SCIENCE MEETS SPIRITUALISM
This link
contains interesting articles on diverse topics glorifying our
ancient culture and civilization, which are not only informative but
goes to prove the great insight our ancient sages possessed and also
that the theories they had propounded were not just suppositions but
based on scientific reasons. The idea is to reveal to the world of
our glorious past, rich culture and heritage- to prove that at the
time when the rest of the world was engulfed by ignorance, our
country was blessed with enlightened sages. The articles given here
are also ample testimony to the fact that our ancient sages, in
their quest for ultimate knowledge, had delved deep into level of
human consciousness in order to find solutions to the mystery of the
world. They were successful because the conclusion they arrived upon
emanated from deep state of meditation in which all the mysteries of
the world were unfolded to them.
WHEN DID EARTH CAME INTO EXISTENCE
?
The origin of earth is a question, which has baffled
man since time immemorial. Modern science, too, has tried to find
answer to this question, which quite amazingly corroborates the
statements made by our ancient sages in this regard. Scientists
having belief in the theory of evolution like Professor Solas,
Shimper, Hackel Keith and Doctor Church, after their research came
to the conclusion that man has been existing on the earth only for
the last 8, 20, 000 years. But, their findings contradicts the
theory of evolution itself, which states that it takes a extremely
long period of time for any living creature to evolve. This way the
time period of man's origin is further decreased to mere few
thousand years.
If
we look at the history of the world as well as the various calendars
related with different ancient civilizations, the above theory is
proved wrong. The Christian calendar begins with the birth of Jesus
Christ, which is the most modern calendar as Christ was born 2002
years ago. As compared to the Christian calendar the calendar
propounded by Moses is more ancient since it began 3540 years ago.
Like way Yudhishthir's calendar which began 4132 years ago at the
time of his coronation is more ancient. There are other calendars
more ancient than the above mentioned calendars like, Kaliyugi
samvat which is 5077 years old, Ibranian calendar which is 5989
years old, Egyptian calendar which is 28629 years old and Finishian
calendar which is 30,0047 years old. The Iranian civilization
believed to be one of the oldest one has a calendar dating as far as
189955 years back. In the same manner Chaldian calendar considered
significant for astrological information it contains is 2,15,000,47
years old. The followers of Khatai religion trace their roots to
Khata who was born 8,88,40,348 years ago and their calendar is that
much ancient. The Chinese calendar, which is related with the first
king of China, is believed to be further ancient i.e. 9,60,02,476
years old.
The origin of man, when determined on the basis of
Vaivaswat Manu samvatswar, one of the fourteen samvatsars goes back
12,05,33,077 years old. A mantra created by our ancient sages and
used during taking a 'Sankalpa' in religious ceremonies, which is
still in practice, states that the man has continued to inhabit the
earth for the last 1,97,29,40,037 years.
Modern Geologists, working on four hypotheses tried to
determine the age of the earth-
- On the basis of formation of layers of rock-- They assume that
the earth must have been experiencing rainfall since the time of
it's creation. The vaporization of ocean's water caused by the Sun
and the resultant rainfall must have been the reason behind the
creation of rivers. These modern Geologists also presume that the
flowing rivers carried layers of soil with them. It was a
continuous and long process, which helped the scientists to come
to the conclusion that it took 880 years to form one foot thick
layer of soil. The thickest rock they have found till date is 5,
14,000 feet thick. So, on the basis of the above theory the age of
the earth comes up to 5,42,38,20,000 years. But, geologists
discarded this conclusion because of its over dependence on
imaginations and little scientific base.
- On the basis
of the salinity of ocean' water-- This theory is based on the
assumption that the salinity of oceans' water has been increasing
in a gradual manner by the flowing rivers transporting mineral
salts into them since time immemorial. The result was increased
level of salinity in the oceans' water with each passing year.
