Friday, 30 August 2013
1. Significance of 108
ASTRONOMICAL TALENTS
2. Spherical Earth - Who knew it first?
3. Many Apples Had Fallen Before Newton's Gravity Laws
4. Who Goes Around Whom, Earth vs Sun?
5. Seven Colours of Sun Light
6. Measuring The Speed Of Light
7. Scaling The Eternal Time
8. Jantar-Mantar, A Place For Monitoring Heavens
9. Comets
MEDICAL TALENTS
10. Pioneering the Surgery : World's First Surgeons
11. Ayurveda - A Therapeutical Treasure
12. Hridayam - for Healthy Heart Beats
13. Test Tube Babies
14. Benefiting from the Cow
15. Tulasi - The Wonder Herb
16. Long drawn battles for Turmeric and Neem
17. Copper Shields Our Health
18. Successful Jai-'Poor' Foot
GREEN SKILLS OF ETERNAL INDIA
19. Traditional Agricultural Expertise
20. Father Of Botany - Sage Parasara
21. Indian Cattle Science
SCIENTIFIC TALENTS
22. Genious Of Indian Mathematical Brains
23. Indian Chemistry Through Ages
24. Ship Building Skills
25. Machine Science Of India
26. Hijacked Indian Aeronautics
27. Sound Secrets
28. Hidden Knowledge In Nataraja's Cosmic Dance
29. Finding The Basic Building Blocks Of The Universe-Atomic Theory
30. String Theory
31. Time Space & Relativity - Einstein Vs India's Perspective
32. Evolution theory-Animal-Human-God or reverse, Which is true?
TECHNOLOGICAL TALENTS
33. Sage Agastya's Way of Generating Electricity
34. Building Technology Of India
35. Indian Town Planning Skills
36. World's First Constructed Dam
37. "Paper" Made In India - First
38. Technique Of Predicting Earth Quakes
39. Finding The Underground Water Resources
40. A Metallurgical Marvel - Delhi Iron Pillar
41. Origin Of Lens
42. Art Of Brightening Diamonds
43. Magnet & Its Varieties
44. Marconi's Wire "Less" Values
45. Textile Technology Of India
VEDIC CULTURAL EXCELLENCE
46. Vedas - The Creator's Manual
47. Great Bluff Of Aryan Invasion Theory
48. Saraswati River & Once Glorious Civilization
49. Underwater City Of Lord Krishna
50. Landmarks Of Rama's Bridge On Indian Ocean
51. World's Oldest Port - Lothal
52. The Eighteen Puranas
53. Vedic Chandas And Its Excellence
54. Transport System During Vedic Times
55. Ancient Scientific Texts of India
MODERN INDIAN TALENTS
56. Indian Elephant Dancing its way to become an Economic Super Power
57. Modern Indian Scientists
58. Indian Industrial Giants
59. Indian Multinational Companies
60. Massive Indian Railways
61. Success Story Of Indian Space Technology
62. Largest Postal Network Of The World
SPIRITUAL EXCELLENCE
63. Rishis - Great Seers Of India
64. Global Influence Of Indian Spiritual Gurus
65. The Grandeur of India Spiritual Excellence
66. Prophecies of Swami Vivekananda
TALENTED NON-RESIDENT INDIANS
67. Non-Resident Indians - Scientists & Intellectuals
68. NRI-Millionaires, Industrialists, Business & Political Leaders
69. NRI-Contributions to America's Progress
EDUCATIONAL TALENTS
70. World's First Universities
71. Ancient Indian Libraries
72. Panini's Logic & Computer Languages
73. Sanskrit Words in English
74. Macaulay's Game Plan of Westernizing Indian Generations
75. Indian Educational Scene When British Entered India
76. Replicating Indian Teaching Methods in England
ANCIENT INDIAN GLOBAL INFLUENCE
77. Ages Ago Indians Reached American Shores
78. India, The China's Teacher
79. Indians Inspired Greeks
80. South Asian Cultural Bondage
81. Influencing East Asian Countries
82. Ties With Rome & Egypt
INDIAN MILITARY SKILLS
83. Indian Science of Warfare
84. History's First Atomic Explosion at Harrappa
85. Inventing Gun Powder
86. World's First Rocket Launches
GOVERNING SKILLS OF ANCIENT INDIA
87. Dharma Sastras - The Science Of Ethics
88. Nyaya Sastra - The Science Of Logic/Reasoning
89. India - The Cradle Of Democracy
90. Indian Governing Principles Through Ages
TALENTS IN MYSTICAL SCIENCES
91. The Science of Vaastu For Harmonious Living
92. Yoga-The World's Craze Of The Day
93. Mantra Science & its Application
94. The Science Of Sex - Kama Sutras
95. The Samudrika Sastra - The Science Of Body Language
96. Jyotish-The Science Of Light
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
97. Indian Sculpture & Painting
98. Natya Sastram
99. Musical Melody Of India
100. Beauty Of Sanskrit Literature
101. Avadhanam - The Language Gymnastics
102. Women Rishis
103. Women Rulers Through Ages
TALENTS IN SPORTS
104. Indian Sports & Sports Legends
OTHER INDIAN GLORIES
105. Taj Mahal - A Wonderful Mystery
106. Eternal Fragrance of Indian Perfumes
107. Blue Jeans Originated from India
108. Sugar's Sweet History
2. Spherical Earth - Who knew it first?
Our books teach us that it was Kepler, Copernicus, and Galileo. They all belong to 16th&17th century AD. What was ancient India's Knowledge in this regard? Don't they know that earth was round? Yes, they do. Indians knew this fact for ages, even from antient times.
Here are a few references to substantiate this fact...
The renowned Indian Astronomer Aryabhatta (476 AD) had said
- the earth is round from all sides
(Aryabhattiyam, Gopalapada, sixth sloka)
He had also accurately calculated the diameter of the Earth.
(Aryabhatattiyam, Chapter 1-sloka five)
Another Indian Astronomer Varahamihira (6th century AD) in his text "Pancha Sidhanthika" said as under
("Pancha Sidhanthika" 13Ch-sloka1)
The "spherical" earth that is made up of Pancha Bhuthas (five elements) is hanging in the space, studded by twinkling stars like an iron ball hanging in a cage.
