The first quantitative estimate of the speed of light is seen in Indian vedic scholar Sayana’s commentary on the Rig Veda. It says that sun light travels 2,202 yojanas in the time span of a nimisharda (half a nimisha). The yojana is an ancient unit of length. Arthasastra defines it as being equal to 8,000 dhanus, which is equivalent to 9.09 miles. A nimisha is an ancient unit of time that is equal to 16/75 seconds. Thus 2,202 yojanas in half a nimisha is equal to 189,547 miles per second after conversion. The modern estimate of the speed of light is 186,281.7 miles per second.
This velocity of Light was calculated by Maxwell in the 19th century, but its was actually determined accurately thousands of years before in the Rig Veda. It was further elaborated by Sayana in the 14th century AD in his commentaries on Rig Veda. Indian Almanacs have always calculated accurately the motion of planets, sunset, sunrise, eclipses, etc. without using telescopes or any other machinery.
It is to be noted that Bhatta Bhaskara (probably from the 10th century) made the same statement in his commentary on Taittiriya Brahmana, another Hindu Veda. He says this to be an old tradition.
The fourth verse of the Rigvedic hymn 1:50 (50th hymn in book 1 of rigveda) is as follows:
तरणिर्विश्वदर्शतो जयोतिष्क्र्दसि सूर्य |
विश्वमा भासिरोचनम |
taranirviśvadarśato jyotishkridasi sūrya | viśvamā bhāsirocanam ||
This means “Swift and all beautiful art thou, O Surya (Sun), maker of the light, illuminating all the radiant realm.”
Exlpaining this verse in his Rig Veda commentary, Sayana, who was a minister in the court of Bukka of the great Vijayanagar Empire of Karnataka in South India (in early 14th century), says:
tatha ca smaryate yojananam. sahasre dve dve sate dve ca yojane
ekena nimishardhena kramaman.
This means “It is remembered here that Sun (light) traverses 2,202 yojanas in half a nimisha.”
Note: Nimisharda = half of a nimisha
In the vedas Yojana is a unit of distance and Nimisha is a unit of time.
Unit of Vedic Time: Nimisha
The Moksha Dharma Parva of Shanti Parva in Mahabharata describes Nimisha as follows:
15 Nimisha = 1 Kastha
30 Kashta = 1 Kala
30.3 Kala = 1 Muhurta
30 Muhurtas = 1 Diva-Ratri (Day-Night)
We know Day-Night is 24 hours
So we get 24 hours = 30 x 30.3 x 30 x 15 nimisha
in other words 409050 nimisha
We know 1 hour = 60 x 60 = 3600 seconds
So 24 hours = 24 x 3600 seconds = 409,050 nimisha
409,050 nimisha = 86,400 seconds
1 nimisha = 0.2112 seconds (This is a recursive decimal. The wink of an eye is equal to 0.2112 seconds.)
1/2 nimisha = 0.1056 seconds
Unit of Vedic Distance: Yojana
Yojana is defined in Chapter 6 of Book 1 of the ancient vedic text “Vishnu Purana” as follows:
10 ParamAnus = 1 Parasúkshma
10 Parasúkshmas = 1 Trasarenu
10 Trasarenus = 1 Mahírajas (particle of dust)
10 Mahírajas= 1 Bálágra (hair’s point)
10 Bálágra = 1 Likhsha
10 Likhsha= 1 Yuka
10 Yukas = 1 Yavodara (heart of barley)
10 Yavodaras = 1 Yava (barley grain of middle size)
10 Yava = 1 Angula (1.89 cm or approx 3/4 inch)
6 fingers = 1 Pada (the breadth of it)
2 Padas = 1 Vitasti (span)
2 Vitasti = 1 Hasta (cubit)
4 Hastas = a Dhanu, a Danda, or pauruSa (a man’s height), or 2 Nárikás = 6 feet
2,000 Dhanus = 1 Gavyuti (distance to which a cow’s call or lowing can be heard) = 12,000 feet
4 Gavyutis = 1 Yojana = 9.09 miles
Calculation of the Speed of Light from the Rig Veda:
So now we can calculate what is the value of the speed of light in modern units based on the value given as 2202 yojanas in 1/2 nimisha
= 2,202 x 9.09 miles per 0.1056 seconds
= 20,016.18 miles per 0.1056 seconds
= 189,547 miles per second
As per the Rig Veda the speed of light is 189,547 miles per second.
