Modern Physics AND Vedanta

Bell's Theorem - Vedanta & Quantum Physics HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE PHYSICAL WORLD 'Om Isha vasyam idam sarvam, yat kincha jagatyam jagat' A!! this" #hate$er e%ists in this chan&in& 'ni$erse( is )er$aded *y +od "Isa U)anishad O, )'rna,adah )'rna,ida, )'rnaat )'rna,'dachyate( )'rnasya )'rna,adaya )'rna,e$aa$ashishyate That -)'re conscio'sness. is /'!!-)er/ect.0 this-the ,ani/est 'ni$erse o/ ,atter0 o/ na,es and /or,s *ein& ,aya. is /'!!1 This /'!!ness has *een )ro2ected /ro, that /'!!ness1 When this /'!!ness ,er&es in that /'!!ness( a!! that re,ains is /'!!ness1 "Peace in$ocation" Isa U)anishad The S')re,e 3rah,an-+od. is the on!y Rea!ity1 The idea o/ the )heno,ena! 'ni$erse is /a!se!y s')eri,)osed ')on it1 S#a,i Ni4hi!ananda o/ Ra,a4rishna"Vi$e4ananda Centre( Ne# Yor41 THE IMPLICATIONS O5 THIS THEOREM ARE STA++ERIN+ In recent years )hysicists ha$e had to address the inter)!ay o/ conscio'sness and the )hysica! #or!d1 In 6'ant', Physics ,'ch has *een ,ade o$er 3e!!7s Theore,1 The i,)!ications o/ this theore, and the e%)eri,enta! /indin&s that /!o# /ro, it are sta&&erin&1 They /orce 's to consider that the entire notion o/ a )'re!y o*2ecti$e #or!d is in con/!ict not on!y #ith the theory o/ 8'ant', ,echanics( *'t #ith the /acts dra#n /ro, act'a! e%)eri,ents1 These /indin&s )oint insistent!y to a )ro/o'nd interaction *et#een conscio's ,enta! acti$ity and the )hysica! #or!d itse!/1 THE RISHI7S VISION The Rishi7s $ision o/ a #or!d in #hich ,an )artici)ates in a sea,!ess e%istence( indi$isi*!y 'nited #ith the 'ni$erse aro'nd hi,( resonates thro'&h a disco$ery ca!!ed 3ELL7S THEOREM 1 This disco$ery( /irst )ro)osed in 9:;< *y the )hysicist =ohn S1 3e!! #as /irst con/ir,ed *y e%)eri,ent in 9:>? *y Pro/essor =ohn C!a'ser at 3er4!ey1 It is an a!,ost 'n*e!ie$a*!e res'!t " 'n*e!ie$a*!e *eca'se the !o&ica! ,ind has &reat di//ic'!ty in co,)rehendin& ho# it can *e tr'e1 Its i,)act on the )hysics co,,'nity has *een enor,o's1 Pro/essor Henry Sta))( a )hysicist at 3er4!ey and an a'thority on the i,)!ications o/ 3e!!7s Theore,( has ca!!ed it THE MOST IMPORTANT DISCOVERY IN THE HISTORY O5 SCIENCE1 A descri)tion o/ the )roo/ o/ 3e!!7s theory( as &i$en *y Sta)) reads@ I/ the statistica! )redictions o/ 8'ant', theory are tr'e( an o*2ecti$e 'ni$erse is inco,)ati*!e #ith the !a# o/ !oca! ca'ses1 A!tho'&h /or,ida*!e at /irst &!ance( 3e!!7s Theore, see,s si,)!er once 4ey ter,s are 'nderstood1 5irst( an o*2ecti$e 'ni$erse is si,)!y one that e%ists a)art /ro, o'r conscio'sness1

Second!y( the !a# o/ !oca! ca'ses re/ers to the /act that e$ents in the 'ni$erse ha))en at a s)eed that does not e%ceed the s)eed o/ !i&ht1 Thin&s ha))en( in other #ords( a!#ays at the s)eed o/ !i&ht or !ess1This !i,itation is i,)osed *y Einstein7s s)ecia! theory o/ re!ati$ity( and is a ,ainstay o/ ,odern )hysica! theory1 To *e acc'rate( in act'a! e%)eri,enta! sit'ations( it is not 3e!!7s Theore, that is tested( *'t the )redictions o/ 6'ant', Mechanics1 In 9:AB( A!*ert Einstein( to&ether #ith Nathan Rosen and 3oris Podo!s4y )ro)osed thro'&h /!a#!ess ,athe,atica! reasonin& that i/ the 8'ant', theory #ere correct( then 7A chan&e in the s)in o/ one )artic!e in a t#o )artic!e syste, #o'!d a//ect its t#in si,'!taneo's!y( e$en i/ the t#o had *een #ide!y se)arated in the ,eanti,e71 And 7si,'!taneo's7 is a dirty #ord in the theory o/ s)ecia! re!ati$ity( #hich /or*ids the trans,ission o/ any si&na! /aster than the s)eed o/ !i&ht1 O*$io's!y( a si&na! te!!in& the )artic!e 7#hat to do7 #o'!d ha$e to tra$e! /aster than the s)eed o/ !i&ht i/ instantaneo's chan&es #ere to occ'r *et#een the t#o )artic!es1 The di!e,,a into #hich Einstein( Rosen and Podo!s4y dra&&ed the 8'ant', theory #as a )ro/o'nd one( co,in& to *e 4no#n as THE ERP E55ECT1 In 9:;< 3e!!7s Theore, e,er&ed as a )roo/ that Einstein7s i,)ossi*!e )ro)osition did in /act ho!d tr'e@ instantaneo's chan&es in #ide!y se)arated syste,s did occ'r1 In 9:>?( C!a'ser con/ir,ed the statistica! )redictions o/ 8'ant', ,echanics( #or4in& #ith an e!a*orate syste, in$o!$in& )hotons( ca!cite crysta!s( and )hoto ,'!ti)!ier t'*es The e%)eri,ent has since *een r'n se$era! ti,es #ith the sa,e consistent res'!ts0 3e!!7s Theore, stands so!id1 THE IMPLICATIONS O5 3ELL7S THEOREM ARE PRACTICALLY UNTHINCA3LE E$en /or the )hysicists in$o!$ed( the i,)!ications o/ 3e!!7s Theore, are )ractica!!y 'nthin4a*!e1 Mathe,atics and e%)eri,entation ha$e ta4en 's #here o'r !o&ica! ,ind cannot &o1 I,a&ine( t#o )artic!es once in contact( se)arated e$en to the ends o/ the 'ni$erse( chan&e instantaneo's!y #hen a chan&e in one o/ the, occ'rsD S!o#!y( ne# ideas are e,er&in& to e%)!ain these 'nthin4a*!e occ'rrences1 One $ie# is that( in so,e 'ne%)!aina*!e #ay( the se)arated )artic!es are sti!! in contact a!tho'&h se)arated in s)ace1 This is the s'&&estion o/ the 5rench )hysicist 3ernard D7Es)a&nat1 In 9:>:( #ritin& a*o't 8'ant', rea!ity( he said that the entire notion o/ an e%terna!( /i%ed( o*2ecti$e #or!d no# !ies in con/!ict not on!y #ith 8'ant', theory( *'t in /acts dra#n /ro, act'a! e%)eri,ents1111 in so,e sense a!! these o*2ects constit'te an indi$isi*!e #ho!e1 Physicist =ac4 Sar/atti o/ the PhysicsEConscio'sness Research +ro') )ro)oses that no act'a! ener&y"re8'irin& si&na! is trans,itted *et#een the distant o*2ects( *'t 7in/or,ation7 is trans,itted instead1 Th's no $io!ation o/ Einstein7s s)ecia! theory o/ re!ati$ity occ'rs1 E%act!y #hat this in/or,ation is is 'nc!ear( and it a stran&e thin& #hich ,i&ht tra$e! instant!y and re8'ire no ener&y to do so1 Nic Her*ert( a )hysicist #ho heads the C"Li/e Instit'te( s'&&ests that #e ha$e ,ere!y disco$ered an e!e,enta! oneness o/ the #or!d1 This oneness cannot *e di,inished *y s)atia! se)aration1 An in$isi*!e #ho!eness 'nites the o*2ects that are &i$en *irth in the 'ni$erse( and it is this #ho!eness that #e ha$e st',*!ed into thro'&h ,odern e%)eri,enta! ,ethods1 Her*ert a!!'des to the #ords o/ the )oet Char!es Wi!!ia,s@ Se)aration #itho't se)arateness( rea!ity #itho't ri/t1

It #o'!d *e a ,ista4e to s'))ose that these e//ects o)erate on!y #ith re!e$ance to the in$isi*!e #or!d o/ the ato,1 Pro/essor Henry Sta)) states that the rea! i,)ortance o/ these /indin&s is that they trans!ate direct!y to o'r ,icrocos,ic e%istence( i,)!yin& that the oneness that is i,)!icit in 3e!!7s Theore, en$e!o)es h',an *ein&s and ato,s a!i4e1 The interre!ation o/ h',an conscio'sness and the o*ser$ed #or!d is o*$io's in 3e!!7s Theore,1 H',an conscio'sness and the )hysica! #or!d cannot *e re&arded as distinct( se)arate entities1 What #e ca!! )hysica! rea!ity( the e%terna! #or!d( is sha)ed " to so,e e%tent " *y h',an tho'&ht1 The !esson is c!ear0 #e cannot se)arate o'r o#n e%istence /ro, that o/ the #or!d o'tside1 We are inti,ate!y associated not on!y #ith the earth #e inha*it( *'t #ith the /arthest reaches o/ the cos,os1 Certain 8'ant', )hysicists no# say that each )art o/ the 'ni$erse contains a!! the in/or,ation )resent in the entire cos,os itse!/ -si,i!ar to a &iant oa4 tree )rod'cin& an acorn that contains a!! the in/or,ation to re)!icate itse!/.1 This assertion is so a'dacio's that it #o'!d *e dis,issed o't o/ hand #ere it not /or the scienti/ic stat're o/ its chie/ )ro)onent Da$id 3oh,( a /or,er associate o/ Einstein( )ro/essor o/ theoretica! )hysics at 3ir*ec4 Co!!e&e o/ Uni$ersity o/ London1 He is re&arded as one o/ the )re"e,inent theoretica! )hysicists o/ o'r day1 TOP FTo to) o/ this )a&e Inde% A!)ha*etica! FC!ic4 - Inde% to Pa&es . THE HOLO+RAM 3oh, ,aintains that the in/or,ation o/ the entire 'ni$erse is contained in each o/ its )arts1 There is( he says( a st'nnin& e%a,)!e o/ this )rinci)!e in )hoto&ra)hy@ the ho!o&ra, -!itera!!y #ho!e ,essa&e.1 Ho!o&ra, is a s)ecia!!y constr'cted i,a&e #hich( #hen i!!',inated *y a !aser *ea,( see,s eeri!y s's)ended in three di,ensiona! s)ace1 The ,ost incredi*!e /eat're o/ ho!o&ra,s is that any )iece o/ it( i/ i!!',inated #ith coherent !i&ht( )ro$ides an i,a&e o/ the entire ho!o&ra,1 The in/or,ation o/ the #ho!e is contained in each )art1 The entire re)resentation o/ the ori&ina! o*2ect is contained in each )ortion o/ the ho!o&ra,1 This )rinci)!e( says 3oh,( e%tends to the 'ni$erse at !ar&e( that the 'ni$erse is constr'cted on the sa,e )rinci)!es as the ho!o&ra,1 His theory rests on conce)ts that /!o# /ro, ,odern )hysics1 The #or!d is an indi$isi*!e #ho!e1 5or 3oh,( order and 'nity are s)read thro'&ho't the 'ni$erse in a #ay #hich esca)es o'r senses1 In the sa,e #ay that order and or&anisation are s)read thro'&ho't the ho!o&ra,1 Each )art o/ the 'ni$erse contains eno'&h in/or,ation to reconstit'te the #ho!e1 The /or, and str'ct're o/ the entire 'ni$erse is en/o!ded #ithin each )art1 5or ,any #or4in& )hysicists( these conce)ts are inesca)a*!e conc!'sions that /!o# /ro, 8'ant', ,echanics and re!ati$ity1 It is cr'cia! to a))reciate the sco)e o/ these i,)!ications1 We /re8'ent!y ass',e that 8'ant', )hysics a))!ies on!y to the di,in'ti$e rea!, o/ nat're " e!ectrons( )rotons etc1( and that re!ati$ity has on!y to do #ith ,assi$e o*2ects o/ cos,ic )ro)ortions "stars( &a!a%ies( ne*'!ae etc1 3't 3oh,7s contention is that #e are s8'are!y in the ,idd!e o/ these )heno,ena1 U!ti,ate!y the entire 'ni$erse -#ith a!! its 7)artic!es7 inc!'din& those constit'tin& h',an *ein&s( their !a*oratories( o*ser$in& instr',ents etc.1 has to *e 'nderstood as a sin&!e 'ndi$ided

#ho!e( in #hich ana!ysis into se)arate!y and inde)endent!y e%istent )arts has no /'nda,enta! stat's1 What are the i,)!ications o/ a ho!o&ra)hic 'ni$erseG As )art o/ the 'ni$erse( do #e ha$e ho!o&ra)hic /eat'res o'rse!$es that a!!o# 's to co,)rehend a ho!o&ra)hic 'ni$erseG This 8'estion has *een ans#ered a//ir,ati$e!y *y Stan/ord ne'ro)hysio!o&ist Car! Pri*ra,1 In an atte,)t to acco'nt /or 4ey o*ser$ations a*o't *rain /'nction #hich /or decades ha$e )'HH!ed *rain )hysio!o&ists( Pri*ra, arri$ed at a radica! )ro)osa!@ the ho!o&ra, is a ,ode! *rain /'nction1 In essence( the *rain is the 7)hoto&ra)hic )!ate7 on #hich in/or,ation in the 'ni$erse is encoded1 When the )ro)osa!s o/ 3oh, and Pri*ra, are conce)t'a!!y 2oined( a ne# ,ode! o/ ,an e,er&es@ #e 'se a *rain that encodes in/or,ation ho!o&ra)hica!!y0 and it is a ho!o&ra, that is a )art o/ an e$en !ar&er ho!o&ra, " the 'ni$erse itse!/1 Pri*ra,7s radica! s'&&estions are /o'nded on #or4 that ori&inated in the !a*oratory o/ one o/ the )ioneers o/ ,odern ne'ro)hysio!o&y( Car! Lash!ey1 At a ti,e #hen it #as )o)'!ar!y *e!ie$ed that there #ere s)eci/ic centres in the *rain /or )ractica!!y e$ery h',an /'nction " s'ch as s)eech( $ision( a))etite( s!ee) etc1(" Lash!ey de,onstrated that this #as a))arent!y not tr'e /or ,e,ory1 Wor4in& #ith ani,a!s( he /o'nd that e$en #hen *'!4 o/ the cere*ra! corte% #as s'r&ica!!y re,o$ed( !ea$in& on!y a re,nant intact( the ,e,ory o/ ho# to )er/or, s)eci/ic tas4s re,ained1 The ra)idity and acc'racy o/ the )er/or,ance #as /re8'ent!y atten'ated( *'t the 4no#!ed&e #as retained1 These /indin&s /it )oor!y #ith e%istin& theories a*o't ho# in/or,ation is stored in the *rain1 It #as as i/ ,e,ory #as s)read e$ery#here in the corte% " *'t ho#G Pri*ra, reasoned that the *rain contained the ,e,ory in each o/ its )arts1 The ana!o&y to a ho!o&ra, #as o*$io's1 The entire ,e,ory )attern co'!d *e /o'nd thro'&ho't the cere*ra! corte% i/ the in/or,ation had ori&ina!!y *een encoded ho!o&ra)hica!!y1 In ,ost ri&ht handed )ersons( the !e/t side o/ the *rain is )res',ed to contro! the ,o$e,ents o/ the ri&ht side o/ the *ody1 In instances #here the !e/t side o/ the *rain is in2'red " /or e%a,)!e thro'&h a stro4e or #ith a tra',a ")ara!ysis or )ro/o'nd #ea4ness o/ the ri&ht side o/ the *ody is the )redicta*!e res'!t1 A )hysician( Richard Resta4( has re)orted a case( in a t#enty one year o!d /e,a!e in #hich the entire !e/t side o/ the *rain #as re,o$ed s'r&ica!!y in order to contro! e)i!e)tic seiH'res that #ere 'n,ana&ea*!e #ith any other 4no#n /or, o/ thera)y1 The res'!ts o/ the thera)y #ere astonishin&1 A!tho'&h the seiH'res #ere sto))ed( #ithin a /e# #ee4s the #o,an *e&an to re&ain contro! o/ the ri&ht side o/ her *ody1 She #as a*!e to ret'rn to #or4 and to !ead an acti$e socia! !i/e1 Where did the ri&ht side o/ her *ody recei$e its ,otor in/or,ation #ith the !e/t side o/ the *rain in the s'r&eon7s )ai!G In 9:>B a si,i!ar case #as re)orted *y S,ith I S'&ar1 A si% year o!d ,a!e 'nder#ent tota! re,o$a! o/ the !e/t cere*ra! he,is)here *eca'se o/ intracta*!e e)i!e)tic seiH'res1 Con$entiona! ne'ro)hysio!o&ica! #isdo, asserts that the !e/t side o/ the cere*ra! corte% is res)onsi*!e /or o'r s)eech( ,athe,atica! reasonin& and !o&ica! tho'&ht in &enera!( and that the ri&ht cere*ra! he,is)here contro!s o'r int'iti$e( non" rationa!( non"$er*a! /or,s o/ tho'&ht1 Yet this yo'n& ,an &re# ') to *eco,e a &i/ted st'dent( )ro/icient in $er*a! reasonin& and !an&'a&e a*i!ities( testin& e$en into the &i/ted ran&e o/ on standard inte!!i&ence tests1 SPACE AND TIME " THE HOLOVERSE

This indi$isi*i!ity a!so a))!ied /'nda,enta!!y to s)ace and ti,e1 Re!ati$ity has sho#n that they are ine%trica*!y !in4ed( and cannot *e teased a)art1 Reca!! one o/ the )ossi*i!ities e,*odied in 3e!!7s theore, in$o!$in& non"!oca! /eat'res o/ the 'ni$erse@ o*2ects once in contact( tho'&h se)arated s)atia!!y( e$en i/ )!aced at distant ends o/ the 'ni$erse( are so,eho# in inse)ara*!e contact1 Since any chan&e in one i,,ediate!y and 'n,iti&ated!y ca'ses chan&e in the other( this is a non!oca! occ'rance( ,eanin& that any in/or,ation )assin& *et#een the t#o o*2ects #o'!d ha$e to tra$e! /aster than the s)eed o/ !i&ht to ca'se s'ch instantaneo's chan&e1 Since it is i,)ossi*!e /or the s)eed o/ !i&ht to *e e%ceeded( accordin& to the s)ecia! theory o/ re!ati$ity( this e$ent is said to *e nonca'sa!"i1e1 not ca'sed *y the trans/er o/ any concei$a*!e 4ind o/ ener&y )assin& *et#een the distant o*2ects1 A!tho'&h these non!oca! and nonca'sa! descri)tions are #or4ed o't /or o*2ects se)arated in s)ace( 3oh, states that the i,)!ications o/ 8'ant', theory a!so a))!y to ,o,ents in 7TIME71 What is cr'cia! is that( accordin& to the theory o/ re!ati$ity( a shar) distinction *et#een s)ace and ti,e cannot *e ,aintained1 We a!! ha$e roots in the 'ni$erse1 Conscio's ,enta! acti$ity e%erts ,eas'ra*!e e//ects on the )hysica! #or!d " a #or!d that inc!'des h',an *odies( or&ans( tiss'es( and ce!!s1 Mind *eco,es a !e&iti,ate /actor in the 'n/o!din& o/ hea!th and disease1 The inter")enetration o/ a!! ,atter is the r'!e1 The di$idin& !ine *et#een !i/e and non" !i/e is i!!'sory and ar*itrary1 There is on!y one $a!id #ay( th's( to )arta4e o/ the 'ni$erse and that #ay is characterised *y re$erence " a re$erence *orn o/ a /e!t sense o/ )artici)ation in the 'ni$erse( o/ a 4inshi) #ith a!! others and #ith a!! ,atter1 A re$erentia! attit'de that *es)ea4s a oneness #ith the 'ni$erse can trans/or, the co,,onest act1 3ha&a$ad +ita( Ch19A(Verses 9B @ Witho't and #ithin a!! *ein&s the 'n,o$in& and a!so the ,o$in&0 *eca'se o/ Its s'*t!ety( 'n4no#a*!e0 and near and /ar a#ay is That-+od. 1 3ha&a$ad +ita( Ch19A( Verse 9;@ And 'ndi$ided( yet He e%ists as i/ di$ided in *ein&s0 He is to *e 4no#n as the s'))orter o/ *ein&s0 He de$o'rs and He &enerates1 No di$ision in Conscio'sness is ad,issi*!e at any ti,e as it is a!#ays one and the sa,e1 E$en the indi$id'a!ity o/ the =i$a ,'st *e 4no#n as /a!se( !i4e the de!'sion o/ a sna4e in a ro)e1 Shan4aracharya -A)aro4shan'*h'ti1<A. Transcendental editation !o"ers #holesterol

3y Larry Dossey ( M1D1 In 9:JK( s'*2ects #ith e!e$ated *!ood cho!estero! !e$e!s #ere ta'&ht the techni8'e o/ transcendenta! ,editation1 Seria! deter,inations o/ the *!ood cho!estero! !e$e! #ere ,ade1 It #as /o'nd that in s'*2ects #ho )racticed this techni8'e the cho!estero! !e$e! /e!! on the a$era&e o/ ?K )ercent1 Whi!e this /a!! ,ay see, ,odest( it sho'!d *e noted that there are no dr'&s that are consistent!y ,ore e//ecti$e( sa/e( and ine%)ensi$e as this ,ethod o/ $o!'ntary re!a%ation and ,enta! 8'ietin&1 Moreo$er(

