Bookmark India's Scientific Heritage-XXIII The meaning of Vedic Mathematics

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After eight years of devoted practice, Shankara-charya Bharti Krishna Teerthaji of Puri discovered a new mathematical process which he called ?Mathetmatics Without Tears!?, which was not dry, sad or troublesome but easy and enjoyable. He called it Vedic Mathematics and said that it was based on the Vedas.

He gave 16 primary formulae and 13 secondary sub-formulae?the practice of which would help solve questions of 10 kinds of mathematics, very easily. These include arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, differential equations, calculus, etc.

Here, he clarified that Veda did not mean mere samhita (code) but the source and unlimited treasure of knowledge. This expansive periphery includes the formulae called mathematics, although one would not find them in this form in the present books.

If one has practiced these formulae and knows how to apply them, one can get amazing results. Jagadguruji himself gave demonstrations on their applications in some universities of India. When he demonstrated this in front of professors of mathematics in America and solved a very difficult question (which could only be solved in 3-4 pages) on the blackboard, the audience was utterly surprised.

Professor Nicholas of England calls it magic and not mere mathematics. When people asked Jagadguru Bharti Krishna Teerthji if it was mathematics or magic, he would say that until you do not know it, it is magic: when you get to know it, it is mathematics.

If this method is taught from the very beginning, interest in mathematics may increase. Many scholars are researching this subject and are developing ways of learning it. (Although Vedic Mathematics is not yet included in formal syllabus, a very interesting trend is becoming popular?coaching institutes for various competitive exams are teaching Vedic Mathematics and the results are very encouraging.)

Those amazing 16 mathematical formulae and the 13 sub-formulae, along with their meanings are given below (see tables):

Measurement of Time
When was the world created and till when will it last? These questions have been disturbing man for ages. To get the answers, we will first have to understand time. Time, through which we measure incidents and changes; when did it start?

Stephen Hawkings, the renowned cosmologist of modern times, has written a book on this. It is called The Brief History of Time. In this book, he writes that universe and time started together when the Big Bang occurred. This resulted in the creation of the universe and the universe came from the unexpressed state into the expressed state. With this, time was also born. Hence, the universe and time started together and shall remain so until the universe survives and shall vanish with it. The second question is ?What was there before the universe? In reply, Hawkings says that today that is unknown. However, there can be a way to find out. A star dies when its fuel is used up in the form of light and energy and it starts shrinking until it becomes a dot. At that time, it acquires such a strong gravitational force that it can absorb light. It thus becomes impossible to know what is inside. Lack of light is known as darkness. It is probably because of this that such areas are called black holes. Our universe too perhaps was in this condition before being born.

(This book is available with Ocean Books (P) Ltd, 4/19 Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi-110 002.)

16. Formulae of Vedic Mathematics and their meanings

1. Ekadhiken Poorven – By one more than the previous one.
2. Nikhilam Navtashcharam Dashtaha – All from nine and last from ten.
3. Oordhvatiryak Bhyam – Vertically and cross-wise.
4. Paravartya Yojayet Transpose and apply.
5. Shoonyam Saamyasamuchhaye – When the samuchchaya is the same then that is zero.
6 Aanurroopye Shoonyamanyata – If one is in ratio, the other one is zero.
7. Sankalanvyavakalanabhyam – By addition and subtraction.
8. Poornapoornabhyam – By completion and non-completion.
9. Chalankalanabhyam – By sequential motion.
10. Yavadoonam – The deficiency.
11. Vyashtisamashti – Whole as one and one as whole.
12. Seshanyanken Charamen – Remainder by the last.
13. Sopantyadvayamantyam – Ultimate and twice the penultimate.
14. Ekanyoonen Poorven – By one less than the previous one.
15. Ganitasamuchyah – The whole product.
16. Gunakasyamuchyah – Collectivity of multipliers.

Sub-Formulae
1. Anuroopyen – Through conformity.
2. Shishyate Sheshsangaha – The remaining one is called shesh.
3. Aadyamaadyenantayamantyen – First with the first, last with the last one.
4. Kevalaiyah Saptakam Gunyat – Multiply ka (1) va (4), la(3) by 7 (formula for 1/7).
5. Veshtanam – The osculation (A method for divisibility test).
6. Yavadoonam Tavadoonam – Whatever deficiency, further lessen that much.
7. Yavadoonam Tavadoonikritya – Lessen by the Varga cha yojayet deficiency and use its square.
8. Antyordashakeapi – Sum of the last digits is ten.
9. Antyayorev – Only by the last.
10. Samucchayegunitaha – Product of whole.
11. Lopanasthapanabhyam – By alternating elimination and retention.
12. Vilokanam – By glancing.
13. Gunitasmuchhayaha – Samuchha yagunitaha – Product of the whole is equal to whole of the product.

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