varahamihirs method of determining groundwater using hydrological indicators

1. DROP IN THE OCEAN

3. Sir John Woodroffe once said, “those
who say their ancestors were apes,
theirs must have been…mine were
not.”
I concur.

4. Varahamihira – Gupta Era - Ujjain (AD 505 – 587)
 Work: Architecture, Astronomy, Time Keeping,
Astrology, Atmospheric Science, Mathematics,
Gemology, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Geology.
 Architecture to Agriculture, Meteorology to
Physiognomy, Economics to Dental Hygiene.
 Pancha - Siddhantika, Brihat - Samhita (4,000
verses), Trigonometry, Improved accuracy of the
Sine tables of Aryabhata, Combinatory, Optics.

5. Black stoned “Meru Stambh”, (Qutub Minar, 2200 years) for
astronomical research.
The 7 storied structure symbolizes 7 planets & 27 windows
(27 constellations). The main entrance faces North &
slanted 5 degrees backward to South.

6.  Varahamihira’s: Pancha Siddhantika - Treatise on 5 Astronomical Canons. This Treatise is
significant as it the one of the few texts that has managed to survive, among many of
the now, lost scientific texts.
 First in Bibliotheca Indica - Dr. H. Kern (German Indologist) & English translation in the
Journal of Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain (1870 - 1874) as a series of articles.
 Chidambara Iyer (1884), Sastry & Bhat (1947) English translation entitled as
Dakaragalam - ground water exploration (125 shlokas)
PUBLICATION

7. Hydological cycle

8. UNDERGROUND WATER

9. Ground Water Exploration History: (Badrinarayanan, Geo Scientist)
1. The development of water resources started first in India & Egypt.
2. Wells for irrigation & drinking water (since Mahabharata - 6,000 years)
3. Exploitation of ground water in modern times (since 19th century)
4. The first tube well was sunk in 1935 in Uttar Pradesh.

10. Modern Methods of
Analysis

11. Exploring groundwater Geophysical Logging
Techniques
Photo geology Remote Sensing
Surface methods Drainage density of stream
network
Geophysical methods: Profiling
Subsurface methods Geological Methods Gravity Method Wenner array
Esoteric methods Structural methods Magnetic Method Schlumberger array
Water Witching Well-inventory Seismic Method Dipole-dipole array
Geomorphological Methods Soil & Micro-Biological
Methods
Analyzing Seismic velocities Interpretation of data
Study of Land forms Moist depressions &
seepages
Electrical resistivity method Electromagnetic Method
Topography and Drainage Principles of EM Surveying Vertical electrical sounding General Principles of EM
Operation

12. Gravity Method
Seismic
Method
Wenner array Schlumberger array
Dipole-dipole arrayElectrical Resistivity Electromagnetic Method

13. Apna Desi Style

15. Rig Veda

16. Varahamihira’s theory of clouds formation:
o To know the amount of rain, one has to observe the natural conditions
six months prior to the beginning of the rainy season.
o Hence this theory of long time prediction was a speciality of our Sages.
They referred to cloud formation as cloud becoming 'Pregnant' in their
classical language.

17. Conceive Delivery
Bright fortnight of Mārgasirsa (7 Sidereal Months – 2nd week of June)
Dark fortnight of Pausa Bright fortnight of Sravana
Bright fortnight of Phalguna Dark fortnight of Bhadra
Dark fortnight of Phalguna Bright fortnight of Asvin

19. Observations by the Sage & their theory:
Predicting rains, floods, storms, etc. in the rainy seasons;
(1) At the times of pregnancy of clouds;
(2) Entry of the Sun into Naksatra Aardra
(3) The Sun's entry into Capricorn;
(4) Distinctive of Nakshatra: Rohini, Swati & Ashadha Yogas.
(5) The planetary positions, mutual conjunction or aspects.

20. (6) Behaviour of the birds, beasts & domestic animals.
(7) Sun & Moon combination (Encircles of the Moon - rain for next day)
(8) The Sun's feeling heavy heat in rainy season.
(9) Clouds motion from the east to West & North are always beneficial.
(10) Motion of the clouds in early morning in the period of May (Vaishakha)

21. Symptoms to be considered at the delivery of clouds:
• Cool wind from the North or North - East or East.
• Sun & Moon encircled by a glossy bright & thick halo.
• The sky having the colour of the eggs of crows or of the peacock's neck.
• The Moon & the stars shining brightly, a benefic twilight at morning or evening.
• Birds & animals crying pleasantly in North / North East / East, opp. to the Sun.
• Colours of clouds - Pearl & silver / Blue lily / Collyrium / Shape of aquatic
animals, delivery possess plenty of water.

22. Vedas Insist to perform the Yadnya:
Sun's heat & air, cause the water to
turn into vapour & vapour builds the
rainy clouds in the sky & clouds bring
rain (Vrishti) - Yadnya or 'Holy
sacrifice‘.
Similar to the Ahutis offered in
Yadnya that converts into vapour
fires, goes to sky, makes clouds, then
rain – Causing crop yield on earth.

