It is rightly said, ‘Roots and wings form the foundation of our ethics: our roots remind us where we come from, while our wings give us the freedom to explore where we can go.’ As we welcome the new year, let us celebrate Earth completing another revolution around the sun. With time ticking, let’s take a moment to reflect on our roots.
Each month of the year marks a day dedicated to science and technology, celebrated and observed worldwide! We are excited to introduce you to the scientists of ancient India who have made significant contributions to these fields.
Happy exploring your roots!
Meaning: Without agriculture, all living beings perish.
Therefore, one should engage in agriculture diligently, leading to prosperity.
On January 15th, we commemorate Makara Sankranti, a festival celebrating the onset of the harvest season and the Sun’s journey into Makara or Capricorn.
Varahamihira, a renowned Indian mathematician and astronomer, made remarkable contributions to various fields, including agriculture. Within his work, the Brihat Samhita, you can find several intriguing chapters dedicated to different aspects of agriculture. These include Chapter 54 – Delving into Agriculture (Krishi-vikalpa), Chapter 55 – Exploring Vrikshayurveda (The Science of Plant Life), Chapter 56 – Unveiling the Nature of Soil (Bhumi-lakshana), and Chapter 57 – Nurturing Gardens (Udyanika).
Furthermore, Varahamihira’s Brihat Samhita delves into various organic manures, such as cow dung, ashes, oil cakes, bone meal, and compost. These manures were believed to be beneficial for different types of soils and crops.
Intriguingly, Varahamihira’s work offers a comprehensive glimpse into ancient Indian agricultural practices and wisdom. His enduring contributions remain pertinent today, providing valuable insights into sustainable farming and gardening techniques.
Meaning: Similar to the plumage on the head of a peacock or gem/jewel on the head of a serpent, the subject mathematics occupies the highest prominent place at the top among all the Vedanga shastras.
February 11th marks the observance of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day dedicated to advancing the cause of ensuring women have complete and equitable access to and participation in the realms of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Lilavati stands as one of India’s earliest distinguished women mathematicians, notable not only for her mathematical prowess but also for being the daughter of Bhaskaracharya. The shloka mentioned above underscores the significance of mathematics in ancient India.
Meaning: The value of Pi up to 32 decimals: π = 3.1415926535897932384626433832792…
On March 3rd, we commemorate Pi Day, an annual celebration dedicated to the mathematical constant π. Pi Day is officially observed on March 14, chosen because the first three significant figures of π are 3, 1, and 4.
Baudhayana, who lived between 800 BC and 740 BC, is credited as the original mathematician behind the Pythagoras theorem. He is also recognized as one of the earliest individuals to approximate the value of ‘pi,’ with references to this in his Sulbha sutras. According to Baudhayana’s calculations, the approximate value of pi is 3.
Remarkably, Baudhayana’s Sulbasutra contains several instances of pi values since he used different approximations when constructing circular shapes for various purposes. Interestingly, some of these approximations are remarkably close to the modern-day value of pi, demonstrating their relevance in constructing altars and other structures of the time.
Meaning: The science which deals with or describes the favourable or unfavourable happy or unhappy measures for a span of life. What is conductive or non-conductive for such a life span, is known as Ayurveda.
April 7th is World Health Day, an annual occasion focused on raising awareness about a significant public health concern each year.
Charaka emerges as a prominent figure in the realm of Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine and holistic living originating from India. He stands out as a renowned physician and the editor of the medical treatise called Charaka Samhita. This work holds a pivotal place as one of the fundamental texts in classical Indian medicine and Ayurveda, forming an integral part of the Brhat-Trayi collection.
Meaning: To express any experience, feeling, or emotion, the appropriate chandas have to be chosen with great care, because each metre has its own mood and movement. While using a particular metre, says Kshemendra in his Suvrttatilaka, “One has to see the rasa, the mood, the nature of description and the context.”
On May 17th, we commemorate World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), an annual occasion dedicated to global awareness of the transformative potential that the Internet and information and communication technology (ICT) hold for society and the economy.
