Great Indians who did Great Things
Here are some short reviews of some great ancient Indian masters who made great contributions to early world development.
ARYABHATT (476 CE) MASTER ASTRONOMER AND MATHEMATICIAN
BHASKARACHARYA II
(1114-1183 CE)
GENIUS IN ALGEBRA
Born in the obscure
village of Vijjadit (Jalgaon) in Maharastra, Bhaskaracharya's work in Algebra,
Arithmetic and Geometry catapulted him to fame and immortality. His renowned
mathematical works called "Lilavati" and "Bijaganita" are considered to be
unparalled and a memorial to his profound intelligence. Its translation in
several languages of the world bear testimony to its eminence. In his treatise "Siddhanta Shiromani" he writes on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography,
mathematical techniques and astronomical equipment. In the "Surya Siddhanta" he
makes a note on the force of gravity: "Objects fall on earth due to a force of
attraction by the earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, moon,
and sun are held in orbit due to this attraction." Bhaskaracharya was the first
to discover gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton. He was the champion
among mathematicians of ancient and medieval India. His works fired the
imagination of Persian and European scholars, who through research on his works
earned fame and popularity.
ACHARYA KANAD (600 BCE) FOUNDER OF ATOMIC THEORY
As the founder of "Vaisheshik Darshan"- one of six principal philosophies of India - Acharya Kanad
was a genius in philosophy. He is believed to have been born in Prabhas Kshetra
near Dwaraka in Gujarat . He was the pioneer expounder of realism, law of
causation and the atomic theory. He has classified all the objects of creation
into nine elements, namely: earth, water, light, wind, ether, time, space, mind
and soul. He says, "Every object of creation is made of atoms which in turn
connect with each other to form molecules." His statement ushered in the Atomic
Theory for the first time ever in the world, nearly 2500 years before John
Dalton. Kanad has also described the dimension and motion of atoms and their
chemical reactions with each other. The eminent historian, T.N. Colebrook, has
said, "Compared to the scientists of Europe, Kanad and other Indian scientists
were the global masters of this field."
NAGARJUNA (100 CE)
WIZARD OF CHEMICAL SCIENCE
He was an extraordinary
wizard of science born in the nondescript village of Baluka in Madhya Pradesh .
His dedicated research for twelve years produced maiden discoveries and
inventions in the faculties of chemistry and metallurgy. Textual masterpieces
like "Ras Ratnakar," "Rashrudaya" and "Rasendramangal" are his renowned
contributions to the science of chemistry. Where the medieval alchemists of
England failed, Nagarjuna had discovered the alchemy of transmuting base metals
into gold. As the author of medical books like "Arogyamanjari" and "Yogasar," he
also made significant contributions to the field of curative medicine. Because
of his profound scholarliness and versatile knowledge, he was appointed as
Chancellor of the famous University of Nalanda . Nagarjuna's milestone
discoveries impress and astonish the scientists of today.
ACHARYA CHARAK (600 BCE)
FATHER OF MEDICINE
ACHARYA SUSHRUT (600 BCE) FATHER OF PLASTIC SURGERY
A genius who has been
glowingly recognized in the annals of medical science. Born to sage Vishwamitra,
Acharya Sushrut details the first ever surgery procedures in "Sushrut Samhita," a unique encyclopedia of surgery. He is venerated as the father of plastic
surgery and the science of anesthesia. When surgery was in its infancy in Europe, Sushrut was performing Rhinoplasty (restoration of a damaged nose) and other
challenging operations. In the "Sushrut Samhita," he prescribes treatment for
twelve types of fractures and six types of dislocations. His details on human
embryology are simply amazing. Sushrut used 125 types of surgical instruments
including scalpels, lancets, needles, cathers and rectal speculums; mostly
designed from the jaws of animals and birds. He has also described a number of
stitching methods; the use of horse's hair as thread and fibers of bark. In the
"Sushrut Samhita," he details
300 types of operations. The ancient Indians were the pioneers in amputation,
caesarian and cranial surgeries. Acharya Sushrut was a giant in the arena of
medical science.
