Title: Science
1 Science Technology in Ancient India and its
Relevance in the Knowledge Age
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PROF. P.B. SHARMA Ph.D. (B'ham), FIE, FAeroS,
FWAPS Founder Vice Chancellor, RGTU, Bhopal,
India
RGTU Knowledge University of 3rd Millennium
Prof. P.B.Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi
Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (University of
Technology of M.P.)
2The wonder that was India
- Indias glorious past is embedded with a rich
Scientific and Technological Heritage from the
Vedic age and is an inspiration to create a
scientifically advanced and spiritually
enlightened human society in which peace,
prosperity and happiness together create a haven
on earth
3The wonder that was India
- Peace loving people, people with scientific bent
of mind having a profound understanding of the
purpose and meaning of life, able to decode the
secrete of creation and serve the creator through
service of man and nature is what, the wonder
that was India which glittered like gold and
spread its enlightenment all around the world
4The wonder that was India
- Prosperous India The Golden eagle of the world
- Enlightened India Its wisdom glowed the world
over - Scientifically Advanced India Spreading a
culture of Science and Technology to create a
happy and healthy living in harmony with nature - Mighty India Making no invasion, harming no one
yet influencing the whole world by its scientific
traditions and spiritual wisdom
5Indias Ancient Scientists
- Atreya, Agnivesa and Shushruta Medical
Scientists 800 BC. - Aryabhatta (BC.476550), Bhaskaracharya,
Varahmihir, Bodhayan Ancient astronomers and
mathematicians - Kanva, Panini, Gargi,
6Great Indian Mathematicians
- Yajnavalkya, the author of the altar mathematics
of the Shatapatha Brahmana. - Lagadha - Author of a 1350 BC text on Vedic
astronomy - Baudhayana, 800 BC
- Manava, 750 BC
- Apastamba, 700 BC
- Aksapada Gautama, 550 BC, Logician
- Katyayana, 400 BC
- Panini, 400 BC, Algebraic grammarian
- Pingala, 5th century BC
- Bharata Muni, 4th century BC, combinatorics in
music
7Great Indian Mathematicians
- Aryabhata - Astronomer who gave accurate
calculations for astronomical constants, 476-520 - Varahamihira
- Bhaskara I, 620
- Brahmagupta - Helped bring the concept of zero
into arithmetic - Matanga Muni - Combinatorics in music
- Virahanka (8th century) - Described the Fibonacci
series. - Shridhara (between 650-850) - Gave a good rule
for finding the volume of a sphere. - Lalla, 720-790
- Govindsvamin (9th century)
- Virasena
- Mahavira (9th century)
- Jayadeva (9th century)
- Prithudaka, 9th century
- Halayudha, 10th century
- Aryabhata II, 920-1000
- Vateshvara (10th century)
- Manjula, 930
8Some Facts
- The law of gravitation discovered by Brahmagupta
598 A.D. anticipated after 1400 years by Newton
declaring "all things fall to the earth by law of
nature for it is the nature of the earth to
attract and keep things." - Pingala (3rd C AD), author of Chandasutra
explored the relationship between combinatorics
and musical theory anticipating Mersenne
(1588-1648) author of a classic on musical theory
9Some Facts
- The 'Pythagoras theorem' which stated in Sulva
Sutras by Baudhayana's (6th century BC) "The
diagonal of a rectangle produces both areas,
which its length and breadth produce separately."
- Arya Bhatta discovered the method of finding out
the areas of a triangle, a trapezium and a
circle. The approximate value of an 'irrational
number' i.e. 2 (dvikarani) (1.143256) and 3
(1.7320513) can be obtained, Baudhayana and
Apastamba.
10Some Facts
- In the geometry of the circle, "Arybhatta- I"
gave a value for pi (tyajya) which is correct to
the four decimal places in a sloka (Sankara
Varman's treatise on astronomy, Sadratnamala)
theorems and their deductions"Lemma of
Brahmagupta for integral solution or the
indeterminate equation of second degree. John
Pell (1611-1685) discovered this in the 17th
century. Indians discovered it a 1,000 years
earlier
11Some Facts
- Zero, the most modest and most valuable of all
numerals is one of the subtle gifts of India to
mankind. The earliest use of the zero symbol, so
far discovered, is in one of the scriptural books
dated about 200 B.C. The zero, called shunya or
nothing, was originally a dot and later it became
a small circle. It was considered as a number
like any other. Professor G. B. Halsted, in his
book ' Mathematics for the Million' (London 1942)
thus emphasizes the vital significance of this
invention.
