Introduction

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The Varahi Samhita also known as the Brihat Samhita is a primary text of Jyotish Jyotish: traditional Indian astrology and astronomy. Its creator, the teacher Varahamihira, was the son of Adityadasa and a resident of Avanti modern-day Ujjain. After studying all the sciences from his father, Varahamihira went to the city of Kapittha, where he performed penance to the Sun God and received a boon. Whatever the case may be, in the introduction to this book, we must determine the era of Varahamihira and the creator of the Surya Siddhanta a seminal Sanskrit treatise on astronomy. By establishing the dates for these figures, the timing of many other astronomers will also be clarified. Varahamihira wrote in his book titled Pancha-Siddhantika:

"The sun’s southward journey once began from the midpoint of the constellation Ashlesha, and its northward journey from the start of Dhanishtha."

"This was certainly the case at some time, as stated in the ancient scriptures." || 1 ||

"Currently, the sun’s southward journey begins from the start of Cancer, and the other (northward) from the start of Capricorn."

"The shift from what was previously stated is a visible change, evident through direct observation." || 2 ||

"One may know this by observing the sun at sunrise or sunset against distant markers (stars),"

"Or by the marks of the entry and exit of a shadow within a large circle." || 3 ||

"If the sun turns back without reaching Capricorn, it destroys the south and west directions."

"If it turns back without reaching Cancer, it destroys the north and east directions." || 4 ||

"Having passed the point of the northward journey, the sun’s return brings an increase in well-being."

"When the sun remains in its natural course, it is auspicious; any unnatural movement brings fear." || 5 ||

The verses above are translated from the original Sanskrit slokas provided in the text.

The southward journey Dakshinayana: the sun's movement toward the south used to begin in the latter half of Ashlesha, and the northward journey Uttarayana: the sun's movement toward the north certainly began at the start of Dhanishtha in some era, because such records exist in the ancient scriptures || 1 || Currently, the sun's southward journey begins at the start of Cancer and the northward journey begins at the start of Capricorn; therefore, in the absence of the ancient solstice points, the change is clearly perceived || 2 || (Method for knowing the shift of the solstice): One should know this by distant markers (constellations, etc.) at the time of the sun's rise and set, or by observing the entry and exit of the shadow of a central gnomon a pillar used to track the sun's shadow against fixed marks in a large circle || 3 || If the sun returns in its northward journey without reaching Capricorn, the south-west direction is ruined; if it returns in its southward journey without reaching Cancer, the north-east direction is destroyed || 4 || By returning after reaching the start of Capricorn, the sun is a bringer of welfare, and this is its natural motion; if there is any distorted motion other than this, the sun becomes a bringer of misfortune || 5 ||