23. Rain Gauging:
 Prospect of rain fall depends on rain water falls first time in any Nakshatra, measure it.
 Rain Gauge (Diameter = 1 cubit) (20.83 inch & 8 inch deep)
 When the vessel is filled with water, it should be counted as 50 palas.
 The 50 palas consist one adhaka. Four adhakas consist one Drona.
 Cloud formation: By all 5 conditions, then rainfall - one drona (400 sq. miles)
 Due to wind only (3 adhakas), lightning only (9 adhakas), thunder only (12 adhakas)

24. As per the study by Shri Vandeep K. (Indian Journal of Innovations Development 2012):
1. Based on Astronomy: Movement of Venus, Rahu, planetary & lunar conjunctions, Sun in
Aardra star, direction of clouds & winds were analysed.
2. Comparison with recorded rainfall, wind velocity, wind direction, cloud direction, etc.
3. Study area; Tirupati, Ajmer, Shillong & Port Blair (diverse climatic zones)
4. Period of study; (1993 – 2003) using the data given by IMD.
5. The rate of correspondence was above 50% & correlation was 80% to 100%.

25. On the basis of animal behavior, the forecast of rain is - immediate rain.

26. In the rainy season, the Sun looks like
Molten gold, brilliance & throws heavy
light or heat. When the Moon's colours
as of Cock's eyes or the red hue of the
eyes of a parrot or pigeon & when a
second Moon shines in the sky.
If at the time of the Sun rise or the Sun
set occurrence or rainbow. When the
sky looks like the feathers of the Tittira
(Partridge) bird & if clouds moves from
East to West or West to east.

27. Venus
Moon
If the Sun passes through the Aardra nakshatra & if the slow motion
planets are ahead of the Sun & fast motion planets are behind the Sun.

28. Mr. B. V. Raman says " if Jupiter is in perihelion then drought period & in aphelion there is cold
weather.
Earth is at perihelion once a year. Jupiter is at perihelion once every 12 years.
The slower moving planets especially Jupiter & Saturn exert an influence for a longer period of time,
because of their slow speed & heavy masses.

29. Water that flows in the aquifers between the layers of rock is
called as water vein.
Rainwater seeps into the ground & continues its journey
underground. If it doesn’t resurface as spring water, then
it collects underground to form bodies of groundwater
known as aquifers.

31. E. A. V. PRASAD (1980) states: Ground water is due to interactions between the components.
The hydrological details, described in the books of ancient Sanskrit work, includes:
1. The distance & direction of aquifers from hydrological indicator (Depth: 3 m - 171 m)
2. Direction of flow of water in the aquifers;
3. Quality & Quantity of water in the aquifers;
4. Geological logs;
5. Find Stygo fauna (Aestivation) – fish, lizard, scorpion, tortoise, snake (subsoil 0.4 m - 2 m)

33. Water springs are linked with certain trees & anthills:
Trees & Ants need water, as per their biological requirements.
• Ants take atmospheric moisture & mound in humid area.
• Trees with lot of leaves need more water & grow in areas
with large aquifers.

34. Termite mounds & plants together, act
as bio-indicator for groundwater &
metalliferous ore deposits.

37. Bhattotpala states that:
 Purusha is the length covered by an average man standing with his hands
stretched overhead.
 1 Purusha = 5 Hasthas (cubits) or 228.5 cm (7'- 6") or 120 digits.
 Hastha or Cubit, is the length from the elbow to the tip of the fingers.
 1 Hastha = 18 inches or 45.7 cm

38. “Phreatophytes” (Well Plant):
 More than 100 plant species used singly or with termite mounds & observed
morphological & physiological features.
 Sources of groundwater were located at depths from 2 m to 160 m in dry regions.
 The depth of the ground is equal to known depth of the root penetration of that plant.
 Modern times: Lithium or radio isotopes.

39. The primary root of a phreatophytes – Prasad (1980)

40. Rotang tree (Calamus rotang Family: Palmae):
Depth of water: 7 & ½ cubits
Distance from the tree: 3 hands
Direction from the tree: West
Aestivation organism: Pale frog (2 & ½ cubits)
Pedological indicator: Yellow clay & hard stone

41. Jambu tree (Syzygium cumini, Family:
Myrteceae)
Depth of water: 5 Cubits
Distance from the tree: 3 hands
Direction from the tree: North
Aestivation organism: Frog (2 & ½ cubits)
Pedological indicator: White Clay, Iron
smelling Earth
Additional: If at a distance of 3 hands to
the south of tree & at a depth of 2
Purushas. Further ½ Purushas deep if
found fish, stone & clay colour of dove
then there will be inexhaustible water.
Indian sub continent was called a Jambu Dweepa
due to abundance of Jambu Trees & so it is laden
with plenty of water veins.

