GREAT ACHIEVEMNTS BY ANCIENT HINDUS

March 1, 2009

GREAT ACHIEVEMNTS BY ANCIENT HINDUS Forwarded message from Stephen Knapp 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 Maharashtr, Bhaskaracharya's work in Algebra, Arithmetic

and Geometry catapulted him to fame and immortality. His renowned mathematical works called " Lilavati " and " Beejaganit " 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 " Soorya 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 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. " NAGARJUN (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. Nagarjun'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 Jaatak " ,

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 YOG The Science of Yog 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

praan (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. Yog has eight limbs where Acharya Patanjali shows the attainment of the ultimate bliss of God in samadhi through the disciplines of: yam,

niyam, aasun, pranayam, pratyahar, dhyaan and dharn. The Science of Yog has gained popularity because of its scientific approach and benefits. Yog 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 (Purush), 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.

End of forwarded message from Stephen Knapp{see the replies below: 1.Yes he(Aryabhatta) was great, but the greeks had figured the earth was round hundreds of years before him. Pi was invented in multiple places, and

the concept of zero in various forms was also invented in more then one place. Early complex cultures had often a common set of problems to solve as to the above topics. The same or similar solution was also often found in

more then one place .2.(reply to 1 above)A search on spherical earth shows up links to that information. However, that does not, in any way, lessen the importance of what they (ancient thinkers) managed to discover with nothing but some

basic information. On the roundness of earth, it isn't clear that Aryabhatta was the first Indian to say the earth is round. Clearly he has summarized some of the findings as existed at that time. But he did

predict elliptical orbits and other information that I could not find any reference elsewhere.3,(reply to 1 above) What is interesting is that in essence, each evolution of knowledge, happened across the world at the same time.

300-350 BCE is a Prime Example. so is the threshold of Myths and Legends circa 3000-3500 BCE4 (in reply to main item) i notice that the interest in hinduism among the american scholars is rising sharpley. but it follows two tracks, one among genuine scholars, the second

among those sponsored by xtian outfits that feels, needlessly, that they will get railroaded, and hence must find ways to mangle hinduism. one such hindu magler is harvard univ prof witzel - and the one who " teaches "

sankrit!!!!!!!!! http://www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?type=ARTICLES & id=...

March 2, 2009

It is too premature to say that Aryabhata I was the inventor of the DPV and Sunya. It was probably earlierOn Sun, Mar 1, 2009 at 6:33 AM, kishore patnaik <kishorepatnaik09 wrote: