Chapter 2Ancient is not same as

Primitive

•Our ancestors were not apes, they were the vedic rishis

•They were masters of creation

•Most of our present sciences find their roots in what was told by the vedic seer many thousands of years ago

Some gifts of vedic rishis in different fields of study

Physics

• ‘energy can neither be created, nor destroyed, it only changes form’ – Yajurveda and Rigveda

• ‘sounds can be used to change the form of matter’ – the science of mantras

• Accurate calculation of speed of light – Rigveda

• The law of gravity – sage Patanjali, 150 BCE

Astronomy

Surya Siddhantha, an ancient vedic text gives accurate calculation of•distance of the earth’s revolution around the sun•the diameter and circumference of the earth•the motion of the planets, sun and the moon•The occurrence of eclipses

Architecture and Town planning

• The city of Mehrgarh (present day Baluchistan, Pakistan) with its sophisticated buildings, well-planned roads and systematic drainage system was existing in 7000 BC when according to modern historians world was inhabited by cavemen

• Harappans had devised an effective mechanism of sewage disposal, way back in 7000 BC

• The port of Lothal (Gujarat) is the oldest scientifically designed harbor

Mathematics

• “Pythagoras went from Samos to the Ganges to learn geometry. Indeed, no advanced mathematics would have been possible without the Indian culture” – Voltaire

• Pythagoras theorem was given in the Shatpata Brahman much before Pythagoras

• Zero and decimal system as well as binary language of computers are of Indian origin

• Arabic numerals were learnt by the Arabs from Indians and exported to Europe

AdministrationArthashastra by Kautilya is unparalled by any modern text on administration. It details:•the training of the king•appointment of ministers, and other officers of the state •rules for the safety and security •activities of the state in different fields, etc.•Law, order and administration of justice•Maintenance of armed forcesThe kautilya state is a well-organized state even by modern standards

Literature

• Panini gave the world its first and complete grammar

• The two great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata are unrivaled in any literature

• Stories from Panchtantra were picked up by Arabian Nights, Decameron and Canterbury tales

• Kalidasa’s Shakuntala became inspiration for Goethe’s ‘Faust’

Martial ArtsWe all know of Shaolin Kung Fu. Did you know of its vedic roots? The origin of Shaolin Kung Fu is generally credited to an Indian monk named Tat Moh, who is also sometimes known as Bodhi DharmaHe was a master of Kalaripattu – the oldest form of martial arts which was given by Lord Parashurama who in turn received it from Lord Shiv