*!ood )ress're( heart and res)iratory rate( as #e!! as the *!ood !e$e!s o/ ins'!in( hydrocortisone( adrena!ine( and nore)ine)hrine are ,odi/ied to ,ore desira*!e !e$e!s1 " Coo)er and Ay&en The e//ect o/ Meditation1 The si&ni/icance o/ these o*ser$ations is inesti,a*!e@ *y ta4in& tho'&ht in #ays #hich 7e!on&ate7 the ti,e sense( ti,e"sic4 indi$id'a!s can a!ter ,any o/ the de$astatin& e//ects o/ the ti,e syndro,e1 HURRY SICCNESS O'r sense o/ ti,e a//ects o'r hea!th *y in/!'encin& the de$e!o),ent and co'rse o/ s)eci/ic diseases1 This is no#here ,ore o*$io's than in )ersons #ho ha$e *een ca!!ed Ty)e A indi$id'a!s *y 5ried,an and Rosen,an1 Ty)e A )ersons ha$e h'rry sic4ness1 Their !i$es are oriented aro'nd &oa!s( dead!ines( and o*2ecti$es( #hich they see, to react to in a dri$en /ashion1 They are 'na*!e to a))roach a tas4 in a hea!thy( *a!anced #ay( *'t in e%tre,e cases see, a!,ost cons',ed *y a need to acco,)!ish and achie$e1 Not on!y do they ha$e an in#ard sense o/ 'r&ency( their o't#ard *eha$io'r s'&&ests the sa,e 8'a!ity1 When sittin& they ,ay *e in constant ,otion( not on!y #ith tho'&hts( *'t #ith *ody )arts" hands( /in&ers( !e&s( /eet1 They are 's'a!!y $oca!( $er*a!!y e%)ressin& the )rod'cts o/ a ,ind that cannot rest1 This *eha$io'r /re8'ent!y &enerates disco,/ort and tension in those aro'nd the,1 It is as i/ Ty)e A )ersons are ti,e sic41 Ty)e A )ersons are 's'a!!y a,*itio's and /re8'ent!y are hi&h!y s'ccesss/'!( ha$in& s'cceeded in harnessin& their hi&h ,oti$ation and sense o/ )'r)ose1Yet /or a!! the 8'a!ities /or #hich they are ad,ired" their $ision( ener&y( and dedication" they )ossess( as a &ro')( a characteristic that no*ody en$ies@ they ha$e a hi&h ,orta!ity rate /ro, heart disease1Ty)e A indi$id'a!s as a &ro')( die ear!ier1 Their *eha$io'r )'ts the, at ris4 /or the ,ost /re8'ent ca'se o/ death in o'r society( coronary artery disease1 The i,)ortance o/ the e%a&&erated res)onse to ti,e ( the sense o/ 'r&ency dis)!ayed *y Ty)e A indi$id'a!s( is that it is trans!ated into )hysio!o&ic e//ects1 These e//ects are )er$asi$e and are seen !on& *e/ore heart disease s')er$enes1 These )hysio!o&ica! e$ents are so characteristic o/ ti,e"sic4 )ersons( they co'!d *e ca!!ed the ti,e syndro,e1 A,on& the, are increased heart rate and *!ood )ress're at rest0 e!e$ation o/ certain *!ood hor,ones s'ch as adrena!ine( nore)ine)hrine( ins'!in( &ro#th hor,one( and hydrocortisone( a!! o/ #hich are ordinari!y secreted in an e%a&&erated #ay d'rin& ti,es o/ 'r&ency or stress0 increased &astric acid secretion0 increased *!ood cho!estero!0 an increased res)iratory rate0 increased secretory acti$ity o/ s#eat &!ands0 an increased ,'sc!e tension thro'&ho't the *ody1 The ti,e syndro,e is a *ody",ind )rocess #ith e//ects on a!! ,a2or syste,s1 As #e !earn to ,editate( or #hen #e *eco,e /a,i!iar #ith the states o/ conscio'sness thro'&h techni8'es e,)!oyin& dee) re!a%ation( #e de$e!o) a /a,i!iarity #ith a ne# sense o/ ti,e1 We *e&in to e%)erience ti,e in ne# #ays1 We *e&in to /ee! at ho,e #ith ti,e as it e%)ands1 Phrases s'ch as the e$er")resent no# and the eterna! ,o,ent *eco,e /'!! #ith ,eanin&1 A*o$e a!!( #e de$e!o) a /riend!iness #ith ti,e1 The hea!th"s'stainin& ro!e o/ socia! s'))ort syste,s

We a//ect the hea!th o/ those a*o't 's1 H',an e$ents s'ch as carin&( !o$in&(to'chin& and con/idin& e%ert )ro/o'nd conse8'ences on hea!th1 In A!a,eda Co'nty( Ca!i/ornia( <>KK ,en and #o,en #ere /o!!o#ed o$er a nine year )eriod( and ,orta!ity rates /ro, a!! ca'ses #ere e%a,ined1 Morta!ity rates in ,en #ere si&ni/icant!y hi&her a,on& the 'n,arried1 Those ,en #ho chose /e#er socia! contacts #ith /riends and re!ati$es( and those #ho #ere not ch'rch ,e,*ers(de,onstrated a hi&her death rate1 A stri4in& res'!t #as /o'nd in an e%)eri,ent at Ohio State Uni$ersity1 A &ro') o/ in$esti&ators #ere st'dyin& the e//ects o/ a diet hi&h in /at and cho!estero! in ra**its1 At the end o/ a certain )eriod the ra**its #ere sacri/iced( and certain arteries in their *odies #ere e%a,ined /or e$idence o/ atherosc!erosis1 This )rocess o/ cho!estero! de)osition /or,s o*str'ctions and '!cerations in arteries( and in h',ans res'!ts in $asc'!ar disease o/ $ario's ty)es( s'ch as heart attac4s and stro4e1 The res'!ts o/ the st'dy sho'!d ha$e *een rather )redicta*!e1 3't #hen a certain &ro') o/ the test ra**its de,onstrated atherosc!erotic chan&es #hich #ere ;K )ercent !ess than that o/ the o$era!! &ro')( the in$esti&ators #ere astonishedD The ra**its #ho #ere a//ected !ess se$ere!y #ere those #ho #ere /ed and cared /or *y one o/ the in$esti&ators #ho( d'rin& the co'rse o/ the e%)eri,ent( re&'!ar!y too4 the, /ro, their ca&es and )etted( stro4ed( and ta!4ed to the,1 In order to test this 7coincidence7( syste,atic contro!!ed st'dies #ere desi&ned in #hich t#o &ro')s o/ ra**its #ere a&ain /ed the sa,e diet and #ere treated identica!!y e%ce)t that one &ro') #as re,o$ed /ro, their ca&es se$era! ti,es a day /or )ettin&( and #ere ta!4ed to each ti,e *y the sa,e )erson1 The res'!tsG The )etted and ta!4ed to &ro') once a&ain de,onstrated a ;K )ercent !o#er incidence o/ atherosc!erosis1 Not content #ith the )ossi*i!ity o/ t#o coincidences( the Ohio State in$esti&ators re)eated the st'dy1 The res'!ts #ere the sa,e1 To'chin&( )ettin&( hand!in&( and &ent!e ta!4in& e,er&ed as a cr'cia! deter,inant in the disease )rocess1 A tas4 /orce in Massach'setts re)orted to the Secretary o/ H1E1W1 their /indin&s on the !i4e!ihood o/ s'r$i$a! /ro, atherosc!erotic heart disease1 They /o'nd the ,ost re!ia*!e /actor in deter,inin& s'r$i$a! #as not s,o4in&( hi&h *!ood )ress're( dia*etes ,e!!it's( or hi&h *!ood cho!estero! !e$e!s( *'t 2o* satis/action1 And the second o$era!! )redictor #as #hat the tas4 /orce ter,ed o$era!! ha))iness1 An&ina )ectoris is the ter, a))!ied to the )ain e%)erienced *y )atients #ith atherosc!erotic heart disease1 Meda!ie and +o!d*o'rt /o!!o#ed 9K(KKK Israe!i ,a!es a&ed /orty years and o!der to deter,ine the i,)act o/ ris4 /actors on the /re8'ency o/ an&ina1Most o/ the co,,on!y 4no#n ris4 /actors #ere corre!ated #ith an&ina( *'t so too #ere an%iety and se$ere )sychosocia! )ro*!e,s1 Most s'r)risin& o/ a!! #as the /indin& that( a,on& ,en #ith se$ere an%iety( those #ho )ercei$ed their #i$es to *e !o$in& and s'))orti$e had ha!/ the rate o/ an&ina o/ those #ho /e!t 'n!o$ed and 'ns'))orted1 3ro#n and his co!!ea&'es ha$e cond'cted a series o/ st'dies in the United Cin&do,( in$esti&atin& the incidence and )re$a!ence o/ )sychiatric disorders1 In a $ariety o/ settin&s -'r*an and r'ra!. and a,on& di//erent socia! c!asses -#or4in& and ,idd!e c!ass.1

The ,ost )otent )rotecti$e /actor a&ainst )sychiatric i!!ness #as the )resence or a*sence o/ an inti,ate and con/idin& re!ationshi) #ith a h's*and or *oy/riend0 that is( one in #hich /ee!in&s co'!d *e shared( #hether or not se%'a! inti,acy occ'rred1 One o/ the ,ost stress/'! e$ents in !i/e is the death o/ a h's*and or #i/e1 Ho!,es and Rahe( in assessin& the re!ati$e stress i,)osed *y $ario's e$ents rated the death o/ a s)o'se as the sin&!e ,ost stress/'! occ'rrence in !i/e1 Cra'se and Li!ien/e!d /o'nd that a&e"s)eci/ic ,orta!ity ratios /or #ido#ed ,en and #o,en #ere t#o to /o'r/o!d hi&her than /or those #ho #ere ,arried1 Sch!ei/er /o'nd that *erea$e,ent( a )ro/o'nd!y stress/'! e$ent( )rod'ce chan&es in the *ody7s i,,'ne syste,( co,)ro,isin& the de/ense a&ainst in/ection and cancer1 Ho# do s'ch h',an e%)eriences as 2o* satis/action( ha))iness( and ,editation &et into the ce!!sG There is a )hysio!o&y o/ !o$in& and carin&( ran&in& /ro, e,*arrassin& /acia! *!'sh to )a!)itations( s#eatin& and sta,,erin&1 5ee!in&s o/ !o$e &enerate )hysica! e$ents1It ,ay see, a distant transition /ro, *ein& in !o$e in one7s teens to *ein& a con/idant or a s'))orti$e s)o'se !ater in !i/e( *'t )hysio!o&ic chan&es are in$o!$ed on *oth ends o/ the s)ectr',1 These chan&es are not tri$ia!1 They can ,a4e the di//erence *et#een !i/e and death1 Socia! s'))ort syste,s are i,)ortant /or s'r$i$a! Lo$in&( carin& and con/idin& are cr'cia! ,atters0 ,atters o/ !i/e and death1 A so!itary indi$id'a! #ho!!y inde)endent o/ others is !ar&e!y a /iction1 In rea!ity( ,ost or e$en a!! !i$in& *ein&s e%ist in ,ore or !ess inte&rated co,,'nities( and the a*i!ity to ,aintain these associations entai!s so,e co"o)erations( or at !east( 7)roto"co" o)eration1 " T1Do*Hhans4y( Ne# Yor41 O'r 'r&e to#ard associatin& #ith those o/ o'r o#n 4ind is rooted in o'r ear!iest *e&innin&s1 De)endency and interde)endency are the indis)ensa*!e conditions o/ !i/e1 " A1Monta&'e( On 3ein& H',an1 Se)arated /ro, their co,)anions( indi$id'a! a,oe*ae *e&in i,,ediate!y to /ind their #ay *ac4 to the &ro')1 Wi!he!, Ro'% shoo4 a)art the ce!!s in a /ro&7s e&&s ear!y in the co'rse o/ its de$e!o),ent and se)arated the ce!!s at so,e distance in #ater1 The ce!!s s!o#!y *e&an to a))roach each other( e$ent'a!!y ,a4in& contact1 There are end!ess e%a,)!es in the )!ant and ani,a! #or!d that socia! syste,s are i,)ortant in the re)rod'cti$e cyc!es and s'r$i$a! o/ !i$in& or&anis,s1 I/ o'r hea!th is co')!ed #ith the )er)et'ation o/ o'r &enes( it is a!so tied to o'r association #ith ,e,*ers o/ o'r s)ecies1 As +1+1Si,)son has said in 7Li/e o/ the Past7@ No ani,a! or )!ant !i$es a!one or is se!/"s'stainin&1 A!! !i$e in co,,'nities inc!'din& other ,e,*ers o/ their o#n s)ecies and a!so a n',*er( 's'a!!y a !ar&e $ariety( o/ other sorts o/ ani,a!s and )!ants1 The 8'est to *e a!one is indeed a /'ti!e one( ne$er s'ccess/'!!y /o!!o#ed in the history o/ !i/e1

The )sycho!o&ica! e//ects o/ 'r&ency " stress( an%iety( tension" do not stay in the )syche1 They are trans!ated into the *ody #here they e$ent'ate in )hysica! ai!,ents1 The sense o/ 'r&ency &enerates in/ir,ity( disease and death1 In contrast( the )sycho!o&ica! sense that acco,)anies the )erce)tion o/ ti,e as static and non/!o#in& is one o/ tran8'i!ity( serenity and )eace1 It is the sense o/ oneness o/ 'nity( the /ee!in& o/ ca!, and re!ease1 Mind and *ody are intrinsica!!y 'nited( and conscio'sness is the /'!cr', o/ hea!th1 Vedanta as the synthesis o$ %cience and &eligion By %"ami &anganathananda, &amakrishna ath'

The s)irit o/ en8'iry /inds e%)ression in any de)art,ent o/ scienti/ic st'dy in the &atherin& o/ re!e$ant /acts and their rationa! inter)retation1 The )ractice o/ re!i&ion is nothin& *'t a cease!ess 8'est a/ter the /acts o/ the inner !i/e1 A dis)assionate st'dy o/ these /acts constit'tes the science o/ re!i&ion #hich see4s to 'nra$e! the ,ystery o/ o'r inner *ein&" the !i&hts that &'ide 's and the !a#s that ,o'!d 's1 I/ 7,an( the 4no#n7( constit'ted o/ his *ody and its en$ironin& #or!d( is the s'*2ect o/ st'dy o/ the nat'ra! sciences( 7,an1 the 'n4no#n7 is the s'*2ect o/ st'dy o/ the science o/ re!i&ion1 The synthesis o/ *oth these sciences is the hi&h /'nction o/ )hi!oso)hy as 'nderstood in India1 It is this /'nction #hich Vedanta has )er/or,ed in this co'ntry -India.( e$er since the ti,e o/ the U)anishads1 E%ercisin& a )er$asi$e and e//ecti$e in/!'ence on o'r nationa! tho'&ht and c'!t're( Vedanta has s)ared 's not on!y the /r'it!ess o))osition o/ reason to /aith and $ice $ersa( *'t a!so the ,ore dan&ero's ,ani/estation o/ this o))osition in the /or, o/ into!erance( )ersec'tion( and s'))ression o/ o)inion1 The need /or a Vedantic a))roach to science and re!i&ion is insistent today #hen *oth ha$e shed their res)ecti$e )re2'dices and co,e c!oser to each other( i,*'ed #ith the )assion to ser$e ,an and sa$e his ci$i!isation1 It is on!y s'ch a synthesis o/ )hi!oso)hy #hich *!ends in itse!/ the /!a$o'r o/ the /aith o/ re!i&ion and the reason o/ science that can reconstr'ct ,odern ,an( *y restorin& to hi, the inte&rity o/ his *ein& and the 'nity The 7Within7 and the 7Witho't7 o/ Nat're E%)!ainin& this Indian a))roach to re!i&ion and the ca'se o/ the ,is'nderstandin& *et#een science and re!i&ion( S#a,i Vi$e4ananda said@ Re!i&ion dea!s #ith the tr'ths o/ the ,eta)hysica! #or!d( 2'st as che,istry and the other nat'ra! sciences dea! #ith the tr'th o/ the )hysica! #or!d1 The *oo4 one ,'st read to !earn che,istry is the *oo4 o/ -e%terna!. nat're1 The *oo4 /ro, #hich to !earn re!i&ion is yo'r o#n ,ind and heart1 The sa&e is o/ten i&norant o/ )hysica! science( *eca'se he reads the #ron& *oo4 " the *oo4 #ithin and the scientist is too o/ten is i&norant o/ re!i&ion( *eca'se he( too( reads the #ron& *oo4 " the *oo4 #itho't 1 The )ractice o/ re!i&ion is a cease!ess 8'est a/ter the /acts o/ a ,an7s inner !i/e( at the inner,ost de)th o/ #hich it /inds the tr'th o/ +od( #hich it de/ines as in/inite e%istence( in/inite 4no#!ed&e( and in/inite *!iss( the Sat"Chit"Ananda 3rah,an it co,es across( at the inter,ediate de)ths( and a!! hi&her $a!'es #hich /ind e%)ression in ,an7s ethica!( ,ora!( and aesthetic e%)eriences1 A dis)assionate st'dy o/ these /acts constit'tes the science o/ re!i&ion( the science o/ art o/ the s)irit'a! !i/e1

It is the eterna! &!ory o/ Vedanta that the &reat thin4ers o/ the U)anishads &ra))!ed #ith these 8'estions@ What is this 'ni$erseG What is ,anG What is his destinyG Lon& a&o they disco$ered that the 'ni$erse o/ e%)erience consists o/ t#o *road cate&ories( the s'*2ecti$e and the o*2ecti$e1 It is i,)ortant to re,e,*er that this idea is *asic to an 'nderstandin& o/ Vedanta and to an 'nderstandin& o/ #hither science is &oin& today1 No#( #hen #e a))!y this c!assi/ication to the #ho!e 'ni$erse( #e &et the coro!!ary that ,odern science is the st'dy o/ on!y one o/ the t#o cate&ories( na,e!y( the o*2ecti$e /ie!d1 3't ,odern science is a!so tryin& to 'nderstand the s'*2ecti$e /ie!d1 Psycho!o&y is one s'ch science1 3't Western )sycho!o&y has s'//ered /ro, too &reat a do,inance *y )sycho!o&y 1 3y resortin& to ti,e and s)ace ,ethodo!o&y( #e &et a 4no#!ed&e o/ the 7#itho't7 o/ thin&s( *'t not o/ their 7#ithin71 M'ch o/ )sycho!o&y in the West is *eha$io'ristic )sycho!o&y@ it is a st'dy o/ the h',an ,ind thro'&h the st'dy o/ h',an *eha$io'r1 3't Western )sycho!o&ists ha$e a!so tried to *rea4 /ro, this 4ind o/ !i,itation and ha$e de$e!o)ed( thro'&h )sycho"ana!ysis( the *e&innin& o/ #hat is ca!!ed de)th )sycho!o&y1 This is 2'st the *e&innin& o/ a &reat ,o$e,ent in ,odern )sycho!o&y #hich( i/ contin'ed steadi!y and )enetratin&!y( #i!! *rin& it to the tr'th o/ the rea! nat're o/ ,an #hich Vedanta reached a&es a&o in India " the eterna!( 'ndyin& Se!/ o/ ,an( the At,an1 Vedanta and ,odern science are c!ose to each other in s)irit and te,)er1 They are c!ose to each other in their o*2ecti$es and in $ery ,any o/ their conc!'sions as #e!!1 E$en in the cos,o!o&y o/ the )hysica! 'ni$erse( #e /ind so ,any )oints o/ contact1 The /'nda,enta! )osition in the cos,o!o&y o/ *oth science and Vedanta is #hat S#a,i Vi$e4ananda ca!!s the )ost'!ate o/ a se!/"e$o!$in& ca'se1 Vedanta says that there is one se!/"e$o!$in& ca'se( 3rah,an( *ehind the 'ni$erse1 Science says that *ehind this 'ni$erse there is one se!/"e$o!$in& ca'se( the *ac4&ro'nd ,ateria!( in the #ords o/ astrono,er 5red Hoy!e1 3oth *e!ie$e in the theory o/ a cos,ic e$o!'tion1 There are a n',*er o/ s'ch si,i!arities1 The tr'ths e%)o'nded in the U)anishads are i,)ersona!( A)a'r'seya( not deri$in& sanction /ro, any )erson1 Scienti/ic tr'ths are si,i!ar!y i,)ersona!( o*2ecti$e( not deri$in& sanction /ro, any )erson1 3eca'se they are i,)ersona!( they are 'ni$ersa!( and )ro$ide a c!ear insi&ht into the nat're o/ the #or!d1 That is science1 When #e st'dy the de$e!o),ent o/ science d'rin& the !ast h'ndred years( #e can trace the hi&her reaches o/ science s!o#!y a))earin& on the horiHon( and trace a!so the s!o# e,er&ence o/ a non",ateria!istic o't!oo4 in science1 odern Physics and Philoso(hical &eason In co'nt!ess #ays( e$ery de)art,ent o/ )hysica! science today is e%tendin& the *o'nds o/ ,anLs 4no#!ed&e o/ /'nda,enta! 'nity *ehind the ,ani/o!d di$ersities o/ the 'ni$erse1 Physica! science started #ith the e%)!oration o/ the ,ysteries o/ e%terna! nat're0 *'t at the /arthest end o/ this search( it /inds itse!/ /ace to /ace #ith the ,ystery o/ ,an( o/ his ,ind and conscio'sness( the dee)est ,ystery o/ a!!1 The )hi!oso)hies o/ the East( )artic'!ar!y the Vedanta o/ India( inc!'din& 3'ddhist tho'&ht( direct!y /aced this ,ystery o/ ,an( ,ore than t#o tho'sand years a&o( *y initiatin& the e%)!oration o/ the interna! #or!d and carryin& it thro'&h to its de)ths1 And( today( #e #itness a steady con$er&ence o/ these t#o indirect and direct a))roaches in the steady e,er&ence o/ a co,,on )hi!oso)hy o/ the one *ehind the ,any1

