Friends Of India

India was not only the land of philosophy, sages and seers but also the land of scientists and scholars. Science and technology in ancient India covered many major branches of human knowledge and activities, including mathematics, astronomy and physics, metallurgy, medical science and surgery, fine arts, mechanical and production technology, civil engineering and architecture, shipbuilding and navigation, sports and games.

It is now generally accepted that India was the birth place of several mathematical concepts, including zero, the decimal system, algorithm, square root and cube root. The concept of zero originated in Indian philosophy's concept of ‘sunya’, means ‘void’ and the symbol for zero emerged to represent this philosophical concept.

The discovery of urban settlements of Mohenjodaro and Harappa indicate existence of civil engineering & architecture, which blossomed to a highly precise science of civil engineering and architecture and found expression in innumerable monuments of ancient India. Meharauli iron pillar, which is standing in the courtyard of Kutub Minar at Delhi, belongs to fourth century A.D. The sword made of Indian steel is proverbial in Arabic literature, showing the highest skills and knowledge of metallurgy. The famous Damascus blade was made from Indian steel. Ancient South Indian bronzes are praised even now in the whole world not only for their craftsmanship but also for metallurgy. Sultanguanj colossal Buddha in copper is a metallurgical masterpiece and a marvel, still preserved in Birmingham museum.

In the first and third centuries A.D., two important texts were composed on medical science, namely Charak Samhita and Sushrut samhita, which show the advanced stage medical knowledge in India. Susrut Samhita, which is a text of surgical science, describes more than one hundred instruments of surgery. At the time of invasion of Alexander, India was famous for medicine and surgery.

Principles of chemistry did not remain abstract but also found expression in distillation of perfumes, aromatic liquids, manufacturing of dyes and pigments, and extraction of sugar. India was also famous for paints and dyes, which were the products for export. The pictures of Ajanta are famous not only for aesthetic beauty, art and history but also for quality of paints and pigments used. Indian made muslin clothing was world famous and it shows the high degree of skill in textile industry.

The people of south India were great voyagers. They built ships of huge tonnage, traveled to Far East. Sanskrit and Pali texts have several references to maritime activity by ancient Indians.

Ancient India is the birth place of chess, ludo, snakes and ladders and playing cards.

In the coming weeks, we can look at some of the achievements in detail and learn about few scholars and scientists from ancient India.

Last few weeks I briefly talked about some of the influential figures of the past. We still remember them because they left a mark in the history by their service to the motherland. The problems they deal with and the solution they had may not be that important in the new world, but the way they approached the problem and their leadership skills can be a lesson for everyone.

There is something common about all of them. First of all, they never tried to be the master. They were always ready to serve. Secondly, they educate, energize and engage people with their message and gain the confidence of the general public.

Chankya saw the invasion of Greek culture in India. He wanted to protect and preserve his own culture. He found that a King who respect truth and serve justice to the people is necessary to build a nation and defend its culture from foreign invasion. The wisdom of Chankya and courage of Chandra Gupta made that mission possible.

Shankaracharya saw the division in Hindu community and it is loosing ground to Buddhism, Jainism and other foreign religions. He wanted to strengthen Hinduism by bringing together different sects with in Hinduism. He used ancient wisdom in Vedas and Upanishads to revive Hinduism. He defeated all philosophers of his time in an honest and open debate.

Vivekananda traveled across the country and saw the poverty, ignorance and unjust customs and practices. He wanted a complete rejuvenation of Indian national life in all its phases. He believed that the foundation, back-bone, the life-center of India is religion. So social reform has to be achieved by brings back spirituality into life. His oratory skills and courage made Hinduism known to the west as a respectable religion.

Mahatma Gandhi come to the forefront of Indian Independence movement after traveled across the country and witnessed the problems of ordinary people living in thousands of villages of India. He realized that the life of India is in these villages and without energizing them, the nation can not survive. He understood that this struggle can not be won by traditional weapons. He gains confidence of the masses by living among them as one of them. He taught them importance of self-sufficiency, self-respect and courage. He brings women to the movement. His methods of non-violent resistance and self-purification bring down colonial empires around the world.

They lived in a different world. There mission was complex. But they faced the challenges with courage and wisdom. What they will do if they were alive today?

M.K. Gandhi was born in India on October 2, 1869. He became a major political and spiritual leader of India and Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. Indians recognized him as ‘Father of the Nation’ and his birthday is commemorated each year as Gandhi Jayanthi. He is commonly known in India and across the world as ‘Mahatma Gandhi’.

He was a British educated lawyer. While he was working in South Africa, he used his ideas of peaceful civil disobedience in the Indian community's struggle for civil rights for the first time. After return to India, he joined the Indian independence movement. He begins with organizing the poor farmers and laborers to protest against oppressive taxation and widespread discrimination.

He traveled across India and witnesses the problems the country faces. He saw the poverty stricken villages, illiterate citizens, unjust customs and religious and ethnic divisions within the society. He understood the life of India is in thousands of villages and they are not part of the independence movement. He encouraged all to reject all imported clothes and wear self-made clothes. His little spinning wheel made a physical bond between the elite and illiterate when both wearing the same cloth. He taught the importance of self-reliance and brings women to the forefront of the movement. He inspired men and women from different ethnic group to join peaceful protests. He gained confidence of the Indian people. He transformed the Indian National Congress from upper class movement to a mass crusade.

Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for the alleviation of poverty, for the liberation of women, for brotherhood amongst differing religions and ethnicities, for an end to untouchability and caste discrimination, and for the economic self-sufficiency of the nation. As a result of the movement India gain independence from foreign domination. It may not be the freedom in his mind, for Gandhi freedom means national liberty, self reliance and social justice.

He never held any offices, did not lead any army, not represented any government, did not elected to any offices but he ignites millions of minds against colonialism, racism and violence. His concept of non-violent resistance brings an end to colonial empires around the world. His marches and fasts ignite the imagination of the oppressed and exploited people everywhere. He shines as a consciousness for the world, proclaiming the power of love, peace and freedom.

Sawmi Vivekananda born in Kolkata, India on January 12, 1863.He studied at Presidency College and Scottish Church College in Kolkata where he studied western logic, western philosophy and history of European nations.

Even at his young age he questioned the validity of superstitious customs and discrimination based on caste and religion. He worked with Brahmo Samaj, and important religious movement of that time. Later became a disciple of Sri Ramakrisha. Five years of training under Ramakrishna transformed him from a restless, puzzled and impatient youth to a mature man.

After the death of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda renounced the world and started a journey that took him all over Indian Subcontinent. During his journey he stayed on King’s places as well as the huts of the poor. He came in close contact with the culture of different regions of India and various classes of people in India. He observed the imbalances in the society and problems his mother land faces.

Vivekananda represented Hinduism at the World parliament of Religions in Chicago, 1893. He successfully introduced Yoga, Vedanta and greatness of Hinduism to the west at a time when they regarded India as a land of barbarians.

Vivekananda talked extensively about India, her problems and her future through lectures and writings. He influenced twentieth century Indian leaders, including Gandhiji, Subhash Chandra Bose, Tagore, and Aurobindo Ghosh. National Youth Day in India is on his birthday, January 12.

Shri Adi Shankaracharya is a famous eighth century Hindu philosopher who had a profound influence on the growth of Hinduism. He was a great thinker, leader and a missionary. He consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta.

His teachings can be summed up in the following words: Brahma Satyam Jagat Mithya, Jeevo Brahmaiva Na Aparah(Brahman alone is real, this world is unreal; the Life is identical with Brahman). An illusionary power of Brahman called Maya causes the world to arise. Ignorance of this reality is the cause of all suffering in the world and only upon true knowledge of Brahman can liberation be attained. When a person tries to know Brahman through his mind, due to the influence of Maya, Brahman appears as God, separate from the world and from the individual. In reality, there is no difference between the individual soul and Brahman. Liberation lies in knowing the reality of this non-difference. Thus, the path to liberation is finally only through knowledge.

Advaita Vedanta is based on scriptures, reason and experience, and aided by karmas. This philosophy provides a clear-cut way of life to be followed. Starting from childhood, when learning has to start, the philosophy has to be realized in practice throughout one's life even up to death.

At the time of Adi Shankara's life, Hinduism had begun to decline because of the influence of Buddhism and Jainism. Hinduism had become divided into innumerable sects, each quarrelling with the others. Some were atheists, and there were numerous theistic sects. There were also those who rejected the Vedas, like the Charvakas.

Adi Shankara toured India with the purpose of propagating his teachings through discourses and debates with other philosophers. He held discourses and debates with the leading scholars of all these sects and schools of philosophy to controvert their doctrines. He unified the theistic sects into a common framework and stressed the importance of the Vedas. He traveled on foot to various parts of India to restore the study of the Vedas.

His efforts helped Hinduism regain strength and popularity. Many trace the present worldwide domination of Vedanta to his works.

At this era of globalization, the leaders and masses should have the wisdom to distinguish the reality from Maya. All glittering things are not gold. Things come in different color, shape and size. As a society we should evaluate each one of them, and should be able to say Yes or No. We should have an open and honest debate as Shankara did with other philosophers of his time. And the final decision has to be made based on our ideals, reason and experience. Lesson learned in the past can lead us to a bright future.