Let us observe this Vedic mantra of Rigveda
(Rigveda 1.33.8)
It says "people who reside on the surface of the Earth's circumference."
There are many Vedic verses; many of them proclaim the spherical shape of the Earth.
Even today in most of the Indian languages the term "Geography" means BHUGOLA SASTRA. The very word "Bhugola" means spherical earth. This shows that ages ago Indian knew that earth was spherical in shape.
Then why do we teach our children in schools that Western scientists had found this great discovery about the shape of the earth?
3. Many Apples Had Fallen Before Newton's Gravity Laws
Let us get into the fact...
Surya Sidhantha, the classical Indian Astronomical text says "because of the dharanatmika sakti, Earth is standing firm in the space without falling away
(Surya Sidhantha 12th chapter 32 sloka)
Varahamihira (6th century AD) had said "it is an experience of everyone that on any part of the earth, that the flames of the fire go up and the objects that were thrown up fall down
(Pancha Sidhanthi, 13th chapter 4th sloka)
Bhaskaracharya (11th century AD), the famous Indian mathematician in his text "Leelavathi" explains, Earth has guruthvakarsna sakti (Gravitational force). Due to mutual attraction between the planets, they (planets) are able to hold themselves firmly in space.
In his other text, "Siddhantha Shiromani," Bhaskaracharya reveals that, "Earth naturally attracts every object in the space towards itself. Because of this attracting force, all objects fall on the earth. When there is balance in attraction among planets where would they fall?
(Siddhantha Shiromani, Bhuvanakosa, sixth sloka)
Jagad Guru Sri Adi Sankara in his commentary on Prasna Upanishad had said, "as earth attracts the up going (thrown up) objects, so do the ever elevating, Pranasakti in the body, is being pulled down by the Apanasakti.
(Commentary of Adi Sankara for 3CH
4. Who Goes Around Whom, Earth vs Sun?
Heliocentric theory of our solar system was first propounded by Copernicus in 1453. He propounded that the Sun is the centre of our universe and all the planets revolve around it. As it was against the views of the Holy Bible, he had been persecuted. Afterwards in the year 1632 Galileo, supported this view and became a sinner in the eyes of Church.
But, Indian perception about our solar system is clearly stated in Vedas and other oriental Astronomical texts.
Ancient Vedic knowledge is very lucid in its expression about Sun being the centre of our Universe (Solar System).
He had also accurately calculated the diameter of the Earth.
(Aryabhatattiyam, Chapter 1-sloka five)
Let us analyse few Vedic verses in this regard,
(Rigveda 3.5.59.1)
Sun, with his attracting force is holding this earth and the other celestial bodies.
(Rigveda 1.164.1)
All the celestial bodies (Planets) are moving in elliptical orbits.
(Rigveda 10.189.1)
Moon being the sub planet of earth, is revolving around its motherly planet earth and earth is revolving around its fatherly planet sun.
-8th sloka of Prasnopanishad)
5. Seven Colours of Sun Light
Seven colours mix together to become an intense glow of white rays of the Sun. Sir Isaac Newton; the renowned scientist of 16th century had been accredited with this Discovery. World believes this with all fanfare.
Ages before Newton, the ancient Indian Vedic knowledge had revealed that the sunlight consists of seven colours.
Sun's seven coloured rays are making a day.
Does that mean sun has only seven rays? No, sun emits millions of rays. But each ray of light has seven colours embedded in it. The Vedic terminology often refers to word "saptha asva ruda". It actually actually means seven coloured white sunrays.
7. Scaling The Eternal Time
As the Time flies eternally, events fly with it and get absorbed in it. Every moment of this eternal time remains precious and puzzles us in everyway. The Western world had tried to scale the time in many ways and times (occasions), but stumbled, faltered and corrected their calendars quite often.
Even, ancient Indians measured the time; their methods of measurement varied , but their calculations remained precise, systematic and accurate. From smallest unit of time "liptha" to the largest unit of time "Yugas" and "kalpas", our ancestors had calculated and measured the time with all aptness and skill.
In the Western concepts of time, only the measure of year had been logically deduced; other units of time like day, week, month etc., are precisely determined. Indians measured the time by relatively determining the movements of celestial objects, like planets, stars against the Earth's motion and thus evolved the unit of measurements of time.Based on celestial movements of sun and moon, Indians had invented additional measures like "Adhika masa" (additional months) for making adjustments and for maintaining accuracy.
8. Jantar-Mantar, A Place For Monitoring Heavens
9. Comets
A train of light rarely appears in the sky. It is called as "Dhuma-ketu" by ancient Indians. Today we call it, Comet. The word "Comet" in Latin means the one that has long hairs. The Western world never had knowledge about these comets till Edmond Halley in the year 1759 pioneered the study about the comets.
The ancient Indian Astronomical texts dealt with the knowledge of comets very extensively. They are (1) Bhrhat vimana sastra written by Bharadwaj (2) Agastya's sakti tantra (3) Jaimini's keta sarvasa.
In Agastya's sakti tantra, the names of Twelve Comets are given. It had been mentioned that during rainy season the potency of comets would be very high.
Vimana Sastra says that the Comets are formed because of Sun burning certain objects in it's vicinity, please do not forget the word "Dhuma" in Sanskrit means smoke or gases. The modern knowledge about the comets also concurs with that.
At least in the field of ancient Indian Astronomy, we are left with certain classical Astronomical texts. Thanks, to the efforts of ancient Indian Astronomers.
To perceive astronomical facts, one requires certain special instruments. What were the instruments that were used by ancient Indian Astronomers? If they had used instruments, what happened to them today? Do they exist today? If they had disappeared with the elapse of time, do we, atleast have suitable reference about their usage?
Most of the Indian Astronomical Instruments might have been destroyed during various foreign invasions on India. Today, we get the glimpses of their usage from the ancient astronomical texts. For example, Aryabhatta, the renowned Astronomer lived near Kusumapura during Fifth century AD. He was monitoring heavens from an observatory called "Khagola" kha means space, gola means spherical instrument. Some believe that Indian astronomy got its name khagola-sastra from the observatory of Aryabhatta.
In recent times, the person who had revived the lost knowledge about our Indian Astronomy and reconstructed the Astronomical yantras or instruments was none other than the Raja of Jaipur, Sawai Jaisingh-II.
