Written in the sixth century CE by the scholar Varahamihira, the Brihat Samhita is a remarkable Sanskrit encyclopedia that captures the scientific and artistic spirit of ancient India. Spanning over a hundred chapters, it covers astronomy, astrology, architecture, gemology, agriculture, and weather prediction. Varahamihira gathered centuries of careful observation into one practical guide for rulers, priests, and artisans. More than a reference book, it shows how ancient Indians viewed the sky, planned cities, and worked with nature. Today, it remains a clear window into early Indian science and a timeless reminder of how knowledge and tradition once walked together.
बृहत्संहिता
Brihat Samhita
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Distribution of verses across chapters
Chapters
उपनयनाध्यायः
Introductory
11 verses
सांवत्सरसूत्राध्यायः
The Jyotiṣa (astrologer)
24 verses
आदित्यचाराध्यायः
On The Course Of The Sun (āditya-cāra)
39 verses
चन्द्रचाराध्यायः
On The Course Of The Moon (candra-cāra)
32 verses
राहुचाराध्यायः
On The Course Of Rāhu (rāhu-cāra)
98 verses
भौमचाराध्यायः
On The Course Of Mars (bhauma-cāra)
13 verses
बुधचाराध्यायः
On The Course Of Mercury (budha-cāra)
20 verses
बृहस्पतिचाराध्यायः
On The Course Of Jupiter (bṛhaspati-cāra)
53 verses
शुक्रचाराध्यायः
On The Course Of Venus (śukra-cāra)
45 verses
शनैश्चरचाराध्यायः
On The Course Of Saturn (śanaiścara-cāra)
21 verses
केतुचाराध्यायः
On Comets (ketu)
62 verses
अगस्त्यचाराध्यायः
On Canopus (agastya)
21 verses
सप्तर्षिचाराध्यायः
On The Constellation Of Saptarṣi (seven Ṛṣis Or Sages)
11 verses
नक्षत्रकूर्माध्यायः
On Kūrma Vibhāga
33 verses
नक्षत्रव्यूहाध्यायः
On The Nakṣatras (nakṣatra-vyūha)
32 verses
ग्रहभक्तियोगाध्यायः
On The Planets (graha-bhaktiyoga)
41 verses
ग्रहयुद्धाध्यायः
On Planetary Conjunctions (grahayuddha)
27 verses
शशिग्रहसमागमाध्यायः
On The Moon’s Conjunction With The Planets (śaśigrahasamāgama)
8 verses
ग्रहवर्षफलाध्यायः
On Planetary Years (grahavarṣaphala)
22 verses
ग्रहशृङ्गाटकाध्यायः
On Planetary Meetings (grahaśṛṅgāṭaka)
9 verses
गर्भलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Rain-clouds (garbhalakṣaṇa)
37 verses
गर्भधारणाध्यायः
On Rain Support Days (garbha-dhāraṇa)
8 verses
प्रवर्षणाध्यायः
On Rain (pravarṣaṇa)
10 verses
रोहिणीयोगाध्यायः
On Rohiṇī-yoga
36 verses
स्वातियोगाध्यायः
On Svāti-yoga
6 verses
आषाढीयोगाध्यायः
On Āṣāḍhī-yoga
15 verses
वातचक्राध्यायः
On The Winds (vātacakra)
10 verses
सद्योवर्षणाध्यायः
Signs Of Immediate Rain (sadyovarṣaṇa)
24 verses
कुसुमलताध्यायः
On Flowers And Plants (kusumalatā)
14 verses
सन्ध्यालक्षणाध्यायः
Signs Of Twilight Hours (sandhyā-lakṣaṇa)
33 verses
दिग्दाहलक्षणाध्यायः
On Digdāha (glow At The Horizon)