Acharya Pingala, an ancient Indian poet and mathematician, stands as the author of Chandaḥśāstra, also known as the Pingala-sutras, which is recognized as the earliest known treatise on Sanskrit prosody.
Pingala’s Chandasutra serves as a foundational work in the realm of Sanskrit prosody, focusing on the study of poetic metres. It introduced innovative combinatorial tools referred to as Pratyayas, which were utilised to explore the various potential metres in Sanskrit prosody.
Remarkably, in Pingala’s Chandasutra, the diverse metres and rhythms represent distinct methods of encoding information within a poetic structure. This concept draws an intriguing parallel to modern telecommunication systems, which employ various protocols and data formats to encode and transmit information.
Meaning: The eight steps of Yoga are; the codes of self-regulation (Yama), practices of self-training (Niyama), postures (Asana), expansion of breath and prāṇa (Prāṇāyāma), withdrawal of the senses (Pratyāhāra), concentration (Dhāraṇā), meditation (Dhyana), and perfected concentration (Samādhi).
Every June 21st, we commemorate Yoga Day, an occasion dedicated to raising awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and meditation.
Patanjali, an esteemed sage from India, is credited with the authorship of several Sanskrit works, with the most notable among them being the Yoga Sutras. This classical text on yoga is believed to date back to the period between 200 BCE and 200 CE.
While references to yoga within Hindu scriptures had existed for a long time, they were often diverse and intricate, making them challenging for the general public to grasp. Consequently, Patanjali is renowned for creating the Yoga Sutras, which served as a means of consolidating pre-existing teachings into a more accessible and comprehensible format.
Meaning: Example of the reduction of fractions to a common denominator:
One-fifth of a swarm of bees flew towards a lotus flower, one-third towards a banana tree. (A number equal to) three times the difference between the two (preceding figures), O my beauty with the eyes of a gazelle, flew towards a Codaga tree (whose bitter bark provides a substitute for quinine). Finally, one other bee, undecided, flew hither and thither equally attracted by the delicious perfume of the jasmine and the pandanus. Tell me, O charming one, how many bees were there?
On July 11th, we commemorate World Population Day, an occasion dedicated to fostering awareness about global population-related concerns.
Bhaskaracharya, a prominent figure from the 12th century, shines as a luminary in the field of mathematics. He was born in Bijapur, Karnataka, and is renowned for his significant work, “Siddanta Shiromani.” This remarkable treatise is divided into four distinct sections: Lilavati (Arithmetic), Beejaganit (Algebra), Goladhyaya (Sphere), and Grahaganit (mathematics of planets). Bhaskara introduced the Chakrawat Method, also known as the Cyclic Method, as an innovative approach to solve algebraic equations.
Notably, Bhaskaracharya’s contributions, especially in his book “Lilavati,” encompass extensive numerical techniques and methods of multiplication. This can be viewed as an early precursor to our modern understanding of arithmetic sequences, which can be applied to model linear growth, including the straightforward representation of population growth.
Meaning: Lovely, easy to understand, and universally agreeable to the mind.
Elegant, beloved, and enjoyable, the sweet speech of the Sanskrit language is neither obscure or difficult.
On August 19th, we commemorate World Sanskrit Day, an occasion aimed at promoting the significance of the Sanskrit language.
Pāṇini, an eminent figure in ancient India, was a logician, Sanskrit philologist, grammarian, and highly respected scholar, with his birthdate estimated to be between the 6th and 4th century BCE. Pāṇini is renowned for his magnum opus, the Aṣṭādhyāyī, a sutra-style treatise on Sanskrit grammar consisting of 3,996 verses or rules covering linguistics, syntax, and semantics. This work serves as the foundational text of the Vyākaraṇa branch within the Vedanga, the auxiliary scholarly disciplines of the Vedic era. His concise text garnered numerous bhashya (commentaries), with Patanjali’s Mahābhāṣya being the most famous among them.
Pāṇini is often hailed as the “first descriptive linguist” and is even accorded the title of “the father of linguistics.”
Meaning: The physician who possesses the fourfold accomplishments consisting of theoretical knowledge, clear interpretation, right application, and practical experience is to be regarded as the reclaimer of life.
