ARYABHATT

(476 CE) MASTER ASTRONOMER AND MATHEMATICIAN

(Embedded image moved to file: pic12287.jpg)

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)

(Embedded image moved to file: pic27753.jpg)

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)

(Embedded image moved to file: pic10383.jpg)

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)

(Embedded image moved to file: pic14945.jpg)

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 rishi-scientists.

ACHARYA SUSHRUT (600 BCE)

(Embedded image moved to file: pic08909.jpg)

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)

(Embedded image moved to file: pic32209.jpg)

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)

(Embedded image moved to file: pic09758.jpg)

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)

(Embedded image moved to file: pic24221.jpg)

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)

(Embedded image moved to file: pic18588.jpg)

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.