Q.

Discuss about Brihat Samhita and contribution by Varahamira

Ans:
Acharya Varahamihira was one of the greatest astrologers of ancient India. Belonging to the 6th
century CE of the Gupta Age, he composed numerous texts on astrology and allied subjects.
Among his notable works is the Brihat Samhita, which is an extraordinary treatise on not just
astrology but a host of other subjects – from architecture to agriculture, from meteorology to
physiognomy, from economics to dental hygiene. Varahamihra, was considered to be one of the
'nine gems' or navaratnas of King Vikramaditya or Chandragupta II's court. He was a famous
astrologer, astronomer, philosopher, scientist, mathematician and poet.
Often referred to as The Prince of Indian Astronomers, Varahamihira's major works are in the
field of astronomy and astrology. He famously composed Panchasiddhantika, and other works
like Yoga Yantra Brihat Jataka, Laghu Jataka, Brihat Yatra, Brihat Vivahapatala, Swalpa
vivahapatala, and the Brihat Samhita. The Panchasiddhantika is his most famous astrological
work, for it gives valuable references to five contemporaneous astronomical works, viz. Paita
maha, Romaka, Paulisha, Vaashishtha and Surya. On the foundation of these five systems, he
devised three branches or skandhas. These were: siddhanta and ganita (theory and mathematics),
hora and jataka (horoscopy and natal astrology), and samhita (collection), a branch which dealt
with all other aspects of knowledge. It is to this third branch that the Brihat Samhita belongs.
The term Brihat Samhita literally translates to the 'big collection', and the name is truly justified,
given the encyclopaedic nature of the composition. Astrology and astronomy make up for more
than half the content of the Brihat Samhita. The text has been divided into two sections, the first
containing highly technical information about the subject, while the second is a compendium of
all sorts of subjects. The first section provides detailed descriptions on planets, their positions
and their respective ramifications. For the first time, the book describes many astronomical
phenomena such as equinoxes, solstices, eclipses, comets, meteors and even sun spots – which
are now scientifically-established phenomena.
The text contains several chapters on predictive astrology, based on the position of planets,
bodily characteristics (angavidya), and omens. These predictions pertain to natural phenomena
and the general health, welfare and prosperity of people – both royalty and laymen. There are
also some chapters devoted to auspicious days and times pertaining to birth, weddings, travel,
etc. as well as ways of charting calendar periods.
The Brihat Samhita deals with the subjects like meteorology, hydrology and seismology. The
importance of rain in an agriculture-driven economy, has been underlined in this text. The book
contains information on rain, on Yogas like Rohini and Swati, on winds, cloud formations,
earthquakes, rainbows, dust storms and thunder bolts among other things. The book contains
several verses describing the colours of the sky, shapes of clouds, the positions of nakshatras ,
the growth of vegetation, behavior of animals, the nature of lightening and thunder and
associated rainfall patterns.
There text explains how to gauge underwater sources based on geographical pointers. He
mentions different kinds of plants, reptiles, insects and other creatures as well as soil markers for
groundwater sources.
The text describes in some detail the kinds and dimensions of houses to be built by certain
classes of people. The text also comments upon the technical aspect of cement mixtures and
other masonic techniques. But it is in the context of temple architecture, religious sculpture and
iconography that the Brihat Samhita has received a lot of importance. The Brihat Samhita lists 20
types of temples ranging from one to twelve storeys high. The text also lists at least 56 design
requirements in temple construction.
The text mentions about the 81-square grid layout plan, with each grid accorded to a particular
deity. The Vaastupurusha concept, as elucidated in his book, is still observed in the field of
vastru shastra. These helped create blueprints not just for the builder but also the priest.
Installations rites of mortar and god are dealt with equally. Along with Manasara and Shilpa
Ratna, the Brihat Samhita became an important source book for architectural guidelines in the
ancient through medieval periods.
The Brihat Samhita is truly the magnum opus of Varahamihira – the great 6th century CE
scholar. The text deals with a large number of subjects and gracefully condenses knowledge
from all important walks of life for future generations. Scholars and laymen alike stand to benefit
from the study of this text, for it has both – scientific and literary merit
Q. Discuss on Tithi and Nakshtra
All instances of time have five characteristics viz. Vaara, Thithi, Nakshatra, Yoga and Karana.
These five characteristics are detailed for all the days of the year in an almanac which is called
Panchangam. (Pancha + anga). These characteristics are derived from the positions of Sun and
Moon. Panchangam is used for knowing these five basic characteristics of time for sankalpa,
locating dates of vratas, locating dates of shraddhas and for finding suitable dates for auspicious
functions. Positions Sun, Moon and other planets are also given in the Panchangams. These are
used for fixing Muhurthas and preparation of horoscopes and predictions by Astrologers.
Tithi:
The moment of new moon, or that point of time when the longitudes of the sun and the moon are
equal is called Amavasya (means dwelling together of the sun and the moon). A thithi is the time
occupied by the moon in increasing its distance from the sun by 12 degrees. In other words, at
the exact point of time when the moon moving eastwards from the sun after the Amavasya,
leaves the sun behind by 120 degrees, the first thithi, Pratipath (Prathama) ends, 240 for the end
of Dwitheeya, 360 for Thrutheeya,. . 1800 for Pournami, 1920 for Krishna Prathama, 2040 for
Dwitheeya, . . 3600 for Amavasya. One complete synodic revolution of the moon occupies 30
thithis for the 360 degrees. Since the motions of the sun and the moon are always varying in
speed, the length of a thithi constantly alters.
As the time duration of thithi varies from day to day, thithi’s Beginning/End points occur at
different times of the day. Generally one thithi begins on a day and ends on the next day which
means on each day one thithi ends and at the same time the next thithi begins. However, as the
time duration of thithis can vary from 59 ghatis to 65 ghatis, on some days (a). the same thithi
will have its Beginning as well as End point which means such days will have two
Beginning/End points of thithis(b). thithi will not have its end point which means such days will
have no Beginning/End point of thithis. Days with two Beginning/End points of thithis and No
Beginning/End points of thithis are taboo for auspicious functions.
Tithi can be classified as:
Group Tithi Phala
Nanda 1,6,11 Ananda
Bhadra 2,7,12 Arogya, Mangala
Jaya 3,8,13 Victory
 Riktha 4,9,14 Loss
Poorna 5,10,0/15 Sampoorna
A thithi starting before the day’s sun rise and ending after the next day’s sun rise is called
adhika thithi. During the time duration of an Adhika thithi, two sun rises will occur. A thithi
starting after the day’s sun rise and ending before the next day’s sun rise is called Kshaya thithi.
During the time duration of a Kshaya thithi,no sun rise will occur.

