GREAT INDIANS...

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GREAT INDIANS...

 

ARYABHATT(476 CE) MASTER ASTRONOMER AND MATHEMATICIAN

 

Born in 476 CE in Kusumpur (Bihar), Aryabhatt's intellectual brilliance remapped

the boundaries of mathematics and astronomy. In 499 CE, at the age of 23, he

wrote a text on astronomy and an unparallel treatise on mathematics called

" Aryabhatiyam. " He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets

and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim that the earth is

round, it rotates on its axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space - 1000

years before Copernicus published his heliocentric theory. He is also

acknowledged for calculating p (Pi) to four decimal places: 3.1416 and the sine

table in trigonometry. Centuries later, in 825 CE, the Arab mathematician,

Mohammed Ibna Musa credited the value of Pi to the Indians, " This value has been

given by the Hindus. " And above all, his most spectacular contributio n was the

concept of zero without which modern computer technology would have been

non-existent. Aryabhatt was a colossus in the field of mathematics.

 

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 " Siddhant Shiromani " he writes on planetary positions, eclipses,

cosmography, mathematical techniques and astronomical equipment. In the " Surya

Siddhant " 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 math ematicians 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 Dwarika 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 s cientists 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 Charak has been crowned as the Father of Medicine. His renowned work,

the " Charak Samhita " , is considered as an encyclopedia of Ayurveda. His

principles, diagoneses, and cures retain their potency and truth even after a

couple of millennia. When the science of anatomy was confused with different

theories in Europe, Acharya Charak revealed through his innate genius and

enquiries the facts on human anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, blood

circulation and diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, etc. In the

" Charak Samhita " he has described the medicinal qualities and functions of

100,000 herbal plants. He has emphasized the influence of diet and activity on

mind and body. He has proved the correlation of spirituality and physical health

contributed greatly to diagnostic and curative sciences. He has also prescribed

and ethical charter for medical practitioners two centuries prior to the

Hippocratic oath. Through his genius and intuition, Acharya Charak made landmark

contributions to Ayurvedal. He forever remains etched in the annals of history

as one of the greatest and noblest of rishi-scientists.

 

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 Sudhrut 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, " 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 ASTRONOMERA

 

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, the founder, hailed from the district of Gonda

(Ganara) in Uttar Pradesh. 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 ordent

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 KAPIL (3000 BCE) FATHER OF COSMOLOGY

 

Celebrated as the founder of Sankhya philosophy, Acharya Kapil is believed to

have been born in 3000 BCE to the illustrious sage Kardam and Devhuti. 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 scie nce of cosmology. Because of his extrasensory observations and

revelations on the secrets of creation, he is recognized and saluted as the

Father of Cosmology.