Great Indians Who Did Great Things

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Great Indians Who Did

Great Things by Stephen Knapp

 

Here are some short reviews of some great Indian masters who

made great contributions to world development.

 

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 Ayurveda. 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 ASTRONOMER

 

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 KAPILA (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.