As per modern science the speed of light is 186,000 miles per second!
It would be good to provide a link to a printable version at the bottom of the article.
Un believable,! great thank you for giving this treasure of information
this is true that all our Vedas contain all the scientific data s but neglect due to ignorance even it has about weapons used in the war
Yes, everything was there . However there is no boundry for the knowledge. Whether iy is told in Rigveda or in unknown languages od our planet , it tells the intuition of our human being of thqt era.
Even today , the Pure Science ,whether it may be in English, Germany,Japanee,Russian or in Chinee language , there is no conflict about the Universe and Universal Truth.
All scientists of all languages and geographical area are really attending to searcht the path of Universal Truth. When our time was controled by TIME , then it is not so easy to analyse the Astro-physics without honoring the History.
Thanks for the intuitional information.
Regards
Puttu Kulkarni
Hegde-581 330
Karnataka-India
Excellent article depicting the talents of our ancient country men. It is a pride for true Indians. Also it is shame when considering the greed and selfish people in this great nation
A very useful information to point out importance of ancient Vedic Knowledge in regard to development of science, which is more accurate
Indians are very lazy and poor in protecting their wealth of knowledge and proudly learning sanskrit. I am learning Sanskrit in Columbia and realize that if one can master that language and of scientific mind can discover all the hidden treasures in Indian Vedic Scripts.
It is unfortunate that India, whom I have great respect for does not encourage their own citizens to learn sanskrit in their schools. Even NASA here is encouraging people to learn the language. I find that most Indians talk about Vedas but know nothing about it more than saying “Vedas has everything in it.” I strongly recommend Indians to read and understand your own culture and heritage and be proud of your rich scientific knowledge. A country where Ayurveda and healthy lifestyle originated has dirty roads, people litter on streets and railway tracks, severe environmental pollution, lack of safety for women, especially the excited tourists who want to experience the spiritual India, no infrastructure and corruption and begging at every level. I am very appreciative of Indian culture but feel sad to see the state of affairs in that country. Thanks for sharing this one more fabulous eye opening article from Vedas. Best wishes.
It would have helped if the method of computation was also written down. Just divining the number doesn’t fly in science. And it also then becomes useless because the method can’t be reviewed. And can’t use it to enhance the knowledge even further.
Amazing. I wonder if this was knowledge obtained with external instruments or via the inner faculties of the people who composed the vedas?
thanks for this wonderful information.
i rechecked the mokshadharma parv myself, and recalculated everything.
a small correction here is that 1 muhurta is of 30.1 kala.
(Kashtha nimesha dash pancha chaiva, trinshattu kashtha ganayet kalaam taam,
trinshatkalashchaapi bhavenmuhurto, bhaagah kalayaah dashamascha yah syaat)
here the meaning is to add one tenth of kala more to the 30 kala to make a muhurta, and that means 30.1 kala.
when i recalculated with this small correction the resultant value is about 188277 miles per second, which is 1270 miles per second nearer to the modern science value for light speed.
again thanks and regards
Dharmendra
Thanks fr such an eye opener, as got to knw that HOW much time we get in a day n we sometimes end up saying’ i hv no time or i had no time’.
This is a very nice artical abt our Indian vedas.
Amazing. I am proud of the contributions of the great scholars in vedic age. Thanks for the article
Great article, however, nowhere in Veda or old documents, were there any vindication about the procedures of attaining these figures. Since these were scholarly activities, there must have been some experiments conducted by the scholars, mathematicians, and craftsman to conclude these figures. Basically they were all theoretical physicists, as such, imagined the whole planetary movements by observing the Sunlight and Moonlight, and calculated the distances. I am sure they had done some very thorough and systematic experiments but we have never found in various excavations as at yet. The tropical nature of the places would have had detrimental effects in preserving artifacts.
