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Jul 2021
Great contributors / Geniuses
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
Nagarjuna 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 Sushrut 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.
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