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Hidden Talent of India



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 contribution 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 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 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
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 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 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.