Scientists were of the view that the phenomenon of vaporization
did not have any effect on the salinity of oceans' water i.e. the
quantity of salt in the oceans' water did not reduced and always
remained the same. To determine the quantity of salt found in
ocean water scientists did experiment by taking one gallon of
ocean water as specimen. They then determined the quantity of salt
transported by rivers each year into the ocean. Now they divided
the total quantity of salt contained in ocean and divided it by
the quantity of salt transported by river into it. After
calculating they came to the conclusion that the age of the earth
was 12,00,00,000 years. But geologists discarded this assumption
too.
-
-
On the basis of assumed temperature of earth since the time
when it came into existence-- A scientist named Lord Calvin with
the help of his research made on this subject assumed that the
earth's temperature at the time of its creation was 3900 degree
centigrade. He then found out the present temperature of the
earth's surface and also its average depreciation that was caused
each year. After dividing the present temperature of the earth
with the average depreciation of temperature they came to the
conclusion that the earth's age was 10,00,00,000
years.
-
Disintegration of radio active materials-- This theory is
based on the assumption that there is a continuous process of
disintegration going on in radio active materials like Uranium,
Thorium and Radium. It is also the most accepted theory for
determining the age of earth. These materials continuously radiate
radio active rays like alpha, beta and gamma. In course of time
they get transformed into lead. Since this transformation is
irregular and effected over a very long period of time as well
therefore it is not easy to arrive at any definite conclusion.
Still, scientists have found a way to determine the 'mid-life' of
a radio active element i.e. the period of time within which it is
expected to reduce half in its size. Scientists took an ancient
rock as a sample and found that it contained 119 grams of uranium
in it. A sample of stone taken from its neighborhood contained 309
grams of lead, which had actually come into existence after
getting disintegrated from uranium. Scientists also found after
their numerous experiments that on average disintegration of 238
gram of uranium made 206 gram of lead. So, after calculation they
arrived at the conclusion that 306 gram of lead must have been
made from 357 gram of uranium (238 x 309/ 206). Also that the
present 119 gram of uranium was actually 357+ 119= 476 gram in its
initial form long time ago.
Scientists have also found that uranium reduces to half in
size in 456,00,000,00 years. That implies that it would take the
above mentioned period of years for uranium weighing 476 grams to
reduce to 238 grams. In the same manner it would take further
456,00,000,00 years for uranium piece weighing 238 grams to reduce
to half i.e. 119 grams. Thus scientists on the basis of this theory
assumed the age of the earth to be 45,60,00,00,000 + 45,60,00,00,000
= 912,00,000,00 years.
The most ancient rock has been discovered in Canada and after
calculating in the above mentioned way scientists have found that
the earth was 198,00,000,00 years old. This is the age of the earth
as determined by the scientists and the most widely expected.
Now, let us consider what our ancient sages have said in this
regard. The shloka given below is chanted before commencing any
religious ceremony. It also gives an idea about the origin of earth.
The shloka goes as follows--
"OM TATSADADHA BRAHMANO DWITIYA PARARDHE SHRI SHWET VARAH
KALPE JAMBUDWEEPE BHARAT KHANDE ARYAVARTEK DESHANTARGAT KUMARIKA
NAAM KSHETRE VAIVASWAT MANVANTRE ASHTAVINSHATI TAME KALIYUGE KALI
PRATHAM CHARNE..................... ."
This shloka amazingly contains vital information related with
earth's origin. In this shloka a word 'Parardh' has come. What is
the meaning of this word? There is a shloka in Bhagwatpuran shedding
ample light on it--
EVAM VIDDYE RAHAU RATRAIH KAAL GATYOP
LAKSHITAIH,
APAKSHITAMI VASYAPI (BRAHMANAH) PARMAPURVAYAH
SHATAM.
YADARDHA MAYUSHASTASYA PARARDHAM BHIDHIYATE,
PURVAH
PARARDHO UPKRANTO HRIYARODYA PRAVARTATE.