12Indias Decimal System
- The decimal system was known to Aryabhatta and
Brahmagupta long before its appearance in the
writings of the Arabs and the Syrians it was
adopted by China from Buddhist missionaries and
Muhammad Ibn Musa al-Khwarazni, the greatest
mathematician of his age (ca 850 A.D.), seems to
have introduced it into Baghdad
13Indias Decimal System
- Indias system of Decimal counting goes back to
the days of Ramayana (around 5000 BC) and
Mahabharata (3067 BC) - In Ramayana, the Ramas army was described by
Ravanas missionary as having 18x1018 ( 18
Padams, 1012 millions )
14Indias Decimal System
- In Mahabharata, in the Shanti Parva the Bhishmas
passing away is described in true decimal system
- 10 Days of Mahabharata war and their after 58
nights till the sun of thousands rays turned to
Uttarayana
15Bhisma Pitamahas Nirvana
- Parivrtto hi Bhagavan sahasransur Divakarah
- Astapancasatam ratryah sayanasyadya me gatah
Saresu nisitagresu yatha varsasatam tatha. - Maghoyam samanuprapto masah saumyo Yudhisthira
- Tribhagasesah paksoyam suklo bhavitum arhati.
-
(XIII.153,26-28)
16Brahmaguptas Rules
- A debt minus zero is a debt.A fortune minus zero
is a fortune.Zero (shunya) minus zero is
nothing. (kha).A debt subtracted from zero is a
fortune.So a fortune subtracted from zero is a
debt.The product of zero multiplied by a debt or
fortune is zero.The product of zero multiplied
by itself is nothing.The product or the quotient
of two fortunes is one fortune.The product or
the quotient of two debts is one debt.The
product or the quotient of a debt multiplied by a
fortune is a debt.The product or the quotient of
a fortune multiplied by a debt is a debt.
17Metallurgy
- Iron Pillar at Delhi - The Rust less Wonder and a
Unique Scientific Phenomenon from Ancient India,
The pillar is said to be over 2000 years old - As early as the second century B.C. Nagarjuna
devoted an entire volume to mercury - The Konasamudram region in Andhra Pradesh was
famous for producing the world renowned Wootz
steel - the raw material for King Saladin's
fabled Damascus Sword. The tempering of steel was
brought in ancient India to a perfection unknown
in Europe till our own times. King Porus is said
to have selected, as special valuable gift for
Alexander, not gold or silver, but thirty pounds
of steel.
18Physics
- Kanaada, 600 B. C the founder of the Vaisesika
system of philosophy, expounded that the entire
matter in this world consists of atoms as many in
kind as the various elements. He also claimed
that elements could not be destroyed - Artharveda says that there are seven types of
sun's rays, sapta surayasya rasmayah, signifying
seven colors of light - Umasvati, first century A.D. suggested that
atoms of opposite qualities alone combined and
the atoms attracted or repelled as they were
heterogeneous or homogenous
19Shipbuilding and Navigation
- The art of Navigation was born in the river Sindh
6000 years ago - There is overwhelming evidence that Indian
civilization traded with the Egyptians using
ships. - Rig Veda makes several references to ships used
to cross the "Samudra." -
20Shipbuilding and Navigation
- History records that Indian ships traded with
countries as far as Java and Sumatra, they were
also trading with other countries in the Pacific
and Indian Oceans. - Chandragupta Maurya established an Admiralty
Division under a Superintendent of Ships as part
of his war office, with a charter including
responsibility for navigation on the seas,
oceans, lakes and rivers
21Shipbuilding and Navigation
- King Hiram of Tyre (Phoenicia) in 975 B.C. traded
with India through the port of Ophir (Supara)
near modern Bombay. Harappan seals discovered at
several Mesopotamia sites have been dated to
about 2400 B.C. - Yukti Kalpa Taru, explains how to build ships,
ship types, sizes and materials, including
suitability of different types of wood - Bhoja has advised the builders of the sea-faring
ships not to join the plants with iron, as, in
the case, the magnetic iron in sea water could
expose the ship to danger
22Medical Science
- Susruta Samhita, (600 B.C.) the Hindu medical
chronicle said about plastic surgery in India - Caraka Samhita, (300 BC) Sutra Sthana Nidan
Sthana (8 chapters) - Viman Sthana (8 chapters)
- Sharir Sthana (8 chapters)
- Indriya Sthana (12 chapters)
- Chikitsa Sthana (30 chapters)
- Kalpa Sthana (12 chapters)
- Siddhi Sthana (12 chapters)
23Aviation
- Acharya Bharadwaj (800BC) authored the "Yantra
Sarvasva" which includes astonishing and
outstanding discoveries in aviation science,
space science and flying machines. He has
described three categories of flying machines - 1.) One that flies on earth from one place to
another. - 2.) One that travels from one planet to another.