5 verses
भूकम्पलक्षणाध्यायः
Signs Of An Earthquake (bhūkampa-lakṣaṇa)
32 verses
उल्कालक्षणाध्यायः
On Meteors (ulkā)
30 verses
परिवेषलक्षणाध्यायः
On Halos (pariveṣa-lakṣaṇa)
23 verses
इन्द्रायुद्धलक्षणाध्यायः
Signs Of Rainbows (indrāyudha-lakṣaṇa)
8 verses
गन्धर्वनगरलक्षणाध्यायः
Signs Of Aerial City (gandharvanagara-lakṣaṇa)
5 verses
प्रतिसूर्यलक्षणाध्यायः
On Mock Suns (pratisūrya-lakṣaṇa)
3 verses
रजोलक्षणं इन्सेर्तेद्
On Dust-storms (rajas-lakṣaṇa)
8 verses
निर्घातलक्षणाध्यायः
On Thunderbolts
5 verses
सस्यजातकाध्यायः
On Sasya-jātaka (vegetable Horoscopy)
14 verses
द्रव्यनिश्चयाध्यायः
Classification Of Substances (dravya-niścaya)
13 verses
अर्घकाण्डाध्यायः
Fluctuation Of Prices
14 verses
इन्द्रध्वजसम्पदध्यायः
On Indra-dhvaja (indra’s Banner)
68 verses
नीराजनाध्यायः
Lustration Ceremony (nīrājanavidhi)
28 verses
खञ्जनकलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Wagtail (khañjana-kalakṣaṇa)
16 verses
उत्पाताध्यायः
On Portents Or Public Calamity (utpāta-adyāya)
98 verses
मयूरचित्रकाध्यायः
Motley Miscellany (mayūracitraka)
28 verses
पुष्यस्नानाध्यायः
Royal Bath (puṣyasnāna)
87 verses
पट्टलक्षणाध्यायः
On Paṭṭa (crown Plate)
8 verses
खड्गलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Sword (khaḍga-lakṣaṇa)
26 verses
अङ्गविद्याध्याय
Aṅga-vidyā (prediction Through Limbs)
44 verses
पिटकलक्षणाध्यायः
On Pimples (piṭaka-lakṣaṇa)
10 verses
वास्तुविद्या
On House-building (vāstu-vidyā)
123 verses
दकार्गलाध्यायः
On Undercurrents (dakārgala)
125 verses
वृक्षायुर्वेदाध्यायः
On Gardening (vṛkṣāyurveda)
31 verses
प्रासादलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Building Of Temples (prāsāda-lakṣaṇa)
31 verses
वज्रलेपलक्षणाध्यायः
On Durable Cement (vajralepa-lakṣaṇa)
8 verses
प्रतिमालक्षणाध्यायः
On Temple Idols (pratimā-lakṣaṇa)
58 verses
वनसम्प्रवेशाध्यायः
On Entry Into The Forest (vanasampraveśa Or Vanapraveśa)
14 verses
प्रतिमाप्रतिष्ठापनाध्यायः
Installation Of Idols In Temples (pratimā-pratiṣṭhāpana)
22 verses
गोलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Features Of Cows (go) And Oxen (vṛṣabha)
19 verses
श्वलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Features Of The Dog (śva Or Śvan-lakṣaṇa)
2 verses
कुक्कुटलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Features Of The Cock (kukkuṭa-lakṣaṇa)
3 verses
कूर्मलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Features Of The Turtle/tortoise (kūrma-lakṣaṇa)
3 verses
छागलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Features Of The Goat (chāga-lakṣaṇa)
11 verses
अश्वलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Features Of The Horse (aśva-lakṣaṇa)
5 verses
हस्तिलक्षणाध्यायः
On The Features Of The Elephant (hasti-lakṣaṇa)
10 verses