Raja Jaisingh was a vassal king of Moghul Empire. During 1724-1727, he established Astronomical observatories called, "Jantar-Mantar" and hoisted the Flag of Indian talent. He founded them in five cities namely Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Ujjain and Varanasi. Among them except Mathura all the remaining four observatories exist today.
10. Pioneering the Surgery : World's First Surgeons
In Rigveda the verses, mention that, a woman warrior called "Vischala" the queen of king Khela, had been fitted with an artificial Iron leg by the Ashwini physicians, when she lost her leg in a war. These physicians were adored for eye transplantation in the next verse.
Indians pioneered surgery ages ago, Sushruta (500 BC) was the World's earliest Surgeon. He learnt the skills of surgery from Dhanvantari and wrote a treatise on surgery and Ayurveda called "Sushruta Samhita" which had stood the test of time and is even now being followed.
We find the mention of advanced level of surgery, the plastic surgery mostly Rhenoplastary in Sushruta Samhita. These surgeries were performed to reconstruct the noses and ears. He performed many eye surgeries. There are many references about Caesarean operations. Indians not only performed surgeries, but also studied the human Anatomy by dissection. Sushruta Samhita, we find many methods of preserving dead bodies for dissection. Sushruta had mentioned about 125 surgical instruments in his treatise.
In Bhoja Prabandha (927 AD), it had been mentioned that king Bhoja had undergone a surgical treatment, for getting a tumor removed from the brain. King had been administered Anesthesia called "Sammohini" while the surgery was being performed.
Gauthama Buddha's physician called Devaka had performed many surgeries. Buddhistics texts mention about them. "Vinaya Pitika" a Buddhistic text reveals that germs in the brain were removed by performing a surgery.
11. Ayurveda - A Therapeutical Treasure
Knowledge of Ayurveda had descended from Lord Barhma to Prajapati, from Prajapati to Ashwini Kumars, from them to Indra to Bharadwaj, from him to Atreya, and to his disciples Agnivesha, Khela, Harita and others. Over a period of time it got divided into two schools of thought 1. Atreya Parampara 2. Dhanvantari Parampara.
In Atreya parampara, kaya-chikitsa (medicine/bodily treatment) is given prime importance. The famous text of this school of thought is Charaka Samhita, named after the famous physician, Charaka..
In Dhanvantari parampara saly-chikitsa (Surgery) also had been dealt with. In the line of surgery Sushruta is considered to be an authority and the famous treatise is Sushtruta Samhita, written by him.
Indian medical science had linked human thoughts to human health and evolved the therapeutical knowledge ages ago; the purer and positive the thoughts, the better the health.
12. Hridayam - for Healthy Heart Beats
Williams Harway, (1628 AD) a British scientist, had found that heart is essential for blood circulation, but could not describe how blood reaches the heart and flows from it. In the year 1669 a scientist named Marcello Malphigi clearly described how blood flows into Heart and comes out of it.
Now let us hear the echoes of ancient Indian heartbeats and its hearty revelations.
Satapatha Brahmana of Yajur Veda, had defined Hridayam (the heart) as under,
"Hru" means "harinay" (that receives)
"Da" means "daanay" (that gives)
"Ya" means "engathow" (that circulates)
That which receives (blood), gives and circulates is called Hridayam.
Sushruta says,
"Heart diseases are caused because of "Kapha" and "Pita" doshas (defects) and thus thickening and narrowing of coronary arteries resulting in acute pain in the Chest and difficulty in breathing."
Charaka says,
"Those who want to preserve "Ojas" and maintain heart in good condition should be away from mental worries and should exhibit self-restraint in diet and should consume the medicines that increase vital principle (ojas) and blood circulation. For healthy Heartbeats, meticulous efforts are to be made to obtain tranquility with awareness & wisdom."
Indian traditional medical knowledge had rightly recognized the preventive measures for the Heart diseases ages ago and advised suitably to exercise self-restraint and adopt moderate food habits and a composed mindset. If these suggestions are followed today, one can avoid heart surgeries and expenditure.
13. Test Tube Babies
In the year 1978-80, modern medical knowledge had claimed that it had achieved a miracle in the history of human race. Female ovum and male semen had been fertilized in a test tube and was transferred into uterus. Thus, the first test tube baby was born.
Is this for the first time in the history of mankind such miracles have happened? No, ages ago, many such instances had occurred on Indian soil.
Let us first refer to Rig Veda; Sage Agastaya's birth is not from the mother's womb. He had been fertilized in a pot.
In Mahabharata, there are a few instances of childbirth similar to today's test tube babies:
1. Let us look into the episode of Drona, the guru of Pandavas and Kauravas. He was said to have been born only from the semen of male, without the female ovum in a vessel called "Droni" under the technical guidance and supervision of sage Bharadwaj. Hence he had become famous by the name Dronacharya.
2. King Drupada had performed a yagna to bring forth Draupadi and her brother Drushtadyumna. The methodology referred therein, resembles the cloning concepts of today.
3. Sage Gautama had created twins Kripa and Kripi by using certain vessels rather instruments. Hence they became famous by those names resembling the shape of the vessels.
4. We are all aware of the famous episode of the birth of Kauravas. When Kaurava Queen Gandhari had undergone self-abortion, sage Vyasa collected the foetus and preserved it in one hundred pots and thus could produce 100 Kaurava Brothers and one sister Dussala.
All these frequent references are not figs of imagination, but were the instances of the prevailing knowledge about the birth of babies, that are not from the mother's womb.
14. Benefiting from the Cow
On June 2003, American patent office had given patent to "Go-Muthram" (cow-urine) as an antibiotic in curing diseases like Tuberculosis and cancer. This product had been patented by Nagpur NGO "Go-vignana Ansundhana kendram".
Ancient Indians had indepth knowledge of "Panchagavya chikitsa" including cow urine therapy. But, for centuries modern medicine had considered the cow urine therapy. But, for centuries modern medicine had considered the cow urine therapy as a primitive practice of blind beliefs. Medical fraternity had woken up recently to the reality and started recognizing the potential therapeutic value of Cow products.