42. Fig tree (Ficus racemosa Family:
Moraceae)
Depth of water: 2 ½ Cubits
Distance from the tree: 3 hands
Direction from the tree: West
Aestivation organism: White snake
(2 & ½ cubits)
Pedological indicator: Black stone

43. Arjuna tree (Terminalia arjuna Family:
Combretaceae
Depth of water: 3 ½ Cubits
Distance from the tree: 3 hands
Direction from the tree: West
Aestivation organism: White alligator (½ cubits)
Pedological indicator: White /Black / Yellow
Clay, white sand

44. Kapittha Tree (Limonia acidissima Family:
Rutaceae)
If there is snake hole at 10 ½ feet to the south of
this tree. Then it means water is available in the
northern direction of the hole.

45. Marker Trees

46. Sr.
No.
Name of Plant Depth of water (Cubit)
1 Bilva & Fig tree joined together 15
2 Kamala tree 16
3 Ant hill near Amla tree 7 ½
4 Scholars tree with ant hill 25
5 Ant hill near Grey Bonduc tree 17 ½
6 Ant hill near Mahua tree 37 ½
7 Ant hill near Kadamba tree 28
http://hydrologie.org/redbooks/a164/iahs_164_0011.pdf

47. APPLICATION OF ANCIENT WISDOM IN RECENT TIMES
By - Shri Prasad & Shri Badrinarayanan:
 Jamnagar (1980): Date palm + banyan tree were spotted & the GWSSB - Gujarat
Water Supply & Sewerage Board fetch out water. (7,500 L / hr) (15 ft north)
 Haripur: Termite mound was spotted & found water at 10 ft north (11,000 L / hr)
 Haripur outskirts: 51 well sites in 30 villages were located in 15 days.
 Rayalaseema - AP (1981) 300 sites of wells in driest regions were identified.
 Coimbatore – TN (1992) 21 bore wells, out of 24 discharged (2 - 8 L / hr)

48. Matter of discussion:
"It is obvious that the termite mound method can be a good tool for ground water exploration, but despite
the promise of this simple technique, no government agency is pursuing this approach for ground water
detection, feels sorry”.
- Shri Badrinarayanan
Vedic University at Tirupati has proposed a feasibility study for developing groundwater in rural areas using
Varahamihira's concept with financial support of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD)
- Shri Jagadiswara Rao (Geologist) SV University, Tirupati
Brihat Samhita, not only tells where to dig for water but also tells us how deep it is.
“Varahamihira's method is the people's technology to fight drought with zero costing”.
- Shri E. A. V. Prasad
Till the death, 1 man mission to put ancient technology on a scientific footing.

49. Conclusion:
 The Govt. & other scientific establishments need to encourage the students & researchers.
 The ancient wisdom & traditional indigenous knowledge needs to be preserved.
 These simple methods can be learnt in early age & can be helpful in & popularizing science.
 Development of scientific temperament & exploring the possibilities of thought processes.
 Water is a precious, therefore such techniques are helpful to the people in the dry regions.
 The methods are eco friendly & sustainable development can be achieved.

50. References:
1. Kaikulangara r (Ed), Horasastratn, Vidyarambham Publishers, Alappuzha. 2001.
2. B. Suryanarain Rao, Life of Varahamihira, IBH Prakashan, Bangalore. 1987.
3. Amarasiihha, Amarakosa, Chawkhambha Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi. 2006.
4. Sastry, Pancasiddhantika of Varahamihira P.P.S.T.Foundation, Adyar, Madras. 1993
5. Krishnacandra, Dvivedi sampumanand Sanskrit university, Varanasi. 1996
6. Ramakrishna Bhat Varahamihira's Brihat Samhita Motilal Banarsidas Pub, Delhi. 1997
7. Termite mound as an Effective Geochemical Tool in Mineral Exploration: Reddy, 2014
8. External features of vegetation as hydrologic indicators EAV PRASAD, 1980.
9. Plants as Indicators of ground water, Oscar Meinzer, 1927.
10. Ground Water Management & Ownership GOI, Planning Commission Sept, 2007.
11. Comparative case study of meteorology in diverse climatic zones, Vanadeep, 2012.
12. https://shyamasundaradasa.com/jyotish/resources/articles/varaha_mihira.html
13. http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/50055/6/06_chepter%201.pdf
14. http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/104517/8/08_chapter%204.pdf
15. http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/110375/10/10_chapter%204.pdf

51. 16. http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/107276/11/11_chapter-ii.pdf
17. http://hydrologie.org/redbooks/a164/iahs_164_0011.pdf. Murty 1987
18. Tree species as indicators of ground water - Verma 2015 (IJETR)
19. Hydrologic Knowledge in Ancient India - National Institute of Hydrology 2018
20. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/Groundwater - Badrinarayanan
21. https://swissharmony.com/what-are-water-veins/
22. Exploration of underground water spring – E G K Rao (1971)
23. Google Images from different sources.
24. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mind-matters/varahamihira/676984
25. http://www.bsgp.org/Know_India_Culture/Great_people/The_Sage/Varahmihir
26. http://www.urday.in/science.htm
27. https://www.hinduscriptures.com/tag/varahamihira-meru-stambh/
28. New light in the dark - functional ecology of groundwater fauna - Mattia Saccò (2019)
29. https://inis.iaea.org/collection - Foxx (1983)

52. dedicate