पुरुषलक्षनाध्यायः
On The Features Of Men (puruṣa-lakṣaṇa)
117 verses
पञ्चमनुष्यविभागाध्यायः
Signs Of The Five Great Men (pañca-puruṣa Or Pañca-mahāpuruṣa)
40 verses
कन्यालक्षणाध्यायः
On The Features Of Women (kanyā-lakṣaṇa)
26 verses
वस्त्रच्छेदलक्षणाध्यायः
Omens From Slits Of Garments (vastracheda-lakṣaṇa)
14 verses
चामरलक्षणाध्यायः
On Chowries (cāmara-lakṣaṇa)
6 verses
छत्रलक्षणाध्यायः
On Umbrellas (chatra-lakṣaṇa)
6 verses
स्त्रीप्रशम्साध्यायः
On The Praise Of Women (strī-praśaṃsā)
20 verses
सौभाग्यकरणाध्यायः
Winning Of Affection (saubhāgya-karaṇa)
10 verses
कान्दर्पिकाध्यायः
Erotic Remedies, Spermatic Drugs And Medicines (kāndarpika)
12 verses
गन्धयुक्त्यध्यायः
Preparation Of Perfumes (gandhayukti)
37 verses
स्त्रीपुंससमायोगाध्यायः
On Sexual Union (puṃstrī-samāyoga)
26 verses
शय्यासनलक्षणाध्यायः
On Couches And Seats (śayyāsana)
39 verses
रत्नपरीक्षाध्यायः
On Gems (ratna-parīkṣā)
18 verses
मुक्तालक्षणाध्यायः
On Pearls (muktā-lakṣaṇa)
36 verses
पद्मरागलक्षणाद्यायः
On Rubies (padmarāga-lakṣaṇa)
11 verses
मरकतलक्षणाध्यायः
On Emeralds (marakata-lakṣaṇa)
1 verses
दीपलक्षणाध्यायः
On Lamps (dīpa-lakṣaṇa)
2 verses
दन्तकाष्ठलक्षणाध्यायः
On Tooth-brush (dantakāṣṭha-lakṣaṇa)
9 verses
शाकुनाध्यायः
General Rules (śākuna)
80 verses
शाकुनेऽ+अन्तरचक्राध्यायः
On The Circle Of Horizon (antara-tcakra)
45 verses
विरुताध्यायः
On Ominous Cries (viruta) Of Birds And Beasts
47 verses
श्वचक्राध्यायः
On The Circle Of Dogs (śvacakra)
20 verses
शिवारुताध्यायः
On The Cry Of The Jackal (śivā-ruta)
15 verses
मृगचेष्टिताध्यायः
Movement Of Wild Animals (mṛga-ceṣṭita)
3 verses
गवेङ्गिताध्यायः
The Intention Of Cows (go-iṅgita)
3 verses
अश्वेङ्गिताध्यायः
The Intention Of Horses (aśva-iṅgita)
15 verses
हस्तिचेष्टिताध्यायः
The Attitude Of Elephants (hasti-veṣṭita)
14 verses
वायसविरुताध्यायः
The Cries Of Crows (vāyasa-viruta)
62 verses
शाकुनौत्तराध्यायः
Supplementary To Omens (śākuna-uttara)
17 verses
पाकाध्यायः
On The Time Of Fruition Of Effects (pāka-adhyāya)
17 verses
नक्षत्रकर्मगुणाध्यायः
On The Constellations (nakṣatra-karmaguṇa)
18 verses
तिथिकर्मगुणाध्यायः
On Lunar Days And Half Lunar Days (tith-karmaguṇa)
3 verses
करणगुणाध्यायः
On The Qualities Of The Karaṇas (karaṇa-guṇa)
8 verses
नक्षत्रजातकाध्यायः
On The Effects Of Birth In The Asterisms (nakṣatra-jātaka)
14 verses
राशिविभागाध्यायः
On The Division Of The Zodiac Into Signs (rāśi-vibhāga)
7 verses
विवाहपटलाध्यायः
Effects Of Planetary Combination On Marriage (vivāha-paṭala)
13 verses
ग्रहगोचराध्यायः
On The Transits Of Planets (graha-gocara)
64 verses
रूपसत्राध्यायः
On The Worship Of The Stellar Deity (rūpasatra)
16 verses
उपसंहाराध्यायः
Conclusion
6 verses
शास्त्रानुक्रमणी
Table Of Contents In This Science
14 verses