- 3.) And One that travels from one universe to
another.
24Aviation
- Bharadwajs designs and descriptions are
- Profound Secret The technique to make a flying
machine invisible through the application of
sunlight and wind force. - Living Secret The technique to make an invisible
space machine visible through the application of
electrical force. - Secret of Eavesdropping The technique to listen
to a conversation in another plane. - Visual Secrets The technique to see what's
happening inside another plane.Through his
innovative and brilliant discoveries, Acharya
Bharadwaj has been recognized as the pioneer of
aviation technology
25Chemistry
- In ancient India, chemistry was called Rasayan
Shastra, Rasa-Vidya, Rasatantra and Rasakriya - Chemistry being the basic Science of Nature was
pursued by ancient Inidas Scientists to create
Colours, Chemicals, Fertilizers, Warhead
materials, food preservatives, spices and above
all Gems and Crystals. Purification of Silver,
Gold and other precious metals. - Medicinal Chemistry of Plants and Herbs. Bio
Chemistry of Natural Fertilizers all point
towards a rich foundation of Chemistry in India
from ancient times
26Chemistry in India
- The Famous Indian ink to date is the testimony of
Indias profound knowledge of Chemistry - 24 Ct Gold and Silver and Gold plated ornaments
so well exhibited in Indias images to date are
the basis for Chemistry of Metal processing - Cave paintings (Bhim Betika near Bhopal, Ajanta
in Maharastra) by Natural Colours and Colourful
textile and embroidery marks Indias mastery over
Chemistry
27Chemistry in India
- Colourful potteries, Gold Plated Potteries,
Golden and Silver Studded Carvings on Metals,
Glass and Textile further give the glimpses of
Indias profound knowledge of Chemistry - Use of Colours and Chemicals mostly Natural in
Indian Temple forts and Palaces further reinforce
the Indian Chemistry Knowledge. - Swarna Bhasma (Gold ash), Rajat Bhasma (Silver
Ash) and Shankha Bhasma (Bone Ash) are the
ultimate of Indian Chemistry.
28Relevance to the Modern Age
- We are returning to the nature, Natural
medicines, natural fertilizers, natural fuels (
Bio Fuels) , Natural food, natural preservatives
and natural water harvesting and purification
systems - We are today in a knowledge age where the wisdom
of antiquity can be synthesised with the most
modern science and technology
29Relevance to the Modern Age
- Ancient ( Vedic) mathematics to high speed
computing - Ancient astronomy and knowledge of the universal
system giving foundation for a larger universal
system beyond the solar system - Ancient chemistry leading to natural and
environmentally benign paints and chemicals,
Drugs and Fertilizers - Growth with sustainability and prosperity with
happiness
30Scientific and religious paths are like two
streams of the creative human mind. The
scientific path tries to explain the nature of
reality within rationality, whereas the religious
or spiritual path does so within and beyond
rationality.
Dr. T. D. Singh
(His Holiness Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami)
Director, Bhaktivedanta InstitutePresident,
Vedanta and Science Educational Research
Foundation
31Jnana Vijnana
- Jnana, the fire of knowledge destroys the
attachment to the karmas, actions - The jnana and vijnana together are known to a
soul which liberates from the world of misery.
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32Jnana, Vijnana Karma
- Jnana, the knowledge the vijnana the knoledge
used with the application of mind the karma, the
actions perfomed by a man of knowledge in this
material world lead to salvation, encounter with
divinity within.