MEANING-- Lord Brahma's age is 100 years. He has already
crossed the first parardha (50 years) and entered the second one.
The process of creation begins simultaneously with lord Brahma's
day. At the end of the day night starts and which is of same
duration. One day of Brahma (constituting of day and night) is equal
to a KALPA of mortal world. There is a shloka in MANUSMRITI, which
gives equation between Brahma's day (Kalpa) and divine years or
Chaturyugas. The shloka is as follows--
DEVIKANAM YUGANAM TU SAHASTRAM PARISANKHYAYAA,
BRAHMA
MEKAM HAGYEYAM TAVATIM RATRIMEVA CHA.
MEANING-- A day of Brahma (Kalpa) is equal to 1000 divine
years or Chaturyugas. The night descends at the end of his day and
its duration is same as the day.
A day of Brahma is equivalent to one Kalpa which itself
consists of 14 manvantars as mentioned below--
1) Swayambhuv, 2)
Swarochis, 3) Uttam, 4) Tamas, 5) Raivat, 6) Chakshush, 7)
Vaivaswat, 8) Savarnik, 9) Daksha Savarnik, 10) Brahm Savarnik, 11)
Dharma Savarnik, 12) Rudra Savarnik, 13) Rudra Savarnik, 14) Indra
Savarnik. Presently the seventh manvantar- Vaivaswat is running and
there are seven more manvantars to go.
Now, ONE MANVANTAR =
1000/14 DIVINE YEARS OR CHATURYUGAS= 71.42 CHATURYUGAS
The
fractional expression that has come in the above division symbolizes
what sages have called SANDHIKAAL- the intermediary period between
two manvantars when the world is devoid of any creation. A
sandhikaal constitutes of 4800 divine years, which is also the
duration of Satyayuga. So, while calculating the age of the earth we
can not overlook this aspect. Now, coming to the calculation
part--
TOTAL PERIOD OF MANVANTAR = 14 x 71 = 994
CHATURYUGAS
PERIOD OF SANDHIKAAL =4800 x 15 = 72000 DIVINE YEARS
= 6 CHATURYUGAS (since one chaturyuga= 1200 divine years)
The duration of each of the four yugas has been clearly
described in the Mahabharata (188 / 22-26), which is as follows--"
The duration of Satya yuga is 4800 divine years inclusive of 800
divine years of Sandhya and Sandhyansh periods. Treta yuga consists
of 3600 divine years inclusive of 600 divine years of Sandhya and
Sandhyansh periods. In the same manner Dwapar yuga consists of 2400
divine years inclusive of 400 divine years of Sandhya and Sandhyansh
periods, while Kaliyuga consists of 1200 divine years inclusive of
100 divine years of Sandhya and Sandhyansh periods
respectively.
Therefore a CHATURYUGA consists of 12000 (4800+
3600+2400+1200 ) divine years. MANUSMRITI gives an equation between
a divine year and the year of our mortal world in just one
shloka---
DEVA RATRAHANI VARSH PRAVIBHAGASTYOH PUN,
AHASTA TRODA
GAYANAM RATRIH SYAD DAKSHINAYANAM.
MEANING-- A divine day (including night) is equal to one year
of this mortal world. The period during which Sun is north of
equinox or uttarayan is the day time of the deities while the period
during which Sun is south of equinox or Dakshinayan is their night
time. So, after minute calculations our ancient sages arrived at the
following conclusions--
Brahma has already completed his 15'th year as well as 6
manvantars and 7 sandhikaal of his first
day. (The earth is supposed to have come
into existence on the first day of Brahma)
Till date 27 manvantars alongwith their Sandhikaals have already
passed.
The three Yugas namely Satya, Treta and Dwapar of the present
Manvantar, which is 28'th in order have already
passed.
We are presently in 2059
year according to Vikram Samvat calendar, which implies that we are
in fact running in the 5102'nd year of
the
Kaliyuga. Now coming back to
the final calculation--
- 6 MANVANTAR = 6 x 71CHATURYUGAS = 6 x
71 x 1200 DIVINE YEARS = 51,12,000 DIVINE YEARS.