Indians worship cow as holy mother. Indian Cow is respected as the embodiment of all divine forces. Gifting a cow is considered to be the greatest of all charities. During the performance of yagnas and yagas, Cow & Cow products are very essential. Indian culture has placed cow in the sacred position of "Kamadhenu" (the wish fulfilling holy Diety). Vedas, Puranas and Itihasas, all adore the sanctity and utility of cow in many ways. Holy cow and Indian life have a sacred bondage. Rigveda says that killing a cow is the greatest of all crimes.
In modern times, the first Indian war of Independence (Sepoy mutiny) in the year 1857 had its roots in the sacrilege made to Cow. Lord Krishna being a cowherd is dear to millions and millions of devoted hearts.
In preparation of Ayurvedic medicines, the Pancha Gavyas (Five cow products) are used very extensively. The Panchagavyas are (1) Cow Milk (2) Curd (3) Ghee (4) Urine (5) Cow Dung.
In the famous Ayurvedic texts like Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhatta Samhitas, Pancha Gavyas are used to cure skin diseases, urinary problems, kneejoint pains and ulcers.
15. Tulasi - The Wonder Herb
20. Father Of Botany - Sage Parasara
In the year 1665 AD, Robert Hook, a botanist with the help of his microscope, explained to the world about the Plant cell and its structure. One thousand and six hundred years ago prior to that date, sage Parasara in 1st century AD had clearly explained the structure of a Plant cell in the Sanskrit work "Vriksha Ayurveda".
Parasara had even explained the phenomenon of the Photosynthesis (process of self nourishment in the plants) in the fourth chapter (Vriksha sharira Dharma sastram) of the same book.
Tulasi redeems us from all sins. Tulasi provides us with all the wealth. Tulasi and Indian families have sym-biotic
Since ancient times in every Indian household, Tulasi occupies a prominent place. Every backyard of the Indian house is adorned with Tulasi Fort (structure that is built around tulasi). Indians believe Tulasi as an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Indians worship the holy Basil (Tulasi) every day at a prescribed time.
Modern research:
1. It reduces glucose levels and is being used to cure Diabetics
2. It reduces cholesterol levels
3. As a Cox-2 Inhibitor, it is being used as a pain reliever in cancer treatment
4. To store food grains
Certain Vishnu devotees do not use Tulasi as a medicinal herb and consider it as a sacred plant. They consume Tulasi water (Tirtha) for purification of sins.
Tulasi beeds are used in Japa and Meditation. Garlands of fresh Tulasi leaves are offered to deities in temples every day. In Hindu temples, holy Tulasi water is given to devotees as Tirtha.
Tulasi is worshiped as the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.
During the month of Kartika, Tulasi Vivaha (Wedding of Tulasi) is grandly celebrated. Hindus consider that day as a very auspicious day.
In Agastya Samhita it is said that, by planting Tulasi, watering Tulasi, worshiping Tulasi, rather touching Tulasi, one obtains moksha, the enlightenment.
Hindus believe that Tulasi plant contains all the holy rivers, all the Vedas and all the deities. Persons on the deathbed are watered with "Tulasi Tirtha" by pouring a few drops into the mouth. It is believed that, Tulasi purifies them from sins and gives them better positions (circumstances) in the next life.
16. Long drawn battles for Turmeric and Neem
Beware! Applying Turmeric paste on the wounds is a punishable offence. If one gets Chickenpox and Measles, then to use Neem products in their treatment, we require permission from multinational companies. Otherwise one has to face court cases.
A few European and American based multi-national companies claim that they own the knowledge about Turmeric and Neem as medicinal products, as they have patented them.
During the decade (1995-2005), Indian voluntary organizations, Indian Governmental institutions and a few intellectuals of Indian origin had waged fierce intellectual battles with US patent offices and multi-national companies.
It became a herculean task to convince them that usage of Neem and Turmeric as medicinal herbs is known to Indians since ancient times and had mentioned extensively in Ayurvedic texts. Not only Neem & Turmeric but also Lemon, Guava, Amla and many such Ayurvedic medicines are being subjected to similar destiny.
Once we (Indians) were ridiculed, belittled and disparaged as charm healers of blind faith for using Neem leaves and Turmeric. Today after understanding their potential medicinal value, these Western companies, patent them and bar us from using them.
17. Copper Shields Our Health
Today, we prefer bottled mineral water, of course! Cleaned and purified. We often purchase purified, potable water and drink it. We take this precaution to protect ourselves from ill health, which is often caused by contaminated water or impure water. This health tip is not just modern, but known to Indians ages ago. They knew the technique of purifying water and preserving it.
Ancient Indians used copper and brass vessels to purify and store water. Today after indepth investigations, it has been found that, the sunlight that falls on the copper vessels instantly eliminates microbes present in the water by a chemical reaction.
Rob Reed, a London based Micro-Biologist had verified this fact by filling the copper, plastic and earthen vessels with Escherichia coli bacteria which causes diseases like dysentery etc. After 24 hours bacteria in copper vessels got dramatically reduced and at the end of 48 hours there were no traces of bacteria in copper vessels. On the other hand, the bacteria in the plastic and earthen vessels got increased substantially.
Today, Indian star hotels serve rich delicacies and doubly purified water in copper vessels.
18. Successful Jai-'Poor' Foot
In Rigveda there is a reference that an artificial leg made of Iron had been fitted to a woman warrior called Vischala, the wife of King Khela, by the eminent divine surgeons Ashwin Kumars.
Twenty years ago, a films called "Nache Mayuri" was a big and sensational hit. The heroine of that movie Sudha Chandran did not have a leg and danced with an artificial leg designed and fitted at Jaipur. For the past thirty-five years this Jaipur foot had created, sensation and history and served millions of poor by providing them, "the joyful ride of life journey".
In India an artificial limb is being fitted for Rs. 1200, when it costs Rs. 40-50,000 in western countries, thanks to the efforts of BMVSS. Poor people can pedal cycle Rickshaws, can perform all the agricultural activities etc with this artificial leg.
It stands as a testimony to Indian genius, Indian resolve and Indian spirit of service .
19. Traditional Agricultural Expertise
India is the cradle for Agriculture. Knowledge of Agriculture and its evolution as Agricultural Science can be traced from Rig Veda. It reveals to us how one has to prepare oneself for ploughing the fields and the ritual involved in it.
Rig Veda extols Sun not only as God, but also recognizes Sun as the source of light, for all the living beings. It explains the water cycle, how water evaporates because of sunlight and how these vapours become clouds and reach the earth as rains.
