Vedic sages made significant contributions not just to spirituality and Dharma, but also to science, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, technology, psychology and yoga. When comparing the ancient world to Bharat, we can see that the Bharatiya’s were far ahead of the rest of the world in terms of science and technology, as well as research and invention in every sector and aspect of life. We were great at “Swa-Bodh” and “Aatma-Bodh,” but we were completely unaware of “Shatru-bodh,” which caused us difficulty for a long time and caused us to forget our roots and the scientific and technological talents that our forefathers developed. Further developments stopped, and we acquired a slave mindset. Now, as we strive to develop a self-reliant India, we must focus on our strengths in R&D and innovation by looking to our sages and regaining confidence to devote more effort to this direction. Some notable Vedic sages and their innovations are mentioned below.
Maharishi Bharadwaj
Maharishi Bharadwaj was an aeronautical scientist and Ayurvedic specialist. Maharishi Bharadwaj was not only an expert in Ayurveda but also an exceptional aviator. Aviation science is described in several places in the Vedic age, but Maharishi Bharadwaj elevated it to a degree that modern science has yet to fully grasp. Airplanes are also mentioned in the Ramayana, and it is thought that aeronautics was a sophisticated science even then. Maharishi Bharadwaj wrote four significant books, “Yantra Sarvasva”, “Akash Shastra”, “Anshubodhini”, and “Bharadwaj Shilp”, in which he expounded on the legal and technical elements of aeronautics. His work Yantrasarvasva is particularly important, as it describes Vedic mantra-based strategies for building and running aircraft. Types of Aircraft Maharishi Bharadwaj described.
Eight types of airplanes, each using a different energy source for propulsion.
1. Shaktyudgam: Electric-powered airplane.
2. Bhootavaha: An aircraft powered by fire, water, and air.
3. Airplane: A gasoline-powered aircraft.
4. Sikhodgam: An aircraft powered by oil.
5. Anshuwah: Solar-powered aircraft.
6. Tarmukh: Magnetic aircraft.
7 Manivah: Aircraft propelled by Chandrakant and Suryakant beads.
8. Marutsakha: A solely air-powered aircraft.
Vimana is extensively mentioned in India’s Ramayana and Mahabharata. Shivkar Bapuji Talpade discusses the reinvention of ancient science in the age of invention. Shivkar Bapuji Talpade successfully developed an airplane based on Vedic literature in 1895, long before the Wright Brothers were hailed as the pioneers of aviation.
He based this idea of Marutsakha Vimana on the science of information mentioned in ancient texts. This unmanned aircraft went to a height of 1500 feet and then came down automatically. The flight of this aircraft took place in Mumbai’s Chowpatty in the presence of Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaikwad of Baroda and other distinguished residents. This aircraft was so advanced that it was outfitted with a mechanism that prohibited it from ascending after reaching a crucial height.
The British fraudulently obtained the Talpade plane model and sold it to the British corporation ‘Raleigh Brothers’. Following this, the Wright Brothers became world-renowned airplane makers, while Talpade received little acknowledgement for his incredible achievement. Unfortunately, even after India gained independence, Shivkar Bapuji Talpade was not mentioned in our syllabus despite being the first aircraft constructor of the modern age.
Rishi Bhaskaracharya
Bhaskaracharya, a renowned mathematician and astronomer from ancient Bharat (b. 1114 AD), was the first to discover gravitational force. His calculations are still recognized worldwide. His position was as the director of a prominent observatory in Ujjain, which was a key centre of mathematics and astronomy in ancient Bharat. The observatory was known for its mathematical research and astronomical investigations.
Siddhant Shiromani: A Useful Book on Mathematics and Astronomy
Bhaskaracharya’s most notable contribution is Siddhant Shiromani, which he split into four sections.
