IKS03 Puranas and Itihasas: Foundations of Indian Knowledge and Literature

Briefing: The Indian Knowledge System – Aagamas and Siddantham

Dr Sudheendra S G explores two crucial categories of the Indian learning system: Aagamas and Siddantham, highlighting their distinct approaches to knowledge acquisition and their historical impact.

I. Aagamas: The Study of Knowledge – Faith vs. Logic

Aagamas represent the fifth category of the Indian learning system, originating from Dravidian traditions and initially written in Tamil before being Sanskritized. They are a "collection of literatures related to cosmology, epistemology, philosophical doctrines, yogas and all about temple construction." The core of Aagamas, however, lies in epistemology – the study of knowledge itself, specifically examining it from two opposing perspectives: faith and logic.

• Duality of Knowledge: The source emphasizes the fundamental tension between these two perspectives: "Experience of knowledge is totally opposite when we see it from these two perspectives." A poignant analogy is used to illustrate this: "When you are born Mother is your truth and it can be proved through logic but father is faith and it is believed through whom he mother shows and tells you as your father." This highlights that knowledge can be acquired through rational deduction or through belief based on trust and experience.
• Cognitive Development: Aagamas are described as a "most complicated learning methodology" that significantly influences "our reasoning power and decision making skills." The text controversially claims that "great entepreneurs like Mark juckerberg and Steve jobs visited india and studied aagamas before they expanded there business" as it "played a keyrole in making their company succeed and outgrow in the world."
• Shilpashastra and Architectural Influence: A significant practical application of Aagamas is the Shilpashastra, which introduced "carvings and sculptures" to mankind. This architectural knowledge, particularly the design of "Garba Gruha of Temples," later inspired the "Dome structure in Islam" and architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal, as documented by Al-Biruni.
• Categorization: Aagamas are further categorized into specific traditions: "77 shakthi aagamas, 28 shiva aagamas and 108 vishnu aagamas."

II. Siddantham: The Realm of Science and Logic

Siddantham, meaning "science," stands in direct contrast to Smriti (based purely on faith) and represents the logical and verifiable aspect of the Indian knowledge system. "Here whatever we say or learn need to be proved through logic and proof." It encompasses "the principles and theories that define and run life on this planet," akin to modern science, where "every concept is proved through theories and formulaes."

Key Siddanthams and their Impact:

1. Sushruta Samhita (Medicine and Surgery - 1000 BCE):

• Authored by Saint Sushruta, this "siddantam was so powerful that it led to the birth of world’s first medical system which we call as Ayurveda."
• Ayurveda is presented as "the world’s oldest medical system which is relevant even today."

1. Charaka Samhita (Pharmacy and Medicines - 200 BCE):

• Attributed to Charaka, "the world’s first pharmacist," who was an expert in identifying natural plant compounds (carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins) to create drugs.
• This "science of pharmacy" is documented in Charaka Samhita.
• Impact on Life Expectancy: The combined efficacy of Sushruta's treatments and Charaka's medicines is highlighted by the claim that "the life expectancy of humans in india at that time was a whoping 102 years." Historical accounts from Al-Biruni and Hsuan Tsang corroborate this, stating Indian life expectancy between 600-1000 AD ranged from "92 – 110 years."
• Kumbh Mela Connection: The lasting legacy of these medical siddanthams is evident in the belief, persisting "even today not just in india but all over the globe," that "if you have an incurable disease, if you take them to kumbmela then he will get cured," as "the medicines they got here would cure any disease in the world."

1. Aryabhattiyam Siddantham (Mathematics and Astronomy):

• This siddantham was a foundational text for a "knowledge revolution that happened between with 800 AD and 1400 AD," centered in Baghdad and known as the Islamic Golden Age.
• Inspired by "Indian education system and aryabhattiyam siddantham through al-biruni," Caliph Harun al-Rashid (Abbasid) established the House of Wisdom in Baghdad.
• The "driving force behind this house of wisdom and the Islamic Golden age was the Arryabhattiyam siddhantham."
• Indian discoveries like "Arthmetic progression, sine, Pi, Calculus" were researched further, leading to "the birth of modern mathematics, trigonometry, algebra and calculus."
• The Shilpashastra, too, influenced Baghdad's architecture, inspiring the "Dome structure in Islam" from Dravidian temple designs.
• Decline of Islamic Golden Age: The House of Wisdom and the Islamic Golden Age "ended in 1400 AD with the invasion of Mongolians." These "Mongolians later became Moghuls," who "butchered" scholars, causing them to disperse.

1. Madhava's Siddantham (Calculus - 1340 to 1425 AD, Kerala):

• Following the dispersion of scholars from Baghdad, some reached Kerala, India.
• Influenced by these Islamic scholars and the work from the House of Wisdom, a scientist named Madhava from Thrissur "reworked on these concepts."
• His siddantham, "mahajyanayanaprakara," "was the first to introduce the world with the concept of Differentiation and integration formulaes."
• The source explicitly states, "the birth place of calculus is Thrissur of kerala and it happened in 1340 to 1425 AD."
• This period saw a "very strong bond between islam and Hindu school of philosophies" in Kerala, with "Vydica brahmins and the muslim scholars who migrated from the school of wisdom worked very closely."

Conclusion:

The briefing highlights the depth and breadth of the Indian knowledge system, encompassing both faith-based understanding (Aagamas) and rigorous scientific inquiry (Siddantham). It showcases India's pioneering contributions to fields like medicine, pharmacy, mathematics, and architecture, emphasizing their global influence and historical significance, particularly in shaping the Islamic Golden Age and the development of modern calculus.