VARAHAMIHIR (499-587 CE) EMINENT ASTROLOGER AND ASTRONOMER
Renowned astrologer and
astronomer who was honored with a special decoration and status as one of the
nine gems in the court of King Vikramaditya in Avanti ( Ujjain ). Varahamihir's
book "panchsiddhant" holds a prominent place in the realm of astronomy. He notes
that the moon and planets are lustrous not because of their own light but due to
sunlight. In the "Bruhad Samhita" and "Bruhad Jatak," he has revealed his
discoveries in the domains of geography, constellation, science, botany and
animal science. In his treatise on botanical science, Varamihir presents cures
for various diseases afflicting plants and trees. The rishi-scientist survives
through his unique contributions to the science of astrology and astronomy.
ACHARYA PATANJALI (200 BCE) FATHER OF YOGA
The Science of Yoga is
one of several unique contributions of India to the world. It seeks to discover
and realize the ultimate Reality through yogic practices. Acharya Patanjali,
hailed from the district of Gonda (Ganara) in Uttar Pradesh, is considered to be
the first to codify this ancient tradition. He
prescribed the control of prana (life breath) as the means to control the body,
mind and soul. This subsequently rewards one with good health and inner
happiness. Acharya Patanjali's 84 yogic postures effectively enhance the
efficiency of the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive and endocrine
systems and many other organs of the body. Yoga has eight limbs where Acharya
Patanjali shows the attainment of the ultimate bliss of God in samadhi through
the disciplines of: yam, niyam, asan, pranayam, pratyahar, dhyan and dharna. The
Science of Yoga has gained popularity because of its scientific approach and
benefits. Yoga also holds the honored place as one of six philosophies in the
Indian philosophical system. Acharya Patanjali will forever be remembered and
revered as a pioneer in the science of self-discipline, happiness and
self-realization.
ACHARYA BHARADWAJ (800 BCE) PIONEER OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY
Acharya Bharadwaj had a
hermitage in the holy city of Prayag and was an ardent apostle of Ayurveda and
mechanical sciences. He authored the "Yantra Sarvasva" which includes
astonishing and outstanding discoveries in aviation science, space science and
flying machines. He has described three categories of flying machines: 1.) One
that flies on earth from one place to another. 2.) One that travels from one
planet to another. 3.) And One that travels from one universe to another. His
designs and descriptions have impressed and amazed aviation engineers of today.
His brilliance in aviation technology is further reflected through techniques
described by him:
1.) Profound Secret: The technique to make a flying machine invisible through
the application of sunlight and wind force.
2.) Living Secret: The technique to make an invisible space machine visible
through the application of electrical force.
3.) Secret of Eavesdropping: The technique to listen to a conversation in
another plane.
4.) Visual Secrets: The technique to see what's happening inside another plane.
Through his innovative and brilliant discoveries, Acharya Bharadwaj has been
recognized as the pioneer of aviation technology.
ACHARYA KAPILA (3000 BCE) FATHER OF COSMOLOGY
Celebrated as the
founder of the Sankhya philosophy, Acharya Kapila is believed to have been born in
3000 BCE to the illustrious sage Kardama and Devahuti. He gifted the world with
the Sankhya School of Thought. His pioneering work threw light on the nature and
principles of the ultimate Soul (Purusha), primal matter (Prakruti) and
creation. His concept of transformation of energy and profound commentaries on
atma, non-atma and the subtle elements of the cosmos places him in an elite
class of master achievers - incomparable to the discoveries of other
cosmologists. On his assertion that Prakruti, with the inspiration of Purusha,
is the mother of cosmic creation and all energies, he contributed a new chapter
in the science of cosmology. Because of his extrasensory observations and
revelations on the secrets of creation, he is recognized and saluted as the
Father of Cosmology.
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