Physicists o/ the /irst 8'arter o/ the t#entieth cent'ry( /aced #ith the cha!!en&e o/ the re$o!'tionary disco$eries o/ re!ati$ity and 8'ant', )hysics( t'rned into *o!d )hi!oso)hica! thin4ers( initiatin& the de$e!o),ent o/ reason o/ )hysics into 3'ddhi or )hi!oso)hica! Reason( *y trans/or,in& it into a criti8'e ( not on!y o/ the o*ser$ed sense"data o/ the )hysica! #or!d( *'t a!so o/ ,an the o*ser$er1 Startin& #ith Eddin&ton( =eans( Ma% P!anc4( Einstein( Shrodin&er( Nie!s 3ohr( Heisen*er&( and other &reat creators o/ t#entieth"cent'ry )hysics( this )hi!oso)hica! trend has &ro#n thro'&h the !ast /i$e decades( c'!,inatin& in The Tao o/ Physics o/ 3er4e!ey Uni$ersity Physics Pro/essor( Dr15rit2o/ Ca)ra1 Conc!'din& his S)ace( Ti,e and +ra$itation( Eddin&ton hinted at the e,er&ence o/ the ,ystery o/ ,an /ro, the st'dy o/ the ,ystery o/ )hysica! nat're@ The theory o/ re!ati$ity has )assed in re$ie# the #ho!e s'*2ect",atter o/ )hysics1 It has 'ni/ied the &reat !a#s #hich( *y the )recision o/ their /or,'!ation and the e%actness o/ their a))!ication( ha$e #on the )ro'd )!ace in h',an 4no#!ed&e #hich )hysica! science ho!ds today1 And yet( in re&ard to the nat're o/ thin&s( this 4no#!ed&e is on!y an e,)ty she!!" a /or, o/ sy,*o!s1 It is 4no#!ed&e o/ str'ct'ra! /or,( and not 4no#!ed&e o/ content1 A!! thro'&h the )hysica! #or!d r'ns that 'n4no#n content( #hich ,'st s're!y *e the st'// o/ o'r conscio'sness1 Here is a hint o/ as)ects dee) #ithin the #or!d o/ )hysics( and yet 'nattaina*!e *y the ,ethods o/ )hysics1 And( ,oreo$er( #e ha$e /o'nd that( #here science has )ro&ressed the /arthest( the ,ind has *'t re&ained /ro, nat're that #hich the ,ind has )'t into nat're1 We ha$e /o'nd a stran&e /oot)rint on the shores o/ the 'n4no#n1 We ha$e de$ised )ro/o'nd theories( one a/ter another( to acco'nt /or its ori&in1 At !ast( #e ha$e s'cceeded in reconstr'ctin& the creat're that ,ade the /oot)rint1 And !oD It is o'r o#n1 Hints s'ch as these( &i$en *y the ear!ier )hi!oso)her"scientists( ha$e de$e!o)ed into )ositi$e a//ir,ations in Dr1Ca)ra1 The $ery tit!e o/ his *oo4@ MThe Tao o/ PhysicsL( is si&ni/icant in this connection( a)art /ro, the ,aster!y and /ascinatin& e%)osition he &i$es( in the co'rse o/ the *oo4( o/ his ,ain thesis that@ the *asic e!e,ents o/ the Eastern #or!d"$ie# are a!so those o/ the #or!d"$ie# e,er&in& /ro, ,odern )hysics( and that@ Eastern tho'&ht( and ,ore &enera!!y( ,ystica! tho'&ht( )ro$ide a consistent and re!e$ant )hi!oso)hica! *ac4&ro'nd to the theories o/ conte,)orary science1 Notin& that( thro'&h the t#o cent'ries o/ association #ith the )hi!oso)hy o/ ,ateria!is, and the conte,)orary reaction a&ainst the ra$a&es #ro'&ht *y o$er" techno!o&y( the i,a&e o/ science in the eyes o/ ,odern ,an has s'//ered ,'ch da,a&e( Ca)ra see4s to restore the i,a&e o/ )'re science as the disci)!ine in the )'rs'it o/ tr'th and h',an e%ce!!ence( not in o))osition *'t in t'ne #ith the s)irit'a! herita&e o/ ,an( and ,ore es)ecia!!y( o/ the s)irit'a! herita&e o/ the East@ Ca)ra #rites@ This *oo4 ai,s at i,)ro$in& the i,a&e o/ science *y sho#in& that there is an essentia! har,ony *et#een the s)irit o/ Eastern #isdo, and Western science1 It atte,)ts to s'&&est that ,odern )hysics &oes /ar *eyond techno!o&y( that the #ayN

or Tao"o/ )hysics can *e a )ath #ith a heart( a #ay to s)irit'a! 4no#!ed&e and se!/" rea!isation1 Echoin& the $oice o/ Vedanta and a!! ,ystica! tho'&ht that the /'nda,enta! search /or rea!ity ta4es ,an *eyond the senses and the sensory #or!d o/ )heno,ena( Ca)ra says@ On this 2o'rney to the #or!d o/ the in/inite!y s,a!!( the ,ost i,)ortant ste)( /ro, a )hi!oso)hica! )oint o/ $ie#( #as the /irst one@ the ste) into the #or!d o/ ato,s1 Pro*in& inside the ato, and in$esti&atin& its str'ct're( science transcended the !i,its o/ o'r sensory i,a&ination1 5ro, this )oint on( it co'!d no !on&er re!y #ith a*so!'te certainty on !o&ic and co,,on sense1 Ato,ic )hysics )ro$ided the scientists #ith the /irst &!i,)ses o/ the essentia! nat're o/ thin&s1 Li4e the ,ystics( )hysicists #ere no# dea!in& #ith a non"sensory e%)erience o/ rea!ity and( !i4e the ,ystics( they had to /ace the )arado%ica! as)ects o/ this e%)erience1 5ro, then on( there/ore( the ,ode!s and i,a&es o/ ,odern )hysics *eca,e a4in to those o/ Eastern )hi!oso)hy1 Re/errin& to the *asic 'nity o/ the 'ni$erse( as ')he!d in Eastern ,ysticis, and ,odern )hysics( Ca)ra says@ The ,ost i,)ortant characteristic o/ the Eastern #or!d"$ie#" one co'!d a!,ost say the essence o/ it" is the a#areness o/ the 'nity and ,'t'a! interre!ation o/ a!! thin&s and e$entsO1 The Eastern traditions constant!y re/er to this '!ti,ate indi$isi*!e rea!ity( #hich ,ani/ests itse!/ in a!! thin&s( and o/ #hich a!! thin&s are )arts1 It is ca!!ed 3rah,an in Hind'is,( Dhar,a4aya in 3'ddhis,( and Tao in Taois,O The *asic oneness o/ the 'ni$erse is not on!y the centra! characteristic o/ the ,ystica! e%)erience( *'t is a!so one o/ the ,ost i,)ortant re$e!ations o/ ,odern )hysics1 It *eco,es a))arent at the ato,ic !e$e!( and ,ani/ests itse!/ ,ore and ,ore as one )enetrates dee)er into ,atter( do#n into the rea!, o/ s'*"ato,ic )artic!es1 The 'nity o/ a!! thin&s and e$ents #i!! *e a rec'rrin& the,e thro'&ho't o'r co,)arison o/ ,odern )hysics and the Eastern )hi!oso)hy1 3oth s)ea4 o/ rea!ity as transcendin& s)ace( ti,e( and ca'sa!ity1 Re/errin& to this 4inshi)( Dr1Ca)ra says@ The s)ace"ti,e o/ re!ati$istic )hysics is a si,i!ar ti,e!ess s)ace o/ a hi&her di,ension1 A!! e$ents in it are interconnected( *'t the connections are not ca'sa!1 Partic!e interactions can *e inter)reted in ter,s o/ ca'se and e//ect on!y #hen the s)ace"ti,e dia&ra,s are read in a de/inite direction( e1&1( /ro, the *otto, to the to)1 When they are ta4en as /o'r di,ensiona! )atterns #itho't any de/inite direction o/ ti,e attached to the,( there is no M*e/oreL and no Ma/terL( and th's no ca'sation 1 Si,i!ar!y( the Eastern ,ystics assert that( in transcendin& ti,e( they a!so transcend the #or!d o/ ca'se and e//ect1 Li4e o'r ordinary notions o/ s)ace and ti,e( ca'sation is an idea #hich is !i,ited to a certain e%)erience o/ the #or!d and has to *e a*andoned #hen this e%)erience is e%tended1 In the #ords o/ S#a,i Vi$e4ananda -=nana Yo&a.@ MTi,e( s)ace( and ca'sation are !i4e the &!ass thro'&h #hich the A*so!'te is seen1 O In the A*so!'te there is neither ti,e( s)ace( nor ca'sation1L NS#a,i Vi$e4ananda Ca)ra contin'es@

The Eastern s)irit'a! traditions sho# their /o!!o#ers $ario's #ays o/ &oin& *eyond the ordinary e%)erience o/ ti,e and o/ /reein& the,se!$es /ro, the chain o/ ca'se and e//ect" /ro, the *onda&e o/ Car,a( as the Hind's and 3'ddhists say1 It has there/ore *een said that Eastern ,ysticis, is a !i*eration /ro, ti,e1 The sa,e ,ay *e said o/ re!ati$istic )hysics1 A&ain Ca)ra says@ S'*se8'ent to the e,er&ence o/ the /ie!d conce)t( )hysicists ha$e atte,)ted to 'ni/y the $ario's /ie!ds into a sin&!e /'nda,enta! /ie!d #hich #o'!d incor)orate a!! )hysica! )heno,ena1 Einstein( in )artic'!ar( s)ent the !ast years o/ his !i/e searchin& /or s'ch a 'ni/ied /ie!d1 The 3rah,an o/ the Hind's( !i4e the Dhar,a4aya o/ the 3'ddhists( and the Tao o/ the Taoists( can *e seen( )erha)s( as the '!ti,ate 'ni/ied /ie!d( /ro, #hich s)rin& not on!y the )heno,ena st'died in )hysics( *'t a!! other )heno,ena as #e!! In the Eastern $ie#( the rea!ity 'nder!yin& a!! )heno,ena is *eyond a!! /or,s and de/ies a!! descri)tion and s)eci/ication1 It is( there/ore( o/ten said to *e /or,!ess( e,)ty( or $oid1 3't this e,)tiness is not to *e ta4en /or ,ere nothin&ness1 It is( on the contrary( the essence o/ a!! /or,s and the so'rce o/ a!! !i/e1 Th's the U)anishads say -Chando&ya U)anishad( <"9K"<.@ M3rah,an is !i/e( 3rah,an is 2oy1 3rah,an is the $oid1 O =oy ($eri!y( that is the sa,e as the $oid1 The $oid( $eri!y( that is the sa,e as 2oyL 1 Ato,ic )hysics is con/ronted #ith the )ro*!e, o/ conscio'sness thro'&h the dat', o/ the Mo*ser$erL or to 'se the ne#( and ,ore ,eanin&/'! ter, coined *y )hysicist =ohn Whee!er( M)artici)ator1L Accordin&!y( Dr1Ca)ra says@ In ,odern )hysics( the 8'estion o/ conscio'sness has arisen in connection #ith the o*ser$ation o/ ato,ic )heno,ena1 6'ant', theory has ,ade it c!ear that these )heno,ena can on!y *e 'nderstood as !in4s in a chain o/ )rocesses( the end o/ #hich !ies in the conscio'sness o/ the h',an o*ser$er1 In the #ords o/ E'&ene Wi&ner -Sy,,etries and Re/!ections" Scienti/ic Essays.@ MIt #as not )ossi*!e to /or,'!ate the !a#s -o/ 8'ant', theory. in a /'!!y consistent #ay #itho't re/erence to conscio'sness1L N E'&ene Wi&ner Dr1Ca)ra contin'es@ The )ra&,atic /or,'!ation o/ 8'ant', theory 'sed *y the scientists in their #or4 does not re/er to their conscio'sness e%)!icit!y1 Wi&ner and other )hysicists ha$e ar&'ed( ho#e$er( that the e%)!icit inc!'sion o/ h',an conscio'sness ,ay *e an essentia! as)ect o/ /'t're theories o/ ,atter1 S'ch a de$e!o),ent #o'!d o)en e%citin& )ossi*i!ities /or a direct interaction *et#een )hysics and Eastern ,ysticis,1 The 'nderstandin& o/ oneLs conscio'sness and its re!ation to the rest o/ the 'ni$erse is the startin& )oint o/ a!! ,ystica! e%)erience1 O I/ )hysicists rea!!y #ant to inc!'de the nat're o/ h',an conscio'sness in their rea!, o/ research( a st'dy o/ Eastern ideas ,ay #e!! )ro$ide the, #ith sti,'!atin& ne# $ie#)oints1

Re/errin& to s)irit'a! 4inshi) *et#een ,odern science and ancient Vedanta( S#a,i Vi$e4ananda said in his s)eech at the Par!ia,ent o/ Re!i&ions he!d at Chica&o in 9J:A@ Mani/estation( and not creation( is the #ord o/ science today( and the Hind' is on!y &!ad that #hat he has *een cherishin& in his *oso, /or a&es is &oin& to *e ta'&ht in ,ore /orci*!e !an&'a&e( and #ith /'rther !i&ht( /ro, the !atest conc!'sions o/ science1 Con/ir,in& this $ie# o/ S#a,i Vi$e4ananda( that the )hysicist and the ,ystic reach the tr'th o/ 'nity( tho'&h /o!!o#in& di//erent a))roaches( Dr1Ca)ra says@ In contrast to the ,ystic( the )hysicist *e&ins his in8'iry into the essentia! nat're o/ thin&s *y st'dyin& the ,ateria! #or!d1 Penetratin& into e$er dee)er rea!,s o/ ,atter( he has *eco,e a#are o/ the essentia! 'nity o/ a!! thin&s and e$ents1 More than that( he has a!so !earnt that he hi,se!/ and his conscio'sness are an inte&ra! )art o/ this 'nity1 Th's the ,ystic and the )hysicist arri$e at the sa,e conc!'sion0 one startin& /ro, the inner rea!,( the other /ro, the o'ter #or!d1 The har,ony *et#een their $ie#s con/ir,s the ancient Indian #isdo, that 3rah,an( the '!ti,ate rea!ity( is identica! to At,an( the rea!ity #ithin1 Conc!'sion Understood in this !i&ht( there is no con/!ict *et#een science and re!i&ion( *et#een the )hysica! sciences and the science o/ s)irit'a!ity1 3oth ha$e the identica! ai, o/ disco$erin& tr'th and he!)in& ,an to &ro# )hysica!!y( ,enta!!y( and s)irit'a!!y( and achie$e /'!/i!,ent1 3't each *y itse!/ is ins'//icient and he!)!ess1 They ha$e *een tried se)arate!y #ith 'nsatis/actory res'!ts1 The o!der ci$i!isations too4 &'idance ,ost!y /ro, re!i&ion0 their achie$e,ents #ere )artia! and !i,ited1 Modern ci$i!isation re!ies so!e!y on science0 its achie$e,ents a!so ha$e t'rned o't to *e )artia! and !i,ited1 The co,*ination today( o/ the s)irit'a! ener&ies o/ these t#o co,)!e,entary disci)!ines in the !i/e o/ ,an #i!! )rod'ce /'!!y inte&rated h',an *ein&s( and th's he!) to e$o!$e a co,)!ete h',an ci$i!isation( /or #hich the #or!d is ri)e and #aitin&1 This is the ,ost o'tstandin& contri*'tion o/ S#a,i Vi$e4ananda to h',an tho'&ht today1 This synthetic $ision o/ his /inds !'cid e%)ression in a *rie/ *'t co,)rehensi$e testa,ent o/ his Vedantic con$iction@ Each so'! is )otentia!!y di$ine1 The &oa! o/ !i/e is to ,ani/est this di$inity #ithin *y contro!!in& nat're( e%terna! -thro'&h )hysica! sciences( techno!o&y( and socio")o!itica! )rocesses. and interna! -thro'&h ethica!( aesthetic( and re!i&io's )rocesses.@ Do this either *y #or4( or #orshi)( or )sychic contro!( or )hi!oso)hy"*y one( or ,ore( or a!! o/ these"and *e /ree1 This is the #ho!e o/ re!i&ion1 Doctrines or do&,as or rit'a!s or *oo4s or te,)!es or /or,s( are *'t secondary detai!s1 "S#a,i Vi$e4ananda This science and techni8'e /or rea!isin& the tr'e &!ory o/ ,an( /o!!o#ed #ith scienti/ic thoro'&hness and detach,ent *y the sa&es o/ the U)anishads( and re$a!idated *y a s'ccession o/ s)irit'a! e%)eri,enters do#n the a&es /ro, 3'ddha to Ra,a4rishna( is &!o#in&!y re$ea!ed in one o/ the i,,orta! $erses o/ the S$etas$atara U)anishad@

Hear( ye chi!dren o/ i,,orta! *!iss( e$en ye that reside in hi&her s)heresD I ha$e /o'nd the Ancient One( #ho is *eyond a!! dar4ness( a!! de!'sion0 4no#in& Hi, a!one( yo' sha!! *e sa$ed /ro, death o$er a&ain1 Physics and Meta)hysics The ancient Sa,4hya and Vedanta )hi!oso)hies disc'ss the as)ects o/ ori&in o/ 'ni$erse and e$o!'tionary rationa!ity o/ creation1 The #ho!e ar&',entati$e a))roaches o/ $ario's Indian *e!ie/ syste,s( in so,e #ay or other( are *ased on these )hi!oso)hies1 Vedanta ,aintains that 3rah,an is the i,,ateria! E%istence0 and *ein& si,)!e and non",ateria! It has to *e a!! )er$adin& and the on!y One Rea!ity1 The )ro*!e, arises( then( a*o't e%)!ainin& 7o'r e%istence( o'r identity17 The 8'estion is as4ed( I/ 3rah,an is the on!y One Rea!ity( ho# does one )ercei$e and e%)!ain these )!ants and ani,a!s( #e and a!! other )eo)!e0 in short this 'ni$erseG The si,)!e and a))arent!y c!e$er ans#er to this 8'estion is( I/ and #hen yo' )ercei$e the 'ni$erse as rea!( the e%)!anation *ased on Maya theory sho'!d s'it yo'1 A ti,e #i!! co,e #hen yo' sha!! reach the state o/ hi&her conscio'sness #hen this ,'!ti/ario's rea!ity #i!! $anish( and yo' #i!! )ercei$e the sa,e as none other than Conscio'sness( 3rah,an( At,an( or Se!/( or +od1 Maya Theory 3e/ore e$erythin& there e%ists Rea!ity as A*so!'te Conscio'sness1 The Wi!! to *eco,e ,any is the *e&innin& o/ ,ani/est 'ni$erse1 The Wi!! e$o!$es as I!!'sion@ the Maya1 A*so!'te Conscio'sness( 3rah,an( #i!!ed to *eco,e ,any0 this is Maya1 Maya is the cos,ic i!!'sion that creates i&norance and $ei!s the $ision o/ the On!y Rea!ity1 D'e to the )o#er o/ Maya( the Sa,e Oneness is )ercei$ed as ,ani/o!d 'ni$erse1 Wi!! is the ,ateria! and co,)o'nd ,ani/estation o/ the sa,e Rea!ity1 Desires( tho'&hts( and tendencies are )artic'!ar ,ode o/ e%istence o/ the Wi!!1 The Wi!! &ets ,odi/ied into a. The S')re,e Inte!!i&ence",ahat( that s'*se8'ent!y e$o!$es into *. The Pri,a! Matter"a4asha0 and c. The Pri,a! Ener&y"" )rana( These are /iner as)ects o/ the ,atter1 They ,ay *e )ercei$ed to e$o!$e into or as s'*ato,ic )artic!es1 S'*ato,ic )artic!es are 'nits o/ ,atter s,a!!er than an ato,( other#ise 4no#n as e!e,entary )artic!es1 These )artic!es are the *asic 'nits o/ a!! ,atter and ener&y1 Many s'*ato,ic )artic!es ha$e *een identi/ied1 These e!e,entary )artic!es are a!so the /'nda,enta! 'nits o/ e!ectro,a&netic radiation( #hich inc!'des radio #a$es( $isi*!e !i&ht( and P"rays1 This )ro&ress in )hysics has )ro$ed ener&y to *e another ,ode o/ e%istence o/ ,atter1 These *asic )artic!es /'rther rearran&e as /i$e e!e,ents o/ Indian *e!ie/ syste,@ Ether( Air( 5ire( Water( and Earth1 Vario's co,*inations o/ these e!e,ents res'!t in the /or,ation o/ three 8'a!ities( +'nas@ satt$a( ra2as( and ta,as1 Desires are $ario's co,*inations o/ these +'nas1 Desires and tendencies -or ,ind in &enera!.( there/ore( can *e e8'ated #ith another 7ener&y /or, o/ ,atter7( #hich one ,ay !a*e! as

tho'&ht"#a$es1 Its o*2ecti/ication( at sti!! &rosser !e$e!( )rod'ces ,ani/est 'ni$erse o/ $ario's co,*inations o/ na,e and /or, na,a"r')a0 /or instance@ stars( )!anets( oceans( trees( ani,a!s( h',an *ein&s( and so on1 The P!ay o/ S'*ato,ic Partic!es On the *asis o/ Vedanta )hi!oso)hy S#a,i Vi$e4ananda descri*es these s'*t!eties as /o!!o#s@ 111 3't the one idea here is that it is /ro, the /iner that the &rosser has co,e1 +ross ,atter is the !ast to e,er&e and the ,ost e%terna!( and this &ross ,atter had the /iner ,atter *e/ore it1 Yet #e see that the #ho!e thin& has *een reso!$ed into t#o( *'t there is not yet /ina! 'nity1 There is the 'nity o/ /orce( )rana( there is the 'nity o/ ,atter( ca!!ed a4asha1 Is there any 'nity to *e /o'nd a,on& the, a&ainG Can they *e ,e!ted into oneG O'r ,odern science is ,'te here( it has not yet /o'nd its #ay o't0 and i/ it is doin& so( 2'st as it has *een s!o#!y /indin& the sa,e o!d )rana and the sa,e ancient a4asha( it #i!! ha$e to ,o$e a!on& the sa,e !ines1 The ne%t 'nity is the o,ni)resent i,)ersona! *ein& 4no#n *y its o!d ,ytho!o&ica! na,e as 3rah,a( and )sycho!o&ica!!y ca!!ed ,ahat1 This is #here the t#o 'nite1 What is 4no#n as yo'r ,ind is on!y a *it o/ ,ahat ca'&ht in the tra) o/ the *rain( and the s', tota! o/ a!! ,inds ca'&ht in the ,eshes o/ *rains is #hat yo' ca!! the sa,ashti( the a&&re&ate( the 'ni$ersa!1 Ana!ysis had to &o /'rther0 it #as not yet co,)!ete1 E$ery action in$o!$es the )artici)ation o/ conscio'sness1 We ,ay not *e a*!e to reco&niHe or 'nderstand it0 and the recent di!e,,a o/ 7)artic!e and #a$e7 -8'ant',. )hysics has *ro'&ht this )oint in shar) /oc's e$en a,on&st the hi&h!y 7o*2ecti$e and rationa!7 scientists in )hysics1 I/ #e reason on these !ines( #ho!e o/ the U)anishad and Yo&a ,ay *e 'nderstood on the *asis o/ )resent day science o/ )artic!e )hysics1 We a!so &et an idea o/ tre,endo's ener&y stored in the s'*t!e or )'ri/ied ,ind1 We can a!so 'nderstand the ter,s !i4e a4asha -)ri,a! )artic!e.( )rana -)ri,a! #a$e ener&y.( and ,ahat -cos,ic Inte!!i&ence. /or,in& the s'*t!er and s'*t!er chain in the )rocess o/ e$o!'tion and in$o!'tion o/ ,atter1 To de$e!o) the ca)acity to 'nderstand the #or!d o/ na,e and /or, as i!!'sion is the &oa! o/ h',an e$o!'tion1 It is )ossi*!e to disso!$e any /or, into its *asic co,)onents" the s'*ato,ic )artic!es1 The )erson( the #a!!( the ta*!e and e$ery other !i$in& and non"!i$in& /or, can *e red'ced to this deno,ination@ the s'*ato,ic )artic!es1 They ,ay *e !i4e !',ino's #a$es1 That is #hy( )ro*a*!y( a!! the ,ystic e%)eriences are descri*ed as *ri&ht and #a$e!i4e1 This #as ho# Sri Ra,a4rishna descri*ed his initia! ,ystic e%)eriences( -second descri)tion is o/ Sri Crishna I Ar2'na in +ita.@ 91 111The #ho!e scene( doors( #indo#s( the te,)!e itse!/ si,)!y $anished1 It see,ed as i/ nothin& e%isted any,ore1 Instead I sa# the ocean o/ the s)irit( *o'nd!ess( daHH!in&1 In #hate$er direction I t'rned( &reat !',ino's #a$es #ere risin&1 They *ore do#n ')on ,e #ith a !o'd roar( as i/ to s#a!!o# ,e ')1 I !ost a!! nor,a! conscio'sness and /e!! to the &ro'nd1 Ho# I )assed that day and the ne%t I 4no# not0 ro'nd ,e ro!!ed an ocean o/ 'ns)ea4a*!e 2oy s'ch as I had ne$er e%)erienced *e/ore1 ?1 San2aya descri*es the Vish#a"R')a -'ni$ersa! /or,. o/ the Lord( Ra2an( i/ one tho'sand s'ns si,'!taneo's!y !i&ht the s4y( the *ri&htness )rod'ced #i!! *e !ess as

