Andal the Astronomer and other Indian scientists–Part 2

Continued from part 1..

As believers, we strongly endorse our Epics as science lends more and more credence to mythological stories through new discoveries and research.  One of the vehicles from Ramayana that fascinates me is the Pushpaka Vimana – the one that flew.  The approximate distance from Rameswaram to Ceylon is about 48 Km. With the vast sea in between, how did Ravana reach Lanka with a struggling Sita in the absence of a flying machine?

Secondly there are references in Kavi Kalidasa’s works on
how Rama while returning successfully riding in the Pushpaka Vimana describes
to Sita the landmarks and other incidents post her abduction. These are
described in great detail that are only available to someone who is viewing the
landmass from the top.  Airplanes weren’t
invented even during Kalidasa’s period (4^th Century CE).  So to conclude, we can’t rule out the
possibility that flying machines existed earlier.

Let’s now turn our attention to a walking stick-wielding old woman from the Sangam era. Avvaiyar (1^st Century BCE), had praised the work of another poet and contemporary Thiruvalluvar, thus:

அணுவைத் துளைத்தேழ் கடலைப் புகுத்தி

குறுகத் தரித்த குறள்

“anuvaith thulaithezh kadalaip puguthi kurugath tharitha kural”

(Meaning:  The essence of Thirukkural is so profound that it is like splitting the atom and introducing the seven seas inside it)

It is mind-boggling to think about how this old wanderer lady knew about splitting of an atom.  Interestingly, John Dalton introduced the atomic theory around the 18th century.  References to atoms are highly prevalent in the Vedas and Puranas that most of the common-folk were aware about it in earlier days.

Some of you will be aware of Robert Oppenheimer who is credited with being the father of the atomic bomb for his role in development of nuclear weapons during WWII.  During one of the nuclear tests, Oppenheimer recalled a verse that meant, ‘If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky that would be like the splendor of the mighty one’.  

He was quoting the below verse from the Bhagavad Gita:

दिवि सूर्यसहस्रस्य भवेद्युगपदुत्थिता।
यदि भाः सदृशी सा स्याद्भासस्तस्य महात्मनः।।11.12।।

Bhagavad Gita

divi sūrya-sahasrasya bhaved yugapad utthitā

yadi bhāḥ sadṛṥī sā syād bhāsas tasya mahāḥmanaḥ

He further added, “ I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita; Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and, to impress him, takes on his multi-armed form and says, ‘Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.’ I suppose we all thought that, one way or another.”

Video link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lb13ynu3Iac

Conclusion

It is highly inconceivable that a society that had encompassed astronomy (Vana Sastra), medicine (Ayur Veda), logical reasoning (Tharka Sastra), war strategy (Dhanur Veda), dance and arts (Natya Sastra), economics (Artha Sastra), physical well-being (Yoga) etc., as part of the daily way of life is considered technologically and culturally inferior to others. If anything, I will proclaim that our forefathers were so progressive that they were able to predict the downfall of human race through so-called technical advances. It is probably the reason why they lived a laid-back albeit satisfying life and taught us also to do the same.  My humble submission is that we have to celebrate our way of life and emulate our ancestors and that for me is the true purpose in life.