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ARTICLE : edic Science compared with Modern Science


VEDIC SCIENCE COMPARED WITH MODERN SCIENCE

Dr. M.T. Sahasrabuddhe

(3-B/8 Sahajeevan Housing Society, Plot. No. 2  Shiva jinagar, North 
Ambazari Road, Nagpur - 440010)

[Oh ! Lord Ganesha -- you are knowledge absolute, knowledge versatile]
            (From Shri Ganapati Atharva Sirsa.)

The significance of the word  vijnana  in  the  above chant may be 
debatable. The Lord's Song (Bhagavad Geeta) also says "Jnanam Vijnyana
Sahitam". Interpreters have explained the word as 'Specific knowledge' 
(Visesa  - Jnana). In India many Western scientffic terms have been  
rendered into Indian languages, especially Sanskrit; and the Sanskrit 
word Vijnan is normally used to signify science in general. Modern
scientists put different objects in the world under analytic observation, 
and try to determine their nature. If, then the word Vijnana is 
tentatively used as an equivalent of science, it may not be far from the
purport of the term.
       
Some Western scientists are of the opinion that old religious texts,
especially of the Hindus put out ideas which agree remarkably with
modern scientific research ("Brahman" by James Wallace Intro.XIV). One  
illustration will make the point clearer. In 1935 A.D., Einstein, 
Podolsky and Rosen published a research paper regarding their experiment. 
That was called the E P R experiment.  The experiment intended to 
critically examine the Quantum Theory. Their observation in brief is as 
follows: If twin particles are fired off in opposite directions, and if 
one of them is forced to turn right, the other is observed to turn left 
and if one moves up, the other, as if by rule, moves clown.
       
This result of the experiment gave rise to many problems. One of these,
however, was the most baffling! How is it that, out of the two particles,
if one behaves in a particular way, the other conforms with the behaviour 
of its counterpart even if they are separated in space and running in 
opposite directions ? How one partide knows the activity of the other ? A 
well known  scientist  (J. Sarfatti) proposed that, even if the two 
particles were separated, there must be some communication between them. 
This inter-relation was termed as "Superluminal Transfer of Negentropy
without Signals". It means exchange of information without signals.  [The
experiment is given in detail by Gary Zukav in his book  "The  Dancing 
Wuli  Masers" ("Brahman" by James Wallace p. 210)] Quantum theory does 
not provide  satisfactory answers to such questions. However scientists
were constrained to conclude that super-consciousness is all-pervading
and through it the particles  (such  as  those  refered  to above) could
know the activities of their counter-parts! It would be interesting  to 
note how this opinion of the scientists agrees with a Vedic utterance:

"Yat Kincedam Prani, jangamamcapatatricayacca Sthavaram,
Sarvam Tatprajnanetram prajnane pratisthitam." (Aitareya Aranyaka, 6th 
Adhyaya)

"Everything that breathes, that moves and flies, and all non-sentient
things are all endowed with the eye of (prajna) consciousness; they have
their foundation in Consciousness".

This resemblance  of  thought  is  accepted  by  another stalwart in the 
field. Michael Talbot. He quotes Lawrence Le Shan thus "The absolute is 
everything  that  exists...  this absolute has become the Universe.... by 
coming through time, space and causation - This is the central idea of  
Minkowski (Advaita)...  Time  space  and  causation are like the glass 
through which the absolute is seen. and when it is seen,  it appears  as  
the  Universe.  Now we at once gather from this that, in the Universe 
there is neither time, space nor  causation.  What we may call causation 
begins, after (if we may be permitted to say so) the  degeneration  of  
the  absolute into  the phenomenal and not before." ("Mysticism and New
Physics" by Michael Talbot)

Having mentioned similar exposition by Swami Vivekananda the famous 
mystic, with transcendent vision, Michael Talbot alludes to another 
scientist Minkowski; and asserts that old Oriental doctrines and recent 
Occidental scientific concepts are similar to such an extent, that one 
would easily fumble while ascertaining whether their authors were Indian 
mystics or Western scientists! [pp.114-115 "Mysticism and  New  Physics"]  
The  basic thought on which the Quantum Theory stands is vividly 
expressed by Swami Vivekananda. Says he "A  stone fails and we ask why ? 
This question is possible only on the supposition that nothing happens 
without a cause. I request you  to  make this very clear in your minds: 
for whenever we ask why anything happens, we are taking for granted that
everything  that happens must have a why :that is to say, it must have 
been preceded by something else which acted as the cause. This precedence 
in succession is what we call the law of causation." (pp.115)

The parallelism between the Quantum Theory and Indian Tantra philosophy  
is so striking, that Tantra shorn of its religious alliance, can be 
regarded as an ancient branch of The Quantum theory. This has been 
confirmed by Michael Talbot. He has also brought forth some mere parallels.