co,)ared to the e//'!&ence )rod'ced #hen Sri Crishna sho#ed His Vish#a"R')a to Ar2'na1 Q+ita( PI@ 9?1R O$erco,in& Maya Vedic seers te!! 's that there are three /or,s o/ s)irit'a! ,editation( #hich are 4no#n as sth'!a"dhyana -&ross.( te2o"dhyana -s'*t!e.( and s'4sh,a"dhyana -s'*t!er.1 In the /irst( #hich is considered the !o#est( $isions o/ deities or o/ other /i&'red entities are )ercei$ed1 So,eti,es $oices &i$in& de/inite ,essa&es are heard1 In te2o" dhyana( #hich *e!on&s to a hi&her r'n& on the !adder o/ s)irit'a! )ractice( /i&'res and )ersons disa))ear and the ,ystic *eho!ds on!y $ario's and /!eetin& !i&hts and co!o'rs( or hears &reat ,'sica! strains1 In the hi&hest sta&e o/ s'4sh,a"dhyana the seer e%)eriences on!y contact #ith and ,er&es in a tre,endo's Rea!ity1 Vedanta considers that in the hi&hest s)irit'a! conscio'sness there cannot *e any $isions( any i,a&e and the !i4e( and #hen one attains it( one rea!iHes the tr'th( that the Thin&"in"itse!/ in ,an and the Thin&"in"itse!/ in the 'ni$erse are not t#o *'t one and identica!1 Initia!!y the $ision ,ay ta4e the /or, o/ a synthesiHed 'nity1 M'!ti)!icity that one )ercei$es or i,a&ines is reso!$ed in one /or,1 A!! the ,odi/ications o/ ,ind"st'// are contro!!ed and the ,enta! ener&y is /'!!y concentrated on one sin&!e /or, or an idea so that the ,ind"st'// ta4es that )artic'!ar /or, and has on!y that $ision1 Th's the )erson is said to e%)erience sa$i4a!)a sa,adhi -a!tered state o/ conscio'sness #ith d'a!ity.1 In this #ay one sees the /or, o/ hisEher Ishtha"de$a"" the chosen deity1 One &ets the $ision o/ on!y those so'!s #ho ha$e in their !i$es rea!iHed s'ch a!tered state o/ conscio'sness " those #ho ha$e rea!iHed the )'rest /or,s o/ s'*ato,ic )artic!es1 Later e$en this /or, is transcended and the )erson &oes *eyond ,ind itse!/ and ,er&es into the A*so!'te Conscio'sness1 He *eco,es the Rea!ity1 Sri Ra,a4rishna 'sed to ha$e these t#o 4inds o/ states o/ sa,adhi1 In one he #as a*!e to )ercei$e the ho!y /or, o/ his chosen idea!"The Mother( and at other ti,es he 'sed to )ercei$e the rea!ity as /or,!ess e//'!&ence"nir$i4a!)a state o/ sa,adhi1 The 8'estion is #hether the *rain has ca)acity to )ierce thro'&h the &rosser /or, o/ a str'ct're to *e a*!e to $is'a!iHe the /or, in its ,ost ori&ina! co,)onents"the s'*ato,ic )artic!es1 Ra2a"Yo&a ans#ers""Yes1 It is )ossi*!e to increase the )o#er o/ the ,ind ,ani/o!d( as i/ to e//ect the /ission or /'sion at ato,ic !e$e! *y concentratin& it thro'&h Yo&a and other s)irit'a! disci)!ines1 We see e%a,)!es o/ &reat Yo&is and saints s'ch as Sri Crishna( Sri Ra,a4rishna( =es's Christ( and Lord 3'ddha( S#a,i Vi$e4ananda( and ,any others #ho #ere ca)a*!e o/ s'ch a concentrated )enetration to rea!iHe the ener&y contained in an ato, as #e!! as the *ea'ty o/ s'*ato,ic )!ay1 This essay is *ased on ,any hy)othetica! ass',)tions0 the )'r)ose is 2'st to sti,'!ate i,a&ination in scientists o/ $ario's /ie!ds o/ sciences1 S C S Shah E%tra Sensory Perce)tion " ESP Many )eo)!e are s4e)tica! a*o't E%tra Sensory Perce)tion " ESP " and re!ated states !i4e te!e)athy( ,ind readin&( c!air$oyance etc1 The ,ain criticis, has o/ten *een !e$e!ed at )ara")sycho!o&ists that there ,ay *e a tendency to *e /ra'd'!ent and to /a4e the res'!ts1 The chie/ reason is !ac4 o/ scienti/ic 4no#!ed&e a*o't ESP1 Second!y( it is indeed $ery di//ic'!t to acce)t s'ch states #itho't se!/"e%)erience( #hich is di//ic'!t and rare to co,e *y( *y itse!/ or #itho't re&'!ar and ade8'ate )ractice o/ contro!!in& the ,ind1 A /ina! criticis, is that( /or )heno,ena s'ch as e%trasensory )erce)tion and )sycho4inesis to *e tr'e( /'nda,enta! )hysica! !a#s #o'!d ha$e to *e *ro4enD

So,e ado)t the $ie# that )sychic )heno,ena are o'tside the rea!, o/ science( #hereas others *e!ie$e that *rea4thro'&hs in science -e1 &1 )artic!e )hysics etc1. ,i&ht one day )ro$ide e%)!anations /or s'ch )heno,ena1 The res'!tant a#e associated #ith s'ch 7s')erstitions and s')ernat'ra! dis)!ay7 ,a4es )eo)!e a))rehensi$e and /ear/'!1 In this con/'sin& state( &en'ine e%trasensory )erce)tions are a!so desi&nated as s')erstitio's and /a4e( and are ne&!ected #itho't any in" de)th st'dy1 Present %cenario Ti!! #e /ind scienti/ic *asis /or these e%trasensory )heno,ena( a!! sorts o/ o)inions and theories #i!! contin'e to /ind their #ay in the ,inds o/ )eo)!es1 The e%tra sensory )erce)tions #o'!d *e !a*e!ed as s')erstitio's( 'nscienti/ic and irrationa!1 Ho#e$er( one ,'st acce)t the /act that so,e )ersons do e%)erience and are ca)a*!e o/ e%hi*itin& s'ch )o#ers1 O'r interest sho'!d *e to doc',ent these rea! !i/e e$ents and try to e%)!ain the sa,e on the *asis o/ )resent day scienti/ic )ro&ress1 Whi!e in ,ost cases( the ori&in o/ s'ch )heno,ena is o*sc're( so,e )ersons de$e!o) s'ch ,enta! )o#ers " siddhis " d'rin& the co'rse o/ )ractice o/ ,enta! concentration and Yo&a1 The state is a 4ind o/ a!tered conscio'sness1 )e$initions Para(sychology' Para)sycho!o&y is the st'dy o/ the a*i!ity o/ the ,ind to )er/or, )sychic acts #itho't any 4no#n )hysica! ener&y actin& as the carrier o/ the in/or,ation or /orce1 Psychic )heno,ena( as the ter, is a))!ied to the h',an ,ind( &enera!!y /a!! into t#o *road cate&ories@ 9. Psychokinesis is de/ined as the a*i!ity to ,o$e or a!ter ani,ate or inani,ate ,atter *y tho'&ht a!one1 ?. *+trasensory (erce(tion -ESP. is de/ined as the a*i!ity to ac8'ire in/or,ation #itho't the *ene/it o/ the senses1 E%trasensory )erce)tion is /'rther di$ided into t#o s'*"cate&ories@ a, Tele(athy' It ,eans the )erce)tion o/ so,eone e!se7s tho'&hts *y interco,,'nication *et#een one *rain and another *y ,eans other than that o/ the ordinary sense channe!1 It has *earin& on a!! )sychic )heno,ena1 Many cases are on record #here $i$id i,)ressions ha$e *een trans,itted /ro, a distance1 It is *e!ie$ed that te!e)athic co,,'nication &oes direct /ro, one ,ind to another irres)ecti$e o/ the distance1 The ,echanis, o/ te!e)athy is &enera!!y s'))osed( so /ar( to *e in the /or, o/ yet 'n4no#n etherea! $i*rations or *rain #a$es 1 -, #lairvoyance' C!air$oyance or 7re,ote )erce)tion7 is 7sensin& o/ an o*2ect or e$ent o't o/ ran&e o/ the senses71 The ter, denotes the s'))osed s')ernor,a! /ac'!ty o/ seein& )ersons andEor e$ents #hich are distant in ti,e and )!ace( and o/ #hich no 4no#!ed&e can reach to the seer or )ercei$er thro'&h the nor,a! sense channe!1 *vidence

Most scientists o'tside o/ the )ara)sycho!o&ica! /ie!d are re!'ctant to acce)t the e%istence o/ ESP1 3't recent!y so,e scientists ha$e sho#n interest in these )heno,ena *eca'se s'ch e$ents are recorded and doc',ented( and can *e said to constit'te the 7/acts71 Many h'ndreds o/ care/'!!y st'died cases and !a*oratory e%)eri,ents ha$e no# esta*!ished that ESP -te!e)athy( c!air$oyance( )reco&nition( etc1. e%ists " *'t #hat does a!! this ,eanG Pri,ari!y that there is /ar ,ore to ,an than #e ha$e 4no#n1 We ha$e the data( and they are stron& and c!ear1 3't they co'!d not e%ist i/ ,an #ere on!y #hat #e ha$e *e!ie$ed hi, to *e1 I/ he #ere on!y /!esh and *one( i/ he #or4ed on the sa,e ty)e o/ )rinci)!e as a ,achine( i/ he #ere rea!!y as se)arate /ro, a!! others as #e ha$e tho'&ht( it #o'!d *e i,)ossi*!e /or hi, to do the thin&s #e 4no# he so,eti,es does1 A ne# conce)t o/ ,an( a ne# #ay o/ !oo4in& at others and o'rse!$es( a 4no#!ed&e that there is ,ore to ,an than o'r o!d conce)ts a!!o#( is scienti/ica!!y de,onstrated in these /acts1 And that is the rea! i,)ortance o/ e%trasensory )erce)tions1 3eca'se o/ s'ch intense concern *ein& sho#n *y ,any a scientist( it is decided to descri*e the e%trasensory e%)eriences in the !i/e o/ Sri Ra,a4rishna and S#a,i Vi$e4ananda( #itho't ,'ch e,)hasis to e%)!ain the sa,e1 Tele(athy' 3e!o# #e see that on t#o occasions( Sri Ra,a4rishna #as a*!e to correct!y read the ,ind o/ S#a,i Vi$e4ananda #ith the he!) o/ te!e)athy( #itho't any )hysica! sense )erce)tion channe!1 -9. 111So,e days !ater( Narendra -S#a,i Vi$e4ananda. #as #ith the Master1 Sri Ra,a4rishna !oo4ed at hi, and #ent into sa,adhi1 Narendra /e!t the )enetration o/ a s'*t!e /orce and !ost a!! o'ter conscio'sness1 Re&ainin& )resent!y the nor,a! ,ood( he /o'nd the Master #ee)in&1 Sri Ra,a4rishna said to hi,@ 7To day I ha$e &i$en yo' ,y a!! and I a, no# on!y a )oor /a4ir( )ossessin& nothin&1 3y this )o#er yo' #i!! do i,,ense &ood in the #or!d( and not 'nti! it is acco,)!ished #i!! yo' ret'rn1 Do'*t( ho#e$er( dies hard1 A/ter one or t#o days Narendra said to hi,se!/( 7I/ in the ,idst o/ this rac4in& )hysica! )ain he dec!ares his +odhood( then on!y sha!! I acce)t hi, as an Incarnation o/ +od17 He #as a!one *y the *edside o/ Sri Ra,a4rishna1 It #as a )assin& tho'&ht( *'t Sri Ra,a4rishna s,i!ed and &atherin& his re,ainin& stren&th distinct!y said( 7He #ho #as Ra,a and Crishna is no#( in this *ody( Ra,a4rishna " *'t not in yo'r Vedantic sense17 -?. Narendranath -S#a,i Vi$e4ananda. once ,ade hi,se!/ ready secret!y to reno'nce e$erythin& and #ander a#ay into the *road #or!d1 111Cno#in& his intentions thro'&h his di$ine )o#er( Sri Ra,a4rishna )ers'aded hi, to co,e to Da4shines#ar to stay #ith hi, that day1 To'chin& S#a,i Vi$e4ananda a/ter#ards( Sri Ra,a4rishna san& in a s)irit'a! ,ood( I a, a/raid to s)ea4 and a!so not to s)ea40 I a, a/raid !est I sho'!d !ose yo'1 And instead o/ a!!o#in& Narendranath to reno'nce the #or!d and &o a#ay( Sri Ra,a4rishna 4e)t hi, #ith hi, conso!in& hi, in $ario's #ays1 #lairvoyance' One incidence in the !i/e o/ S#a,i Vi$e4ananda is 8'oted to &i$e an e%a,)!e o/ this ty)e o/ )heno,enon1 S#a,i Vi2nanananda once to!d o/ an incident #hich re$ea!ed S#a,i Vi$e4ananda7s

s')erh',an sensi*i!ity1 S#a,i Vi2nanananda 'sed to stay in the roo, ne%t to S#a,i Vi$e4ananda7s at 3e!'r Math1 One ni&ht he -S#a,i Vi2nanananda. #o4e ') at ? a1 ,1( ca,e o't o/ his roo,( and #as s'r)rised to /ind S#a,i Vi$e4ananda ,o$in& rest!ess!y a!on& the )ortico1 Vi2nanananda as4ed hi,( 7S#a,i2i( #hy are yo' not in *edG Don7t yo' /ee! s!ee)yG7 I #as s!ee)in& #e!!(7 said S#a,i Vi$e4ananda( 7*'t s'dden!y I /e!t a sort o/ shoc4 and #o4e ')1 I a, s're there has *een an accident so,e#here in the #or!d and that ,any )eo)!e ,'st ha$e !ost their !i$es17 S#a,i Vi2nanananda did not ta4e S#a,i Vi$e4ananda7s #ords serio's!y at /irst1 It see,ed incredi*!e to hi, that S#a,i Vi$e4ananda #hi!e !yin& on his *ed co'!d ha$e *eco,e a#are o/ a /ar o// occ'rrence1 3't to his a,aHe,ent( s'*se8'ent!y he read in the ne#s)a)er that ,any )eo)!e #ere 4i!!ed in a $o!canic er')tion near 5i2i1 The er')tion had occ'rred at the ,ore or !ess e%act ho'r #hen S#a,i Vi$e4ananda had recei$ed that shoc41 Psychokinesis' We see an a'thentic and recorded state o/ sa,adhi /or a )ro!on&ed )eriod o/ ti,e in the !i/e o/ Sri Ra,a4rishna1 3y re,ainin& in 3ha$a,'4ha -on the thresho!d o/ re!ati$e conscio'sness. it #as )ossi*!e /or hi, to *rin& a*o't these as)ects o/ co,,'nications in his !i/e1 He co'!d *y te!e)athy /atho, the ,inds and tho'&hts o/ others #ith ease and )er/ection( and *y c!air$oyance and )sycho4inesis( he co'!d e//ect necessary ,odi/ications *ene/icia! to the )ersons he ca,e in contact #ith1 One e%a,)!e #i!! s'//ice@ D'rin& his !ast i!!ness( at the &arden ho'se o/ Cossi)ore( Sri Ra,a4rishna #as *edridden d'e to !oss o/ #ei&ht and #ea4ness as a conse8'ence o/ his throat ai!,ent1 One e$enin&( so,e o/ his yo'n& de$otees #ere )roceedin& to ta4e /r'it 2'ice at a )!ace so'th o/ the &arden1 S'dden!y Ma Saradade$i sa# Sri Ra,a4rishna &oin& o't o/ the roo, #ith &reat s)eed and ret'rnin& #ith the sa,e s)eed a/ter a #hi!e1 She #as s'r)rised as #e!! as terri/ied1 When she as4ed a*o't this 'n's'a! )heno,enon to her h's*and( he ans#ered that he co'!d see a )oisono's co*ra in the #ay o/ his de$otees1 That co*ra co'!d ha$e done har, to so,eone1 He had &one to dri$e a#ay the sna4e /or the #e!/are o/ his de$oteesD Beyond *%P' i. In his transcendenta! states Sri Ra,a4rishna co'!d identi/y #ith *oth !i$in& and non"!i$in& thin&s1 Once near Ca!i Te,)!e the !a#n #as co$ered #ith ne#!y &ro#n &rass1 Sri Ra,a4rishna in his ecstatic ,ood -3ha$asa,adhi. transcended his nor,a! conscio'sness and #as /ee!in& identi/ied #ith the &rass #hen a ,an ha))ened to #a!4 across o$er the &rass1 At this the Master /e!t $ery rest!ess( /ee!in& 'n*eara*!e )ain in the chest 7as i/ tra,)!ed *y the )erson #a!4in& o$er the !a#n71 ii. At another ti,e( on the *an4 o/ +an&es t#o *oat,en had a 8'arre!1 Sri Ra,a4rishna identi/ied hi,se!/ #ith the #ea4er o/ the,( and the ,ar4s o/ in2'ry #ere $isi*!e on his -Sri Ra,a4rishna7s. chest #hen the stron&er one *eat the other1 %(eculative *+(lanation We ha$e inc!'ded these incidents( #hich ,ost o/ the scientists #o'!d *e re!'ctant to acce)t as scienti/ic( si,)!y *eca'se they are a'thentica!!y recorded and( there/ore( ,i&ht *e 'se/'! as the s'*2ect ,atter /or other scientists in this /ie!d1 The e%)!anation ,odern day scientists &i$e on the *asis o/ a ,ode! o/ conscio's ,ind( 'nconscio's ,ind( channe!( *rain( decodin& and *eha$io'r( etc1 can *e i,)ro$ed ')on *y addin& the conce)t o/ s')erconscio's state o/ ,ind ac8'ired

thro'&h )ro!on&ed s)irit'a! sadhana or yo&ic )ractice1 Occasiona!!y in Yo&is s'ch )o#ers( 4no#n as siddhis( are seen to de$e!o) d'rin& their ard'o's s)irit'a! disci)!ines1 It is ') to the yo&i and his teacher 9. to ,a4e 'se o/ s'ch )o#ers or ?. to ne&!ect the,1 The second o)tion is desira*!e( as is seen in the !i/e o/ and ad$ocated *y Sri Ra,a4rishna and S#a,i Vi$e4ananda1 In other cases o/ &en'ine ESP( in the !i$es o/ )ersons #ho ha$e not 'nderta4en any s)irit'a! )ractice( the e%)!anation is that the )erson has )erchance ac8'ired these )o#ers o/ the *rain in his or her )re$io's *irths( o/ #hich he is not a#are1 There/ore( he ,ay hi,se!/ ta4e s'ch )heno,ena cas'a!!y0 or o/ten ti,e ta4e 'nd'e ad$anta&e o/ s'ch s)ecia! 7)o#ers7 to see4 na,e or /a,e or /or ,onetary &ains1 S'ch chance occ'rrences can *e e%)!ained on the *asis o/ e%)eriences o/ the )ast *irths 1 D'rin& the sadhana o/ Ra2a Yo&a the indi$id'a! ,ay de$e!o) s'*t!e /ac'!ties o/ the ,ind( and s'ch a )erson ,i&ht *eco,e ca)a*!e o/ /atho,in&Ereadin& other )erson7s ,ind( as i/ he is !i$in& in ,ore than one *ody si,'!taneo's!y1 He ,ay si,i!ar!y !i$e at ,ore than one )!ace at the sa,e ti,e( and th's( s'ch )erce)tions ,ay *eco,e )ossi*!e /or that )erson1 The )rayers are ans#ered on the si,i!ar *asis1 Yo' ,ay *e in A,erica( and i/ yo' )ray /or the #e!/are o/ a )erson in India( it ,ay ha))en that yo'r tho'&ht"#a$es ,ay tra$e! across the ocean and sti,'!ate so,e )erson to do the need/'! on yo'r *eha!/D Last( *'t not the !east( there is a )ossi*i!ity o/ de$e!o)in& s'ch a ca)acity in the co'rse o/ e$o!'tionary )sycho!o&y *y #hich the *asic h',an nat're is !i4e!y to ac8'ire s'ch int'iti$e )o#ers ca)a*!e o/ transcendin& the !i,itations o/ ,ind and *ody1 Many &reat saints ha$e sho#n in their !i$es that creati$ity and s)irit'a!ity ha))ens #hen the /i$e senses are !e/t *ehind and so,ethin& e!se ta4es o$er1 That 7so,ethin& e!se7 is the /actor P "" the si%th sense1 #onclusion It ,'st *e e,)hasiHed that Sri Ra,a4rishna considered these )o#ers to *e o/ !east i,)ortance( and e$en har,/'! on the )ath o/ +od rea!iHation1 He 'sed say( 7s'ch )o#ers sho'!d *e sh'nned as the /i!th( and they are act'a!!y o*stac!es in see4in& +od17 Th's( #e see the rea! scienti/ic and s)irit'a! attit'de in the !i/e o/ Sri Ra,a4rishna1 We ha$e &i$en a /e# e%a,)!es o/ ESP /ro, the !i$es o/ Sri Ra,a4rishna and S#a,i Vi$e4ananda 4ee)in& the a*o$e state,ents in $ie#1 "" c s shah Tac4!in& The S'*conscio's Mind We a!! 4no# so,ethin& a*o't o'r conscio's ,ind1 At !east #e can ,a4e certain )res',)tions a*o't o'r conscio'sness1 Conscio'sness /or ,ost o/ 's is the /act o/ the a#areness o/ o'r thin4in&( /ee!in&( and doin&1 A!tho'&h( the reactions to the sti,'!i ,ay di//er /ro, )erson to )erson( or e$en in the sa,e )erson /ro, ti,e to ti,e( the /act that e$eryone is ca)a*!e o/ reactin& is ta4en as a si&n o/ conscio'sness1 These conscio's acts are so,eti,es ter,ed as conscio's ,ind1 Si,i!ar!y( certain acts are )er/or,ed re/!e%i$e!y or #itho't conscio's a#areness1 5or instance( ,ind &oes on thin4in& *ad tho'&hts des)ite atte,)ts to contro! the,1 5ro, #here s'ch tho'&hts as o/ an&er( !'st( 2ea!o'sy( hatred( and e$en desire to har, others( co,eG Sa,e is the case #ith &ood or no*!e tho'&hts a!so1 Se!/!essness )redo,inates in so,e )ersons to the e%tent that these )ersons &i$e ') e$erythin& and start #or4in& /or the #e!/are o/ #or!d1 5ro, #here do s'ch tho'&hts ariseG