Other problem is, prejudices and religious dogmatism struck our civilization at the end of its peak time, let’s say around the turn of BCE to AD. We had been systematically concurred, brainwashed, and obliterated by the subsequent conquerors. Especially the physical destruction by the Muslim invasion in early 9th Century and philosophical “mind shifting” by the European conquerors in late 16th Century.
However, there were several places in the Bharatio1 continent where “power of wisdom” were regularly exercised, such as Kerala School, Nalanda, and lots of other places. As far as I can dig down the histories recently “invented” by Scientists, Geologists, and Mathematicians around the globe rather than those made by the bonafide agents methodically appointed during several regimes, it is clearly evident that recent mathematicians such Newton, Leibniz, and some others must have been “aware” about the early development of the advanced calculation methods in the other part of the world. One example might be that the version of Infinite Series was devised in Kerala School around 250 years before the Newton was born. The method of Calculus originated from Infinite Series. Obviously Europeans used to toss the term called “dark ages” but that was only European continent which had the dark times until 14th Century. Rest of the world were already flourished, had their peak and trough, and eventually declined by the law of nature. Baghdad later became the “Powerhouse” of learning and literary excellence under the Muslim conglomeration around the vast portion of the world. Muslim scholars and mathematicians in the early periods traveled and attended scholarly seminars that were regularly setup by the Hindu2 emperors in that region, most probably in Nalanda. They observed those Hindu scholars already practicing a better method of calculations using only 9 symbols and a zero. Back then, Hindu scholars, mostly the Brahmans were given the tasks to calculate probable natural disasters including the movement of water during tide and low, calculating the strength and thickness of river banks so that erosion could be prevented. Other scholars worked in building construction such as crafting the design of a temple, alleys etc., which still mesmerizes us by giving a notion about the technical craftsmanship, let alone the aesthetic senses.
Muslim scholars such as Al-Khwarizmi, Al-Biruni, Ibn al haytham etc. in different time frame came from either Persia or other part of Arabic world (by then, Arabic was the language of Science) invented the method of calculation without using numerals but symbols, which is now known as al-jabr or just Algebra. Arabic science and calculation methods ultimately reached in the European part of the world via Southern Spain as far as the Scientists found in last few years by using the cheap but state of the art technologies that are available in our disposal.
Science is a creation of rational mind. It’s bit like a relay race where the baton is handed over to the next runner. Exactly what happened in the past, scholars from around the world passed their knowledge to the successors. Set aside the power politics, these scholars around the globe in different time frame are all equally accountable for their contributions.
1. Bharatio Continent: It is known that King Bharat was probably the first king of this region named in Mahabharat, had a vast kingship. Now the country itself called Bharat or Bharatbarsha or India in English language.
2. Hindu: the term Hindu is also came from outside. The early settlers tossed this name to the people living around Sindh River. The term Hindu is neither found in Veda, Upanishad nor in Mahabharata. Now Hindu grossly refers to the Hindu religion or race.
Sir, with all due respect, just ‘divining’ numbers doesn’t have the least relevance. If experimental data from modern science prove it, isn’t it too much of a coincidence that these numbers aren’t random, but a process of deep calculation. Even pi has been calculated by such undescribed methods.
Let us review each and every method possible to get these numbers.
1. Physical Experiments: Let us go with the argument that there were no apparatuses ever found. And the evidence seems to suggest that the technology then was not enough to measure it to such accuracy. Regardless, let us move on.
2. External knowledge: Now unless you believe in ET, probably not. Or it could be divine intervention, but lets still move on.
3. Introspection: Ever heard of ‘Conservation of Information’? It says that information can never be lost in the universe. Which means that this information is there in any form in any of the 11 dimensions known to man (refer string theory).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M-theory#Number_of_dimensions
Which means you can access this information by processes, which aren’t even imagined by science. MAYBE, just maybe, meditation is the key. Penance can probably unlock this information.
If you hear about the mahima of Kaanchi Mahaperiyavaa, you will realize the unimaginable powers that can be obtained.