1) The Primary Element of the Universe, and Prakriti.

2) Super space, and Akasa;

3) The hair of Siva, and the web formed by interwining lines of 
geometrodynamical electric force;

4) Siva as Bindu and Sakti as power gyrating around it is likened  
with  mathematical  point and the mathematical lines touching the point 
around which it is coiled. Now, I hope, none would dispute, that these 
similaritis are amazing!

Let us note a few more instances:

1) The Satapatha Brahman Says

"Samantikam iva ha va ime agre Iokah Asuh ifi/Unmrs'ya  haiva
dyourasa. (1-4-1-22)
   
Eggling translates these lines thus, "Because at the beginning these  
worlds  were  well-nigh  contiguous to one another, at that time one 
could touch the sky thus."
   
The well-known geologist George Gamow observes, "...it is  obvious  
that  the Moon must have been revolving almost within touch of the  
Earth's surface immediately after separation." (Biography of the Earth, A 
Mentor Book, p. 48 )
   
Schrodinger points out that sub-atomic particles show a wave-like  
nature 'until they are observed or captured (Wallace p. 204). Once this 
happens, they manifest themselves... in  the  form of little pellets of 
condensed energy." Insentient things are termed as Anna, and  sentient  
beings who utilise them are called Annada (Kathaka Sam 8.2.25.2; Tathi.
Aran. 9.8). In reality Anna is Prana or Life-principle (Sata 2.2.1.6; 
3.8.4.8; 4.3.4.25; Jaim.I. 215; Taitt.Ar.3.7.3; Jaim up.Br.1.3.6;  
Tait.Ar.9.7). Western scholars were agreeably surprised at such 
statements, and they say, "Being old, the symbology used  by the  
ancients is dassified as mythology whereas that used by modern 
mathematicians is given a more respectable name  Science...  Knowing 
this, an attempt has been made in this book to compare scientific 
concepts with ancient myths and mysticism;  specially Hinduism which is 
rich in literature on the subject..." [Introduction, Wallace p XIV]. 
Western scientists fancy Vedic doctrines on the subject, while Indian 
scientists are very slow in showing solicitude in this regard. However,  
of  late, conferences on Veda Vijnana are periodically held, and it is a 
happy augury! Some Vedic quotations are considered below in this context.

1) Lincoln Barnett, a scientist of repute, states that planets are  
moving farther from the earth and also from one-another. This fact leads 
to the conclusion, that, in the hoary  past they must have lived in 
conglomeration. See also Sata Br 1.4.1.22; Taitt. Sam. 7.3.10; Tandya Br. 
8.1.9.; Sata Br. 7.1.2.23; Tait.Sam 3.4.3; Jaim Br. 1.1.45; also
Maitra. Sam 1.17.3.9.3].

Dyava - Prthvi Saha Astam. (Celestial bodies and  the  Earth
were  together)  (cf. Tait.Sam. 5.2.3; Kathaka Sam 3.12; Maitrayani Sam. 
3.2.2; Tandya Brah. 7.10.1)

2) Jaiminiya Brahmana is mere explicit on the point, declares that  
celestial  luminaries  *nd  the  Earth  were together, and after same 
period they travelled  away  from each  other. 

Imau Lokau Saha Astam; tau Saha santau vietam! (Jaim. Br 1.145.)

3) Tyndal, the famous scientist, in one of his dissertations says that in 
the earliest stage the earth was in a fluid state and mobile. This is 
exactly what the Kathaka Samhita says:

Aleledam va iyam Prithvi Asit (Kathaka Sam. 8.2)

Iyam Tarhi Sthita Asit (Kathaka Sam. 36.7).

Other texts too repeat this, like Satapatha Br. 6.1.13.

4) This much is about the earth. We may now refer to other  facts  
mentioned in the Vedas : Tasmad Atrapu Ayah Pratidhuk Ksiram Vidahati. 
(Maitrayani Sam)

Milk in a copper (pot) without tin becomes sour. Here is a clear 
implication that if it is mated with tin, milk in it would not be spoiled. 
We are often told that the art of tin-coating  was introduced in  
India after the advent of Islam. The above statement clearly disproves  
this dubious conception !! (Ref. also to Kathaka Sam).