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33Pre-log
- Mankind from the early dawns of civilization
has ventured into the understanding the world
around and thus discover the harmony between man
and nature. - Was realized that man does not exist in
isolation. - Was also realized that our survival, more so
our happiness and our success to lead a healthy
life is deeply dependent upon the survival and
sustenance of a healthy atmosphere around us. - During the Vedic times, the Vedic Rishies have
discovered this secret of harmony between man
and nature.
Prof. P.B.Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi
Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (University of
Technology of M.P.)
34Vedic Concept of Eternity
- Vedas clearly emphasize on the eternal aspect of
creation - Om purnamada purnamidam purnatpurna mudatchayte,
Purnase purn mevaya purnemeva vasishyate
(Ishopnishad 1.1). - Human beings, having scientific bent of mind and
the sensitivity, they posses, to the world
around them and empowered with the power of
intellect and intuition, have always been in
search of truth that unveils the secrete of
creation, purpose of life, and ultimately
leading to a clear understanding of secret of
Life and Death.
35Purity of Mind a must for pursuit of Truth
- In Kathopanishad, we find that the learned
Yamraja, who possessed the secret of life and
death counsels Nachiketa - Yastu Vijyanban bhabhatu, mansa sada suchi
- i.e. let you adore science, but remember that
purity of mind is maintained, meaning therein
that purity of manas, i.e the purity of mind,
purity of heart and in turn the purity of whole
body is always maintained. -
36Purity of Mind a must for pursuit of Truth
Purity of mind, heart and body can only enable
a person to pursue scientific inquiry which
leads to the discovery of the truth. The truth
so realized unveils the secret of the universe
and bridges the gap between man and the Divine,
the gap between body and soul, the gap between
matter and energy and the gap between our own
existence with the large universal system around
us.
37Jyana, Vijyana Prajyana
- In the Indian Vedic system, Jyana the knowledge
and Vijyana, the science both have been
recognized as means and mechanisms to perform the
work activity, the karma, to attain enlightenment
and ultimately to attain fame, prosperity and
salvation from the endless sufferings encountered
during earthly existence. - The Bhagbhat Gita clearly states Jyanagni
sarva karmani bhasmat kurute thata ie. the fire
of knowledge destroys all the fruits of our
actions, which otherwise shall make us bind with
the Karma, our actions(Bhagvatgita 4.37).
38Jyana, Vijyana Prajyana
- Remember that the Bhavabat Gita also says
Jyana vijyana traptatma kutastho vijayate
indriah ie knowledge of Sciece and Knowledge of
the self, the jnana together enables us to win
over the senses which in fact enjoy the fruits of
our actions(Bhagvat Gita 6.8). - Further the Lord Krishna states in Bhagbatgita
Jnanam vijnanaa sahitam yat jyatva mokshyase
ashubhata ie the scientific knowledge and the
knowledge of the self together enables us to win
over the world of misery, the world in which we
live and the world from where we wish to liberate
ourselves( Bhagvat Gita, 9.1)
39The point I am trying to drive is that the
knowledge jyana, and the science vijyana, both
are considered to be highly useful not only to
attain prosperity and happiness on mother earth
but also to acquire immense capability to enable
the entire society, the humankind the world over,
to elevate itself to the level of godliness. We
must clearly understand, however, that a polluted
mind, a mind devoid of orientation to serve the
society and a heart full of revenge and hatred
cannot attain the levels of existence where in a
man could come face to face with reality, face to
face with the divinity and proclaim Aham Barhma
asmi, I am God, the proclamation made by the
Vedic seers.
40Why we need Spirituality?
- The question often being asked as to why should
we be spiritual, why cant I do without
spirituality? - The answer is that even if we wish to be devoid
of spirituality we can not as be Gods
intelligent design which is also fine turned to
create individuals, the divinity with in shall
make regular efforts to surface itself often in
the workplace, in the places of worship and also
at the time of deep sorrow or immense happiness.
-
41Why we need Spirituality?
-
- The divinity with in, if truly experienced,
enables man to rise to the level of Godliness.
We need spirituality to create and utilize the
immense wealth of knowledge and the power of
mind, the power of working in and for divine
and thus in turn benefit mankind by our work and
noble deeds. Spirituality gives us the much
needed orientation to serve the society with
fullest of our abilities and to serve God
through the service of man.
