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.
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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.
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