They arise /ro, the s'*conscio's ,ind1 S'*conscio's ,ind is the s', tota! o/ o'r )ast e%)eriences1 What #e /ee!( thin4( or do /or,s the *asis o/ o'r e%)erience1 These e%)eriences are stored in the /or, o/ s'*t!e i,)ressions in o'r s'*conscio's ,ind1 These i,)ressions interact #ith one another and &i$e *irth to tendencies1 We *eco,e )rone to react in a )artic'!ar #ay to a )artic'!ar sit'ation or sti,'!'s de)endin& ')on the tendencies in o'r s'*conscio's ,ind1 The res'!tant o/ these tendencies deter,ines o'r character1 De)endin& on the stren&th and nat're o/ their character )eo)!e res)ond to the sa,e sti,'!i or the sit'ation in di//erin& #ays1 The reaction $aries accordin& to the character o/ the indi$id'a!1 Let 's e%)!ain the conce)t #ith one e%a,)!e1 The hot s',,er dries ') e$erythin&( inc!'din& the #eeds( in a /ar,( and the /ie!d a))ears *arren1 A))arent!y there is nothin& *'t *!ac4 soi!1 Soon the rains soa4 the !and and the i,*edded seeds s)ro't ') and /i!! the /ie!d #ith 'n#anted #eeds a&ain1 The /ar,er ne$er desired to ha$e the,( *'t #hen certain conditions #ere /'!/i!!ed the #eed ca,e to !i/e1 The rain #ater( the #eather( and the seeds #ere s'//icient to ca'se the #eed to a))ear a*o$e the &ro'nd1 Ho#e$er( the #eed did not co,e #ith rain"#ater or /ro, s4y( or so,e#here e!se0 the #eed #as a!#ays )resent in the seed /or, in the soi! itse!/D Sa,e is the case #ith 's1 There are i,)ressions in the s'*t!e /or, in o'r s'*conscio's ,ind1 On co,in& #ith contact #ith certain e%terna! /actors the necessary conditions are /'!/i!!ed and these s'*t!e i,)ressions s'r/ace in their ,ani/est /or,1 5or instance( s'))ose there is si!ent 'nseen and 'n4no#n tendency to ta4e a!coho!( or to s,o4e( in o'r s'*conscio's ,ind1 Necessary conditions in the /or, o/ a /riend( a *ar( a ci&arette $endor( etc1 #o'!d *rin& /orth the desire to drin4 or to s,o4e0 and #e are in thereD Another )erson has a !atent or dor,ant tendency to see4 +od1 The necessary e%terna! sti,'!i in the /or, o/ a scri)t'ra! te%t( ,eetin& a Ho!y )erson( $isitin& a te,)!e -or Ch'rch(. etc1 attracts hi,Eher( and #hat a #onderD the )erson is tota!!y i,,ersed in $ario's s)irit'a! )ractices( he *eco,es +od centered1 There ne$er #as any conscio's e//ort or desire or tho'&ht to drin4( to s,o4e( or to see4 +od1 3't /'!/i!!,ent o/ necessary conditions #as res)onsi*!e /or acti$atin& i,)ressions in s'*conscio's ,ind( and th's /o!!o#ed a )artic'!ar *eha$io'r1 3't #hat a*o't /ree #i!!G Can #e not choose the #ay #e #i!! react to a &i$en condition or circ',stanceG Yes( #e can choose0 *'t the #i!! is not a*so!'te!y /ree1 The #i!!( *y #hich I ,a4e choices( *eha$es in accordance #ith ,y character( that s', tota! o/ a!! )ast deeds( tho'&hts( and /ee!in&s@ The i,)ressions not on!y /ro, the )resent !i/e( *'t a!so the #ho!e record o/ ,any )ast !i$es that the s'*conscio's ,ind carries1 Then is there no #ay o'tG There is1 It is to /o!!o# the 7)sycho!o&y o/ s)irit'a! science71 We ha$e to e,)ty the ,ind o/ a!! 'n#anted s'*conscio's i,)ressions and tendencies@ the #eeds1 It is a!,ost an i,)ossi*!e tas40 a!,ost *'t not tota!!y i,)ossi*!e1 It is )ossi*!e to chan&e the contents o/ ,ind -2'st as it is )ossi*!e to so# &ro'ndn't seed so as to start re)!acin& the #eed.1 And as #e ha$e seen that the conscio's e%)eriences &et stored ') as s'*conscio's i,)ressions( #e ha$e to contro! and hand!e *oth conscio's and s'*conscio's ,ind1 O'r actions( thin4in&( and /ee!in& sho'!d *e s'ch that the s'*conscio's ,ind is c!eansed o/ its dirty contents1 The ethod

S'))ose yo' ha$e the )ro*!e, o/ c!eanin& a dirty in4 *ott!e that is /astened to the ta*!e1 Yo' can7t )ic4 it ') and e,)ty the in4 o't1 What #i!! yo' doG Yo' )o'r c!ean

#ater in the *ott!e( and the in4 and the dirt #i!! co,e o't1 Yo' 4ee) )o'rin& in the c!ean #ater 'nti! a!! the in4 and the dirt ha$e *een #ashed o't and the *ott!e contains nothin& *'t c!ean #ater1 In the sa,e #ay( a!tho'&h it is not )ossi*!e to e,)ty the ,ind *y thro#in& o't the contents o/ conscio'sness and ,a4in& it *!an40 #hat one can do is to 4ee) )o'rin& c!ean #ater o/ )'re tho'&hts o/ +od( di$inity( s)irit'a!ity0 $irt'es !i4e !o$e( se!/!essness( a!tr'is,( etc1 into the ,ind 'nti! a!! the dirt o/ )ast i,)ressions s)i!!s o't1 D'rin& s)i!!in& o't o/ this dirt( o'r character ,ay a))ear ,isera*!e and s's)ect( *'t that is nat'ra! d'rin& the c!eanin& o)eration1 The dirt o/ h'ndreds o/ )ast *irths ,ay ta4e 8'ite so,e ti,e to c!ear1 There/ore( )atience and )erse$erance are essentia!1 One ,ay /ee! de2ected and de)ressed( and there/ore( a Teacher( and Ho!y co,)any is necessary1 Sy,)athetic /riends and attach,ent to a s)irit'a! &ro') are he!)/'!1 P'rer the ,ind *etter is the re/!ection o/ Di$ineETr'th therein1 And to the de&ree the i,)ressions on the ,ind are red'ced( to that e%tent )'rer it *eco,es1 Rest!essness o/ ,ind and the n',*er o/ desires ha$e direct re!ation1 There/ore( #e ha$e to red'ce and contro! o'r desires1 3't this ,ay create $ac'',1 And hence( it is *etter to desire /or +race o/ +od( or /or a*i!ity to discri,inate and to ha$e dis)assion1 In short( to tac4!e the s'*conscio's ,ind( one sho'!d start /i!!in& the ,ind #ith no*!e tho'&hts *y #ay o/ )ractice o/ ,editation and yo&a( discri,ination and ren'nciation( se!/!ess #or4 and de$otion1 "" c s shah Ne'ro)hysio!o&y o/ Meditation 3y si,)!e de/inition( ,editation is en&a&e,ent in conte,)!ation( es)ecia!!y o/ a s)irit'a! or de$otiona! nat're1 To e!a*orate /'rther( ,editation is an atte,)t to concentrate ,ind on a sin&!e /or, or an idea or an as)ect o/ di$inity at the e%c!'sion o/ a!! other /or,s( tho'&hts( and ideas1 The ,ind is /oc'sed in#ards( and this e//ort o/ concentration acts as a sti,'!'s to &ain access to 4no#!ed&e o/ 7o*2ect o/ ,editation71 The as)irant ,a4es an atte,)t to ,ini,iHe )erce)tions thro'&h senses " in)'ts thro'&h s)ecia! senses !i4e to'ch( si&ht( hearin&( etc1 " *y detachin& ,ind /ro, sense or&ans in the *rain1 This he!)s in contro!!in& rest!essness o/ ,ind( in /a$o'r o/ inner conte,)!ation1 The ,ind( as i/( is ,ade sti!!1 Meditation ,ay *e( there/ore( ta4en as a 7)assi$e7 acti$ityD 3't is it rea!!y soG Tre,endo's chan&es o*ser$ed in the h',an *rain and ner$o's syste, d'rin& ,ediation r'n contrary to this *e!ie/ o/ 7)assi$ity7 attached to ,editation1 Un)recedented )ro&ress and research in ne'ro*io!o&y( in$esti&ati$e ne'ro!o&y( and st'dy o/ ne'rotrans,itters in the !ast t#o decades has &i$en a &reat /i!!i) to the st'dy o/ ne'ro")hysio!o&y o/ Meditation and Yo&a1 A!tered State o/ Conscio'sness can *e *ro'&ht a*o't *y hy)nosis( dr'&s -e1 &1 LSD.( s!ee)( etc1( *'t here #e are tryin& to st'dy a state s)eci/ic science o/ a!tered conscio'sness *ro'&ht a*o't *y ,editation a!one1 We sha!! atte,)t to re$ie# the )ro&ress in ne'ro*io!o&y in the recent years1 An atte,)t is ,ade to thro# !i&ht on this ne# and /ascinatin& s'*2ect1 The ter,s 'sed are technica!( *'t( as /ar as )ossi*!e( an atte,)t is ,ade to si,)!i/y the descri)tion1 This atte,)t to e%)!ain the ne'ro)hysio!o&y o/ ,editation is )'re!y hy)othetica!1 editation and #hanges in .euro(hysiology' One o/ the #ays to contro! )hysio!o&ica! reactions to )sycho!o&ica! sti,'!i is ,editation( Yo&a( Ten 3'ddhis, etc1 The scientists ta4e Transcendenta! Meditation -TM. as the 'ni/or, techni8'e( and *ase their o*ser$ations on the st'dy o/ the

s'*2ects en&a&ed in this /or, o/ ,editation1 In s',,in& ') the res'!ts the scientists ha$e co,e to conc!'sion that the e//ect o/ ,editation is a #a4e/'!( hy)o",eta*o!ic state 1 They ha$e /o'nd that@ 9. Yo&is co'!d s!o# *oth heart rate and rate o/ res)iration( ?. Yo&is co'!d s!o# the rate o/ ,eta*o!is, as con/ir,ed *y decreased o%y&en cons',)tion and car*on"di"o%ide o't)'t1 A. E!ectro"Ence)ha!o"+ra, -EE+ " recordin& o/ *rain acti$ity. in Yo&is sho#ed chan&es o/ ca!,ness in the /or, o/ a!)ha rhyth, d'rin& *oth eyes c!osed and eyes o)en recordin&s1 <. Their s4in resistance to e!ectric sti,'!ation #as increased -indicatin& increased to!erance to e%terna! sti,'!i.1 O'r 's'a! 7de/ence"a!ar,7 reaction to e,otiona! and )hysica! stress is in the /or, o/ /ri&ht( /!i&ht( and /i&ht ,ediated thro'&h o$er"secretion o/ certain ne'ro" trans,itters and ne'ro",od'!ators( na,e!y adrena!ine and do)a,ine *y #ay o/ sti,'!ation o/ sy,)athetic ner$o's syste,1 Under the in/!'ence o/ these che,ica!s and hor,ones( #e re/!e%i$e!y *eco,e )anic4y or a&&ressi$e( o'r *!ood )ress're rises1 Th's stress and an%iety is the end res'!t i/ #e a!!o# o'r nat'ra! a&e"o!d sy,)athetic reactions to act and to co,e to s'r/ace1 We try to r'n a#ay( *eco,e /ear/'!( or /i&ht the sit'ation1 3't today these 7de/ence"a!ar,7 reactions ha$e no )!ace in o'r !i$es1 Rather( they sho'!d *e re)!aced *y ,ore ca!, and serene reactions o/ e8'ani,ity and /ear!essness1 The need is to 2'st 7/ace the *r'te( and it #i!! &o a#ay71 S'ch desira*!e reactions o/ non"a&&ression and )eace/'! attit'de are &enerated *y Yo&a and ,editation1 **/ %tudies on 0ogis and The 1en editations'

Yo&is )ractisin& Ra2a"Yo&a c!ai, that d'rin& the state o/ sa,adhi they are o*!i$io's to the interna! and e%terna! sti,'!i( and they en2oy a ca!, ecstasy d'rin& that state1 A st'dy #as 'nderta4en to record the e!ectrica! acti$ity o/ their *rain d'rin& this state *y ,eans o/ a re&'!ar and 'se/'! test 4no#n as e!ectroence)ha!o&ra)hy EE+1 Physio!o&ica! and e%)eri,enta! st'dies ha$e de,onstrated that the *asis o/ conscio's state o/ *rain( a,on& other thin&s( is d'e to acti$ation o/ retic'!ar syste, in the *rain"ste, in res)onse to interna! and e%terna! sti,'!i1 These sti,'!i *rin& a*o't $ario's chan&es d'rin& s!ee)in& and #a4e/'! states o/ the or&anis, and these can *e st'died *y EE+1 The st'dy #as carried o't on /o'r s'*2ects d'rin& the state o/ concentration and ,editation1 E//ects o/ e%terna! sti,'!i( !i4e a !o'd &on&( stron& !i&ht( ther,a! si,'!ation( and $i*rations #ere st'died1 The res'!ts #ere co,)i!ed and ana!yHed1 It #as o*ser$ed that t#o Yo&is co'!d 4ee) their hands i,,ersed in e%tre,e!y co!d #ater /or a*o't BK ,in'tes -raised )ain thresho!d.1 D'rin& state o/ ,editation( a!! o/ the, sho#ed )ersistent a!)ha acti$ity in their EE+ #ith increased a,)!it'de #a$e )attern( *oth d'rin& 7eyes c!osed7 and 7eyes o)en7 recordin&1 It #as o*ser$ed that these a!)ha acti$ities co'!d not *e *!oc4ed *y $ario's sensory sti,'!i d'rin& ,editation1 It "as also o-served that those, "ho had "ell-marked 2al(ha activity2 in their resting **/ sho"ed greater a(titude and 3eal $or maintaining the (ractice o$ 0oga4 Si,i!ar o*ser$ations and res'!ts #ere o*tained #hen EE+s #ere recorded in )ersons ade)t in Ten Meditati$e techni8'e1 Can #e say that on!y those )ersons #ho e%hi*it s'ch recordin& o/ a!)ha #a$e rhyth, in their EE+ are /it /or Yo&aG and *e desi&nated as ri&ht candidates /or ,editation and Yo&a

)racticesG -S'ch e%)eri,ents are indeed $ery /e# and the n',*er o/ yo&is e%a,ined is a!so $ery s,a!!1 There/ore( scienti/ica!!y and statistica!!y these o*ser$ations ha$e on!y a tentati$e i,)ortance1 5'rther research is de/inite!y ca!!ed /or( a!*eit it #i!! ha$e its o#n !i,itations1. )iscussion and #onclusion .eurotransmitters and .euro-modulators' These are che,ica! s'*stances re!eased at the Ne'rona! Syna)ses -ner$e 2'nctions.1 They act *y a!terin& e!ectrica! ,e,*rane )otentia! *y o)enin& ') channe!s that )er,it di//'sion o/ Sodi',( Potassi',( and Ca!ci', ions in and o't o/ the ner$e ce!!1 They not on!y trans,it the ,essa&e /ro, one ce!! to another( *'t a!so se!ecti$e!y /aci!itate so,e in/or,ation #hi!e inhi*itin& the other1 Moreo$er( the action o/ Ca!ci', ions )er,its trans/er o/ e!ectrica! e$ents into ,o!ec'!ar chan&es that can a!ter /'nctions o/ the ner$e ce!!s )er,anent!y( i1e1 chan&e ce!!'!ar /'nction to s'*ser$e a ,e,ory or !earnin& res)onse1 Ne'ro",od'!ators a//ect the ne'ro"trans,itters *y in/!'encin& ne'rona! )!asticity( &ro#th( or di//erentiation1 Di//erent ty)es o/ rece)tors( as )resent in di//erent re&ions o/ *rain( can acco'nt /or the co,)!e% and ,'!ti)!e e//ects o/ ,edication( ,editation( concentration( and conte,)!ation1 This ,ay *e e//ected thro'&h actions o/ s)eci/ic ty)e o/ ne'ro"trans,itter and ne'ro"rece)tor1 5or e%a,)!e( a s'*"ty)e o/ &!'ta,ate rece)tor a))ears to ,ediate the /'nction o/ *rain )!asticity( a )rocess considered i,)ortant in !earnin& and ,e,ory1 Acety!cho!ine he!)s in ,e,ory( ,oti$ation( )erce)tion and co&nition1 It is a!so in$o!$ed in attention and aro'sa! /'nctions o/ ascendin& retic'!ar syste,1 Decrease in the !e$e!s o/ this ne'ro",od'!ator !eads to !oss o/ ,e,ory( seni!e de,entia " A!Hhei,er7s disease1 E%cess o/ serotonin( another i,)ortant ne'ro",od'!ator( !eads to ha!!'cinations( as seen in LSD cons',)tion( #hich ca'ses increase in serotonin !e$e!1 This disco$ery ca!!ed attention to the corre!ation *et#een *eha$ior and $ariation in *rain serotonin content1 Se!ecti$e de)!etion o/ serotonin( in ani,a!s( ca'ses )ro!on&ed #a4e/'!ness1 It a!so )!ays i,)ortant ro!e in circadian rhyth, and s!ee) cyc!e1 Other ne'rotrans,itters and ,od'!ators !i4e nor"e)ine)hrine ca'se chan&es in ,ood " e%cess !eadin& to e!ation( and de/iciency ca'sin& ner$o's de)ression1 It a!so contro!s /ood inta4e( re&'!ates te,)erat're( and hor,ona! secretions1 E%cess o/ do)a,ine !e$e! is res)onsi*!e /or schiHo)hrenia and )sychosis1 Ner$e &ro#th /actor is a hor,one !i4e )e)tide that is res)onsi*!e /or the &ro#th and ,aintenance o/ $ario's *rain str'ct'res1 The (lausi-le hy(othesis to e%)!ain the a!tered state o/ conscio'sness *ro'&ht a*o't *y intense and )ro!on&ed ,ediation ,ay *e constr'cted as /o!!o#s@ The e$o!'tionary )rocess adds hi&her centres to the )ri,iti$e ner$o's syste,1 These hi&her centres ha$e inhi*itory in/!'ence( in other #ords they s'))ress the /'nctions o/ !o#er centres1 Th's( the *rain ste, is contro!!ed *y the hi&her !i,*ic syste,( and the !i,*ic syste, in t'rn is contro!!ed *y sti!! hi&her neo"corte%1 The ne'ro" ,od'!ators #ith their in/!'ence on $ario's ne'ro"trans,itters e//ecti$e!y *rin& a*o't this inhi*itory ,odi/ications and inter"re!ations a,on& $ario's *rain centres -hierarchy.1

