Vigyana Bharati —SSM interaction with scientists
S Chandrasekhar
THE Swadeshi Science Movement, the Kerala Chapter of Vigyana Bharati, functioning for past three decades, has been able to develop an Indian approach to science among the scientific fraternity. Among its many activities, the annual Swadeshi Science Congress is a mega-event attended by thousands of scientists, researchers and educationalists.
The SSM organised ‘The Confluence -Symbiosis of Tradition and Modernity of Social Engineering’ at Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Bio-Technology, Thiruvananthapuram on January 10.
Inaugurating the interaction with scientists and researchers H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said that while the east follow the principle of experiencing and then behaving, the west follow believing and then experiencing.
“Starting from Annam to Prana to Brahman, life is an experience for us. While in west, science and spirituality were at logger-heads, here there was no conflict. There was symbiosis, as both were needed for existence,” he said.
“Thousands of years before Relativity Theory was discovered by Newton, Adi Sankara spoke of Dhik-Drishya-Vivethana. In ancient Bharat, arguments and counter-points, logic and intelligence were given importance. Different sciences and philosophies were encouraged. Scientific temper of seeing everything different was there. Science and spirituality were same and gyana was called tatwa gyana. Sankhya Darshana speaks of relation between matter character and of prakruthi and purusha. Yoga is the systematic link between man and consciousness. Rishis said life is old and new, traditional and modern. Sun, rivers, earth etc. are ancient but rays, water, air are new and fresh. Sankara spoke of Quantum Mechanics, when he said matter does not exist, but only chaitanya. For us everything in this universe is sacred. Convergence of tradition and modernity is science and spirituality keeps us away from superstitions,” he concluded.
Later interacting with the scientists he said the people of Pakistan wanted peace with India. It is the arm-dealers, vested interests, mafias who are behind the anti-India tirade by Pakistan Army.
“Stress, evil and suffering is due to agyana, greed and violation of nature’s laws. Over usage of senses causes problems. Vivekam can be attained by yoga through balance of mind and body. Wanting to know ultimate is the ultimate goal of man. A person can be spiritual without being religious. Spirituality is chaitanya, whereas religion is karma, we have to teach youngsters of the greatness of Bharat and its ocean of knowledge through satsangs,” he emphasised.
Shri A Jayakumar, Secretary- General of Vigyana Bharati and the brain behind the SSM delivered the concluding remarks.
The Confluence was attended by a galaxy of scientists including former ISRO Chairman Padma Vibhaushan, Dr G Madhavan Nair, Former IGNOU V.C. Dr VN Rajasekharan Pillai, Prof VPN Nampoori, Dr CG Ramachandran Nair, Dr M Radhakrishnan Pillai and Dr Pushpangadhan. Dr K Radhakrishnan was of the opinion that social engineering was applying skill and knowledge to society to improve quality of life. Spirituality and science, tradition and modernity were both sides of same coin, but, beliefs, customs, social factors, religion etc. affect society’s conduct. They also opined that power of human mind is the reason for all innovations. While NASA with all its high-tech telescopes said very recently that there are 1.6 million objects in the milky way, our rishis, thousands of years ago, saw the white patch with their tapas shakti. For the continuous suppression of mind, India would have been the most scientifically and technologically advanced country in the world. National Award Winning scientists Dr A Ajaya Ghosh and Dr CA Jayaprakash were honoured by HH Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
