History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c24.s6.15

v1.c24.s6.15

Ṛtuviñāna or climatology developed along with astronomy. The Bṛhatsaṃhitā, the most standard work of this type, has many chapters dealing with several aspects of the subject. Varāhamihira himself refers to some earlier authorities, but their writings are not available in their original form. Quotations from these reproduced by Bhaṭṭotpala in his commentary confirm their existence. The early medieval period witnessed the composition of several works on weather-forecasting. Of these only the Gurusaṃhitā has been critically edited. Some others, such as the Mayuracitraka and the Meghamālā are yet to be printed. These books contain weather-maxims similar to those current in many provincial languages. Though their scientific validity has not been investigated, Indian peasants depend on them for the rich practical wisdom stored in them. They present a strange mix-up of astronomical considerations and natural phenomena. Though the indications appear to be superstitious in some cases, they were evidently based on careful observation spread over a long period.