5or instance( in$o!'ntary ,o$e,ents !i4e tre,ors and chorea are s'))ressed *y *asa! &an&!ia thro'&h the action o/ do)a,ine and acety!cho!ine syner&y1 Any i,*a!ance in these ne'ro",od'!ators ca'ses in$o!'ntary ,o$e,ents !i4e chorea( tre,ors -Par4inson7s Disease etc1.1 Si,i!ar!y( !oss o/ cortica! contro! o$er the ,otor ne'rons o/ s)ina! cord !eads to e%a&&erated ,'sc!e and tendon 2er4s d'e !oss o/ inhi*itory contro! o/ the hi&her ,otor corte%1 Neo"corte% 4ee)s a!! the in$o!'ntary ,o$e,ents( hy)er"re/!e%i$ity( ra&e( a&&ression( and si,i!ar ani,a! tendencies 'nder chec4 so that it can e//ecti$e!y )'rs'e its o#n hi&h!y de$e!o)ed acti$ities o/ !o&ic( ,e,ory( reason( !an&'a&e( ca!c'!ations( 2'd&e,ent( and conce)ts( etc1 Conscio's( #i!!/'!( i,a&inati$e /'nctions are there/ore( nor,a! state o/ a#areness o/ the h',an *ein&s1 When ,editation acts as a constant re)etiti$e sti,'!'s( certain 8'a!itati$e and 8'antitati$e )er,anent chan&es de$e!o) in the ner$o's syste,1 The ne'ro" trans,itters and ne'ro",od'!ators ,ay sti,'!ate &ro#th o/ dor,ant or !atent ne'rons to de$e!o) a centre -or centres. #hich on the e$o!'tionary !adder isEare sti!! hi&her than the )resent day cere*ra! corte%1 The *rain ,ay de$e!o) ne# connections and )!asticity res'!tin& in the ca)acity to thin4( to rationa!iHe( and react in a di//erent #ay to the sensory in)'t than #hat is e%)ected *y )resent day )hysio!o&ists1 5or #ant o/ na,e( #e ,ay !a*e! s'ch hi&her center as 7+od Mod'!e71 This hi&her centre #i!! e%ert inhi*itory contro! o$er the )resent day neo"corte%( and there*y( o$er the ,ind as a #ho!e -conscio'sness( reasonin&( conce)t'a! thin4in&( #i!!in&( /ee!in&( and doin&( etc1.D The conscio'sness and a!! ,enta! acti$ities #i!! hence *e s'))ressed1 The )erson #i!! reach a state *eyond ,ind itse!/ " transcendenta! a#arenessD The s)irit'a! ascent is /ro, the !east e$o!$ed state o/ conscio'sness to near )er/ect state( a/ter #hich the ,ind itse!/ #i!! cease to *e( and there #i!! re,ain on!y non"d'a! e%)erience1 "" c s shah Sa,4hya and Vedanta O't o/ si% c!assica! syste,s o/ st'dies o/ Indian tho'&ht (Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, and Vedanta) ( Sa,4hya /or,s one o/ the ,ost i,)ortant )hi!oso)hica! c'rrents1 It is *ased on t#o distinct )rinci)!es( na,e!y 9. P'r'sha( and ?. Pra4riti1 This d'a!is, /or,s the *asis o/ this )hi!oso)hy1 Second!y( Sa,4hya is )recise( rationa!( and !o&ica!( and there/ore does not dee, it necessary to in$o4e the conce)t o/ +od /or e%)!ainin& the ,ani/est and non",ani/est ,'!ti/ario's nat're@ the indi$id'a! se!/ and the o*2ecti$e 'ni$erse1 Sa,4hya nice!y )ro)o'nds the theory o/ the )ossi*i!ity and the need to rea!iHe o'r tr'e Se!/ so that the *onda&e o/ i&norance is *ro4en and the indi$id'a! se!/ attains !i*eration1 Patan2a!i in his syste, o/ Yo&a /'rther e!'cidates the ,ethod and )ractice o/ this syste, to rea!iHe P'r'sha as distinct /ro, Pra4riti and attain Li*eration1 It is to the credit o/ sa&e Ca)i!a -o/ ancient India( circa JKK 3CE. that sa# the e!a*oration o/ this syste,( and there*y he esta*!ished the *asis /or a!! s'*se8'ent )hi!oso)hica! de!i*erations1 There/ore( Ca)i!a M'ni is tr'!y ca!!ed the 5ather o/ Phi!oso)hy 1 Prakriti Thro'&h the conce)t o/ Prakriti Sa,4hya ded'ced the e$o!'tion o/ o*2ecti$e 'ni$erse in its in/inite di$ersity1 This Pra4riti is a!! )er$asi$e *'t co,)!e% )ri,a! s'*stance( #hich is trans/or,ed into ,'!ti/ario's nat're1 The )ri,a! entity is not )ercei$ed in its ori&ina! /or,( /or then it is in a state o/ e8'i!i*ri',( and as s'ch re,ains non" ,odi/ied1 This eterna! and in/inite )rinci)!e is insentient and consists o/ three

interde)endent and interchan&ea*!e e!e,ents ca!!ed the gunas1 These are sattva( rajas( and tamas1 These &'nas are not the 8'a!ities *'t the constit'ent )arts o/ Pra4riti1 They &i$e co,)!e%ity to Mula -ori&ina!. Pra4riti1 Under the inscr'ta*!e in/!'ence o/ Purusha( #hich is inacti$e and )assi$e( *'t sentient -and a!so in/inite and eterna!.( Pra4riti !oses its e8'i!i*ri',1 As a conse8'ence o/ this( the e8'i!i*ri', in Pra4riti is dist'r*ed and the #ho!e 'ni$erse o/ 'n!i,ited )er,'tations and co,*inations co,es into e%istence1 The /irst ,odi/ication o/ Pra4riti " )ri,ordia! nat're " is ca!!ed as Mahat or Cos,ic Inte!!i&ence1 It /'rther in$o!'tes into t#o /orces( 9. Akasha( the )ri,a! ,atter( and ?. Prana( the )ri,a! ener&y1 A4asha /or,s the ,ateria! *asis( and Prana the ener&y *asis o/ creation1 5ro, the interaction *et#een A4asha and Prana are /or,ed /i$e s'*t!e e!e,ents( cr'de!y trans!ated as Ether( 5ire( Air( Water( and Earth1 In $ario's )ro)ortions( these are the constit'ents o/ a!! the ,ateria! e%istence in the 'ni$erse1 As can *e seen( e$en Mahat or Inte!!i&ence is ,atter consistin& o/ three &'nas( and /i$e e!e,ents1 Nothin& can e%ist #itho't the co,*ination o/ these three &'nas1 Mind( inte!!ect( e&o( sense or&ans( sense o*2ects( trees( )!ants( ani,a! #or!d( in short e$erythin& e$o!$es /ro, the $ario's co,*ination o/ these three &'nas1 In so,e o/ these the satt$a &'na )redo,inates( in others the ra2as or the ta,as1 De)endin& ')on the )re)onderance o/ a )artic'!ar &'na in any co,*ination( the o*2ect ac8'ires its )ec'!iarities1 5or instance( #hi!e the ,ind and inte!!ect ha$e )redo,inance o/ satt$a( a c!od o/ earth or a stone is /'!! o/ ta,asD S'n rays are co,*ination o/ Satt$a and Ra2as1 Satt$a is he!)/'! in i!!',inin& the tr'e nat're o/ the thin&( ta,as in its e%tre,e o*sc'res the rea!ity( ra2as acts at the inter,ediate !e$e!( and it ca'ses distorted )erce)tion and &i$es /a!se )erce)tion o/ thin&s1 Satt$a is )'re and shinin&( ra2as is acti$e and )assionate( #hi!e ta,as is d'!! and !aHy1 Purusha Sa,4hya )hi!oso)hy sho'!d not *e constr'ed to ,ean nat'ra!istic science0 and its conce)tion o/ the second )rinci)!e as P'r'sha re,o$es s'ch a ,isconce)tion1 Whi!e Pra4riti is insentient( P'r'sha is the sentient *ein&1 It is the )rinci)!e o/ a#areness1 3eca'se o/ its c!ose association #ith Pra4riti it is )ossi*!e to &ain e%)erience1 Or&ans o/ )erce)tion are res)onsi*!e /or *rin&in& sensory sti,'!i to the ,ind( *'t it s on!y *eca'se o/ )ro%i,ity o/ P'r'sha to the interna! or&an "antah4arana" one can &ain the e%)erience1 One ,ore i,)ortant consideration accordin& to Sa,4hya is that P'r'shas are ,any1 The )rocess in *rie/ can *e descri*ed as /o!!o#s@ S)irit or P'r'sha is the )rinci)!e /or the sa4e o/ #hich nat're e$o!$es1 E%)erience is e%)!ained on the *asis o/ a certain association o/ s)irit #ith nat're1 Matter is ,ere!y the ,edi', /or s)irit to ,ani/est itse!/0 ,atter is not the so'rce o/ conscio'sness1 Mind inte!!ect co,)!e% -or interna! or&an( the Antah4arana. is re/ined( s'*t!e ,atter )redo,inant!y consistin& o/ satt$a &'na that acts as the ,ain !oc's o/ 'nion *et#een Pra4riti and P'r'sha res'!tin& in )ossi*i!ity o/ an e%)erience( and there*y 4no#!ed&e1 E$ery tho'&ht( desire( i1e1 ,enta! )rocess *y #ay o/ interna! or e%terna! sti,'!'s *rin&s a*o't ,odi/ications in chitta " the ,ind"st'//1 Li4e a stone thro#n in a !a4e it )rod'ces ri))!es in the chitta1 I,,ediate!y the ,ind reacts( it sends the ,essa&e to the 3'ddhi or the inte!!ect( #hich deter,ines the nat're o/ the i,)'!se and decides the co'rse o/ action1 Th's( inte!!ect acts as the deter,inistic /ac'!ty1 3'ddhi )resents the #ho!e series o/ ,odi/ications to the P'r'sha( #hich e%)eriences the chan&e in the chitta( *'t is not a//ected in the !east in the )rocess1 It is !i4e a co!or!ess )ris, a))earin& red #hen a red /!o#er is )!aced *eside itD Th's interna! or&an or ,ind"st'//

is the ,ain cond'it /or 4no#!ed&e1 Ho#e$er( the e&o"/'nction con/'ses the sit'ation *y identi/yin& the P'r'sha #ith the ,atter1 The P'r)ose 3't #hat is the )'r)ose o/ a!! these chan&es in the nat'reD Is there anyG Ho# and #hy this e$o!'tion /ro, &ross to s'*t!e and *ac4( and ho# can these chan&es *e inter)reted in re!ation to the &oa!G The 8'estion co,es to ,ind@ Is the cos,ic re$o!'tion )'r)ose/'!G Ans#er to these 8'estions /or,s the *asis o/ $ario's )hi!oso)hica! tho'&hts in the history o/ ti,e and )!ace1 The #esterners and Char$a4as o/ India *e!ie$ed that s'ch chan&es are ,eant /or sense en2oy,ent a!one( /ro, &rosser ind'!&ence to re/ined inte!!ect'a! de!i*erations1 7Eat( drin4( and *e ,erry7 #as the s!o&an o/ ancient ,ateria!ist Char$a4as1 3't the Indians didn7t o*2ect to their #hi,s( /or( as a tr'e re!i&io's de,ocratic tradition( res)ect /or e$ery *e!ie/ #as the ,ain )i!!ar o/ Indian c'!t're1 Any#ay( co,in& to o'r )oint o/ ans#erin& the 8'estion o/ )'r)ose( ai, or &oa! o/ the chan&es in the nat're( Sa,4hya ,aintains that chan&es are /or the 7*ene/it7 o/ P'r'sha1 The P'r'sha &rad'a!!y rea!iHes that chan&es in the nat're do not a//ect Hi,0 and a day co,es #hen it *eco,es /ree /ro, a!! the *onda&e o/ identi/ication #ith the *ody and ,ind1 It rea!iHes that it is eterna!!y 5ree and o,niscient1 This rea!iHation o/ /reedo, o/ P'r'sha /ro, Pra4riti is the ai, and destiny o/ e$ery h',an endea$o'r1 The ,issin& !in4 in ,odern ,ateria!ist science is the a*sence o/ any conce)tion o/ )ri,a! sentient Se!/ or Conscio'sness or P'r'sha1 -Thro'&ho't the artic!e( the ter,s Se!/ or Conscio'sness or P'r'sha are 'sed interchan&ea*!y1. S Di//erences 3et#een Sa,4hya and Ad$aita Vedanta@ The ancient Sa,4hya and Vedanta )hi!oso)hies disc'ss $ario's as)ects o/ ori&in o/ 'ni$erse and e$o!'tionary rationa!ity o/ creation1 The #ho!e ar&',entati$e a))roach o/ $ario's Indian *e!ie/ syste,s( in so,e #ay or the other( is *ased on these )hi!oso)hies1 We ha$e seen that Sa,4hya ,aintains t#o inde)endent Rea!ities and in/inite n',*ers o/ P'r'shas1 Moreo$er( *oth the entities are ta4en to ass',e in/inite and eterna! e%istence1 Vedanta does not acce)t t#o in/inites and ,'!ti)!icity o/ So'!s1 Vedanta ,aintains that 3rah,an is the on!y I,,ateria! Sentient E%istence0 and *ein& non",ateria! and si,)!e( It has to *e a!! )er$adin& and the on!y One Rea!ity1 The )ro*!e, arises( then( a*o't e%)!ainin& this 7,'!ti/ario's e%istence inc!'din& o'r identityD7 The si,)!e and a))arent!y clever ans#er to this 8'estion is@ 3e/ore e$erythin& there e%ists Rea!ity as A*so!'te Conscio'sness1 The 7Wi!!7 to *eco,e ,any is the *e&innin& o/ ,ani/est 'ni$erse1 The Wi!! e$o!$es as I!!'sion@ the Maya1 7A*so!'te Conscio'sness( 3rah,an( #i!!ed to *eco,e ,any7( this is Maya1 Maya is the cos,ic i!!'sion that creates i&norance and $ei!s the $ision o/ the On!y Rea!ity1 D'e to the )o#er o/ Maya( the Sa,e Oneness is )ercei$ed as ,ani/o!d 'ni$erse1 7When one )ercei$es this 'ni$erse as rea!( the e%)!anation *ased on Maya theory sho'!d s'it the )erson1 A ti,e #i!! co,e #hen one sha!! reach the state o/ hi&her conscio'sness #hen this ,'!ti/ario's rea!ity #i!! $anish( and the )erson #i!! )ercei$e the sa,e 'ni$erse as no other than 3rah,an( -or At,an( or Se!/( or +od.17

3asica!!y A*so!'te Conscio'sness #as ne$er ,odi/ied( is not ,odi/ied( and #i!! not *e ,odi/ied1 This is the *asis o/ Ad$aita Vedanta1 3ased on their e%)eriences the 7seers7 or 7rishis7 o/ ancient a&es ca,e to the conc!'sion that the entire ,ani/est 'ni$erse is the i!!'sory e%)ression o/ One S'*stance "the A*so!'te Uni$ersa! Conscio'sness@ S#a,i Vi$e4ananda has had honesty to )raise sa&e Ca)i!a and his e%)osition o/ Sa,4hya )hi!oso)hy as( -I/ #e ta4e into consideration Ad$aita Vedanta.( then o'r ar&',ent #i!! *e that the Sa,4hya is not a )er/ect &enera!iHation( 111and yet a!! &!ory rea!!y *e!on&s to the Sa,4hya1 It is $ery easy to &i$e a /inishin& to'ch to a *'i!din& #hen it is constr'cted1 S C S Shah

Ad$aita Vedanta And 6'est 5or Cno#!ed&e The co!!ecti$e &ro#th in h',an inte!!ect o$er ,any cent'ries( *orne o't o/ ,yriad o/ e%)eriences -/or e%)erience is the on!y so'rce o/ 4no#!ed&e.( has endorsed 7scienti/ic reason7 as the ,ost )o#er/'! too! /or see4in& 4no#!ed&e1 Ho#e$er( it de,anded e8'a!!y )o#er/'!( )ro&ressi$e and rationa! tradition in e)iste,o!o&y and )hi!oso)hy that co'!d *a!ance the #ay#ardness o/ science in )roc!ai,in& 7st'dy o/ e%terna! nat're7 as the *est /or, and so'rce o/ 4no#!ed&e1 Ad$aita Vedanta a!one co'!d ,atch this de,and1 It #as a!so necessary to no'rish and stren&then this )ath o/ Ad$aita( /or the &a!!o)in& disco$eries and in$entions in science #o'!d ha$e not acce)ted anythin& !ess /or its e8'a!1 Scientists )roc!ai,ed sense )erce)tions ""/'rther re/ined and e,)o#ered *y inno$ati$e instr',ents( e8'i),ent and &ad&ets"" as the on!y so'rce o/ 4no#!ed&e1 Microsco)es and !asers( /or instance( #ere seen as the e%tensions o/ sense o/ $ision1 Ho#e$er( ,ere re/ine,ent o/ senses and concentration o/ ,ind #itho't s)irit'a! di,ension )ro$ed to *e inade8'ate to reach the hi&hest tr'th1 The 7o*2ecti$e rationa!ity7 #as dist'r*ed *y the necessity o/ 7s'*2ecti$e conscio'sness7 to inter)ret and &ras) the hi&hest tr'th1 Rest!essness o/ scientists( as they de!$ed dee)er into the rea!, o/ s'*t!e( ca,e to /ore in the /or, o/ di//ic'!ty in co,)rehendin& the 7#a$e and )artic!e )heno,enon7( /or instance1 Whi!e )hysica! science !eads to the 'nderstandin& o/ 7)hysics o/ ,atter7( Ad$aita as the s)irit'a! science e%)!ores the s)irit'a! #or!d thro'&h and *eyond the 7)hysics o/ ,ind71 The /or,er is at ease in dea!in& #ith &rosser !a#s( *'t in tryin& to 'nderstand the s'*t!e &ets st'c4 ') in the )rinci)!e o/ 'ncertainty and di!e,,a o/ 8'ant', )hysics1 On the other hand( #hen it co,es to the s'*t!est o/ the s'*t!e Ad$aita has no )ro*!e, in transcendin& the s'*ato,ic )!ane to reach the 7rea!, o/ i,,ateria! s'*strat',71 Witho't any s')er/ine instr',entation and &ad&etry( and #ith the he!) o/ contro! o$er senses and ,ind( Vedanta ,a4es it )ossi*!e to rea!iHe the on!y 7conscio's rea!ity7 o/ #hich &rosser /or,s are *'t de!'din& e%)ressions1 Nat'ra!!y( scientists !e$e! ,'ch criticis, a&ainst this 'ni8'e ,ode o/ see4in& 4no#!ed&e *y ancient Indian Seers and Rishis1 5or #ant o/ 'nderstandin&( the scri)t'ra! teachin&s are *r'shed aside as re!i&io's s')erstitions1 7I/ #e cannot 'nderstand( the #ritin&s ,'st *e #ron&D7 This i!!'sion o/ 'ncha!!en&ed $ictorio's ,arch o/ science is a4in to the tendency o/ a tri',)hant 4in& on ra,)a&eD 3't e$ery 4in& ,'st st',*!e at the !one!y &ate o/ )eace/'! h't o/ a Seer1 No 4in& has yet de/eated the Seer o/ a*so!'te 4no#!ed&e1 E$en A!e%ander the +reat co'!d not /ri&hten a ,on4 in ancient India to 7*o# do#n to hi, or e!se /ace annihi!ation71 The ,on4 !a'&hed at the 4in&7s #ords o/ i&norance and said@ O 4in&( ho# /oo!ish is yo'r idea to 4i!! ,e1 What are yo' tryin& to destroyG This *odyD 3't I a, not this *ody( I

a, not this ,ind1 I a, the e$er e%istent At,an0 the At,an( #hich ne$er dies( #hich can7t *e dried *y the #ind( #hich can7t *e c't *y s#ord( #hich can7t *e destroyed *y /ire1 Another criticis, that tries to thro# the /o!!o#ers o/ Ad$aita o// *a!ance is to !a*e! the, as se!/ish1 It is ar&'ed that these Vedantins in the na,e o/ see4in& tr'th and !i*eration do nothin& to i,)ro$e the condition o/ ,asses1 5or the, !a# o/ 4ar,a and 'nity o/ a!! *ein&s is a &ood esca)ist e%c'se to retreat to /orest /or iso!ated ,editation and a'sterities1 They thin4 and teach( Let the #or!d &o to do&s( /or it is a/ter a!! on!y an i!!'sionD Nothin& can *e ,ore )re)ostero's than s'ch a char&e a&ainst see4ers a/ter Tr'th1 Ad$aita Vedanta *e!ie$es that the so'rce o/ $a!'es is Eterna! Conscio's 3ein& and not the /actories o/ techno!o&ica! inno$ations #here &oods o/ co,/orts are co'nter)oised #ith the hea)s o/ #ea)ons o/ ,ass destr'ctionD See4in& )!eas're /or this si%"/oot /ra,e( #hich is a!so s're to )erish( has *eco,e the so!e ai, and !i,it o/ science1 Science as the *est ,eans o/ )'rs'it o/ 4no#!ed&e and e%ce!!ence has de&enerated into a ,ere sense")a,)erin& de$ice1 It has *eco,e an ine//ecti$e too! in the hands o/ 7Ma/ia o/ ,atter71 +reat Seers in ancient and recent )ast( e1&1 Sri Ra,a4rishna Para,ha,sa -9JA;" 9JJ;.( e%)eri,ented #ith the tr'ths o/ Vedanta1 A!tho'&h they to'ched ')on a!! the notes o/ 7$edantic /!'te7( the t'ne o/ Ad$aita Vedanta a!one stood the test o/ se$erest scr'tiny and in$esti&ations as a too! to reach to the hi&hest Cno#!ed&e1 It #as *ased on 7in"de)th st'dy o/ interna! nat're71 Later( they e%horted( o$ert!y or co$ert!y( a!! their disci)!es to /o!!o# that )ath1 They to!d to 4ee) the 4no#!ed&e o/ Ad$aita #e!! #ithin their &ras) and roa, in the #or!d1 No i!! #o'!d then *e/a!! the,0 they co'!d ne$er *e #ron&1 Ho#e$er( /or those de$otees #ho initia!!y /ee! 'neasy #ith the a))ea! o/ Ad$aita and there*y ,ay &et di//ident or e$en /ri&htened( they ad$ocated )ath o/ 8'a!i/ied ,onis,0 )ath o/ 3ha4ti and )ath o/ Car,a *!ended #ith )ath o/ =nana or 4no#!ed&e1 It sho'!d *e c!ear to 's that s'ch Men o/ +od or 74no#ers7 o/ Ad$aita Tr'ths do not so!e!y concern the,se!$es #ith eradication o/ e$i! in the #or!d1 Their )rinci)a! ,ission on the earth is to esta*!ish )er/ection and e%ce!!ence in the ,eans o/ ac8'isition o/ hi&hest 4no#!ed&e o/ Unity( Di$inity o/ each so'!1 On!y a /e# &i/ted )ersons 'nderstand this ,ission o/ transcendin& reason and reach the state o/ int'iti$e 4no#!ed&e1 To these de$otees s)eci/ica!!y the 7a$atar7 /irst addresses hisEher teachin&s( or on!y s'ch rare so'!s 'nderstand the !an&'a&e o/ S)irit1 "" C S Shah /uided editation Each so'! is )otentia!!y di$ine1 Meditation he!)s to ac8'ire )'rity o/ ,ind to ,ani/est this di$inity #ithin1 Rea!iHation o/ o'r tr'e di$ine nat're is the &oa! o/ h',an *irth1 The ter, ,editation is 'sed in re!ation to contro!!in& and disci)!inin& the ,ind *y yo&a )ractices1 In Patan2a!i7s Yo&a A)horis,s( o't o/ ei&ht"/o!d )roced'res( ,editation /or,s !ast *'t one ste)1 3e/ore ,editation co,es concentration( and a/ter it is the /ina! transcendenta! state o/ sa,adhi1 Other in2'nctions that are to *e /o!!o#ed are a. to !ead an ethica! and si,)!e !i/e( *. to 'nderta4e so,e *reathin& editation

