GREAT INDIANS...!!!

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 Ayurvedal. He

forever remains etched in the annals of history as one of the greatest and noblest of rishiscientists.

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 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.

Om Tat Sat
                                                        

_{(My humble salutations to Hinduism dot com for the collection)}