At various instances, RigVeda gives us the knowledge of Green skills and Cattle Science that are required by a farmer.
Famous Indian Agricultural Science Texts:
Many ancient Indian texts had described various methods of agriculture, ploughing, seed cultivation, water storage, varieties of soil, measurement of rainfall, storage of crop yield etc. The famous texts are being listed below:
S. No. Text Author Text
1. Rigveda - Vedic times
2. Artha Sastra Kautilya 4th century BC
3. Krishi Parasara Parasara 1st century BC
4. Agni Purana Vyasa "
5. Bhrhat-samhita Varahamihira 5th century AD
6. Krishisukta Kashyapa 9th century AD
7. Vriksha Ayurveda Surapala 10th century AD
8. Manasonullasa Someswara 11th century AD
9. Upavana vinoda Sarangadhara 13th century AD
20. Father Of Botany - Sage Parasara
In the year 1665 AD, Robert Hook, a botanist with the help of his microscope, explained to the world about the Plant cell and its structure. One thousand and six hundred years ago prior to that date, sage Parasara in 1st century AD had clearly explained the structure of a Plant cell in the Sanskrit work "Vriksha Ayurveda".
Parasara had even explained the phenomenon of the Photosynthesis (process of self nourishment in the plants) in the fourth chapter (Vriksha sharira Dharma sastram) of the same book.
21. Indian Cattle Science
Ancient Indians lived in tune with nature. Plants, animals and of course all living beings were considered sacred by them. Cattle were part of their lives. Cows were worshipped with all sanctity. They were cared well and their well being was given the top priority. Kings considered Horses, Cows and Elephants as wealth.
22. Genious Of Indian Mathematical Brains
Mathematical knowledge that exists today is a gift from ancient India. Believe it or not, it is true.
1. Decimal system : Nine numbers and a zero can be combined to form infinite mathematical expressions and measurements. This knowledge is said to be the unique contribution of ancient Indian genius to world's progress.
During Vedic times, this decimal system, was very much in vogue in India, Yadur Veda Samhita 17th chapter, 2nd mantra describes the numerical values in a sequence like
Eka, dasa, sata, sahasra, ayuta, laksha, niyuta, koti, arbud, vrinda, kharav, nikharav, shankha, padma, sagar, antya, Madhya, paradha etc. Parardha's value is equal to 10 raised to the power 12.
A Buddhistic text called "Lalita Vistara" (1st century BC) describes upto 10 raised to 53 and called that numerical value as "Talakshna". Another Jain text (anuyogadwara) describes numbers upto 10 raised to the power of 140.
During the ancient periods, Greeks gave the biggest numerical value called myriad, which is equal to 10 raised to the power of 4, i.e. 10000 only.
Biggest Roman numericals were 10 raised to 3 i.e. 1000 only. It was called as "milli".
The numbers from zero to nine were first adopted by Arabs from India and had spread to Europe. Today we call these numericals as Indo-Arab numericals.
2. Zero Glory : Without India's richest "zero", the whole of mathematical knowledge becomes zero. Indians used zero not only as the mathematical expression but also as philosophical concept.
Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas and many Indian classical texts had dealt with zero in various ways.
Pingala (2nd century BC) in his Vedagana test "Chandas Sastra" (A guide to study Vedic prosody), while explaining Gayatri Chandas mentions zero.
3. Geometry : Geometry, an important branch of mathematics had originated in India. The word Geometry is a Sanskrit word means measuring the earth. Jya in Sanskrit means earth, miti means measurement "jyamiti" or geometry means measuring the earth. Today, what we call Pythagoras Theorem is a mere repetition of what had been said in Baudhaya "SulbaSutras", written five to six hundred years before Pythagoras.
4. Pi value : The value of pi had attracted the attention of every Mathematicean whether Indian or Western, ancient or modern. The pi is constant value of the ratio between the circumstance and diameter in a circle.
Great Indian Astronomer Aryabhatta (5th century AD) had calculated the value of Pi as 3.1416, which is accurate upto four decimals.
5. Trignometry : Trignometry is a gift of antient India to the mathematical world. The concepts of sign and cosign had been evolved by Indian Mathematicians. Aryabhatta had tabulated the several values of sign from 00 to 900 in his famous mathematical work Aryabhattiyam.
6. Calculus : What we call today, "Calculus" was called by anciet Indians as "Kalana Ganana Sastra". Ages before Newton had made use of it, Aryabhatta and Bhaskara charya had dealt with his branch of Mathematics in their Astronomical calculations.
Bhaskaracharya is his work "Siddhanta Siromani" (4th chapter Graha Ganita) deals with the concept of differentiation and its application by considering the temporal positions of various planets. Aryabhatta had pioneered this method of calculating the temporal positions of various planets and had introduced to the world the knowledge of Calculus.
Brahmagupta and Madhava had developed this branch of Mathematics by introducing Integral Calculus.
7. Algebra : This branch of Mathematics is also an Indian invention. During 9th century AD, Arabs adopted it and from them it has spread to the other parts of the world. Indian seers of yore like Apasthambha, Baudhayana and Katsyayana in his Kalpa Sutras had introduced the "unknown" value in their Mathematical expressions. Afterwards, Aryabhatta, Brahmagupta, Bhaskaracharya, Madhava and others developed various algebric formulae, equations and functions.
Bhaskaracharya calls Algebra as Ayaktha Ganita or Beeja Ganita. He had said that Vyaktha Ganita lead to Ayakthaganitha. In his book Leelavati he deals with vyathaganitha (arithmetic) before dealing with Ayaktha Ganitha.
Indian Mathematical genius is evident from seers of Vedic times to Twentieth century Ramanujam. Today, what we call as computer language (Bakus Normal form) is a replication of Panini's grammar rules.
Indian Mathematical crown has ever-shinning gems to its credit.
Search this site:
SEARCH
23. Indian Chemistry Through Ages
The Science of Chemistry flourished since 1500 BC in India. There are many evidences to substantiate this fact. Indians called Chemistry as "Rasa vidya".
Ancient Indians knew the knowledge of making plain Glass and coloured glass. This fact can be supported by historical references in Indian literature and archeological evidences.