THEIR
SEVEN SANDHIKAALS = 4800x 7= 33,600 DIVINE YEARS
- 27 CHATURYUGAS OF THE 7'TH MANVANTAR=
1200x 27 DIVINE YEARS = 324 000 DIVINE YEARS
- 3 YUGAS HAVE ALREADY
PASSED THAT MEANS 4800 + 3600 + 2400 = 10,800 DIVINE YEARS
-
WHEN ALL THE
THREE DATAS GIVEN ABOVE ARE ADDED= 51,12,000 + 33,600 + 3,24,000 +
10,800 DIVINE YEARS = 54,80,600 DIVINE YEARS.
SINCE ONE
DIVINE DAY IS EQUAL TO ONE YEAR OF THIS WORLD WHICH ACCORDING TO
INDIAN ASTROLOGY CONSISTS OF 360 DAYS THEREFORE WHEN DIVINE YEARS
ARE MULTIPLIED WITH IT THEN WE GET 5480600 x 360 = 1,97,29,49,069
YEARS OF THIS WORLD.
WHEN WE ADD
5102 YEARS OF THE KALIYUGA THEN WE GET 1972949069 + 5102=
1,97,29,49,102 YEARS OF THIS WORLD.
NOTE-
ACCORDING TO HINDU BELIEF KALIYUGA STARTED 5102 YEARS
AGO.
THIS WAY WE
COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE EARTH CAME INTO EXISTENCE
1,97,29,49,102 YEARS AGO WHICH IS VERY CLOSE TO WHAT SCIENTISTS HAVE
DISCOVERED IN THE MODERN AGE THAT IS 198,00,000,00 YEARS.
This amply
goes to prove how advance was the science of mathematics in ancient
India and also the perfection our ancient sages had in mathematical
calculations. They had accurately calculated the age of the earth,
which is very near to what science has arrived upon after countless
experiments and much floundering. Man living in the present era
bitten by the bug of modernism may try to underestimate the findings
of our ancient sages but he should keep in mind that they determined
the earth's age merely with the help of meditation and mathematical
calculations. On the contrary science had to employ all the modern
technology at its command to determine the same and even then it is
not confident of its findings because the research is still going on
and everyday something new is happening in the field of science.
What one thing is established as a theory one day turns out to be a
hypothesis another day. But, our sages have confidently proclaimed
that the earth is 1,97,29,49,102 years old-- not one day more or
less. Now, it depends upon you whom you want to believe?
NOTHING IS
STATIC IN THIS WORLD
The world is undergoing
continuous changes both perceptible and imperceptible. Nothing is
static in this world. Even those things, which appear static to our
eyes, are in fact mobile and in motion. Matter is made up of
molecules and atoms. Scientists have discovered that the structure
of an atom is similar to that of solar system. Electrons revolve
around the nucleus of the atom just as planets revolve around the
Sun in their respective orbits. When our ancient sages, in their
deep level of meditation experienced this eternal truth, they
proclaimed that the world was nothing but MAYA and things are not as
they are perceived by our sense organs. Although the Sun appears
static to our eyes but the fact is to the contrary as it is
revolving, along with its planets around another Sun belonging to
another galaxy, larger in size. The second Sun itself, in turn is
moving around another Sun which is even larger than the second Sun.
Our ancient sages in their deep meditative level saw that it was an
endless process.
This mobility is evident even within our
body though it does not appear so from outside. All the organs are
diligently engaged in their respective functions. The heart is
palpitating without taking rest even for a moment. Blood is
continuously circulating in the arteries and veins. The digestive
system is functioning all the time by digesting the foodstuffs we
partake and providing energy without which it will be impossible for
us to function. Similarly, if our lungs stop functioning then we can
not live even for a moment. Same will be our fate if the heart stops
functioning. But, all these functions are involuntary and are not
visible from outside.
