Prof K S Chandrasekar
Science has played a major role in the overall development of people and the society.
According to University of Berkley, during the first half of the 20th century, when the world was involved in war, governments made funds available for scientists to pursue research with wartime applications and so science progressed in that direction, unlocking the mysteries of nuclear energy. At other times, market forces and contemporary requirements have led to scientific advances. For example, modern corporations looking for income through medical treatment, drug production, and agriculture, have increasingly devoted resources to biotechnology research, yielding breakthroughs in genomic sequencing and genetic engineering. And on the other hand, modern foundations funded by the financial success of individuals may invest their money in ventures that they deem to be socially responsible, encouraging research on topics like renewable energy technologies. Science is not static, and it changes over time, reflecting shifts in the larger societies in which it is immersed.
Earth was formed 4 billion years ago as per Manu Smriti. The scientific inquiry later on proved that it is close to 4.58 billion years ago which clearly indicates the foresightedness of the sages who lived through ages. Science actually plays a very important role in the society by ensuring public policy, improving the quality of life, addressing crucial challenges which affect the world like climate change, incurring pandemics through the advancements in sciences. Science has led to breakthroughs in medicine, allowing for the development of vaccines, antibiotics, and treatments for various diseases, contributing to longer and healthier lives. Scientific advancements have resulted in innovations like computers, the internet, and smartphones, revolutionizing communication, information access, and daily tasks. Scientific knowledge in agriculture has led to improved crop yields, food production, and storage, contributing to food security.
Scientific knowledge helps in understanding and addressing environmental problems like pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, leading to sustainable practices. Scientific evidence is crucial for informing policy decisions in areas like healthcare, education, and environmental protection. Science education and public engagement are important for empowering citizens to make informed decisions about scientific issues and participate in democratic processes. Scientists play a crucial role in conducting research, developing new technologies, and addressing societal problems. Scientists are responsible for educating the public about science and its importance, fostering scientific literacy among all ages particularly the Indian youth which comprises 65%. Scientists can provide expert advice to policymakers, helping them make informed decisions based on scientific evidence. The Central Government has time and again tried to ensure that scientists provide cues for creating entrepreneurs which through the policy makers could tap the same. The Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha and the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singhji have clearly asked the policy makers, scientists, scholars, businessmen and students to push the economy to be a $ 5 trillion economy and provide start-ups through disruptions in science. Only those disruptions that has a possibility for long term survival alone can test the waters otherwise they will have an early exit.
According to Kenneth Chandler, each of the modern sciences may indeed be said to have glimpsed a unified state of complete knowledge in which all laws of nature are contained in seed form. Modern science is now discovering and exploring the fundamental unity of all laws of nature. The ancient Vedic literature expresses in the sequence of its flow and the structure of its organization, the sequence of the unfoldment of the diversity of all laws of nature out of the unified field of natural law. The Veda is thus to be understood as the sequential flow of this process of the oneness of pure consciousness giving rise to diversity. Hence the body of Vedic literature reflects the sequential emergence of all structures of natural law from the unity of pure consciousness. Every unit of Vedic literature, viz., Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, Atharva Veda, Upanishads, Aranyakas, Brahmanas, Vedangas, Upangas, Itihasa, Puranas, Smritis, and Upaveda -expresses one aspect or level of the process. This is the opportune and relevant times when the ancient Vedic literature and the remanent science knowledge can be combined to ensure the Bharathiya Gyan Parampara which needs to be propagated across to all in the World for the betterment of whole life forms and create a better place for humans across the world.
According to Rig Veda, this earth is devoid of hands and legs, yet it moves ahead. All the objects over the earth also move with it. It moves around the sun. This is a classic statement written 5000 years ago. In Rig Veda, there are citations on the shape of earth to be a spheroid. Aitareya Brahmana declares that the Sun does never set nor rise. For after having arrived at the end of the day it makes itself produce two opposite effects, making night to what is below and day to what is on the other side. Having reached the end of the night, it makes itself produce two opposite effects, making day to what is below and night to what is on the other side. Very clear statement that the Sun never sets. Some physicists have drawn parallels between the principles of quantum mechanics and the philosophical ideas of the Upanishads, particularly concerning the nature of reality and the observer effect. The Upanishads offer a perspective that goes beyond purely materialistic explanations of reality, prompting a broader understanding of the universe and our place within it. According to Vedas, the multiverse itself follows a cyclic process. The entire multiverse gets dissolved once in every 3.1 X 1014 years. After it is dissolved, there follows the creation of another multiverse. This cycle continues to ensure life. Through James Webb telescope new discoveries are being made and it is understood that there are near earth characteristic objects are found in near vicinity which proves the theory of the Vedas and the sages. Accordingly, every universe is covered by seven layers – earth, water, fire, air, sky, the total energy and false ego – each ten times greater than the previous one. Bhagavata Purana shows that there are innumerable universes besides this one, and although they are unlimitedly large, “they move about like atoms in You. Therefore You are called unlimited”. If we lay hands on the Vishnu purana, Srimad Bhagavatam, Padma purana, Vayu purana and Atharva veda, it explains that there are different universes. Few would recognize quantum science and the future of medicine in this ancient phrase thundered forth by the Chandogya Upanishad almost 1,500 years ago. Tat tvam asi indicates the equivalence of Tat, the ultimate reality, and Tvam, you and I as individuals. Great Adi Sankara from Kerala in 8th Century quoted that the Shiva linga is the symbol of nothingness, the universe is the cosmic manifestation of the nothingness and the ancient Indian sages symbolised nothingness or Shiva as the form of universe. The reason why Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of linga is a great example which indicates there are scientific reasons behind the same even though He has a life form. The German philosopher Gottfried von Herder once said, “The origin of mankind can be traced back to India where the human mind got its first shape of wisdom and virtue”. India is now becoming a centre of attention in all the scientific development as only India can think of the whole world in a positive manner as it considers the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
(The author is Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu)
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