The Harrappan people of Indus valley civilization had the knowledge of utilization the metals like Gold, Silver and other alloys. In Vedas there are ample references about the ornaments that are made of various alloys of some metals.
The period between 600 BC to 800 AD can be called as The Golden Period of Indian Chemistry. The Science of Indian Chemistry is rooted not only in the classical texts written exclusively on Chemistry, but also in various Ayurvedic texts like Charaka & Sushruta Samhitas, encyclopedic works like and Bhrhat-samhita and Kautilya's Artha Sastra.
Ayurvedic texts had revealed various chemical processes that happen within the human body, centuries before birth of Christ. Kautilya's Artha Shastra had reference of availability of various metallic ores at various places, the methods of purification, the utility of various metals & alloys, layouts of chemical laboratories (Rasasalas). The gold plating of copper also has a special mention in this book. In books of Sanskrit, Telugu, Tamil & Marathi, we find the preparation of gunpowder and fireworks. The Sanskrit references of Gunpoder can be found in Sukra Niti I& Rasa-Upanishad. In Rigveda we find the mention of cotton dyeing & leather tanning and the chemicals used in the processes.
Making of Soaps, Toiletries, Perfumes & other drugs require highly advanced knowledge of Chemistry.
Indian Textiles were dyed using vegetable colour and by making suitable chemical treatment, which had attracted Europeans to come to India. The finest clothes of world are produced in India; the skills of dyeing them require advanced chemical knowledge.
Indians used mercury as divine medicine. It was used in many Ayurvedic preparations. Mercury was subjected to 18 types of chemical purification processes, before it was used as medicine. Iron Pillar at Delhi stands tall as a testimonial for Indian metallurgical marvel and superiority of chemical knowledge.
The father of modern Indian Chemistry, Sri Prafulla Chandra Ray, had done an extensive research in the history of evolution of Indian chemical knowledge. His book "History of Hindu Chemistry" speaks volumes about chemical ingenuity of Indians through ages.
24. Ship Building Skills
The English word "Navigation" had been derived from the Sanskrit word "Navagati" meaning sea voyage. India has 5000 years of navigational history. Our navigational skills date back to the times of Indus valley civilization.
There is evidence to substantiate that India for the past 30 centuries was as central commercial hub. It had trade links not only with Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Portuguese, Dutch, French and British but also with Asian countries like China, Japan, Indonesia, Burma, Java and Singapore through navigation.
Ships, which were built in India, were of two categories namely Soumya (simple) and Vishesha (Complex). They are built in different shapes. Most of the ships are multistoried and compartmentalized.
The persons involved in building the Ships were highly skilled artisans. For this reason, Indian ships were in great demand. Further, the longetivity of ships built in India was for half a century, in comparison with accidentally built ships, which had only ten to twelve years of longevity and were subjected to frequent repairs.
It was mentioned in a book called "le-hindus" published in 1811 AD written by Francuois Balazar Solvyans, a French navigator, that Englanders had learnt ship building skills and allied techniques from Indians.
Here is a recent reference to India's superior ship building skills. The Wall Street journal dt. 28.05.2003 had published a news item regarding America's war on Iraq. It says "A ship built based on the technology mentioned in old Indian literature, proved extremely in the war. This ship travels faster than many other ships. It transported more number of tanks than other ships and had capacity to convey nearly 500 Soldiers. Further it used to cover 2500 kms in 48 hours."
Even today, it is believed that Japan is the first Asian country, which had defeated European ships on a sea battle in the year 1905. But in the year 1742, king Marthanda Varma of Travancore defeated the Dutch Naval Cavalry consequently the Dutch Navy and served him loyally for more than two and half decades.
Ancient Indian navigation made it possible to establish Indian settlements in Indonesia, Sumitra, Java, Malaysia and South America etc.
The Indian skill of building ships was viewed with awe and wonder and of course with envy & fear as well. British Government, that rules India had brought a legislation in the year 1814 AD, which had destabilized the Indian shipbuilding Industry. It had banned the entry of Indian made ships into European ports. By the year 1863, Indian ship building artisans were jobless and were completely rooted out.
Sir William Deigo sarcastically commented that with the law in force, British queen had eliminated the Indian naval queen.
25. Machine Science Of India
Indian seers had extensively described utility of machines and its limits too. Machines were called as "Yantras" in Sanskrit. Yantra in Sanskrit means, "that which controls". The word Yantra is a very broad term, its scope in Indian context is just not limited to mere mechanical device. The term had wide usage in various fields of Indian sciences like Ayurveda (medicine), Rasasastra (Chemistry), Khogola (Astronomy), Jyotish (Science of Light popularly called as Astrology), Yuddhashastra (warfare), and in rituals of worship like Tantrashastra.
In Balakanda of the Ramayana, while describing Ayodhya, Sage Valmiki refers to the separate zone within the city, where machines and weapons were kept; something like secured Industrial Estates of today. In Ayodhya Kanda, Rama advises Bharata on techniques of Governance. In that context Rama asks bharata about the safety of machines that are placed in various forts.
In the Mahabharata, Arjuna hitting the "Matsya yantra" and marrying Draupadi is a well-known fact to most of the Indians. The description of Matsya yantra reveals to us that it was an automated marine device and often compared with today's marine compass.
GR Joyser in his book "Diamonds, mechanisms, weapons of war and Yoga sutras", describes various machines that were used by ancient Indians by using fuel as power. Some of the machines described therein resemble "Artificial Elephant Machine" similar to the one described in famous Sanskrit historical drama "Swapna Vasavadatta" written by Basa.
Almost one thousand years before Newton's Laws of Motion, India's Mechanical knowledge flourished. It remains a mystery, why Indian mechanical devices and the knowledge related to its withered away. Perhaps seers of wisdom understood the dangerous effects of industrialization on human life.
26. Hijacked Indian Aeronautics
On December 17, 1903, an aircraft thrust into the skies and became the (so called) first aircraft in the human history. Wright Brothers became its inventors. We all greatly adore them today and we teach this fact to our children in schools. But to our surprise the truth seems to be different.
Eight years before Wright brothers' aerial show, in India in the year 1895, at the Chowpatty beach in Bombay, an aircraft flew in the skies upto 1,500 ft., when large Indian audience watched this feat. And this performance happened in the august presence of His Highness Maharaja of Baroda Sri Sayaji Rao Gaikwad and honourable Judge Mahadev Govind Ranade. This event was covered and published by the then popular newspaper "Kesari" which was published from Pune.