As mentioned above, even the non-living
things, which are made up of countless atoms, are continuously
vibrating from within- the rock, the stone, mountains, rivers-
nothing is static but continuously vibrating. If the electrons stop
revolving around the nucleus of the atom the very existence of
matter would be in jeopardy. Be it a non-living matter or the
Universe itself: everything is mobile, continuously moving either
from within or outside.
Motion is life whereas immobility
means death. For the world to function in an orderly manner motion
is of utmost importance without which it will cease to functions.
The earth though appearing static to us, is in fact continuously in
motion not only from outside but also from within. The geologists
are of the view that there are large Tectonic plates within the
earth and they are continuously moving. This is the reason why we
find our earth divided into seven continents.
According to
latest geological researches even these continents are drifting
apart in a gradual manner. Geologists have also found that the earth
is not as solid as it appears. There are ten huge blocks of
semi-liquid matter, each 65k.m.x 95k.m in size floating inside the
earth, where due to extraordinary heat everything is in a molten
state. According to the geologists all these ten blocks were united
as one single block about 20,00,00,000 years ago. Obviously, there
was only one continent at that time and not seven as seen today. In
course of time it got divided into seven continents because of the
movement of the Tectonic plates. As mentioned above, even the
continents are drifting apart at the rate of 1c.m - 15 c.m per year.
Europe and North America are drifting apart at the rate of 2.5 c.m
per year. When these moving Tectonic plates collide with each other
then natural phenomena like volcanoes and Earthquakes happen.
Sometimes, the collision is so powerful that hot Lava comes out from
the mouth of the volcano. Mountains and ocean are nothing but the
aftereffects of the collision of these moving Tectonic plates.
Scientists say that the place where the great Himalaya stands today
was an ocean-bed once upon a time. They also say that the two most
ancient civilizations of the world- Laimuria and Atlantis no longer
exist.
Two American scientists, Robert Gene and John Holdan,
are of the opinion that 20,00,00,000 years ago Japan and India were
situated near North and south poles respectively, which is not the
case today. Australia and Southern part of India were the first two
land blocks to get detached from the South Pole and in course of
time they reached their present geographical position. Both of them
also said that this process started 18,00,00,000 years ago and India
was the country to have made the maximum movement because it has
traveled a distance of 8800 miles during this period. They have also
predicted that North and South America would move further towards
west while Panama and Central America would move further towards
North. Due to the movement of Tectonic plates Himalaya's height
would increase further and India would move further towards East.
Australia would drift towards North and eventually unite with Asia.
Numerous new islands would emerge near Mediterranean sea. The very
existence of Mediterranean sea would be at stake due to the constant
movement of Africa and Europe towards each other.
So, it is
clear that change and mobility is a natural law and nothing is
beyond its realms- not even human beings. The reason for man's
sorrow is his rigidity and his reluctance to adapt with the moving
times. He, in his ignorance, clings with his past beliefs and
traditions even if they have become of no use to him in the present
circumstances. Beliefs that were relevant hundred years ago can not
be of same use in the present times when the world has changed
dramatically in every respect. This attitude of his is against the
law of nature which undergoes changes in an incessant manner. The
point we are trying to make is that man should modify himself
according to the changed circumstances if he desires joy and
happiness. Joy is nothing but flowing with time and getting struck
in the past is sorrow. Because, it is the natural law and the whole
universe works according to it.
ASTROLOGY IN
ANCIENT INDIA
In India, the astrological science had
already reached its pinnacle thousands of years ago. Ancient
astrological works had been translated into many foreign languages.
Ibn Batuta and Al Baruni were two prominent Arab travelers who had
visited India during ancient times to pursue their studies,
particularly Astrology. Al Baruni had come to India along with
Mahmud Ghaznavi- the notorious invader. He stayed in India for 14
years- from 1017 A.D.- 1031 A.D. Among numerous astrological works,
he had also got 'Brahma-Gupta'- an astrological treatise translated
into arabic, which became famous as 'Indica'.
