita.
Mihira was one of the Nine Gems, navaratna, in the court of the great king,
Vikramaditya of Ujjain. He was greatly honored by the king for his vast

learning and correct predictions. Once, after the birth of the King's son Mihira
was asked to make predictions about the prince's future. Going into meditation
after studying the chart Mihira "observed that a serious and irremediable
danger beset the path of the longevity of the royal child and that he would be
killed by a varaha, or boar, on a particular day in a certain month of his 18th
year and no human remedies could save the prince from the jaws of death."
Having learnt of this danger to his son from his most reliable of court
astrologers, Vikramaditya consulted with Bhatti, his Chief Minister. It was
decided that a special palace would be constructed with stupendous walls 80
feet high. Ten thousand elite troops would patrol both inside and outside the
property as well as in the palace. Such careful watch was taken of the palace
that not even a cat or rat could enter the compound what to speak of a wild
boar. Every precaution was taken and the prince was under constant guard
and practically under house arrest, he was not allowed to leave his compound
for any reason. In fact he was ensconced on the seventh floor and not allowed
to go to a lower floor. The precautions were so thorough that they boasted that
the prince may die but certainly not by the agency of a varaha.
After such security measures were put into place Mihira was asked if he would
like to reconsider his former prediction. He emphatically stated that there was
nothing that could save the boy. As the date grew near he was again asked to
reconsider, and again gave the same reply. Tension began to mount, not so
much for the sake of the boy but for the reputation of Mihira. His detractors
thought that Mihira's reputation exceeded his ability, and though the boy might
die, the possibility of it be caused by a boar was so remote that Mihira would
be publicly disgraced. Even his friends, who had implicit faith in him and knew
of his great abilities, had doubts as to how his prediction would be successful,
because it was impossible for even a rat to move about undetected in that
palace.
On the fateful day Vikramaditya held court. Reports were brought to him every
hour on the safety and health of the Prince, now 18 years old. All the chief
pandits were assembled as well as the navaratnas, the nine greatly learned
men, of the King's court. The whole city was waiting for the result of Mihira's
prediction. Would it come true or not? The time of death had been fixed at

5:00 PM in the afternoon. The King, though a great admirer of Mihira, was
beginning to doubt Mihira's abilities. With a condescending smile he
addressed Mihira, did he still want to maintain his previous prediction that the
boy should be killed by a wild boar this afternoon. Did any new calculation
possibly change his mind, would the child just die, this was possible, but death
by a wild boar would be impossible. The King suggested that Mihira gracefully
back down from his former stance, without losing face. The King vowed that if
the impossible happened he would give Mihira the highest honor and bestow
on him the golden and be-jeweled Royal ensign or emblem, the Varaha, wild
boar, that was currently on his crown and transfer it to Mihira's head-dress and
that for posterity he would henceforth be given the title Varaha Mihira.
Everyone applauded the King.
All eyes focused on Mihira. He rose and gave a speech in which he
deprecated his own learning, that unfortunately no great rishis such as
Vasishta were present to reverse the karma of the Prince. He took a vow that
if his prediction failed he would never practice astrology again, he would never
enter the court of the king, and indeed, would leave Ujjain altogether and go
deep into the forest to practice tapasya, austerities, till his last day. But Mihira
stated that indeed the death would come true as predicted, there could be no
thwarting of fate and the Prince would be killed by a boar. He then calmly sat
down.
In the afternoon at 2:00 PM the King again convened his court. Senior military
commanders came every half hour with news of the Prince. He was hale and
hearty. Everything was going smoothly. The King had given orders that the
guard be on the highest alert and was confident that no harm could befall his
son. But Mihiracarya was totally calm, how could this be so, in only a few
hours his prediction would be proven wrong, yet he was still placid. Time went
on, a half hour after the appointed time of death a guard reported that there
was no disturbance in the Prince's palace. Mihira calmly told the King that the
boy had already died at the appointed time and they should go see for
themselves. Just then another guard came to report that all was still peaceful
in the palace. On the way to the palace other guards confirmed that all was
quite and calm at the palace. It was now about 6:00 PM and the King told