e%ercises to contro! )rana and( c. to #ithdra# sense or&ans /ro, their o*2ects1 It is said that a!! these re8'isite )ractices /a!! in as)irant7s stride once he ta4es to )ractice o/ ,editation1 There/ore( there is no need to *rood o$er o'r ,ora! #ea4nesses( e$en i/ any1 The states o/ 9. concentration( ?. ,editation( and A. sa,adhi are the so'rce o/ a!! 4no#!ed&e and *!iss1 Cno#!ed&e in e$ery /ie!d o/ acti$ity has *een initia!!y re$ea!ed to so,e )ersons #ho had reached s'ch ,editati$e states( and has thence reached o$er cent'ries to h',anity in &enera!1 /uided editation 5o!!o#in& are &enera! &'ide!ines /or ,editation1 The )roced're and e//ort is har,!ess( *'t re8'ires honest( sincere( s'stained( and )ro!on&ed )ractice o$er ,any ,onths and years /or any res'!t to *eco,e $isi*!e1 -9. It is )re/era*!e to !ead )'re and si,)!e !i/e as /ar as )ossi*!e1 5ood sho'!d *e s,a!! in 8'antity at a ti,e( and ,eat( a!coho!( and s,o4in& is *est a$oided1 Ade8'ate s!ee) is necessary1 Virt'es s'ch as tr'th/'!ness( continence( non"in2'rin& others *y #ords or deeds( and )rayer/'! attit'de are he!)/'!1 -It is not )ossi*!e to &i$e ') ,eat( a!coho!( s,o4in&( and se% a*r')t!y1 3't the 8'antity and /re8'ency can *e red'ced1. Try and c't do#n a /e# 'nnecessary desires and re8'ire,ents1 Per/or, one se!/!ess act dai!y( or at !east once a #ee41 S'ch act as he!)in& o!d )erson cross road( n'rsin& the sic4( or /eedin& the in$a!id1 E$en a!!o#in& so,eone to o$erta4e yo' on a hi&h#ay #i!! doD -?. The *est ti,e /or ,editation is ear!y ,ornin& and e$enin& #hen nat're is tran8'i! and 8'iet1 T#ice a day )ractice is )re/erred *'t ,ornin& ,editation a!one is 8'ite s'//icient to *e&in #ith1 -A. It is )re/era*!e to ta4e sho#er *e/ore sittin& /or ,editation1 C!othes sho'!d *e !i&ht and !oose( )re/era*!y cotton1 It is *etter not to eat anythin& *e/ore ,editation( *'t e%ce)tion can *e ,ade /or a c') or &!ass o/ #ater or /r'it 2'ice1 -<. It is *etter to decide *e/ore the start o/ )ractice the o*2ect o/ ,editation1 A

s)irit'a! teacher *est s'&&ests this( *'t /or #ant o/ the sa,e( one can choose the /or, o/ one7s !i4in& and inc!ination1 5or instance( one ,ay ,editate on a /or, o/ one7s chosen idea! s'ch as Christ( Cross( Ch'rch( 3'ddha( Sri Ra,a4rishna( Sri Crishna( Ra,a( Shi$a( or Ca!i( or any re$ered Pro)het or Ho!y )erson o/ his or her re!i&ion1 I/ this is not desira*!e or one7s constit'tion does not a))ro$e o/ ,editation #ith /or,( one ,ay choose $astness o/ s4y or the ocean as the o*2ect o/ ,editation1 Or e!se( )'re /or,!ess ,editation can *e atte,)ted that inc!'des ,editation on a tho'&ht or an idea o/ A*so!'te 3ea'ty( 3!iss( Ethics( etc1 -B. To *e&in #ith( choose a 8'iet roo, or a corner o/ any roo, as the )!ace /or ,editation1 Insta!! a )hoto or i,a&e o/ yo'r chosen idea! or the sy,*o!( i/ yo' ha$e decided to ,editate #ith /or,1 Sit cross"!e&&ed on a s,a!! ,attress -? /eet *y A /eet. in a co,/orta*!e )ost're that a!!o#s yo' to *e sta*!e #ith !east ,o$e,ents /or so,e ti,e( say AK ,in'tes1 S)ine and the *ac4 sho'!d *e he!d strai&ht1 -;. Yo' ,ay !i&ht incense stic4 andEor o//er /!o#ers to yo'r chosen idea! #ho is sy,*o!iHed in the /or, o/ a )hoto or i,a&e or an ido!1 ->. Then c!ose yo'r eyes and )ray /or the #e!/are o/ a!!1 Li4e( )ray( 7!et a!! no*!e tho'&hts co,e ,e /ro, a!! o$er the 'ni$erse1 Let there *e )eace and *!iss a!! aro'nd1 Let a!! *ein&s *e 2oy/'! and ha))y71 -J. No#( thin4 o/ )'re s)ace in the re&ion o/ yo'r heart1 I,a&ine that it is a!! )eace/'!( $ast( and e//'!&ent1 The !i&ht is coo! and *!iss/'!1 Those #ho ,editate #ith /or, sho'!d thin4 that the e//'!&ence is in the /or, a !ot's #ith ei&ht )eta!s1 In the center o/ this i!!',ined !ot's there is another *!iss/'! e//'!&ent /or, o/ their chosen deity or sy,*o!1 Those #ho )ractice ,editation #itho't /or, sho'!d thin4 o/ 'ni/or, *!iss/'! e//'!&ence1 -:. +rad'a!!y thin4 and i,a&ine that the !i&ht is s)readin& a!! aro'nd and occ')yin& the inside o/ thoracic ca$ity1 It is /i!!in& chest inside1 Contin'e to see this e//'!&ence s)readin& to a*do,ina! ca$ity reachin& to#ards thi&hs( !e&s( and /eet1

-9K. Thin4 o/ the si,i!ar s)read to sho'!ders( ar,s( hands( head( nec4( and /ace1 -99. No# yo'r #ho!e is /i!!ed #ith radiant *!iss/'! !i&ht1 -9?. Ne%t( i,a&ine this e//'!&ence s)readin& o'tside yo'r *ody0 a*o$e yo'r head( *e!o# yo'r seat( to the ri&ht and !e/t( and in /ront and *ac41 5ro, a!! side this #onder/'! ca!,in& e//'!&ence s'rro'nds yo'1 -9A. Contin'e as !on& as yo' can1 Initia!!y the ,ind #i!! re*e!1 Vario's 'nthin4a*!e tho'&hts #i!! cro#d yo'r ,ind1 The tho'&hts o/ !'st( hatred( cr'e!ty( tho'&hts re&ardin& yo'r o//ice or ho,e( #i/e -or h's*and( or /riend.( chi!dren( )ast e%)eriences( etc1 #i!! s)rin& ') /ro, no #here1 This a!! ,ay /ri&hten yo'1 The *est co'rse is to i&nore these tho'&hts1 ='st o*ser$e the, as a #itness1 Do not /i&ht the,1 +rad'a!!y #ith )erse$erance o$er a )eriod o/ ,any #ee4s their )o#er #i!! #ane1 -9<. Contin'e to sit in a re!a%ed /ra,e o/ ,ind /or /i$e to ten ,in'tes *e/ore yo' !ea$e the roo,1 D'rin& this )eriod yo' ,ay say )rayers( sin& a son& in the )raise o/ the Lord( or read so,e &ood te%t /ro, the Scri)t're or a Ho!y 3oo41 -9B. Do the sa,e )ractice e$eryday a*o't sa,e a))ointed ho'r on the sa,e ,attress1 Do not 'se that ,attress /or any other )'r)ose1 It is *est to s#itch o// yo'r ,o*i!e )hone etc1 Ho#e$er( do not &et irritated i/ $isitors rin& the door *e!! or the )hone rin&s a*r')t!y1 Ta4e it as a di$ine interr')tion( and acce)t a!! the #ea4nesses o/ se!/ and others as nat'ra!1 -9;. Initia!!y one ,ay *eco,e s!i&ht!y ,ore irrita*!e( *'t #ithin a /e# #ee4s yo' start /ee!in& *etter in yo'r *ody and ,ind1 3't ,enta! tran8'i!ity and )hysica! /itness are not the &oa! o/ ,editation1 These are 2'st &ood side e//ects1 The &oa! is to &et &!i,)ses o/ o'r tr'e nat're( that is Di$inity1 It ta4es a*o't three years o/ re&'!ar )ractice /or the desired res'!ts to *eco,e $isi*!e1 %(ecial .ote' -9>. To start #ith( ,editate /or /i$e ,in'tes in the ,ornin& and /i$e ,in'tes in the e$enin&( or ten ,in'tes in the ,ornin& or e$enin& as s'its yo'1 When the )ost're *eco,es co,/orta*!e and ,ind *eco,es steady( &rad'a!!y increase the d'ration1 -9J. Yo' can a!#ays s4i) the ,editation i/ yo' do not /ee! so on any )artic'!ar day( or

i/ yo' are ,enta!!y not )re)ared1 An%iety and stress on acco'nt o/ ,editation is not nor,a!1 In s'ch sit'ations yo' sho'!d 2'st do )rayer and #orshi) Practica! Vedanta In the #inter o/ 9J:; S#a,i Vi$e4ananda de!i$ered a series o/ /o'r !ect'res in London on )ractica! $edanta 1 Here he ,et Mar&aret No*!e #ho !ater *eca,e his ardent /o!!o#er and disci)!e1 She ca,e to India as Sister Ni$edita to start ed'cationa! schoo!s and co!!e&es /or #o,en1 It #o'!d *e #orth#hi!e to see in $ery *rie/ #hat S#a,i Vi$e4ananda ,eant *y )ractica! $edanta1 Here is an atte,)t to )resent the s',,ary o/ the sa,e1 The *asic contri*'tion o/ seers or rishis o/ India is their disco$ery o/ 7di$inity o/ each so'!71 E$erythin& that one )ercei$es is none other than Rea!ity a))earin& distorted *eca'se o/ o'r distorted )erce)tion o/ o'rse!$es1 3eca'se #e /ee! #e are *ody" ,ind co,)endi',s #e )ercei$e the #or!d as ,'!ti/ario's( so,e /or,s a))earin& /a$o'ra*!e to 's #hi!e other anta&onistic to o'r *ein&1 Ho#e$er( as one *eco,es a#are o/ his di$ine conscio'sness his )erce)tion o/ the #or!d 'nder&oes 8'a!itati$e chan&e1 Then the /ear and a!ienation ,a4e #ay /or !o$e and 'nity1 To atte,)t to rea!iHe and ,ani/est o'r di$ine nat're( to ,a4e e//orts to see 'nity in di$ersity( to con$ert indi//erence and hatred into !o$e /or a!! *ein&s is in essence )ractica! $edanta1 This is #ho!e o/ re!i&ion1 Certain )roced'res and ,ethodo!o&y he!) 's in this ard'o's )rocess o/ se!/" rea!iHation1 A *!essin& o/ the Teacher #ho has a!ready attained s'ch a state he!)s de$e!o) con/idence and 8'ic4ens o'r 2o'rney1 He &i$es 's a ,antra and sho#s 's o'r idea!1 One sho'!d initia!!y /o!!o# these )re!i,inaries #ith /aith and de$otion1 S'ch a )ath is 4no#n as )ath o/ de$otion or 3ha4ti Yo&a1 Or e!se( the )erson ,ay en&a&e hi,se!/ into 'nse!/ish acti$ities /or the #e!/are o/ a!! *ein&s1 One can #or4 /or a!!e$iation o/ s'//erin& o/ the ,asses( or atte,)t to reesta*!ish the dist'r*ed eco!o&ica! *a!ance( etc1 S'ch se!/!ess actions !ead to atten'ation o/ the e&o and *eco,e Car,a Yo&a /or the as)irant1 To *rin& o't the *est /ro, these t#o disci)!ines( one sho'!d 'nderta4e )ractice o/ discri,ination *et#een rea! and 'nrea!( and reno'ncin& the 'nrea! or transitory1 This is =nana Yo&a1 And !ast!y( to contro! the #a$erin& ,ind that tries to esca)e /ro, these sta*i!iHin& )aths *y con2'rin& ') /a!se ar&',ents a&ainst s)irit'a! )ractices one sho'!d 'nderta4e =a)a( ,editation( and Yo&a1 This is Ra2a Yo&a1 Th's )ractica! $edanta is a conscio's and de!i*erate #ay o/ !i/e !eadin& to rea!iHation o/ o'r tr'e nat're1 There is nothin& secret or esoteric in s'ch a #ay o/ !i/e1 The ,'ch 7h'e and cry7 a*o't irrationa!ity and i,)ractica!ity o/ Vedanta is the *rainchi!d o/ those *'sy in sense en2oy,ent a!one1 These )eo)!e are en&rossed in their #or!d o/ senses and any atte,)t to dist'r* or o*str'ct their hedonistic )'rs'it is /ra'&ht #ith des)air and attac4 on the no*!e )aths o/ see4in& hi&her tr'ths1 No*i!ity o/ Athens &a$e *o#! o/ )oison to Socrates and the Ch'rch h',i!iated Co)ernic's and +a!i!eo1 S'ch )ersec'tion #o'!d contin'e( *eca'se it is *orne o't o/ i&norance1 In addition o/ re,o$in& indi$id'a! i&norance( )ractica! $edanta has one ,ore /'nction@ it has to c!ear the #ay /or desira*!e socia! chan&e /or the *etter1 It has to str'&&!e to insti!! that 4no#!ed&e #hich tries to etch ne# !ines o/ se!/!essness on the *rains o/ h',anity1 There/ore( s)readin& the ideas o/ Vedanta *eco,es a sadhana in itse!/1 It is not an attac4 on so,ethin& sacred0 in /act( it tries to sha4e the /o'ndation o/ i&norance and se!/ishness that )re$ents h',anity to ,ani/est its )ristine di$ine &!ory1

A #e!!"de$e!o)ed )ersona!ity( as $a!'e"*ased e%)ression o/ !i/e( is to *e /o'nd a,on&st the /o!!o#ers o/ Vedanta1 And as s'ch( )ractice o/ $edanta sho'!d *e considered *ene/icia! to the h',an race1 The stron& o))osition to its s)read sho'!d not disco'ra&e tr'e Vedantins to a*andon their e//orts1 On the contrary( this )ersistent c!ash *et#een the /orces o/ 7!i&ht and dar4ness7 #o'!d one day *rea4 the ice and !ead e$eryone /ro, 7dar4ness to !i&ht( /a!sehood to tr'th( and ,orta!ity to i,,orta!ity17 As S#a,i Vi$e4ananda says@ I #ish that e$eryone o/ 's had co,e to s'ch a state that e$en in the $i!est o/ h',an *ein&s #e co'!d see the Rea! Se!/ #ithin( and instead o/ conde,nin& the,( say@ 7Rise tho' e//'!&ent one( rise tho' #ho art a!#ays )'re( rise tho' *irth!ess and death!ess( rise a!,i&hty and ,ani/est thy tr'e nat're1 These !itt!e ,ani/estations do not *e/it thee17 This is the hi&hest )rayer the Ad$aita teaches1 Inade5uacy o$ %cience So,eone #o'!d c!ai, science is there to re!ease 's /ro, s'ch *onda&e1 Tr'e( *'t on!y )art!yD Science did start #ith an atte,)t to esta*!ish c'!t're o/ 7reason and rationa!ity7( as o))osed to 7s')erstitions and /ra'd71 3't it on!y s'cceeded in )art in its endea$or1 The techno!o&ica! /a!!"o'ts #ere 's'r)ed *y the )ri$i!e&ed /e#( #ho e%)!oited the #ea4 in the na,e o/ s')eriority o/ their 4no#!ed&e1 Scienti/ic c'!t're has s'))ressed the &en'ine cry o/ ,i!!ions cr'shed 'nder the #hee! o/ e%)!oitation o/ )o#er o/ rich and )ri$i!e&ed1 This has ha))ened to the 'tter dis,ay o/ tr'e )rota&onists o/ science1 WhyG 3eca'se they had ,issed the *asic conce)t o/ 7di$inity o/ each so'!71 5or the, scienti/ic )ro&ress ,eant )ro&ress in $a!'es( #hich )ro$ed to *e a &reat ,yth1 When one considers onese!/ to *e a 7*ody",ind7 co,)!e% it is *'t nat'ra! that )ro&ress #o'!d *e considered as a ,eans to satis/y sense cra$in&s a!one1 This res'!ts in distorted e&o" satis/action #here )oor cannot ha$e any other /ate than s'*2'&ation to the e%)!oits o/ scienti/ic 4no#!ed&e o/ a /e#1 Vedanta does not o))ose reason or rationa!ity1 It on!y s'*!i,ates it to its !o&ica! conc!'sion o/ treatin& e$eryone as a )art o/ o'r o#n1 It renders e$erythin& #e )ercei$e as di$ine and there/ore( cannot a!!o# e%)!oitation o/ se!/ *y se!/D This is no i,a&ination1 Indeed( #hen #e attain hi&her conscio'sness thro'&h s)irit'a! disci)!ines( #e act'a!!y see or )ercei$e di$inity a!! aro'nd1 The #ho!e #or!d chan&es its a))earance into *ea'ti/'! rea!ity #ith !o$e and #orshi) as its nat'ra! and inse)ara*!e attri*'tes1 "" C S Shah Training the ind Training the ind E$eryone is not e8'a!( so a!so the ,ind1 In so,e o/ 's it is #e!! de$e!o)ed and in others not so #e!! de$e!o)ed1 Ho#e$er( e$eryone has ca)acity to train the ,ind and ')!i/t it /ro, #hate$er !e$e! it /inds itse!/ at1 Three as)ects can *e considered@ 9. $ocationa! and sec'!ar ed'cation( ?. ,ora! and esthetic ed'cation( and A. ,a4in& it /it /or s)irit'a! rea!iHations and e%)eriences1 Ed'cation( as #e co,,on!y 'nderstand to ,ean it( consists o/ schoo! and 'ni$ersity ed'cation re!ated to arts and science( co,,erce and $ocation( etc1 5or s'ch ed'cation e$ery co'ntry and society *'i!ds schoo!s and co!!e&es( and indeed #e see 8'ite an i,)ressi$e )ro&ress and &ro#th in this /ie!d1 Second!y( *ased on ,ora!ity at ti,es /orced *y the !a#( so,e ethica! )ro&ress is a!so $isi*!e1 P'nish,ent /or stea!in&( cri,e( etc1 acts as deterrent and it in t'rn en/orces ,ora!ity in a co,,'nity1

Ho#e$er( ,ind can a!so *e trained to radiate stren&th( )eace( and honesty *y #ay o/ c'!ti$atin& s'ch $irt'es as tr'th/'!ness( se!/"contro!( h',i!ity( and co,)assion1 It can *e said that the *est direction or /ie!d to train the ,ind is the /ie!d o/ s)irit'a!ity1 To 4no# one7s tr'e nat're and )'r)ose /or h',an *irth itse!/ !eads to the *irth o/ *est 8'a!ities in o'r )ersona!ity1 .ature o$ the ind Mind is s'*t!e ,atter( an ener&y"/orce that can ta4e any /or, instant!y1 It has tre,endo's ca)acity to e,)o#er itse!/1 Ho#e$er( it is insentient and has to ta4e or *orro# the Li&ht o/ Conscio'sness /or its /'nctions1 As a tho'&ht or a /ee!in& or an e,otion it can e%)ress itse!/ on!y as a ,i%t're o/ ,atter and conscio'sness1 Conscio'sness is the on!y s)irit'a! *asis o/ E%istence0 it is o'r tr'e nat're( the Se!/1 Th's ,ind can *e se)arated /ro, Conscio'sness( and in /act this se)aration o/ s)irit /ro, the /a!se identi/ication #ith ,atter is the &oa! o/ h',an !i/e1 It is #hat re!i&ion is a!! a*o't1 The tro'*!e is that in this di//ic'!t )rocess o/ seein& S)irit di//erent /ro, the /'nctions o/ 7*rain and ,ind7( one has to ta4e he!) o/ ,ind itse!/1 The road to 'nderstand o'r Se!/ is thro'&h the )'ri/ication o/ ,ind( the )rocess that re8'ires he!) /ro, the ,ind ho#soe$er de/iant and 'n/riend!y it ,i&ht *e in the *e&innin&1 As #ith e$ery /or, o/ ,atter( the ,ind a!so consists o/ three &'nas( ta,as( ra2as( and satt$a( the *asic constit'ents o/ Pri,ordia! Nat're -Pra4riti.1 Re!ati$e )redo,inance o/ one or the other &'nas &i$es )ec'!iar character to the ,ind1 When ta,as )re$ai!s the ,ind is d'!!( st')id( and !aHy1 It is easi!y ca'&ht in the ,esh o/ in/at'ation o/ inertia1 Ra2as ,a4es the ,ind acti$e( a,*itio's( and )assionate1 Ho#e$er( s'ch a ,ind is easi!y ,is!ed into errors1 It is ca'&ht into the #e* o/ de&radin& 8'a!ities o/ !'st( an&er( &reed( 2ea!o'sy and hatred1 On!y satt$a i!!',ines and !eads to /reedo,1 Satt$a is associated #ith 2oy( ha))iness( 4indness and si,i!ar no*!e $irt'es1 Th's( trainin& o/ the ,ind consists o/ c'!ti$atin& )'re satt$a in o'r character and )ersona!ity1 The /o!!o#in& are the 8'a!ities o/ Satt$i4a Mind@ a. Menta! ca!,ness( *. Contro! o/ senses( c. 5ear!essness( d. Patience( e. 5or*earance( /. Uni$ersa! /riendshi)( &. 5aith( h. De$otion( i. Creati$e )o#er( ad$ent're( e%)eri,entation Menta! ca!,ness in e$ery acti$ity and 'nder a!! circ',stances re$ea!s tr'e satt$i4a nat're o/ a sadha4a1 We enco'nter ,any &reat )ersons( e1&1 Mahat,a +andhi( #ho re,ained ca!, and co!!ected 'nder ad$erse conditions and th's #on the *att!e o/ non"$io!ence in his !i/e1 De$otiona! ,'sic( conte,)!ation( and ,editation he!) in achie$in& s'ch ca!, state o/ ,ind1 Contro! o/ senses is essentia! /or conser$ation o/ ener&y that is needed to )ro&ress on the s)irit'a! )ath( or /or that ,atter to achie$e any sincere &oa! in !i/e1 O'r senses are ne$er satiated i/ #e )a,)er the, or easi!y &i$e in to their de,ands1 Li4e #i!d horses they )'!! 's a#ay /ro, o'r ai,1 Their /orce is tre,endo's( *'t o/ !itt!e he!)1 It is 2'st #aste o/ ener&y1 They dist'r* o'r ,enta! *a!ance and !ead to /r'stration and /ai!'re1 Th's( senses ,'st *e contro!!ed *y conscio's and de!i*erate e//orts1 Ma4in& o'r #i!! )o#er stron& is the 4ey in this re&ard1 We ,'st de$e!o) the 8'a!ity o/ /ear!essness to ,a4e o'r ,ind stron& so that it #o'!d /o!!o# the )ath #e #ant to ta4e1 5ear o/ /ai!'re( /ear o/ conse8'ences( /ear o/ 7#hat others #o'!d say7( etc1 are *'t the e%c'ses that the ,ind con2'res ') to esca)e ,any a'sterities re8'ired to )roceed on s)irit'a! )ath1 Second i,)ortant reason /or /ear/'!ness is o'r identi/ication #ith *ody and ,ind1 The ,ore #e e%)erience the