Al Baruni was
a Sanskrit scholar. His work 'Indica' became world famous. A German
scholar named Adward C. Shancho, was so impressed by it that he
decided to translate into his own language. The German translation
of Indica was widely acclaimed and increased the curiosity of
Germans in Indian astrology. Many German scholars came to India and
studied vedic literatures. While returning to Germany, they carried
a large number of Vedic texts with them.
Yavanacharya, was
another foreign scholar who had visited India for studying
Astrology. He stayed for a long time and wrote two books- Vrihayavan
Jatak and Laghu Yavan Jatak. He was a prominent scholar of his times
and had command over various languages like Sanskrit, Arabic as well
as his own mother tongue Greek. Varahmihir- the famous astronomer of
ancient India has reverently mentioned his contributions made in
Astrology in his works- 'Brihatsanhita' and 'Brihajjatak'. Apart
from the above mentioned few foreign astrologers there were others
who had gained tremendously by Indian astrology such as Al Fazari,
Yakub- Bin- Tarik, Abu- Al- Hasan. Scholars are of the view that
India had been a center of attraction for foreign scholars even
before the birth of Christ and numerous foreign scholars had been
visiting this great land to fine tune their knowledge of Astrology.
Abdul-Rahim-Khankhana, one of the nine Navratna's in the
court of Mughal emperor Akbar, was a great admirer of Indian
civilization. He was also an excellent poet and an Astrologer. His
command over Sanskrit was exceptional considering the fact that he
not an Indian native but a person of Iranian origin. Two of his
works are masterpieces on the subject of Astrology- 'Khet Kautukam'
and 'Dwawishd yogavali'. These two books still act as books of
reference for people interested in Astrology.
In ancient
India numerous observatories had been made for doing research on
Astronomy but unfortunately not many of them survive at present-
they were destroyed by invading marauders. Scholars are of the view
that Varah Mihir had constructed 'Meru Stambh', what is presently
famous as qutub minar, 2200 years ago for doing research on
astronomy. There is a village near Delhi called Mehrauli, which is
named after Acharya Mihir. It was a seven storeyed structure
constructed in the middle of a lake. These seven storeyes symbolized
seven planets and this structure also had 27 windows symbolizing
twenty seven constellations. Black-stone has been used in the
construction of Meru-Stambh so that there was darkness inside. The
main entrance faces North and is slanted slightly backwards towards
south at an angle of five degree. Its foundation is 16 yards deep
and its actual height was 84 yards but which now has been reduced to
76 yards. Britishers had demolished the topmost storey to prevent
the structure from falling as the slant was more prominent at the
top and it caused threat to the structure.
WE ARE NOT
ALONE
Scientists feel that there are planets,
satellites, Nebulas and milky ways in this infinite space, which
have an atmosphere and climate conducive for life. The facts that
have come out after scientific researches points towards the
increased possibilities of life existing beyond the realm of Earth
and also that there are planets in this infinite space inhabited by
civilization superior and advanced than us.
Dr. Cyril
Ponnemperupa, the director of Chemical Development Institute of
Maryland University, U.S.A. is of the opinion that there are at
least Ten Lac advanced civilizations existing in the infinite space.
Scientists have set up many laboratories well furnished with modern
radio equipment and computers to study them. The efforts are on to
decode and decipher the radio signals received from these highly
advanced civilizations. The quantum leap made by Radio Astronomy in
recent times has increased the chances of developing contacts with
these highly advanced civilizations.
In 1959-60, Dr. Frank
Drake of National Radio Astronomy Observatory started doing
experiments to study the possibilities of life in space. The project
was named 'Ozma'. Apart from this effort made by N.R.A.O. there were
similar efforts made by few other scientific institutions of repute
like NASA PROJECT COMMITTEE, which established Machachuets Institute
of technology under the leadership of Philip Morrison.
