Bhaskar Acharya Shastri History of Astrology

After Vrahmihir and Brahmagupta, Bhaskar Acharya Shastri is considered the next most influential and talented astrologer in the history of astrology. He gained his earlier knowledge about astrology from his father at home. Bhaskaracharya comes under the category of great scholars of India, whose knowledge and abilities are known by their works.

Bhaskaracharya's contribution to the Indian astrology is a priceless wealth. He was not only an excellent astrologer but was also a great mathematician. His rules are used to solve problems in both mathematics and astrology.

He discovered the theory of gravity and said “ The Earth pulls celestial materials with its distinctive powers, that is why the celestial bodies fall on the Earth”. From this theory, it has become clear that it is possible to exist on earth only by the gravitational power present on the earth.

A lot about Bhaskaracharya can be learned from the scriptures written by him. He was a Brahmin and his Gotra was Shandilya. He is said to have been born at a place called Vijjalid in the Sahyadri region. Various inscriptions related to Bhaskaracharya also provides us information about their life. From these inscriptions, it can be learned that Bhaskaracharya’s father was also a great Pandit and scholar of mathematics. Bhaskaracharya gained knowledge of astrology and mathematics from his father. Bhaskaracharya was considered to be a very capable and best mathematician and astrologer of medieval India.

Scriptures written by Bhaskar Acharya

Bhaskar Acharya has written scripture based on the Brahmas Fut Siddhant, which is known by the name of Siddhanth Shiromani. Other scriptures written by him are Lilavati, Beejganit, Karana Kutuhala and Sarvatobhadra Granth.

All the scholars of that time agreed with the scriptures written by him. He had revised the rules of mathematics and wrote the book ‘Beej Sanskar’. Bhaskar Acharya Ji was not only a great astrologer, mathematician but he was also a great poet.

The main subjects of mathematics that he analyzed were, mathematical calculations of the solar eclipse, Kranti, Chandrakala Sadhan, Muhurata Chintamani and Piyush Dhara. It is also believed that he had written a book on ‘Falit’, but this book is not available today.

Establishment of Bhaskar Acharya and Lilavati Mathematics

Bhaskar Acharya has written a book known as Siddhanth Shiromani, which is also called as Lilavati. It is believed that his daughter’s name was Lilavati and so he named the book Lilavati too. A lot can be learned about astrological and mathematical rules from this scripture. Mathematics is a very important part of astrology, which further helps in understanding the finer mysteries of astrology. This important scripture is found in Sanskrit language and is written in a poetic manner. There are four parts of Siddhanth Shiromani - Lilavati, Beejganit, Goladhyay and Grihaganit. Arithmetic can also be covered in this scripture.

Bhaskaracharya wrote about his daughter Lilavati in this scripture. Bhaskaracharya Ji got to know that his daughter will not be blessed with marital happiness. On the basis of his own knowledge, he devised an auspicious Muhurat. According to him getting married during this Muhurat will bring in marital happiness forever. Destiny, however, had something different in mind. When the time of marriage came the required Muhurat did not occur. Lilavati did not get the desired marital happiness. To motivate his daughter and ensure she overcame her misery, Bhaskaracharya taught his daughter mathematics and astrology. This is how Lilavati was created.

Contribution of Bhaskara Acharya

Bhaskaracharya made algebra very rich. He told us about the numbers which can not be determined, created classes and tables. He gave information about zero, in which the nature and property of zero have been mentioned. Bhaskaracharya Ji said that when a number is divisible by zero then it becomes infinite and the sum of any number and infinity will also be infinite. Bhaskaracharya elaborated and explained the decimal system in detail.

In the composition called Ganitadhyay, he explained the motion of the planets, along with the time calculation, knowledge of the direction and many mysteries related to placements. The rising and setting of planets, as well as solar and lunar eclipses, have been explained. In the composition called Goladhayya, theories related to the motion of planets and things related to astrophysics are stated. Along with this, there is also a mention of the instruments which can be used as remedies for planets.

Karna Kotuhal talks about various eclipses. It mentions that a lunar eclipse occurs due to the shadow of the earth and a solar eclipse occurs due to the shadow of the moon. He proved many such astrological and mathematical rules and principles of the same kind.