Dr Vishal Sharma
This article reflects my exploration of understanding our ancient scriptures through a scientific perspective. It encapsulates the endeavor to unravel the profound wisdom embedded in age-old texts, seeking to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern scientific understanding. We as Indians have failed to understand the deep and real meaning of the holy Vedas and other Hindu scriptures written by the great sages and our ancestors. Psychologically speaking, any wisdom from our ancient heritage can be made more accessible by infusing personal relevance, presenting it through storytelling to engage and facilitate easy retention for the listener. Unfortunately, this approach, advocated by our sages, was not properly adopted by subsequent generations, which took only symbolic meaning without understanding it scientifically. This lack of understanding of the original deep knowledge had a significant impact on the social, economic, and spiritual aspects of society.
The progress of human civilization is significantly propelled by advancements in science and technology, and India has been a longstanding contributor to these fields since ancient times. Even today what we call “traditional knowledge” is actually based on scientific reasoning. For example, our ancient scientists and sages imparted the profound wisdom that what is outside is inside and what is inside is outside. They conveyed that the events like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Durga Saptashati, which unfolded in the past, perpetually occur within us, transcending time. This philosophy stands as the pinnacle of any civilization’s wisdom. A pivotal verse from the “Yajur Veda” one of the ancient Indian Sanskrit texts among the four Vedas, articulates:
“as is the individual, so is the universe,” and
signifying “as is the universe, so is the individual”.
This revelation encapsulates the profound concept that the individual and the universe mirror each other, highlighting the interconnectedness of the human body with the cosmic body. It showcases the depth of understanding our ancestors possessed about the cosmos. What’s remarkable is not only their knowledge but also their ability to impart this profound scientific knowledge through simple poems and stories.
Notably, American astrophysicist, planetary scientist, astrobiologist, astronomer, and science communicator, Dr. Carl Sagan echoed similar sentiments, stating that
“the cosmos exists within us…….we are made of star stuff…….
……..we are a way for the universe to know itself.”
Dr. Sagan’s notable accomplishments include research on extraterrestrial life, as well as his creation of the first physical universal message sent into space which was designed to be understandable to any potential extraterrestrial intelligence.
In this modern era, the profound scientific nature of the concepts of God and spirituality in India remains largely unknown to many. Whether it’s a single word in the Sanskrit language or a group of letters forming words, each carries inherent scientific properties that can significantly contribute to a blissed life. The name “Ram” is cited as an example, believed to have scientific effects. Scholars suggest that simply chanting this name enables us to assimilate the qualities of Lord Shri Ram and Hanuman, facilitating the transformation of negativity in our daily activities-whether in thought, speech, or action-into positivity. In this contemporary era, deeply immersed in illusions and fascination, these scientific aspects of ancient Indian wisdom often go unnoticed.
Here, I would like to present the insights from Professor Tony Nader, as detailed in his groundbreaking work, “Ramayan in Human Physiology.” This book stands as the pioneering exploration into the alignment between Vedic Literature and human physiology. Dr. Nader has done his doctoral and post-doctoral research in neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard Medical School, USA. His profound understanding of the cosmic nature of human physiology, unveiled in the book, unravels the Eternal Reality of the Ramayan embedded in the structure and function of human physiology. The Ramayana stands as a renowned Indian epic rooted in the Vedic tradition, cherished and familiar to many. However, what may not be widely recognized is that the characters and events within the Ramayana describe the structure and function of our own human physiology, transcending the boundaries of traditional storytelling. It is essential to note that the Ramayana is not confined to any particular religious, racial, or belief system; rather, it is regarded as a manifestation of Natural Law, encapsulating events and characters that unveil the story of each individual’s physiology.
It is only in the last hundred years that scientists have described all the different parts of the human brain, yet this highly precise knowledge has been contained for millennia within the detailed descriptions of the stories in the Ramayana.
The Ramayana revolves around lord Rama who was an incarnation of lord Vishnu to kill the devil, Ravana. Rama, hailing from the Ikshvaku lineage of the solar dynasty, is the son of Dasharath and Kaushalya. Throughout the story of Ramayana, Rama performed great deed of destroying negativity and upholding ethical principles. In the scientific interpretation, “Lord Rama” symbolises neurological processes. Physiologically, Lord Rama is situated in the neo-cortex of the human brain, particularly in the sensory-motor areas. The Ram Avatar corresponds to the somato-sensory and supplementary sensory-motor cortex in the brain. This brain region holds significant influence over the entire physiology, as it receives all sensory information and issues orders for motor activity. It acts as a supreme governing part of human physiology, embodying the structures of Vishu or Lord Rama. The 14 years of Ram’s exile symbolize the development of various skills and the establishment of relationships in the growing physiology. This period signifies the creation of connections and pathways between different parts of the nervous system and the overall physiology. It represents the initial phase of physiological development in humans, during which one unfolds their personality and structures the ability to think and function in alignment with Natural Law.
The arrows associated with Rama extend beyond mere weaponry; they become symbolic representations of the nervous system. This symbolism delves into the intricacies of how information is processed and transmitted within our own bodies. Furthermore, the river ‘Sarayu’, which borders the city of Ayodhya, corresponds to the middle cerebral vein. Rama’s arrows, always returning to his quiver, signify a mechanism akin to the nervous system informing the central nervous system about specific surrounding activities. Special sensory spindle fibers, allowing information to be sent back to the brain regarding muscle stretch, find their parallel in Rama’s arrows that perpetually renew, illustrating the nerve cell’s capacity for self-renewal to transmit impulses repeatedly on a cellular level. The “Rakshasas” in the Ramayana corresponds to the negative or destructive forces. In the physiology, Rakshasas correspond to anomalies, or stress, that give rise to disease or improper functioning. The entire physiological activity can be brought back to be in harmony with total Natural Law. This full awakening on the physiological level leads to total brain development, perfect health, enlightenment, and perfection in life. The story of the Ramayana is the story of Lord Rama correcting anomalies and upholding positivity, harmony, balance, and all that is good, e.g., destroying the Rakshasas and strengthening the Rishis and their ability to perform their functions so that life is lived in tune with Natural Law.
Ram’s return to Ayodhya symbolizes the restoration of perfection across every aspect of life. The reign of Ram, known as ‘Ram Raj’, corresponds to the unfolding of perfection in individual life based on the connections he establishes between his place in the brain and the rest of the physiology. In a perfected life, these connections are fully activated, leading to the comprehensive development of the brain and the balanced functioning of all systems and organs, including the heart, which symbolizes ‘Sita’. This correlation bridges the mythical landscape with the anatomical features of the human brain, suggesting a harmonious alignment between storytelling and scientific understanding.
In conclusion, the exploration into the profound insights of the Ramayana, as presented in this article, unveils a perspective that transcends specific religious, racial, or belief systems. The Ramayana is not merely a mythological text tied to a particular cultural or religious context; instead, it is a universal representation of natural law. The characters and events within the epic intricately mirror the structure and function of human physiology, serving as a timeless narrative that unfolds in every individual and resonates throughout the universe. The epic is portrayed as a profound exploration of universal truths, conveying the story of natural law and its manifestations in the diverse tapestry of human existence. Infact, Valmiki’s expression of the story of Ram is the story of himself, the story of his own consciousness and physiology. Hence, Lord Rama is not limited to any one; he is universal, encompassing all – Shri Ram ji Sabke.
(The author is HOD Electronics MAM College Cluster University of Jammu)
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