5) "Gold is light (Tejo vai Hiranyam)" says the Veda (Tait.Br.1.8.9/1; 
Kathaka Sam 11.4). The world, according to Indian thinkers is 
constituted of five elements; the prthvi (earth); Apah (Water); Tejas 
(Ught); Vayu (Air) Akasa (Sky or ether). The Veda states that God 
is not earthly; it is Tejas (light). An interesting argument is 
given for this conviction in  the Nyaya school of philosophy. Gold  
thrown into the fire becomes fluid, but is never reduced to ashes. It  
continues to remain in a molten state. Prithivi element would be burned 
to ashes.

6) A stanza in the Mahabharata tell us:

"As a pure bead would take-in the scattered rays of the sun by samadhi 
(or placing them togather); so starts the process of Yoga."

"Yatha Bhanugatam tejah manih Suddhah Samedhina Adatte Rajasardula.  
Tatha Yngah Pravartate". 

The process of Yoga, is to concentrate energy scattered in all and every 
part of  the  human body and this is compared with the intaking of 
sun-rays by a mani or bead. This mani may be a sort  of convex lens.

7) The Atharva Veda informs us of lead being used to  be shot at brigands:

Tan Tva Sisena Vldhyamah (Atharva 1.16).

The purport of the  whole  hymn in  brief may be given thus, "Wise people 
have cautioned us against robbers who would attack us on dark new moon  
nights. Lord Indra has given us lead which would rout robbers and also 
those who would stand as obstacles in our way. Oh Thief! If you kill my 
cow or horse or man, I will shoot you to death." 

Shooting down an enemy with lead can only imply the use of lead as a 
bullet. Agni-Bana is mentioned in the Aitareya Brahmana (1.4.23.24)

8) Dhanurveda, which is ascribed to Vasistha, shows aquaintence with 
weapons like Nalika, Naracha and Sataghni. Sataghni is mentioned in the 
word as old as Ramayana. The root meaning of the word suggests that the 
weapon, when operated, would kill hundreds of people at a time. It must 
be some weapon like a cannon (Sunderkanda 2.21; 4.18; etc.) The 
Harivamsha describes small cannons, indicating that larger cannons too 
were used. A scholar as eminent as Shri Ramachandra Dikshitar, having 
considered the point in detail, concludes, "It can therefore be safely 
concluded that these weapons, guns and cannons, were used in ancient 
India from very ancient times. We must remember here that the Ramayan 
far ante-dates the Christian Era."

9) Finally let us consider a stanza in the Rgveda : 

Rayim na Kasein mamruaevan avahah Tamuhathuh Naubhirat manvatibhih
Antadksa prud bhirapodakabhih! (RgV. 1.116.3)

"Oh! Ashwins! A person (tradesman) known as Tugra had abandoned his son 
Bhujyu (by name), in an ocean-storm like a mortal.. who (to save life) 
abandons riches. But you carried him safe in powerful canoes which could 
fly in the air and would not touch waters."

Can this description be applicable to any other vehicle than an amphibious 
aeroplane? Many such descriptions of aeroplanes can be found in the 
Vedas, Epics and Puranas. Having reviewed all these allusions, Dikshitar 
says, "Still some writers have expressed a doubt and aked if it were 
true. But evidence in its favour is overwhelming."

The length of this disseratation can be increased. However, here, only an 
attempt is made to show that ancient Indians were suffiently advanced in 
technical achievements. They had known highest metaphysical doctrines. But  
that does not imply that they neglected, worldly well-being and material 
prosperity.

India's past goes far back in time-scale. None so far has dared to fix the 
Indian civilization which is reflected in Vedic literature..The assumed 
uniformity of human development by the evolutionists has tempted scholars 
to interpret the Vedas as gibberings of primitive humanity. The diffusionist 
school and functionalist school of thought have exploded the unilinear 
theory of man's progress. Vedic India had reached the highest watermark of 
civilization.  As Indians, it is our sacred obligation to carry these 
ideals, through the agitated present to the glorious future! Science is 
said to have been neglected'by religion. But the concept of Dharma cannot 
afford  to  neglect it; for Dharma permeates every walk of life, includes 
every human activity, and fuses diverse aspects.
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