1. Lilavati: A basic yet elegant presentation of mathematical formulas.
2. Algebra is a set of sophisticated mathematical equations and problems.
3. Goladhyaya is a complete study of astronomy.
4. Graha Ganitadhyaya: Planetary motion and mathematical calculations.
The book Lilavati is especially important because it was written in the name of Bhaskaracharya’s daughter, Lilavati. This book presents mathematical and astronomical formulas in a poetic and participatory manner, making it both academic and literary. While discussing gravity, Bhaskaracharya addresses the earth’s gravitational force and explains how it attracts heavier objects. According to him, gravity causes these objects to fall to the ground.
In today’s scientific world, Newton is credited with discovering the theory of gravity, however Bhaskaracharya defined it around 550 years before Newton. His contribution is significant, and it places him as one of the most prominent scientists in history.
Aryabhata
Aryabhata, born in 476 AD in Maharashtra, is widely regarded as ancient Bharat’s best mathematician and astronomer. His most renowned work is “Aryabhatiya,” which is considered India’s most scientific treatise on astrology and astronomy. This work is an invaluable compendium of mathematical and astronomical theories, demonstrating Aryabhata’s great vision and scientific thought. Aryabhata’s most important contribution to mathematics was the discovery of zero (0). Aryabhata’s discovery played a significant role in establishing modern mathematics; without the concept of zero, mathematics is incomplete. He has provided a new depth to the comprehension of mathematics not just in India but around the world.
Aryabhata established that the Earth is spherical and spins on its axis, against the popular theory that Earth is flat. His vision led him to suggest the hypothesis of Earth’s daily rotation. Which is still regarded as scientific truth today.
He also accurately explained the actual causes of eclipses. He explained that an eclipse occurs when the Moon covers the sun, casting its shadow on the Earth. Similarly, a lunar eclipse happens when the Earth’s shadow passes over the Moon. This scientific perspective was entirely distinct and revolutionary from the prevailing beliefs at the time, which considered celestial events as religious and supernatural.
Aryabhata developed numerous current methods of trigonometry and algebra, which are now regarded as fundamental concepts for mathematical calculations. His computations provided mathematics with a new direction, and renowned mathematicians such as Brahmagupta, Sridhara, Mahavira, and Bhaskaracharya built upon his theories to further enhance mathematics.
India called their first artificial satellite “Aryabhata” in honour of Aryabhata. This satellite weighed 360 kg and was launched in April 1975. This satellite is named after the scientist who established India’s global prominence in astronomy.
Aryabhata’s work had a significant impact on the Indian astrological tradition and was translated into other adjacent civilizations. During the Islamic Age (ca. 820 CE), the Arabic translation had a significant impact. Some of his findings are cited by Al-Khwarizmi, and in the 10th century, Al-Biruni stated that Aryabhata’s disciples believed the Earth spun on its axis.
His definitions of sine (jya), cosine (kojya), versine (utkrama-jya), and inverse sine (otkram jya) helped shape the development of trigonometry. He was also the first to establish sine and versine (1 – cos x) tables, in 3.75° intervals from 0° to 90°, with an accuracy of 4 decimal places.
Indeed, the present names “sine” and “cosine” are mistranscriptions of Aryabhata’s words jya and kojya, respectively. As previously stated, they were rendered as jiba and kojiba in Arabic and then misconstrued by Bernard of Cremona while translating an Arabic geometry treatise into Latin. He assumed jiba was the Arabic word jaib, which meant “fold in a garment” (L. sinus, c. 1150).
Aryabhata’s astronomical calculations were also highly significant. Along with trigonometric tables, they became popular in the Islamic world and were used to calculate various Arabic astronomical tables (zijes). The astronomical tables in the work of the Arabic Spain scientist Al-Zarqali (11th century) were translated into Latin as the Tables of Toledo (12th century), and they were the most accurate ephemeris used in Europe for hundreds of years.
Today’s youth and industries should study the concepts presented in Vedic literature in the same way that the Western world has done and then conduct extensive research and innovation work based on this knowledge. We have the capability; all our current and future generations need is the appropriate direction. More sages will be included in future publications.
