SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN VEDAS AND SASTRAS

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Book Review

 

Title of the book: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN VEDAS AND SASTRAS

Author: Dr.RVSS Avadhanulu

Shri Veda Bharthi

H No H-34 Madhuranagar

Hyderabad 500038

040-23812577

vedabharathi

Price: :Rs.350/- US$30/-

 

Prof. S. S. Murthy,

Former Director, NIT, Surathkal and

Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering,

Indian Institute of Technology,

New Delhi 110 016.

 

It is well known that Indian scriptures and Sanskrit literature are

a storehouse of knowledge. But there are very few attempts to

systematically classify them into known branches of knowledge in an

illustrative manner to familiarize a lay reader with the richness of

Indian past. The painstaking effort of Dr. Avadhanulu in this

direction by picking up relevant extracts from literature, likes

drops picked from the ocean, and compiling them and translating has

resulted in this book which any reader can vouch, is unique.

 

Today there is a worldwide interest in these Indian thoughts leading

to considerable research in well-known universities across the

world. Yoga, meditation and holistic methods enunciated in our

scriptures are recognized globally as sure remedies of happy and

healthy living.

 

Vedas, Upanishads, Brahmasutra, Gita, Puranas, Ramayana and

Mahabharatha are considered holy texts containing information on all

aspects of human activity – physical and spiritual. There are a

galaxy of Sanskrit luminaries – Kalidasa, Panini, Bhasa, Bana,

Varahamihra, Bhartruhari and many others whose works have inspired

and enlightened generations of humankind over centuries. Works of

Charaka, Sushrutha, Aryabhatta, Bhaskaracharya, Lilavati and others

deal with different aspects of science and medicine. Ramayana and

Mahabharatha have innumerable illustrations of science, technology,

arts, sports, music, dance, architecture, weaponry, defense,

vehicles, textiles, navigation, metallurgy and space craft to name a

few. By observing ancient temples, paintings and historical

structures, one wonders about the technology prevalent several

hundred years ago. For example, the rusting iron pillar near Kutub

Minar unravels the metallurgical experiences of those times.

 

The present book synthesizes the knowledge spread over 5000 years to

enlighten the reader on the ancient wisdom in different areas.

 

Knowledge is classified as Vidya and Avidya (Apara vidya) – the

former dealing with knowledge within (internal to the human being)

and the latter with knowledge without (external to the human being).

Vidya deals with philosophy and spirituality linking man with God.

The scriptures deal extensively with Vidya. Critical commentaries on

scriptures such as those by Adi Shankara guide an individual choose

a path of God realization. This deals with mind, body and soul –

Yoga, Meditation, Bhakti, Jnana are different manifestations in this

class. On the other hand, Avidya deals with physical or external

aspects such as Science and Technology and issues external to the

human being.

 

The present book deals with both " Vidya " and " Avidya " and the author

has classified this into chapters dealing with different aspects.

The significance and importance of Vedas are highlighted in this

book. It is regrettable to note that only 13 out 1311 branches of

Vedic knowledge are presently traceable. This is great loss of vast

storehouse of information to humanity for ever.

In different chapters, the author deals with almost all branches of

science and narrates relevant Sanskrit text to prove that several

present day findings are not new such as the concepts on

gravitation, solar system, the value of Pi and so on. The author has

carefully chosen and discussed many topics from Sanskrit literature

which dealt with geometry, chemistry, physics, agriculture,

irrigation, rain forecasting, imaging, wave theory, healthcare,

energy, cognition, computers, cosmology, quantum mechanics and

unified theory. Extracting computer concepts from Vishnu Sahsranama

is very interesting.

 

While one may question the validity of some of his propositions,

none can question his sincerity in mining useful data from earlier

Sanskrit literature which may make every Indian proud.

 

This book makes several interesting comparisons between Vedas and

Science and the concepts therein. Dr. Avadhanulu, the author of the

book, has done a commendable work. This book is a useful reference

guide for all those who want to know what is hidden in our

scriptures in a readable language. I would certainly advise our

youngsters in schools and colleges to read this book which would

give a glimpse of our ancestors' wisdom and scientific temper and

inspire them in making India once again a global center of knowledge

creation for the betterment of humanity.

Prof. SS Murthy

New Delhi

!1.05.2006

 

This book is available at :-

Shri Veda Bharthi

H No H-34 Madhuranagar

Hyderabad 500038

040-23812577

vedabharathi