Thanks and Regards
north Gujarat on sarswati river (Rig-Ved) is discribed best civilization on bank of river there were 60 cities developed,also Indus valley civilizations 5000 years back where ord Krishna existance all domesticated /animals,and Agriculture based on Cow farming used Vedas mantras applicateted for traditional culture civil,social,and technological aspacts,
Good example at Siddhpith Ashram Siddhpur late Sadguru Devshankarbapa had all said mantras applictions and water of sarswati on surface till he lived during worship of Gayatrima.after death water burried into sand miles.
So veda dominacy still results orientions can occure provided such centers to be updated and aproach scientifiacllt for said causes.
Dr Dave
Excellent article.
Whether ayurveda or yoga or tantra, there is absence of scientific updations. The ancient terminologies require to be expressed in its scientific equivalants. It is for our experts to volunteer their wisdom and support.
Our treasury of knowledges were (Five Vedhas (Not four)) fired by foreign rulers who acquired our country by the festival of BOGI by our hand. Those important treasuries were lifted and taken to their country and used for their purposes with the help of our Indian brothers with the knowledge of SANSKRIT. Educated and well knowledged Indians were always SLAVERY to those foreigners. Don’t get panic and angry. this is truth. Nowadays who learnt sanskrit and worked in India. Sanskrit knowledged persons were required for foreign countries. Dear Sanskrit learners kindly serve 10% service to your mother country please.
My dear Brothers and Sisters you know the exact speed of light is 1,86,282.39705122 Miles per second says latest technologies and modern science. Those modern technologies and instruments were not used by ancient Indian Scientists. But they were calculated very very accuracy answers and more complex problems. They did not spoke or wrote wrong information. The all important technical informations were available in Vedas. The VEDA is an ancient encyclopaedia of Indian Scientists. For example the speed of light is 2202 Yojanas per half nimisha. I mean 1,87,651.6875 Miles /Second in modern terms.
1Yojana=9.09 Miles
2202 Yojanas=20016.18 miles
1nimisha=16/75 seconds=0.2133333 seconds
1nimisha=2nimishardas
1second=4.6875 nimishardas=9.375 nimishas
Hence, 2202 X 9.09 X 9.375 = 187651.6875 Miles /Second
Or 93825.84375 Miles per Half Second
The difference between modern science is 1,87,651.6875 – 1,86,282.39705122=1,369.29044878 Miles per second only. How will made this accuracy of calculation. In these answer who first invented the speed of light (Sun light).Yes the one and only Indian Scientist. The details available in Rig Veda. In another example The Lord Nataraja (Shiva with cosmic dance) (Space God in Pancha boodha Sthalas) is a Electric God. He silently hold lots of Scientific truth with him. He is a dancer, He is an electric generator, Star delta connections samples available in his dance position. He is also told how the space is with him and he is also told a destroyer of all things in entire space. We cannot see the entire space with or without our life. In the space lots of Stars (Suns), Galaxies, Blackholes, Living things etc.. were available. Who designed Lord Nataraja, the cosmic dancer. The Great Indian Scientist was create this image. How can he knows all about the space and science. Lots of foreigners who were compulsorily see the Lord Nataraja Statue with him/her scientific knowledge. What a Indians Inventions. In Ramayana, Ravana a great emperor used Air Plane (Pushpaka vimanam). But Now a days Write Brothers take the award of invention of Air Plane. Any way My Indian Brothers and Siters Keep them safely and don’t distribute to others and don’t destroyed the old technical informations and proud to be an Indian. Thanking You.
This is a great article of significant value. It says that if you can translate the wisdom captured in the Vedas in ‘any’ language, there us tremendous knowledge there.
I concur with comment by ‘Peace’ though, that we Indians do not value our heritage and have been led to believe that to move forward we have to learn only the philosophy and the way of life developed by the Western World. This is a major failure. For our ancestors whilst captured the knowledge, also failed to teach this wisdom on a ‘national’ level. Everything in vedas was translated as ‘religious’ and often incorrectly interpreted as religious, when in fact, the wisdom reflected the environment we live in.