Every September 14th, we commemorate World First Aid Day, an occasion designed to enlighten individuals about the crucial significance of first aid in addressing medical emergencies and motivating them to take action when such situations arise.
Sushruta, who thrived around the 6th century BCE, stands out as an ancient Indian surgeon celebrated for his groundbreaking surgical procedures and techniques. He is also renowned for his influential treatise, the Sushruta-Samhita, which serves as the primary source of knowledge concerning surgery in ancient India.
Meaning: The moon is of water, the sun is of fire, the earth is of soil, and its shadow is of darkness.
The moon covers the sun and the great shadow of the earth covers the moon.
From October 4th to 10th, we celebrate World Space Week, a period dedicated to honouring the invaluable contributions of space science and technology toward improving the human condition.
Aryabhatta, a prominent figure from the fifth century, excelled in multiple fields, including mathematics, astronomy, astrology, and physics. He was a trailblazer in the realm of mathematics and accomplished a remarkable feat at the age of 23 by composing the Aryabhatiya, a comprehensive summary of the mathematics of his era.
Challenging the prevailing belief that our planet, Earth, was “Achala” or immovable, Aryabhatta presented his groundbreaking theory that “Earth is round and rotates on its own axis.” He supported this assertion by offering compelling examples, including the phenomenon of trees on the shore appearing to move in the opposite direction when observed from a boat in motion. Additionally, he accurately explained that the moon and planets emitted light due to sunlight reflection. Aryabhatta even provided a scientific rationale for solar and lunar eclipses, dispelling the notion that they were caused by Rahhu, Ketu, or other mythical demons.
Meaning: Numbers, Magnitudes, Separateness, Conjunction, and Disjunction, Priority, and Posteriority, and Action become objects of visual perception, through their combination with Substances possessing colour.
On November 10th, we commemorate World Science Day, an occasion dedicated to emphasise the crucial role of science in society and promoting the active involvement of the broader public in discussions about emerging scientific matters.
Kanad, a scientist hailing from the sixth century and associated with the Vaisheshika School, one of the six systems of Indian philosophy, holds a fascinating history. Originally known as Aulukya, he earned the name Kanad because of his childhood fascination with exceedingly tiny particles referred to as “kana.” Remarkably, his atomic theory presents a striking parallel to modern atomic theories. According to Kanad, the material universe comprises “kanas,” which are akin to atoms, and they are so minuscule that they cannot be perceived by any human sensory organ. These “kanas” are indivisible and indestructible, aligning with the fundamental tenets of contemporary atomic theory.
Meaning: All the extant things in three worlds can’t exist without their foundation being in mathematics.
On December 22nd, we observe National Mathematics Day, a day dedicated to commemorating the birth anniversary of the renowned Indian mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan.
Within Jain literature, spanning from 500 B.C. to 100 B.C., there exists an extensive exploration of mathematics. Jain gurus demonstrated their knowledge by solving quadratic equations and provided captivating descriptions of various mathematical concepts, including fractions, algebraic equations, series, set theory, logarithms, and exponents. Of notable significance, Jain Guru Mahaviracharya authored “Ganit Sara Sangraha” in 850 A.D., representing the earliest textbook on arithmetic in a form recognizable today. He also introduced the method for determining the Least Common Multiple (LCM) of given numbers, a technique that continues to be used.
As we journey through the months of the year, celebrating the intersection of science, mathematics, and our cultural heritage, we are reminded of the profound wisdom and contributions of ancient Indian scholars. These luminaries paved the way for the scientific advancements and mathematical marvels that continue to shape our world today.
In the spirit of honouring our roots and embracing the boundless possibilities of our wings, let us continue to explore, discover, and innovate. May the knowledge and inspiration drawn from these remarkable individuals serve as a guiding light, propelling us forward into a future filled with endless opportunities for exploration and growth.
So, as we welcome each new month and the unique celebrations it brings, let us also celebrate the enduring legacy of knowledge, curiosity, and discovery that transcends time and borders. Happy exploring your roots and soaring with your wings in the realm of science and beyond! Happy New Year!
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