The inventor of that aircraft was an ordinary Sanskrit scholar, named "Siva Kumar Bapuji Talpade"
The name of the aircraft was "Maruti Shakti". This aircraft had been built based on the technology mentioned in the Sanskrit Text written by Bharadwaj called "Yantra Sarvasvam". Talapade adopted the technology from the chapters of "Vaimanika sastra" of Bharadwaja's book. The then British Government, after strictly warning the Baroda maharaja not to fund the project, stalled this experiment. It seems that the experimental remnants of the plane and various working plans had been taken over by the British Government. (Source : Deccan Herald, Tuesday, December 16, 2003)
For almost twenty years, many scientists at Aeronautical Society of India, NASA, professors and students of many prominent universities of the world were doing research in their own way on this Vaimanaki Sastra of Bharadwaj. They were able to appreciate the advanced level of knowledge about Aeronautics in this book. But much of their research findings are not being revealed to public.
Bharadwaj had dealt about four types of fuels that can be used by vimanas. They are:
1. Vanaspati Oil
2. Mercury Gas
3. Solar Energy
4. Directly consuming power from the air
The modern aircrafts are run by burning the hot gases. But recently scientists at NASA had experimented with the techniques of using mercury as mentioned in Vimana sastra texts of India and designed mercury vortex engines successfully.
Scientists at Birla Science Center, Hyderabad and IIT, Bombay had done research on the metals mentioned in Vimana Texts and could decipher their utility and techniques of making alloys suitable for building aircrafts.
Recently Chinese Government had handed over the Sanskrit manuscripts that were discovered in Tibetan region to professor Rutherana of Chandigarh University to decipher the contents. These manuscripts contain the information about inter-stellar travel and anti-gravitational flights (laghima). This only confirms the height of Indian Aeronautical excellence achieved ages ago.
27. Sound Secrets
Ancient Indians duly recognized the importance of sound & sound energies.
During the 17th century Galileo, had postulated that sound travels in waves. Afterwards, many scientists have done extensive research on the properties of sound waves. They had found many utilities by using sound vibrations. Ultra Sonics, Echo-graphy, Radio etc. are the modern applications of the sound waves.
Ancient Indians had also utilized sound energy in various ways. Indians knew the secrets of sound and made extensive use of them in many day-to-day activities.
When ancient Indian literature declares that this universe had come out from the first breath of God, it's about the first vibration of that cosmic energy, the first explosion (Maha visphotam in Sanskrit), the modern Big bang theory.
Indians used the sound energy in many ways; Indian classical music is nothing but an applied science of sound energy. Melodious music charms snakes; Wild animals get tamed; Cows give excess milk; Plants blossom with flowers; Trees bear fruits; Rains pour out; Nature responds with joy; Lamps can be lit just by the melody of the music; many a disease can be cured through the science of music, it is an application of sound vibrations. The knowledge of mantras is again an applied aspect of sound. Ancient Indians played with sound, enjoyed sound and protected themselves with sound vibrations. Kudos! To them, for their knowledge about Sound Secrets.
28. Hidden Knowledge In Nataraja's Cosmic Dance
Indians worship Siva in the form of Linga (Parabolic sacred stone) and at the same time adores him in the form of Nataraja (the dancing Siva), as divine personification of the entire domain of arts.
The Idol of Nataraja has ubiquitous presence in all the houses, throughout the world, both in Indian and Western Homes.
Behind this dancing pose of Siva, there seems to be hidden secret. These words are not said by an ordinary person, but by a world-renowned professor of Nuclear physics, Fritj of Capra. He had explained the philosophy behind Nataraja's cosmic dance in his popular book "The Tao of Physics".
For a modern scientist of physics, Siva's dance appears as the dance of Atomic particles. The ancient Indian perspective about the world is nothing but the eternal cosmic dance of creation, sustenance and dissolution that happen with a rhythm. This is the root cause for everything.
According to Quantum theory of Physics, creation is full of atomic particles. Each particle has enormous energy latent in it. These particles are very dynamic in nature and change their form within split seconds.
Sub-Atomic particles have dual nature, some times they appear as particles sometimes they become continuous stream of energy. They often change from wave to particle and vice versa in a rhythm and eternally lose their existence.
Matter is nothing but a group of atomic particles. Particles move within it in a structural rhythm. Because of that, forms get created, forms get dissolved, forms grow and decay in a continuous way. In every change or more there is a rhythm in life, there is a beauty and harmony in this subtle change. It is a dance of cosmic life; forms appear, disappear and reappear, from the minutest particle to a gigantic star all are changing and are in a flux; dancing to the symphony of cosmic breath of life; dancing to the tunes of cosmic rhythm;
Fritj of Capra could see Siva's cosmic dance as the secret of creation. He interpreted Nataraja's dance in three facets:
1. The dynamic arch around Siva represents the ever-changing cosmic rhythm.
2. The cause for Siva's dance is for redemption of soul from the cosmic cycle.
3. The sacred space "Chidambaram" the platform of Siva's dance is in one's own heart. One has to be tuned to the cosmic dance of Siva, through this "Hridaya Akasha".
29. Finding The Basic Building Blocks Of The Universe-Atomic Theory
What are the basic building blocks of this universe? Even today, modern scientists are not in a position to answer this question. Finally scientists of Particle Physics (a branch of Physics) are accepting the oriental views and trying to understand the ancient Indian perception about the universe.
Let us now look into perceptional changes that happened over centuries among the so-called modern scientific community influenced by western outlook.
450 BC : Preliminary Atomic theory, propounded by Democritus says that atoms are indivisible particles of the matter.
300 BC : Aristotle had postulated that Universe is made up of four elements earth, air, water and fire.
17th century AD:
a) Dalton's atomic theory : Dalton is the first person to propound atomic theory that the smallest particles of matter are atoms, but each atom of different element differs in size and shape from the other element. Atoms combine in definite ratio of weights to form molecules without atoms getting broken down.
b) Newton proposed a mechanical universe that consists of smallest indivisible particles of matter. According to Newton, time is an absolute and uni-dimensional. Space is three dimensional (Length, Breadth and Height). Time and space is not related to each other.