Thank you also to comments by ‘Krishna’ and ‘Bhattacharya’. There’s much we do not know yet, don’t make assumption that physical experiments are the only means to transcend wisdom, and that wisdom is often passed on rather like a baton over time and geographical location.
The way forward is really that in India formal institution should be established (by whoever, but independent of political interference, where great minds can explore vedas, translate, ‘philosophize’ and pass the baton on.
I’m reminded of Galileo; Who was in fear of his life due to the ingrained Ignorance, & the narrow, rigid, vicious, brutal, & belligerent behaviour of Papal Rome, for having the temerity to suggest that “the Earth moved”.
Uncountable numbers of enlightened others weren’t so fortunate, & had their lives snuffed out by that twisted regime.
It’s a miracle that Europe ever emerged from “the Dark Ages”.
Perhaps the little difference is due to the variation in the rotational speed of Earth and also due to increased cosmic resistance
Many thanks for a fascinating article. It is worth bearing in mind the teachings of the Veda as expressed by HH Brahmananda Saraswati that knowledge can be gained by two methods: the subjective and the objective.
On a subjective level, the Vedic seers or rishis were able to cognize at the fundamental level of consciousness, the source of Universal knowledge, which is contained in what is sometimes called the Akashic records. They did this through meditation in a scientific and systematic manner which yielded to their inner sight, the profound Truths of the universe. These Truths are always available in every epoch and are able to be verified by mathematics and science.
The objective methods of gaining knowledge are also given in the Vedas and the Surya Siddhanta and other treatises, gives information regarding the mathematical calculations and formulas for such things as the distances from the earth to the sun, from the sun to the moon, and other planetary bodies. They also describe how to make astronomical instruments. Even the word ‘astra’ coming from the Sanskrit, gives us so many words in English that its influence can’t be ignored. Sanskrit is the most precise language of them all – the language of science and maths, as NASA so intelligently recognizes.
The extraordinary Vedic science of Jyotish, so misunderstood by the west, is founded on such advanced mathematics that its permutations take years to master and are worthy of Ph. D doctorates in their sophisticated analysis of human relationships and our place in the cosmos.
Let us hope, that as some of the commentators have said before me, that there will be a revival of this wonderful, supreme knowledge that we know as ‘the Veda.’ It is, and will continue to be, the ultimate gift of Mother India to mankind. Best wishes NickGee
With such rich history and facts of Ancient India , why then does the present Government acknowledge and understand the importance of this information and help them to lean from it. This will make their knowledge stronger to make them a better person and strengthen them in their position of ruling the country. Why are they in denial and so bent in destroying the unplacable evidence of the old or ancient history an evidence of the different event which took place in the million s and thousand of years gone by. The should embrace and learn from it as no other nation has such rich history. In my studies I have come across whereby all the scholars of the few hundred years gone by they had all gone to India to study, and then returned to their respective countries and rewrite it as their own knowledge and founder in the western world. For instance Pythagoras studied mathematics in India, the Greek star gazers studied in India, but they claimed it as their knowledge.All Tthese thing are there for a reason and the Indian Government should be proud to have in their possession this information and should teach and educate the younger generation to this great knowledge.Because the rest of the world is slowly creeping into the indian culture and knowledge. Be proud of it and don’t destroy it as it could never be replaced once its gone.
Why can’t we take these all to the govt.of India.
I have found many like these on web
1)PI value till 30 decimal places
2)speed of light and many ……….why cant u take these to govt
Rigveda 1, Chapter 50, Verse 15 states this:
“Seven Bay Steeds harnessed to your/thy car bear thee, O thou farseeing one”
The above verse clearly talk about the 7 horses of the Surya’s chariot, which, otherwise are the 7 colours of the white sun ray [the spectrum VIBGYOR]. The Vedas have a ton of hidden meanings which needs to be interpreted.
Good , thought-provoking discussion / comments….
esp. thanks to Soumyadip Bhattacharya, Peace and Chris…
@Mohan – the spectrum of electromagnetic waves is continues. this includes visible light. no such “7 colours”. i am sorry to say.