Mihira that his prediction must have been wrong because nothing at all wrong
had been reported, he couldn't believe that his officers were liars.
Mihira replied: "Victorious Monarch! the prince has died at the hour, minute,
and second, I have named and none of your watchmen has noticed it. It is a
sad event no doubt but it has happened and your son is lying dead in a pool of
blood, unnoticed by his watchmen and personal companions, and you will see
the truth of my prediction. Let us go and examine."
On entering the palace they noticed on every floor that peace and calm
prevailed. On the 7th floor they found a dozen or so of the Prince's friends
engaged in assorted games such as chess. When the Emperor made
inquiries about the Prince, they all replied that he had been playing with them
a little while ago and that he was quite hale and hearty and that he had just
gone out to take some air on the open terrace of the 7th floor.
Mihira said: "The Prince must be lying dead in a pool of blood caused by the
injuries of a boar, and if you go to the terrace you will be shocked to find him
dead as predicted by me. This wonderful prediction is not mine. My knowledge
is too humble and too limited to make such inconceivable and surprising
predictions. I have made all my predictions under the guidance of Surya
Narayana. Could such predictions inspired under His grace ever fail?"
They all went to the terrace and saw with horror and sorrow the Prince lying
dead on a cot in pool of blood. He was disfigured by the iron hooves of the
artificial boar-the Royal Emblem-that was attached to the flag staff. Everyone
was thrown into simultaneous gloom and ecstasy by the successful prediction.
Vikramaditya awarded Mihira with the Royal Emblem and he was hence forth
called Varaha Mihira.
The Prince's death had transpired in the following way. At about 4:00 PM, the
Prince, who had been playing with his friends, began to feel a sort of
oppression in his chest and giving over his cards to a nearby friend asked him
to play in his place. He then rose without complaint and went out to the
terrace. A tall flag staff, emblem of Royalty, rose high in the air, it had an
artificial boar attached to its top.
As this emblem of royalty was affixed to all important turrets and towers of all
the Emperor's palaces no one took any notice of them. Near the flag staff was

a cot with soft cushions for the Prince to take rest whenever he felt fatigued.
The Prince feeling tired while playing games with his friends came to lay down
in the cool air. At 5:00 PM precisely, a very strong gust of wind knocked loose
the iron boar. This fell down onto the Prince who was lying on his back. The
hooves struck severely against his breast and stomach and the tusks struck
his head and mouth. The Prince lost copious amounts of blood and died
immediately. The mattress on the cot absorbed the sound of the crash so no
one heard it fall. And as the Prince would often go to the terrace, and as the
game was very absorbing, no one noticed the Prince's absence.

Can it be true? King Vikramaditya asked in anguish, looking around the well-lit and
crowded court.
No one replied. All were shocked by the royal astrologers prediction.
Yes, my lord, this is so, however bitter it may be for you, replied the royal astrologer,
breaking the silence. His voice was full of grief. Yet it was authoritative. This position of the
planets predicts the death of the prince at the age of 18.
While the King controlled his emotions, the Queen, sitting beside him, could not contain
herself. No! No! she wailed. My lord, you should see to it that this prediction proves false.
Though the King had full faith in his astrologer, Mihira, he took everyprecaution to save his
son. But, on the predicted day, a boar killed the prince. When the news reached the King,
he immediately summoned Mihira to his court.
I am defeated, you have won, you have won, he told Mihira.
The astrologer was as sad as the king. He said, My Lord, I have not won. It is the science
of astronomy and astrology that has won.
Whatever it may be, my respected astrologer, said the King, It has convinced me that
your science is nothing but truth. And for your mastery of the subject, I now confer upon you
the Magadha kingdoms greatest award, the emblem of the varaha (boar).
From that time Mihira came to be known as Varahamihira.

Varahamihira was born in 499 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 Mihira astrology. On a visit to Kusumapura (Patna) young Mihira met the great
astronomer and mathematician, Aryabhata. The meeting inspired him so much that he
decided to take up astrology and astronomy as a lifetime pursuit.
At that time, Ujjain was the center of learning, where many schools of arts, science and
culture were blooming in the prosperity of the Gupta reign. Mihira, therefore, shifted to this
city, where scholars from distant lands were gathering. In due course, his astrological skills
came to the notice of Vikramaditya Chandragupta II, who made him one of the Nine Gems
of his court. Mihira traveled widely, even as far as Greece. He died in 587.
Varahamihira was learned in the Vedas, but was not a blind believer in the supernatural. He
was a scientist. Like Aryabhata before him, he declaredthat 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 committed one blunder, however. He was sure that the earth was not in motion. Had it
been so, he said, a bird moving in the direction opposite to the earths motion (which is
westwardly) would return to its nest as soon as it had flown from it.
Varahamihira made some significant observations in the field of ecology, hydrology and
geology. His claim that plants and termites serve as indicators of underground water is now
receiving attention in the scientific world. He was also a prolific writer. His mastery of
Sanskrit grammer andpoetic metre enabled him to express himself in a unique style.
His encyclopedic knowledge and his lively presentation of subjects, as dry as astronomy,
made him a celebrated figure. His treatise such as Panchasiddhantika (Five Principles),
Brihatsamhita (Master Collection), Brahjjataka (Astrological work), have put him on as high
a pedestal in astrology as Kautilyas in political philosophy, Manus in law, Paninis in
grammar.
About his own treatises Varahamihira says: The science of astrology is a vast ocean and is
not easy for everyone to cross it. My treatises provide a safe boat. That was no boast.
Even now they are acknowledged as masterpieces.
Varhamihira pronunciation (helpinfo) (505587 CE), also called Varaha or Mihir, was
an Indian astronomer, mathematician, andastrologer who lived in Ujjain. He was born in Avanti
region, roughly corresponding to modern-day Malwa, to Adityadasa, who was himself an astronomer.

