Introduction

The Varahi Samhita also known as the Brihat Samhita is a primary text of astrology and astronomy. Its creator, the teacher Varahamihira, was the son of Aditya-dasa 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 time period of Varahamihira and the creators of the Surya Siddhanta The Sun Canon, a foundational Sanskrit astronomical text. By establishing their era, the timing of many other astronomers can also be determined. Varahamihira wrote in his book titled Pancha-Siddhantika The Five Treatises:

"The southward journey of the Sun once began from the midpoint of the constellation Ashlesha, and the northward journey from the beginning of Dhanishtha."

"This was certainly true 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 deviation from the ancient records is evident through direct observation." ||2||

"One should recognize this through distant markers at the rising or setting of the Sun,"

"or by the marks of the entry and exit of the shadow on a large circle Gnomon: a vertical pillar used to measure the sun's shadow." ||3||

"If the Sun turns back without reaching Capricorn, it destroys the South and West; if it turns back without reaching Cancer, it destroys the North and East." ||4||

"Returning after completing the northward journey brings an increase in well-being."

"When the Sun follows its natural course, it is auspicious; a distorted movement brings fear." ||5||

In ancient times, the Dakshinayana the Sun's six-month southward journey/Winter Solstice began in the middle of the Ashlesha constellation and the Uttarayana the Sun's six-month northward journey/Summer Solstice began at the start of Dhanishtha, because such accounts exist in the ancient scriptures ||1||. Currently, the Sun's southward journey begins at the start of Cancer and the northward journey at the start of Capricorn; therefore, in the absence of the ancient Ayana solstice point/precession, its change is clearly perceived ||2||. (Method for knowing the change of the solstice): One should know this through distant markers such as constellations at the time of the Sun's rise and set, or by observing the entry and exit of the shadow from fixed marks on a large circle referring to a sundial or astronomical circle ||3||. If the Sun turns back in its northward journey without reaching Capricorn, the South-West direction is harmed; if it turns back 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 auspiciousness, and this is its natural motion; if the motion is distorted from this, the Sun becomes a bringer of inauspiciousness ||5||.

From these first two verses of the teacher Varahamihira, we receive help in identifying the eras of two astronomers: first, the author of the ancient scriptures, and second, Varahamihira himself. Bhattotpala, the commentator on Varahamihira's work, has identified the "ancient scripture" as the Parashari Samhita. He has also quoted statements regarding the state of the seasons from that scripture in his commentary.