Nakshatra:
The 27th part of the ecliptic is called a Constellation or Nakshatra. Each constellation / nakshatra
occupies 360°/27 = 13°20' of the ecliptic or zodiac. The word Nakshatra/Star is used as though it
is a separate object. There are 27 nakshatras and are listed with their Abhimani Devathas
The lords of the asterisms are, in order : (1) Asvini- Dasrau (Asvins); (2) Bharani — Yama; (3)
Krttika- Vahni (Agni); (4) Rohini — Brahma; (5) Margasiras- Chandra; (6) Ardra- Isa (Rudra);
(7) Punarvasu- Aditi; (8) Pusya- Jiva (Brhaspati); (9) Aslesa- Ahi (Sarpa); (10) Magha- Pitrs;
(11) Purvaphalguni- Bhaga; (12) Uttaraphalguni- Aryama; (13) Hasta- Arka (Surya); (14) Citra-
Tvastr (Vishvakarma); (15) Svati- Marut (Vayu); (16) Visakha- Sakragni (Indragni); (17)
Anuradha- Mitra; (18) Jystha- Vasava (Indra); (19) Mula- Nirrti; (20) Purvasadha- Udaka
(Apah); (21) Uttarasadha- Visvedevah; (22) Sravana- Govinda (Visnu); (23) Dhanistha- Vasu;
(24) Satabhisa- Toyapa (Varuna); (25) Purvabhadra — Ajaekpada; (26) Uttarbhadra-
Ahirbudhnya; and (27) Revati- Pusa
As per with their qualities, the 27 nakshatras are divided into following categories and are
favorable muhurtha for:
 Sthira or Fixed,
 Chara or Movable,
 Ugra or Fierce,
 Kshipra or Swift,
 Mridu or Tender,
 Tikshna or sharp,
 Misra or Mixed
The Sthira or Fixed nakshatras are Rohini, Uttara Phalguni, Uttara Ashadha, and Uttara
Bhadrapada. These constellations are favorable for any work of fixed, stability and long term
purpose like planting trees, purchasing property, laying the foundations for buildings,
construction of home, factory etc. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall
on Sunday.
The Chara or Movable nakshatras are Punarvasu, Swati, Shravana, Dhanishtha, and
Shatabhisha. These constellations are favorable for buying automobiles, vehicles, gardening,
going on journey and travel. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on
Monday.
The Ugra or Fierce nakshatras are Bharani, Magha, Purva Phalguni, Purva Ashadha, and Purva
Bhadrapada. These constellations are favorable for destructive deeds such as demolishing any
structure, setting fires, making imprisonment and works that require force, weapons and
confronting enemies. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on Tuesday.
The Kshipra or Swift nakshatras are Ashwini, Pushya and Hasta. These constellations are
favorable for trade and commercial transactions, admission in school or college, using medicine,
taking or giving loans, journey and travel. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras
happen to fall on Thursday.
The Mridu or Tender nakshatras are Mrigashira, Chitra, Anuradha, and Revati. These
constellations are favorable for making new friends and enjoyment of pleasures, romance, dance,
drama, fashionable clothes, writing of poetry. This will be more auspicious if these nakshatras
happen to fall on Friday.
The Tikshna or Sharp nakshatras are Ardra, Ashlesha, Jyeshtha, and Mula. These constellations
are favorable for filing for a divorce, black magic, casting spells, exorcism, punishment,
hypnotism, evoking of spirits, goblins, demons etc. This will be more auspicious if these
nakshatras happen to fall on Saturday.
The Misra or mixed nakshatras are Krittika and Vishakha. These constellations are favorable
for activities like worshiping, fire ceremonies, purchasing furniture and electronics. This will be
more auspicious if these nakshatras happen to fall on Wednesday.
Discussion on the muhurtha for vastu poojan of the building
Name of the building: Janardhanswami Yogaabhyaasa Kendra
Purpose: Spiritual, learn yoga and meditation

Date 9th March 2019

Soura date Phalgun 18 Phalgun Lord Shani: will provide stability
Vara Shanivaar Mandavaar, Sthir vaar (good for inaugration of
public building)
Tithi Tritiya, Shukla Paksha Shukla Paksha: Ideal for pooja of devtas
Jaya tithi: Will bring victory to the occupants
Nakshatra Revati Mridu Nakshatra: Favourable for yoga
Surya Rashi Kumbha
Moon Rashi Meena
Yoga Shukla Good Yoga
Karana Taitila Good for Vedic and auspicious ceremonies
Ritu Shishir
Vedic Ayana Uttarayana
Dinamana 11 Hours 45 Mins 39 Secs
Ratrimana 12 Hours 13 Mins 28 Secs
Chandrabalam Good Good in shukla paksh will guarantee success.
Purnahuthi Abhijit Muhuart Will ensure success