According to one of his own works, he was educated at Kapitthaka. [1] He is considered to be one of
the nine jewels (Navaratnas) of the court of legendary ruler Yashodharman Vikramaditya of Malwa.

Our knowledge of Varahamihira is very limited indeed. According to one of his works, he was
educated in Kapitthaka. However, far from settling the question this only gives rise to
discussions of possible interpretations of where this place was. Dhavale in [3] discusses this
problem. We do not know whether he was born in Kapitthaka, wherever that may be, although
we have given this as the most likely guess. We do know, however, that he worked at Ujjain
which had been an important centre for mathematics since around 400 AD. The school of
mathematics at Ujjain was increased in importance due to Varahamihira working there and it
continued for a long period to be one of the two leading mathematical centres in India, in
particular having Brahmagupta as its next major figure.
The most famous work by Varahamihira is the Pancasiddhantika (The Five Astronomical
Canons) dated 575 AD. This work is important in itself and also in giving us information about
older Indian texts which are now lost. The work is a treatise on mathematical astronomy and it
summarises five earlier astronomical treatises, namely the Surya, Romaka, Paulisa,
Vasistha and Paitamaha siddhantas. Shukla states in [11]:The Pancasiddhantika of Varahamihira is one of the most important sources for the history of
Hindu astronomy before the time of Aryabhata I I.
One treatise which Varahamihira summarises was the Romaka-Siddhanta which itself was based
on the epicycle theory of the motions of the Sun and the Moon given by the Greeks in the
1st century AD. TheRomaka-Siddhanta was based on the tropical year of Hipparchus and on the
Metonic cycle of 19 years. Other works which Varahamihira summarises are also based on the
Greek epicycle theory of the motions of the heavenly bodies. He revised the calendar by
updating these earlier works to take into account precession since they were written.
The Pancasiddhantika also contains many examples of the use of a place-value number system.
There is, however, quite a debate about interpreting data from Varahamihira's astronomical texts
and from other similar works. Some believe that the astronomical theories are Babylonian in
origin, while others argue that the Indians refined the Babylonian models by making
observations of their own. Much needs to be done in this area to clarify some of these interesting
theories.
In [1] Ifrah notes that Varahamihira was one of the most famous astrologers in Indian history. His
work Brihatsamhita (The Great Compilation) discusses topics such as [1]:... descriptions of heavenly bodies, their movements and conjunctions, meteorological
phenomena, indications of the omens these movements, conjunctions and phenomena represent,
what action to take and operations to accomplish, sign to look for in humans, animals, precious
stones, etc.
Varahamihira made some important mathematical discoveries. Among these are certain
trigonometric formulae which translated into our present day notation correspond to

sin x = cos(/2 - x),

sin2x + cos2x = 1, and
(1 - cos 2x)/2 = sin2x.
Another important contribution to trigonometry was his sine tables where he improved those
of Aryabhata I giving more accurate values. It should be emphasised that accuracy was very
important for these Indian mathematicians since they were computing sine tables for applications
to astronomy and astrology. This motivated much of the improved accuracy they achieved by
developing new interpolation methods.
The Jaina school of mathematics investigated rules for computing the number of ways in
which r objects can be selected from n objects over the course of many hundreds of years. They
gave rules to compute the binomial coefficients nCr which amount to
Cr = n(n-1)(n-2)...(n-r+1)/r!

However, Varahamihira attacked the problem of computing nCr in a rather different way. He
wrote the numbers n in a column with n = 1 at the bottom. He then put the numbers r in rows
with r = 1 at the left-hand side. Starting at the bottom left side of the array which corresponds to
the values n = 1, r = 1, the values of nCr are found by summing two entries, namely the one
directly below the (n, r) position and the one immediately to the left of it. Of course this table is
none other than Pascal's triangle for finding the binomial coefficients despite being viewed from
a different angle from the way we build it up today. Full details of this work by Varahamihira is
given in [5].
Hayashi, in [6], examines Varahamihira's work on magic squares. In particular he examines a
pandiagonal magic square of order four which occurs in Varahamihira's work.
Article by: J J O'Connor and E F Robertson