Karl
Sagan, the director of 'Constellation research laboratory' after his
research came to the conclusion that there are civilizations in
space more advanced than us. He has narrated his experiences in
books like 'The Dragons of Eden' and 'Cosmos', etc. He was of the
opinion that if man was able to develop contact with any of them
then he could be benefited tremendously.
The largest
observatory of the world is situated at Portariko. The equipment
kept there have recorded radio signals received from space- the
'beep' sound followed a definite pattern like it began by beeping
once… then twice…then thrice….and the largest number of 'beeps' made
were thirty one. According to the scientists these signals came from
space and were sent by some highly advanced alien civilization.
These signals were sent with the idea of developing contact with us.
Unfortunately, we have not been successful in deciphering their
signals and understand what messages our friends are trying to give
to us.
Most of us have heard a lot of 'Flying Saucers'.
Australian scientist professor Ronald Bracewell is of the view that
these Flying Saucers are in fact survey aircraft sent by the alien
creatures living somewhere in space. They come to see what progress
human beings have made and they give their reports back home through
radio signals. Jacks Balli, French scientist is of the opinion that
these advanced civilizations come to the earth to develop contact
with us. He says- 'They are small in physical stature but with
abnormally high degree of intelligence. Unfortunately, we have not
been able to develop friendly relationship with these highly
advanced civilizations.'
Karl Jung-the famous psychologist
was of the opinion that flying saucers were the aircraft of the
alien creatures, which periodically visited earth. Arik Van Daiken-a
German scholar has given numerous instances in his famous book-
Chariots of the God, which goes to prove that highly intelligent and
civilized creatures of distant planets descend to Earth to help
us.
In ancient times these alien creatures had direct contact
with the people of Earth. They came on their specially designed
aircraft to share their expertise and knowledge with us. Numerous
instances can be found even in the present times, which proves that
these alien creatures are in contact with us.
In Vedic
literature we find mention of deities travelling in space on their
aircraft. There were some spots on earth which were frequently
visited by deities and where there aircraft landed like Sumeru
Mountain, Vindhyachal and the Himalayan valley. In Rigveda we find
mention of a unique chariot which could travel anywhere- on land, in
water and in air. Ashwinikmars had a unique chariot named Trichakra,
which moved in air on its own without being pulled by a horse. Sage
Bhardwaj has mentioned in 'Yantra Sarvaswa' of variety of aircraft
working on different kind of energies and fuels like steam, solar,
water, air, oil and magnetic. Similarly we find mention of various
other aircraft in other scriptures- Pushpak-Viman in Ramayan,
Vyom-Viman in Yantra Kalpataru, Shalva's-Viman in Mahabharat. We
find mention of such aircraft even in Chinese folklore and Greek
mythology. In the holy bible it has been mentioned that -a aircraft
emerged from the 'Tower of light' in the North and four divine
people resembling humans alighted from it.'
All these
instances go to prove that alien creatures have been in constant
touch with us since time immemorial and continue to do so.
THE SCIENCE OF ASTROLOGY
In
ancient India, astrology constituted an integral part of our
education system and which comprised of various streams like
astronomy, study of planetary motions and other related subjects.
Our ancestors successfully predicted the future events with the help
of astrology.
The Rigveda is the first book written by a
man. It is believed that all the four Vedas were written between
4000B.C.- 2500 B.C. There are many instances evident in the Vedas,
which goes to prove that our ancient sages had a deep knowledge of
this subject. For example Rigveda contains the names of zodiacs and
planets. Similarly, in Yajurveda we find mention of the names of
constellations or nakshatra.
According to Atharvaveda, sage
Gargya was the first person in human history to have made efforts in
the direction of zodiacal divisions of space. Apart from these we
also find the descriptions of 28 constellations or nakshatras, milky
way or akash ganga, the great bear or saptarshi mandal. Indian
astronomers were the first to name the six seasons and the twelve
months.
