The opening chapters break down the movements of the Sun, Moon, and planets. Varahamihira was a rationalist who rejected popular mythological explanations for celestial events. He explicitly verified that eclipses are caused by physical shadows rather than cosmic demons:

Two-volume set containing exhaustive notes, Sanskrit text, and English translation. Parimal Publication / Internet Archive

Varaha Mihira, also known as Varahamihira, was a prominent Indian scholar, astronomer, and mathematician who lived in the 5th century CE. He is believed to have been born in Ujjain, a major center of learning and astronomy in ancient India. Varaha Mihira's works had a profound impact on Indian astronomy, mathematics, and astrology. His most famous works include the Panchasiddhantika, a treatise on astronomical models, and the Brhat Samhita, a comprehensive text on astrology and astronomy.

Varāhamihira dedicated an entire chapter to earthquakes ( Bhakampa ), attributing them to atmospheric anomalies, undersea volcanic disruptions, and planetary alignments. Modern researchers note that his classifications of pre-seismic anomalies—such as unusual animal behavior and changes in groundwater levels—align closely with modern earthquake precursor studies.

Varāhamihira systematically divides the broader science of Jyotisha into three core branches ( Skandhas ):

Heat signatures and color changes in localized topsoils. 4. Architecture and Vastu Shastra

Bṛhat Saṃhitā (Great Compilation) is a 6th-century Sanskrit encyclopedia authored by the polymath Varāhamihira

: Varahamihira classified 22 types of jewels, describing their purity, sources, and even market prices.

He describes practical methods to detect underground water by observing: