Did you know that the facts about planet Mars (strongest evidence that liquid water flows intermittently on present-day Mars) that are being discovered by scientists from India’s ISRO and America’s NASA, were already discovered by an Indian sage 1500 years ago? Indian astronomer, mathematician, and astrologer from Ujjain, Varahamihira in his book written 1500 years ago had mentioned so many insights about space and universe that has shocked the scientists of today.

Who is Varahamihira?

Varahamihira was born in the year 499 in a small village Kapitha in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, India. His father Adityadas was a great worshipper of the sun. Varahamihira was one of the 9 gems of King Vikramaditya’s court. He was a great scientist and astrologer in the 6th century A.D who made noteworthy discoveries. The first grantha (text) written by Varahamihira was the ‘Surya Siddhanta’ in 1515.

Great scholar Varahamihira’s contribution to World:

Varahamihira was the first person who predicted underground water, as he saw termites going very deep into the soil to bring water.

He is the one whose mathematical work included the discovery of the trigonometric formula. His greatest work known as the Panchasidhantika (The Five Astronomical Canons) constitutes of various mathematical and astrological discoveries.

Varahamihira, without any scientific equipment, derived the true value of equinox. This value is very important for the modern day Geostationary Satellites.

Surya Siddhanta & description on planet Mars:

• Panchasiddhantika includes Surya Siddhanta, an astronomical treatise which explains or determines the true motions of the luminaries. Under this work, Varahamihira has also explained the estimated diameters of the planets, like Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter.
• The book gave the locations of several stars other than the lunar nakshatras (constellations) and the calculation of solar eclipses. The book also had a significant coverage on kinds of time, the length of the year of gods and demons, day and night of god Brahma, the elapsed period since creation, how planets move eastwards and sidereal revolution.
• Surya Siddhanta mentioned the Earth’s diameter (which was calculated to be 3,772 miles that has an error within 11% of the currently accepted diameter of 4,218 miles), circumference and also carries calculations on and about solar eclipses and lunar eclipses, its color and portion of the moon as well.
• Apart from these, Varahamihira also predicted the presence of water on Mars. The book had a detailed description of planet Mars. He had said in his book that planet Mars has both water and iron present on its surface, which have now been revealed by NASA and ISRO.
• He was the first to mention and explain how each planet in the solar system has been created by and centered on the sun.

Surya Siddhanta Has Been Stolen

This important book from the ancient times has apparently been stolen now. However, there are some experts who had recorded Varahamihira’s research work, carried the research forward. The recorded research work has been translated into many languages as well. During NASA’s Mars mission, retired IPS, Arun Upadhyay did a comparative study of Varāhamihira’s calculations about Mars and found certain similarities. He also wrote a book on the same subject.

Many fear that the original version of Surya Siddhanta was stolen by the other astronomers from overseas.

On Astrology

Other important works of Varāhamihira include books on all the three main branches of Jyotisha astrology: Brihat Jataka, Laghu Jataka, Samasa Samhita, Brihat Yogayatra, Yoga Yatra, Brihat Vivaha Patal, Lagna Varahi, Kutuhala Manjari and Daivajna Vallabha.