42Science, Technology and Spirituality
Science, Technology and Spirituality all go
together as those who adore science and also have
a spiritual bent of mind would always be
employing their fullest capabilities and
knowledge for the betterment of the society while
at the same time constantly engaging themselves
in search of truth through the service of man,
through the pursuit of the work activity with
fullest of devotion through their understanding
of the world around them. Science without
spirituality leads to prosperity without
happiness. Science and spirituality together
create prosperity with eternal happiness.
43Science, Technology and Spirituality
Prof. Charles Townes, the noble laureate in
physics in conversation with Swami Dr. T.D.
Singh, Founder Director of the Bhakti Vedanta
Institute, Kolkatta, India has opined that it is
not practical to keep scientific and spiritual
cultures separate. The people who study science
are often at the same time thoughtful about the
meaning of life and values (Seven Nobel
Laureates on Science Spirituality, Dr. T.D.
Singh (Ed), 2004). Science and spirituality both
are to be practiced and adored to create a civic
society tuned to attaining the destined goal of
human existence living and working in the company
of God.
44The dream of a civic and just society, realizing
the infinite power of divinity, elevating man to
the level of God head, people living in perfect
harmony with nature, fulfilling the aim and
realizing the meaning of life is achievable with
the progress of science in the realm of
spirituality. The journey on the pat of jyanam,
the knowledge, associated and enabled by vijanam,
the science, would then lead us to the horizons
of Pragyanam, the horizon form where we are in
a position to proclaim as the Vedic scientists
did several thousand years ago, namely, Prajyanam
Bhrama, that is Prajyanam is visualizing and
realizing our existence in God.
45In the knowledge age driven by the power of the
mind and propelled by the capabilities and
maturity of people, it has become absolutely
essential that science, technology and
spirituality co-exist everywhere, more so in the
universities and in the institutions and
organizations cultivating knowledge, imparting
knowledge, using knowledge to create wealth and
prosperity while at the same time ensuring that
the journey of mankind on the path of prosperity
and happiness is assured by a firm commitment and
resolve to discover better and better ways of
maintaining harmony with nature and thus assuring
continued sustenance of human life on mother
planet earth.
46We need more and more of scientism to foster
scientific explorations into hitherto unexplored
vistas of human endeavour. We also need more and
more people of scientific bent of mind turning to
spirituality to discover the rich wealth of
science of soul, the secret of the creation. In
fact we need a new mantra for the new knowledge
age and this new mantra must prepare the human
society to rise to newer heights of glory in
respect of peace, prosperity and happiness with a
firm commitment to sustain a clean environment,
maintain earths ecological balance and serve God,
the creator, through the service of man and
mother nature. This new mantra is based on the
fusion of science and spiritual values to build a
new global order. Vashdaev kutumbkam the
concept of the world family would then be truly
nurtured by people around the globe adoring
Scientopirituality
47The journey of mankind on the path of knowledge
shall then continue to the horizons of
enlightenment and shall lead to wisdom manifold.
The man shall then realize his fullest
potentialities of eternal strength and shall
witness the meeting point of mortal with the
eternal, the natural destination of a
spirituality enlightened scientific civic
society. A Vedic seer of modern India has so
beautifully put it in his proclamation of the
mankind of future Frontiers of ignorance shall
recede More and more soul shall attain
divine. The summit of life with divine Is bound
to happen in ones own lifetime
48May be the prophecy of this great Vedic seer of
the modern age is bound to come true in the near
future given the accelerated pace of science and
interest in spirituality by the scientific world.
A developed prosperous India habited by peace
loving people, a society tuned to the objective
of living in and working with and for Divine,
creating a haven on earth, realizing the purpose
of life, decoding the secret of life and death
and together as a human society attaining an
existence with lord and on successful culmination
of life activity returning to Godhead is
attainable only if Science and Spirituality
together are adored by the people of the world in
the new knowledge age. Prosperity and happiness
together then descend on the human society
creating smiles in plenty and fair prosperous
days providing multifaceted peace. We then enjoy
the wisdom of the ancient in the modern times of
Science and Technology.
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54Let us pledge to create such a better tomorrow
and elevate man to the level of God and create
goodness in plenty around the world.
Hare Krishna, Hare Rama
The Author is a former Professor of IIT Delhi and
currently Vice Chancellor of University of
Technology of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, India. Can
be reached at pbsharma48_at_yahoo.co.in and
www.rgtu.net
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THANK YOU
Prof. P.B.Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi
Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (University of
Technology of M.P.)