Physicists stumbled upon an important fact, which had
been already established by our sages in Taiteriya Sanhita that the
sun-ray comprised of seven colors and they have used a specific term
to describe it- sapta rashmi.
After the vedic age came the
Ramayana era followed by Mahabharat era. It is said that, sage
Valmiki, the author of Ramayana, apart from being an enlightened
soul was also an astrologer of highest caliber. He has described in
detail the planetary motions and how they affect us. Ravana, the
demon king was himself a great astrologer and it is said that there
was nobody who could match his genius during his times. Ravan
Sanhita is the testimony to his great astrological knowledge and is
considered as the standard book of reference by astrologers even
today.
The above mentioned were not the only two astrologers
of repute in the Ramayana era. There were many more like sage
Vashishth, Vishwamitra, Manu, Yagyavalkya, etc. Sage Yagyavalkya in
his famous work 'Yagvalkya Smriti' has described in detail about the
stars and the light emanating from them. In Mahabharat, we not only
find the description of various astrological terms like planets,
constellations and the effects of Rahu and Ketu, but it has also
been clearly mentioned that a lunar eclipse had preceded the great
war of Mahabharata.
Some other prominent astrologers who
graced India by their presence before the christian era began were
Vyas, Atri, Parashar, Kashyap, Narad, Garg, Marichi, Lomesh,
Paulastya, Chyavan, Yavan, Bhrigu, Shaunak etc.
Unfortunately
situations started to deteriorate between 500 B.C- 500 A.D as this
was the period when onslaughts of the invading marauders had begun.
Alexander the great had attacked India during this very period.
Archaeologists are of the view that apart from plundering the wealth
these invaders destroyed many astrological manuscripts of great
significance and observatories that had been set up to study
planetary motions. It is also believed, that, many manuscripts were
similarly taken by these invaders to their native countries. This
was how our ancient astrological treaties reached west and got
translated in many languages such as Arabic, German, Roman and
French. These translated books are still available in the museums of
the respective western countries.
Aryabhatta, the great
astrologer hailing from Patriputra undertook the mission of reviving
the past glory of Astrology. He was born in 47 A.D. He received his
education at Patliputra, which was a prominent educational center
during those times. He had many works to his credit but three among
them are prominent- Aryabhattam, Tantra and Dasha
Geetika.
Varahmihir was another astronomer who made
invaluable contribution to astronomy. He was born at Kalpi in
Ujjain. His researches are recorded in books like Brihad Jatak ,
Brihatsanhita,etc. These books contain information on almost all the
events and phenomena taking place in the universe such as eclipses,
meteor-fall, earthquake, rain, planets, constellations, effects of
planetary motion on us. Some scholars are of view that
astrophysics-the stream of physics related with the study of the
effects of the magnetic and thermal effects of heavenly-bodies draws
inspirations from Varahmihir's works. 'Panch Siddhantika' is another
equally important book on Astronomy written by Varahmihir and it
contains some remarkable astronomical findings.
Bhashkaracharya had discovered the law of gravitation well
before Newton did some thousand years later. The following shloka
mentioned in Siddhant Shiromani proves this point-
AAKRISHT SHAKTISHCH MAHITAYA YAT,
SWASTHAM
GURUM SWAMI MUKHAM SWASHAKTYA;
AAKRINVATETATPAT NEETI BHATI,
SAME SAMANNAT KTA PATITWAYAM RAVE;
Meaning - The earth has gravitational force and hence it attracts. The force
is greatest at its surface but as the distance increases this force
starts decreasing. If a heavy object and a light object is
simultaneously dropped from a height, both the objects would reach
the earth at the same time. Planets and Earth move due to
gravitational (intra) force working on each other.
Science
has made remarkable progress in the last one Hundred year. Now, it
is well equipped with very powerful radars and telescopes, which can
be of great help in verifying the discoveries made by our ancient
sages.
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