Brihat-Samhita

Brihat-Samhita. Brihat-Samhita is a 6th century Sanskrit encyclopedia by Varahamihira of wide ranging subjects of human interest, including astrology, planetary movements, eclipses, rainfall, clouds, architecture, growth of crops, manufacture of perfume, matrimony, domestic relations, gems, pearls, and rituals. The volume expounds on gemstone evaluation criterion found in the Garuda Purana, and elaborates on the sacred Nine Pearls from the same text. It contains 106 chapters and is known as the "great compilation". The importance of Brihadsamhita lies in the classification of the different types of comets/meteors etc and also in the metereological observations. It throws light on some ancient practices like watching the migratory birds for coming of the monsoons which brings the ships and the bounty and also the rainy season and fertility of soil. India being an agricultural economy and economy based on trades through searoutes (via the trade winds) depended upon such observations for her yearly planning .

(source : Wikipédia anglophone)