The Great Compilation

Introduction.

Up to this point, the chronology of the astronomers has been determined. Although our primary objective was to establish the time of the great teacher Varahamihira Varahamihira (c. 505–587 CE) was one of the most influential Indian astronomers and mathematicians, several other matters were critiqued as they arose in context. The text titled Brihat Samhita literally "The Great Compilation," an encyclopedic work covering astrology, planetary movements, eclipses, rainfall, agriculture, and architecture is so excellent that by studying it, a person becomes skilled in all endeavors. It was a matter of great surprise that such a magnificent work lacked a vernacular commentary and had not been printed in Bombay. However, considering the needs of the present time and place, this simple language translation of the text was prepared with great labor. It was immediately printed and published by our great benefactor and devotee of Lord Vishnu, Seth Gangavishnu Shrikrishnadas ji, at his Lakshmi Venkateshwar Press. The full copyright of this translation has been surrendered to the aforementioned Seth ji; therefore, no gentleman should attempt to edit or alter this translation. My highly venerable elder brother, the renowned and eminent scholar Pandit Jwalaprasad Mishra, has purified corrected and edited this text from beginning to end, for which he is thanked repeatedly.

In the work of this translation, assistance was received from several books, which are mentioned below. Namely: the Sanskrit commentary by Bhattotpala a 10th-century commentator essential for understanding Varahamihira, the commentary by Panchanan Tarkaratna published by the Bangavasi Office, and the Arunodaya commentary published in the Dravidian Southern Indian region. The publishers and translators of these works are also thanked repeatedly. If the light of knowledge is transmitted into the heart of even a single person upon reading this translation, I shall consider my labor successful. I request the kind-hearted readers to look upon this translation with a favorable eye. Aside from them, the fault-finders will surely see defects in every part. Goswami Tulsidas ji has truly written:

Those who witness the faults of others with a thousand eyes; but in the matter of others' welfare, their minds are like a fly in ghee meaning they spoil the good or find it distasteful.
They abandon their own bodies to cause harm to others; just as hailstones destroy the crops and then melt away themselves.
They are like the demon Rahu to the full-moon glory of Vishnu and Shiva; and like the thousand-armed Kartavirya Arjuna in hindering the work of others.

Wherever any errors may remain, the readers should correct them as they read.