Varahamihira and the Brhat Samhita

About Varahamihira and Brahat Samhita

Varahamihira lived in the fifth or sixth century CE and was a renowned Astronomer, Mathematician, and Astrologer.  He is credited with multiple works including the Brahat Samhita.  In Brahat Samita: Part Two, Varahamihira discusses the origin and nature of jewels including The Sacred Pearls.  The text referenced for herein is an English translation by M. Ramakrishna Bhat published by Motilal Banarsisass in 1987. 

From its publisher:
"The Brhat Samhita Part I consists of 57 chapters.  It discusses the movements of planets from the astronomical and astrological point of view; the allotment of countries to the nine regions on the basis of constellations; effects of years, months and days presided over by different planets; could formation, wind and rainfall, flowers and creepers; portents; growth of crops, commodities, prices, and traders; ritual for the imporvement of royal powers; signs of men and women; architecture, town-planning, water-divination; trees; manufacture of perfumes; animals, cows, dogs, etc.; domestic felicity, erotic remedies; gems and their value; cleansing of teeth; omens through birds and beasts; and the function of asterisms, lunar days, etc."

The second volume deals with much the same topics, but in greater granularity of variations within the categories noted by the publisher.

Q.  What's a Navaratna?

A.  Varahamihira.

Varahamihira worked as one of the Navaratnas for Chandragupta Vikramaditya . His book Pancasiddhantika (or Pancha-Siddhantika, The Five Astronomical Canons) dated 575 AD gives us information about older Indian texts which are now lost.

The term "Navaratnas" is used for denoting the group of nine extraordinary people in Akbar 's "darbar". Navaratnas or Nine Gems (nine (nav), jewels (ratnas)) was also the collective title of the nine most valuable members in the court of Gupta Emperor Chandragupta II.  He is also known as Vikramaditya. Kalidas was the leader of the Navaratna. The Nine Gems of Vikramaditya'scourt were :  Dhanvantari ,Kshapanaka, Amarasimha, Sanku, Vetala Bhatta, Ghatakharpara, Varahamihira, Vararuchi, Kalidasa.

"Navaratna" is generally used to describe a type of talisman containing 9 gemstones.