Introduction

The first two verses of the teacher Varahamihira help us in accepting the time periods of two specific astronomers: first, the ancient authors of the scriptures, and second, Varahamihira himself. Bhattotpala, the commentator on Varaha’s work, has identified the "ancient scripture" as the Parashara Samhita An ancient Sanskrit text attributed to the sage Parashara dealing with astrology and omens. In his commentary, he has also quoted statements from said scripture regarding the positions of the seasons.

For example:—

“From the beginning of Dhanishtha to the end of the first half of Revati is the Winter season (Shishira). From the second half of Revati to the end of Rohini is Spring (Vasanta). From Mrigashira to the end of the first half of Ashlesha is Summer (Grishma). From the second half of Ashlesha to the end of Hasta is the Rainy season (Pravrit). From the beginning of Chitra to the end of the first half of Jyeshtha is Autumn (Sharad). From the second half of Jyeshtha to the end of Shravana is the Pre-winter season (Hemanta).”

From the beginning of Dhanishtha to the first half of Revati is the Winter season. From the latter half of Revati to the end of Rohini is the Spring season. From the beginning of Mrigashira to the first half of Ashlesha is the Summer season. From the latter half of Ashlesha to the end of Hasta is the Rainy season. From the beginning of Chitra to the first half of Jyeshtha is the Autumn season. From the latter half of Jyeshtha to the end of Shravana is the Pre-winter season.

The zodiac is divided into twenty-seven parts. In each part, one Nakshtra Constellation resides; therefore, the span of each constellation covers 13 degrees and 20 minutes of the zodiac. In the Spring season, the point in the zodiac where the Sun is located when day and night are equal is considered the beginning of the sign of Aries. At that location resides the junction star of our astronomy, Revati, known in Western astronomy as Piscum Zeta Piscium. According to the Surya Siddhanta A major treatise on Indian astronomy, the junction star Revati is located at 359 degrees and 50 minutes of the zodiac. However, according to Brahmagupta and others, Revati is at 360 degrees—that is, at the very beginning of the zodiac. The polar longitudes and latitudes of the constellations as determined by the astronomers will be published in their proper places.

By looking at the list written below, it will become clear which positions of the zodiac were occupied by all the seasons as determined by Parashara.

By the time of Varahamihira, all seasons began at the start of the zodiac signs; therefore, in his time, the Winter season began when the zodiac reached 270 degrees. This means that from the time of the author of the Parashara Samhita to the time of Varaha—