Indian Siddantham and its Contributions
This source emphasizes the scientific and practical nature
of "siddantham" (Indian knowledge systems), arguing that it extends
far beyond mythology and religious texts. It highlights contributions to mathematics,
medicine, physics, and other fields, often preceding Western discoveries.
I. Influence and Evolution of Indian Siddantham
- Global
Reach and Continuity: The source traces the influence of
"aryabhattiyam siddantham" from its impact on the Islamic Golden
Age and the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, to its eventual return to Kerala,
India. Here, its study by scholars like Madhava "led to the birth of
calculus at Thrissur kerala."
- Beyond
Mythology: A core theme is the assertion that the "Indian
knowledge system was not just about mythological stories, gods, and rule
books." The text claims that "God and mythology and all about
various rules and smritis represent just 15% of our documentation and the
remaining 85% is all about the various siddantham, science and about the
skills." It critiques the "Macaulay system" for having
"completely ignored these contributions from Indian scientists."
II. Major Contributions and Key Figures
A. Physics and Atomic Theory (Kaanada/Kashyapa - 4th
Century BC)
- Atomic
Theory ("Anu"): The saint Kaanada (also known as Kashyapa),
around 2600 years ago, developed a theory about the universe. He proposed
that "when we keep on dividing every matter in this universe, the
smallest particle of every matter is the same and it is similar to our
brahmanda or solar system." He named this smallest particle
"Anu" (which the source equates to the modern "atom"),
stating, "God is nothing but this Anu."
- Vaisheshika
Sootra: Kaanada's theory was presented in his "siddantha called
vaisheshika sootra." This work is described as "the physics of
today," providing a "clear picture of nucleus, electron and
protons" and proposing "that motion exists in every particle as
revolutions of electrons." It also "defined kinetic and
potential energy."
- Early
Recognition and Later Validation: The source states that Kaanada's
ideas were initially met with skepticism, with only "Democritis a
Greek scientist who was born after 200 years" offering similar
thoughts. However, it argues that "Only after Dalton theory on atoms
[in 1810], we understood the importance of vaisheshika sutra."
B. Preventive Medicine and Mind-Body Control
- Controlling
Involuntary Actions: Kaanada's primary motivation for exploring atomic
theory was to understand if "by any means, we can have control over
our involuntary actions." He proposed a "cell theory of
humans" suggesting that if we "develop a means to talk to these
anus that is generated in our body, then we can communicate with the cells
of our body and in turn we can control the involuntary actions that
happens in our body."
- Vedavyasa
and Yoga Sutra (Neuroscience and Chakras): Maharshi Vedavyasa, in his
Yoga Sutra, is credited with describing "how the brain works and how
we can control the process of intelligence" approximately 4000 years
ago, predating 19th/20th-century medical innovations like neurogenesis and
neuroplasticity.
- Seven
Chakras: Vedavyasa's siddantham identifies "seven energy points
in our body which are called as seven chakras," asserting that
"By concentrating our mind on these chakras... we can establish
connection with them and through them we can control the inner involuntary
actions of our body."
- Neural
Sensors and Intelligence: He also proposed that "neural sensors
which trigger neurogenesis and neuroplasticity are present at the tip of
our fingers In hour hands and legs." By combining chakra
concentration with gentle pressing of these sensors, one could
"trigger the process of neuroplasticity which in turn helps us to be
more intelligent."
- Sandyavandana
as Neural Exercise: Vedavyasa prescribed specific "aasanas and
meditation principles" for learners, detailed in his Yoga Shastra.
This practice, known today as "Sandyavandana," involved timed
exposure to sunlight:
- Morning
(Gayathri/Vitamin D): "The rays that falls on the man in the
early morning from the sun contains a specific brain triggering component.
Vedavyasa named it as Gayathri and today medical science calls it as
Vitamin D." This time was for new learning as it enhanced neurogenesis.
- Afternoon
(Savithi/UV Radiation): Exposure to "ultraviolet radiation"
(termed "Savithi") with postures was for "recalling our old
learning or what we call as abhyaasa prakriye," triggering
neuroplasticity.
- Evening
(Saraswathi/Infrared): "Special infrared radiations" (termed
"Saraswathi") at sunset, combined with meditation, "creates
myelin sheaths in neuron cells and triggers neuroplasticity which will
help us to cement our learning permanently in our brain."
- The
source explicitly states: "Yoga shastra siddantham of Vedavyasaru was
not some superstitious practice of a particular caste in hindu community.
But It was the neural exercises proposed by Vedavyasaru to trigger our
brain for learning."
- Patanjali
Yoga (1st Century AD): Patanjali, described as a "Dravidian born
in Chidambaram of Tamilnadu," further developed Vedavyasa's work into
"a complete set of postures and procedures to communicate with the
cells of our body and control our human involuntary actions." This is
identified as "the first ever physical exercise or the gymnasium
opened in 1st century AD."
C. Metallurgy and Alchemy (Nagarjuna)
- Rasendramangalam
and Rasayana: The philosopher Nagarjuna is credited with introducing
"his siddantham of rasendramangalam," which presented "the
art of purifying metals and led to the birth of a new field called
alchemy." This "rasayana was all about metallurgy," leading
to the purification of "gold, diamonds and stones."
- Diamonds:
The source claims "The world’s first diamond was extracted from the
sands of Guntoor in Andhrapradesh" (from 9000 BC to 18th century).
Nagarjuna's work "gave birth to a particular community of people in
india who by birth were skilled in cutting diamonds," eventually
settling in Surat, Gujarat, and migrating to Antwerp, Belgium.
D. Other Notable Contributions
- Business
Management (Chanakya's Arthashastra - 376 BC): "Chanakya
published the siddantham called arthashastra which is the first ever
documented material about business management and commerce."
- Astronomy
and Calendar (Varahamihira's Pancha Siddantha - 505 BC): "Another
sage varahamihira published pancha siddantha about astronomy. The world’s
first calendar was made available through this siddantham in the name of
panchaanga."
III. Educational Philosophy and Modern Relevance
- Gurukul
System: The source argues that the "Indian knowledge system and
gurukul is not just about reciting mantras and performing rituals. It has
all the brances of science and technology hidden in it in the form of
various siddanthams."
- National
Education Policy: The text concludes by stating that a main goal of
the "new national education policy" is to "introduce these
siddanthams of great scientists of india. Like kaanad, sushruta,
varahamihira, Nagarjuna, Patanjali, charaka, madahva and they were no way
inferior to western scientists like Einstein, newton and Edison." It
aims to make students "understand the greatness of the forgotten
geniuses of our land."
Summary of Main Themes:
- Reclamation
of Scientific Heritage: The primary theme is to reframe Indian
knowledge systems as fundamentally scientific and practical, rather than
solely mythological or religious.
- Precedence
of Discoveries: The source repeatedly highlights instances where
Indian scholars and their "siddanthams" predated Western
discoveries in fields like atomic theory, calculus, neuroscience, and
metallurgy.
- Holistic
Approach to Well-being: There's a strong emphasis on preventive
medicine, mind-body control, and the idea that ancient practices like Yoga
and Sandyavandana were sophisticated neural exercises aimed at enhancing
human potential and health.
- Critique
of Colonial Misrepresentation: The text implicitly and explicitly
criticizes historical narratives (e.g., "Macaulay system") that
downplayed or ignored these contributions, leading to a distorted view of
India's intellectual history.