19th century AD:
1840 AD : Michael Faraday had proved with his experiments about Electro-Magnetism. He had explained the charged fields around a particle, both negatively and positively charged fields.
1895 AD : Wilhelm Roentgen discovered X-Rays.
1897 AD: JJ Thomson discovered the negatively charged particles of an atom called electrons.
20th Century AD:
1905 AD: Albert Einstein had proposed the special theory of relativity. Accordingly
a) He had given famous equation e=mc(square) through which he had postulated that the matter is the manifestation of energy; energy and matter are inter convertible.
b) Time and space or inter-related and are relative to each other.
c) Light has dual nature; Light rays are waves as well as energy particles. Scientists of later years have found photons (particles of light) as predicted by Einstein.
Einstein's special theory of relatively had changed the domain of physical science. A new branch of physical science evolved called "Atomic Physics" or "Nuclear Physics" or "Particle Physics" or "Quantum Physics"
1911-1913 : Neilbhor and Ruther Ford had postulated the orbital structure of atom.
Accordingly in every atom there shall be a nucleus. Around the nucleus, there shall be negatively charged particles called electrons moving in a structured orbit. In the nucleus, there shall be positively charged particles called protons and neutrally charged particles called neutrons. If electrons orbit around the nucleus in a structured way, the atom remains stable. In an excited state, if electrons jump from one orbit to another orbit, they gain in strength or lose in strength changing the structure of atom.
1927 : Warner Hesinburg proved through his "theory of Uncertainty" that the electron is not a particle and its structure cannot be determined easily as it continuously changes its position.
The journey of investigation of finding the fundamental building blocks of universe continued within the atom and today we have around 200 sub-atomic particles.
What are the basic Building Blocks of universe? - Indian perception
Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Shad-Darshanas (among them Sankhya, Vaishesika, Nyaya Darshanas) had postulated many theories about universe and its atomic structure in their own perspective.
In the sixth century BC, Kanaad Maharshi had written Vaisheshika Sastra and had postulated verses about structure of Universe from the atomic point of view.
The words "Anu" and "Parmaanu" are the Sanskrit words that are used to describe the atom and sub atomic particles.
Vaisheshika Darshana has 373 verses spread over twelve chapters.
Vaisheshika Darshana had described the universe as the interplay of seven aspects or states of material things. They are (1) Sravyam (Matter) (2) Guna (Quality) (3) Karma (Action) (4) Samanya (Generic species) (5) Vishesha (unique trait) (6) Samavaya (inherence or integrated part of the whole) (7) Abhava (Non existence).
Vaisheshika Darshana has 373 verses spread over twelve chapters.
Vaisheshika Darshana-Verse; (1.4)
Dravyam (Matter) is again subdivided into nine aspects they are (1) Prithvi (Earth) (2) Jala (Water) (3) Teja (Light) (4) Vayu (Gas) (5) Akasa (Ether) (6) Dik (Direction - space dimension) (7) Kala (Time) (8) Manas (Mind) (9) Atma (Soul). Vaisheshika Darshana-Verse; (1.5)
Vaisheshika Darshana-Verse; (1.5)
As described by Kanaad maharshi, the mind and atman were also considered as the aspects of matter. Today modern science is also considering the perception of mind in atomic structural analysis. Vaisheshika Darshana-Verse (7-1-22)
Vaisheshika Darshana-Verse (7-1-22)
Parmaanus get influenced by Atman (person).
Vaisheshika Darshana-Verse (7-1-20)
Parmaanu is always in continous state of motion.
There are two states of matter. One is "anu sthiti" (micro level state) another is "mahat sthiti" (macro level state). Vaisheshika Darshana-Verse (7-1-11)
When matter is continuously divided into sub atomic particles (parmaanus) it reaches a state , wherein divided further, the particle looses its basic nature and identity. Vaisheshika Darshana-Verse (7-1-12-14)
Ancient Indians perceived the relativity of time and space.
Vedas, Upanishads, Brahmasutras, Bhagwad Gita and other classical texts of India considered this universe as one unit, pervaded by Paramatma (cosmic soul). Indians perceive that whatever is in micro-cosm is also in the macro-cosm and are intimately connected. The modern string theory also reveals the same about the universal truth.
30. String Theory
Modern science is yet to conclude that sub atomic particles like quark particles and lepton particles are basic building blocks of the universe.
Reason for this is that scientists could unite three of the four fundamental forces of interaction among subatomic particles, they are:
1. Electro - Magnetic Forces
2. Strong Nuclear Forces
3. Weak Nuclear Forces
By uniting the three forces, scientists could study the behaviour and properties of quark and lepton particles. Yet they could not unite the forth fundamental force i.e. gravitational force with the other three forces in studying the behaviour pattern of subatomic particles.
During the last years of the 20th century, scientists had proposed a new theory called string theory. According to that, quarks and leptons are not particles. They are the subtle vibrating strings with closed and open loops. The gigantic star and minutest quark string are connected through a super string. Hence the whole universe is being considered as one unit by the most modern concepts of science. This theory facilities the study of all the four fundamental forces of interactions.
Indian perceptive:
In Vedas in Sata Pata Brahmana it is said that sun and the entire universe are connected in a string. That string is Vayu. Please note that Vayu is not gas or air according to Vedic meaning. Veda Nirukta defines as one that pervades everything.
Ancient Indian knowledge recognized everything in the universe as one consciousness and cultured our minds in that direction. There is huge literature to support this fact. Modern science is also reaching the same conclusions.
108. Sugar's Sweet History
Producing sugar from sugarcane is an Indian invention. Since Vedic times, Indians know this art of producing sugar. In Sanskrit sugar is called "Syakarah", in Arabic it had become "Shaker", in Latin it is called "Sacrum" in German it is called "Zucker" in French it is "Sucere" in English had become sugar. And thus India's syakarah had finally become sugar.
Greek had first come to known from Indians the usage of sugar. Greek Chronicles during Alexander's interaction with India, had described sugarcane as a crop that produces honey without honeybees. Till the advent of the 13th century, sugar was a luxurious item in Europe and was heavily imported from India. Chinese also had learnt the skills of producing sugar from the sugarcane crop of Indians.
Portugese, Spanish & Italian merchants had introduced sugarcane crop in the countries of Africa, South America and West Indies, after learning it in India.