tr'th that #e are )'re s)irit( the ,ore #e *eco,e /ear!ess1 Patience and /or*earance &o hand in hand1 Instead o/ !osin& )atience and *eco,in& rest!ess a*o't the de!ay( and e%)ectin& e$erythin& instant!y( #e sho'!d )erse$ere in o'r s)irit'a! )ractices on o'r )ath o/ Se!/"rea!iHation1 Prayers and disci)!ine he!) 's in *eco,in& )atient1 5or*earance is titi4sha( to re,ain 'na//ected and end're e$en in ad$ersities1 3!a,e and a*'ses( ,is/ort'nes and ca!a,ities sho'!d not ,a4e 's i,)atient1 Rather #e sho'!d /or&i$e the )erson #ho has done 's #ron&( and acce)t the sit'ation or circ',stances ad$erse to 's #ith e8'ani,ity1 5riendshi) ,eans !o$e and co,)assion to#ards a!! 2i$as1 We !o$e o'r near and dear ones0 #e are ready /or sacri/ices /or o'r s)o'se( sons and da'&hters1 We are 4ind and he!)/'! to#ards o'r re!ati$es1 5riendshi) ,eans conscio's e//ort to e%)and the sco)e /or s'ch !o$e( care( and concern to#ards a!!1 S)irit'a! /riendshi) does not rest on e!e,ent o/ !oss and )ro/it( *'t rests on the 'nitary tr'th that +od is one and e$eryone is +od1 One sho'!d not !i$e in a !itt!e )ond1 It is *etter to *e insi&ni/icant /ish in an ocean( rather than a *i& /ish o/ a s,a!! )ond1 5aith and 4no#!ed&e is a s'*2ect o/ hi&h i,)ortance1 Whether is it )ossi*!e to ha$e /aith *e/ore 4no#!ed&e is a ,oot 8'estionD Ho#e$er( it is eno'&h i/ one 4ee)s /aith in the 4no#!ed&e o/ so,eone e!se #hose !i/e and teachin&s are 'ni$ersa!!y acce)ted as saint!y1 One e%a,)!e is Sri Ra,a4rishna1 It is #orth#hi!e to acce)t his $isions as tr'e and ha$e /aith in the,1 Th's( one can /o!!o# that e%a,)!e in hisEher o#n !i/e to ad$ance to a hi&her !e$e!1 One day( the as)irant is s're to con$ert hisEher /aith into 4no#!ed&eD 5aith in one chosen idea! is ca!!ed nishtha1 5aith e$o!$es into #orshi) and de$otion1 There is nothin& #ron& in #orshi))in& so,eone #ho yo' *e!ie$e to ha$e 4no#!ed&e o/ Se!/1 The saint or the )ro)het is a s)irit'a! scientistD One de$e!o)s !o$e /or the chosen idea!1 And as ha))ens ,ost o/ the ti,e( as the chosen idea! is no ,ore !i$in& in *ody one tends to #orshi) the sa,e in so,e sy,*o! as a )hoto or an ido!1 There is nothin& #ron& in this( 'nti! one does not hate other sy,*o!s1 A!! sy,*o!s re)resent Di$ine Idea!1 Last!y( i/ a d'!! and 'ni,a&inati$e /e!!o# cannot e$en s'cceed in sec'!ar !i/e( it is /'ti!e to e%)ect s'ch a )erson to s'cceed in the hard s)irit'a! !i/e or 8'est1 Whate$er one reads or hears is *'t inco,)!ete e%)ression o/ the 4no#!ed&e and e%)eriences o/ the )ro)het1 This is so *eca'se #ords are inade8'ate too!s or ,edi', /or trans/er o/ 4no#!ed&e1 There/ore it *eco,es i,)erati$e on the )art o/ an a!ert sadha4a to deci)her the tr'e i,)ort and ,eanin& in the teachin&s and sayin&s o/ the )ro)het or in the Scri)t'res1 Trainin& the ,ind ca!!s /or a!ertness( stron& #i!! )o#er( and 'se o/ dor,ant ca)a*i!ities in 's1 S c s shah 6ltered %tate o$ #onsciousness' %amadhi %yno(sis This thesis dea!s #ith the state s)eci/ic A!tered State o/ Conscio'sness@ Sa,adhi in the !i&ht o/ the !i/e o/ Sri Ra,a4rishna1 It is ,ost!y s)ec'!ati$e and hy)othetica! as /ar as e%)!anations are concerned1 An atte,)t is ,ade to theoriHe the st'dy *ased on the )resent day 4no#!ed&e o/ ,edica! *io!o&y( ne'ro!o&y( and )sycho!o&y1 He!) is ta4en /ro, the $ario's a'thoritati$e *oo4s on the !i/e o/ Sri Ra,a4rishna1 We are s're o/ one thin&( tho'&h@ That the incidents and the e$ents descri*ed in the !i/e o/ Sri Ra,a4rishna are a!! a'thentic( re!ia*!e( and #e!! doc',ented1 The *asic di//erence in a))roach is re&ardin& the conce)t o/ conscio'sness1 Whi!e it

is &enera!!y *e!ie$ed that conscio'sness is a )rod'ct o/ *rain",ind co,)!e%( #e ha$e st'c4 to the de/inition &i$en in $ario's U)anishads1 That is( conscio'sness is 7the eterna! s'*2ect( the on!y e%istence( and the on!y one Rea!ity17 The sa,e conscio'sness )erco!ates thro'&h the $aried str'ct'ra! arran&e,ent o/ *rain",ind co,)!e% and is )ercei$ed as ,any"/o!d1 As a &!ass #o'!d re/!ect the sa,e !i&ht in $ario's #ays and de&rees de)endin& ')on its characteristics( so does the *rain",ind co,)!e% re/!ect the conscio'sness in $ario's #ays1 Li&ht a))ears co!o'red thro'&h a co!o'red &!ass( d'!! and di//'se thro'&h a se,itrans)arent one( distorted thro'&h the *ro4en &!ass( a!tered thro'&h the )ris,( and concentrated and )ointed thro'&h the con$e% &!ass1 In the sa,e #ay( conscio'sness a))ears as h',an conscio'sness( or tree( or ani,a!( or insentient conscio'sness as e%)ressed *y )ec'!iar str'ct're and arran&e,ent o/ the ,ateria! /or,1 5'rther( in h',an *ein&s( de)endin& on the re/ine,ent o/ ,ind( conscio'sness ,ay a))ear as narro# se!/ishness to *road 'nse!/ish attit'de1 The ,ind ,ay *e a*!e to )ercei$e /iner or s'*t!er rea!ities1 S'ch states are ca!!ed as A!tered States o/ Conscio'sness1 The a!teration in the state o/ conscio'sness ,ay *e *ro'&ht a*o't *y the /'nctiona! or str'ct'ra! chan&e in the *rain( #hich in t'rn( can *e ind'ced *y dr'&s( drea,s( hy)nosis( s!ee)( or s)irit'a! )ractices "sadhana1 -We are ,ain!y concerned here #ith the state *ro'&ht a*o't *y the !ast ,ethod1. The st'dy o/ a!tered state o/ conscio'sness is a science in itse!/ in so /ar as it st'dies the data o/ a state o/ chan&ed )erce)tion1 The 8'estion is #hether it is desira*!e to ha$e s'ch chan&ed state o/ conscio'snessG 5ro, the !i/e o/ Sri Ra,a4rishna( it is /o'nd that the desira*i!ity o/ 7sa,adhi7 as the a!tered state !ies in that it ,a4es the indi$id'a! -and there*y( the co,,'nity as a #ho!e. se!/!ess( ethica!( $a!'e oriented( and di$ine1 Lo$e( co,)assion( a!tr'is,( and /reedo, /ro, s!a$ish c!in&in& to senses is the )ositi$e o'tco,e1 Stress( an%iety( #orry( and tensions ha$e no )!ace( then( in indi$id'a!( nationa! and internationa! !i/e1 Whether it is )ossi*!e to de$e!o) s'ch a &ro') or a race is another )oint in 8'estion1 It is a 8'estion o/ e$o!'tionary )ro&ress1 Sho'!d nat're *e a!!o#ed to ta4e its o#n )ro!on&ed co'rse to e//ect these chan&es( or #hether it is )ossi*!e /or 's to de/y nat're and atte,)t to *eco,e the 7tr'sty7 o/ /'t're e$o!'tion is a ,i!!ion do!!ar 8'estion1 I/ the )ersons #ho /'!/i!! the criteria and 8'a!i/y to e%)ress the hi&her state o/ $a!'e syste, a&ree( acce)t( and atte,)t to /o!!o# this 7tr'steeshi)7( the a$era&e ,ind ,ay /o!!o# these 7shreshtha )ersons71 Lord Crishna says in +ita -III1 ?9.@ As the co,)etent )erson #ith the a'thority and 8'a!i/ication o/ 4no#!ed&e *eha$es( so do the indi$id'a!s or socia! &ro') #i!! /o!!o# hi,0 #hate$er is esta*!ished as an idea! *y that &reat )erson( the sa,e is )'t in the )ractice *y others1 The reader is re8'ested to thin4( ana!yHe( )onder o$er and critica!!y 2'd&e this thesis /ro, this an&!e1 Here the 8'estion o/ 7socio")o!itico"econo,ica!7 as)ect #i!! co,e into consideration1 Ho#e$er( it #i!! *e an a!to&ether di//erent to)ic /or another thesis1 Contin'ed ne%t )art111 S C S Shah The Tantras and The Conce)t o/ C'nda!ini Sha4ti @ Part 9 Vedanta is necessary *eca'se neither reasonin& nor *oo4s can sho# 's +od1 He is on!y to *e rea!iHed *y s')erconscio's )erce)tion( and Vedanta teaches 's ho# to attain that1 S#a,i Vi$e4ananda

The sa,e 8'ote ,ay *e /'!!y a))!ied to The Tantras a!so1 5or( in recent years( in his ard'o's and s)ecia! sadhanas( Sri Ra,a4rishna has had de,onstrated the tr'th o/ a!! the si%ty"/o'r Tantras1 Tantras are the ancient scri)t'res( #hich #ere ,eant to s)read the !i&ht o/ 4no#!ed&e o/ o'r Tr'e Se!/ and *rin& the h',anity o't o/ i&norance1 They are a!so 4no#n as A&a,as " re$e!ations1 They trace their ori&in /ro, the Vedas and the U)anishads( and in /act do not de$iate /ro, the teachin&s contained in the,1 Li4e Vedanta( the Tantra has its o#n /o!!o#ers in the tr'e s)irit o/ in8'iry and rea!iHation o/ the cos,ic 'nity and )o#er o/ the Se!/1 Un/ort'nate!y( Tantras #ere tainted #ith s'ch )ractices as 7erotic ,ysticis,7 and 7*!ac4 ,a&ic71 3e that as it ,ay( it is to *e 'nderstood that the Tantras in their ori&ina! and )'re /or,s are as sacred and !i/e in$i&oratin& as Vedanta teachin&s deri$ed /ro, the ancient Indian )hi!oso)hica! tho'&ht1 The a'thorshi) o/ the Tantras is credited to Lord Shi$a #ho is *e!ie$ed to ha$e &ranted this 4no#!ed&e to his Po#er "the Sha4ti" Par$ati1 She( in t'rn( ,ade the, a$ai!a*!e to the ,an4ind0 Macchindranath and +ora4hnath #ere the ear!iest +'r's "Teachers" o/ this *ranch o/ 4no#!ed&e1 We &et re/erence to Tantras in 3'ddhis,( and in Ti*et there de$e!o)ed a s)ecia! *ranch o/ Ti*etan Tantra tradition1 Th's( it can *e sa/e!y *e!ie$ed that Tantras are ancient to 3'ddhis,0 in /act( so,e re/erences a*o't the Tantras are re!ated to the ear!iest Veda "the Ri& Veda( there*y )'ttin& the, as *ac4 as as <?KK 3CD Ori&ina! Tantras are di$ided into three ,ain &ro')s accordin& to the deity chosen /or #orshi)1 Th's( re!ated to Vishn'( Shi$a( and Sha4ti ca,e into e%istence Vaishna$a( Shai$a( and Sha4ta A&a,as res)ecti$e!y1 Ho#e$er( today( #hen #e ta!4 o/ Tantras( #e ,ost!y ,ean Sha4ta " re!ated to Sha4ti " Tantras1 5'rther( the Tantras are di$ided into three )arts( $iH1 9. Sadhana " s)irit'a! )ractices( rit'a!s( and #orshi)( ?. siddhis " attain,ent o/ s)ecia! )o#ers thro'&h s'ch )ractices( and A. the )hi!oso)hica! *ase o/ the Tantras1 Philoso(hy The *asic )hi!oso)hica! teachin&s o/ the Tantras do not ,'ch di//er /ro, the other c'rrents o/ ancient Indian tho'&ht1 They are nond'a! in their essence( *'t in )!ace o/ At,an or 3rah,an o/ Vedanta( the Tantras acce)t co,*ine o/ Shi$a and Sha4ti as the 'ni/yin& Princi)!e o/ A*so!'te Tr'th1 There is an essentia! 'nity in di$ersity( and identity o/ the indi$id'a! so'! #ith this Shi$a"Sha4ti Princi)!e1 Whi!e in Vedanta Shan4ara ,entions )o#er o/ 3rah,an as Maya( and ta4es it to *e rea! and 'nrea! in the !ast ana!ysis( in the Tantras Sha4ti is ca!!ed creati$e )o#er( +od the Mother1 In Her #o,* are the seeds o/ a!! /'t're creation( and in /act Shi$a( the A*so!'te( is he!)!ess #itho't this Po#er1 The 'ni$erse and the creation( there/ore( are the attri*'tes or ,ani/estations o/ this Sha4ti1 Th's( Tantras co,e c!oser to )hi!oso)hy o/ 8'a!i/ied ,onis,( as e%)o'nded *y Ra,an'2a( and ,ay /ind so,e )ro*!e, #ith Ad$aita or a*so!'te ,onis, o/ Shan4ara1 Ho#e$er( one )oint ,'st *e ,ade c!ear0 this Sha4ti or +od the Mother is not distinct /ro, Shi$a( the A*so!'te1 Li4e s'n and its rays( !i4e /ire and its )o#er to *'rn( !i4e coi!ed sna4e and sna4e in ,otion these t#o are inse)ara*!e1 Whi!e Shi$a is Cno#!ed&e"E%istence"3!iss A*so!'te( the Sha4ti is the ,ani/estation o/ the Princi)!e at i,,anent )!ane as the rea!ity o/ the #ho!e 'ni$erse( *oth sentient and insentient1 In the U)anishads this is i!!'strated as the /e,a!e s)ider and her #e*0 the s)ider #ea$es her thread o't o/ herse!/ and then !i$es ')on it1 +od the Mother is *oth contained and the containerD

It is the ine%)!ica*!e desire /or the $ariety o/ !i/e #ith na,e and /or, that )rod'ces the 'ni$erse1 The )hi!oso)hica! 8'estion( #hich Shan4ara on one hand and the rest on the other de*ated( #as a*o't the $a!idity or )ossi*i!ity o/ s'ch a desire to arise in 3rah,an( the A*so!'teD Ho# can A*so!'te Conscio'sness -the sin&!e and the on!y Rea!ityEE%istenceEOne #itho't the second. desire anythin& to !i,it Itse!/D It is #itho't attri*'tes or 8'a!ities( and is !i,it!ess( /or,!ess( and in/inite( so says Shan4ara1 3't Tantras ta4e s!i&ht!y di//erent $ie#( inter)retin& the sa,e scri)t'ra! in2'nctions /ro, a di//erent an&!e1 They ,aintain that in an atte,)t to transcend ordinary indi$id'a! conscio'sness( =i$a or the indi$id'a! so'! enco'nters a sta&eEstate #here there re,ain t#o rea!ities on!y0 one that o/ the sadha4a and the other o/ hisEher chosen Idea!1 The 'ni$erse is /i!!ed #ith these t#o entities( #hich on the /ina! !a)Estate ,er&e into one Tr'th( #hich no one can e$er descri*e1 This 8'estion can ne$er *e reso!$ed ti!! one e!e$ates onese!/ to the hi&her )!ane o/ conscio'sness( #here the !i,ited e&o is transcended and h',an nat're o/ reason and !o&ic is crossed1 The Tantras and The Conce)t o/ C'nda!ini Sha4ti @ Part ? %adhana or ethod 7"orshi(, rites, rituals, etc4,

In /act( the Tantras are )ri,ari!y the scri)t'res o/ ,ethods o/ sadhana " s)irit'a! disci)!ines -so,e say there are si%ty"/o'r Tantra )ractices that a sadha4a ,'st ,aster to rea!iHe the hi&hest &oa!.1 And the '!ti,ate &oa! is Mo4sha or 5ina! Li*eration /ro, the *onda&e o/ i&norance( /ro, the chain o/ rec'rrin& *irth and death( thro'&h the 4no#!ed&e o/ o'r tr'e se!/ as one #ith Shi$a1 The attain,ent o/ this 4no#!ed&e ca!!s /or se$ere a'sterities( ta)as( and s)irit'a! disci)!ines1 The 4no#!ed&e *ased on conce)t'a!Etheoretica! 'nderstandin& or co,,and o$er the scri)t're is not eno'&h( the 4no#!ed&e ,'st *e direct@ i1e1 the sadha4a ,'st direct!y e%)erience hisEher 'nity #ith Shi$a"Sha4ti1 Th's( in short( Tantras a!so !ay e,)hasis on transcendenta! rea!iHation o/ o'r tr'e nat're as the /ina! ai, o/ s)irit'a! )ractices1 These sadhanasEdisci)!ines ,'st *e 'nderta4en on!y 'nder the i!!',inin& &'idanceEinstr'ctions o/ a rea!iHed so'! " The +'r' or s)irit'a! Teacher1 Underta4en *y onese!/( these )ractices ,i&ht !ead to distortion in co,)rehension and ,i&ht create ,enta! and or )hysica! ai!,ents1 The co,)etent s)irit'a! teacher is one #ho hi,se!/Eherse!/ has attained the hi&hest 4no#!ed&e( and #ho is ho!y and )'re1 HeEshe can there/ore( initiate others into the secrets o/ s)irit'a! 'n/o!d,ent1 The Tantras de/ine t#o ty)es o/ initiations or Di4sha1 5irst( the Sha,*ha$i Di4sha is direct en!i&hten,ent o/ the disci)!e *y ,ere #ish or to'ch o/ the +'r'( and the second one is Mantri Di4sha #here the +'r' &i$es a ,antra to the see4er a/ter Tr'th1 E%a,)!es o/ Sha,*ha$i Di4sha are rare as here the Teacher ,'st *e o/ e%ce)tiona! s)irit'a! )o#ers as Christ( Sri Crishna( or Sri Ra,a4rishna1 We see in the !i/e o/ Para,ha,sa +'r' Sri Ra,a4rishna that he initiated and !ed to direct rea!iHation o/ hi&her s)irit'a! conscio'sness in so,e o/ his disci)!es *y #ritin& a ,antra on the ton&'e and a!so *y ,ere to'ch( as on 9st =an'ary 9JJ;( and *y ,ere ,enta! reso!$eD More co,,on is Mantra Di4sha( /or ,ost o/ the +'r's and the disci)!es do not ha$e that hi&hest )o#er to trans/er or recei$e the hi&hest attain,ent1 Mantra is a sacred #ord( or a /or,'!a( #hich is in /act the na,e o/ +od1 Mantra is one #ith the chosen deity0 na,e and the na,ed are in /act one1 A #ord and the tho'&ht are one1 3y constant!y ,editatin& and re)eatin& the Mantra( the initiate &rad'a!!y achie$es re/ine,ent o/ the inner ,i!ie'( and ac8'ires $ario's !e$e!s o/ s)irit'a! )o#ers and e%)eriences1 So,e e%a,)!es o/ the Mantra are 7O, Na,o Narayana7( 7O, Na,ah Shi$ayah7( 7O, Saradaya Na,ah7( etc1 The chosen deity in the Tantras ,ay *e a /or,

the +oddess Mother1 Pro-lems "ith the Tantras It sho'!d *e noted that there e$o!$ed a schoo! o/ tho'&ht a,on&st the Sha4tas 4no#n as Va,achara " 7the occ'!t )ractices71 Its rit'a! o/ #ine and #o,en( a))arent!y a )'re sens'a!is,( &ained so,e notoriety1 I/( ho#e$er( #e )enetrate a !itt!e into the ,eanin& o/ accessories 'sed #e sha!! /ind no &ro'nd /or conde,nation1 The sy,*o!s o/ #ine and #o,en #ere e,)!oyed in order to teach /reedo, /ro, !'st/'! )assions *y tryin& to see e$ery#here the Di$ine Mother1 In co'rse o/ ti,e( it is tr'e( the ori&ina! s)irit o/ the rit'a! #as /or&otten( and de&eneration o/ the #ho!e /or, o/ #orshi) ens'ed1 The idea in$o!$ed #as ad,ira*!e one( *'t in its a))!ication it *eca,e dan&ero's and act'a!!y e$i!1 -5ro, 7The S)irit'a! Herita&e o/ India( *y S#a,i Pra*ha$ananda( Sri Ra,a4rishna Math Chennai -India. P'*!ication( )a&e " 9<:. The reasons /or this ,ystery and secrecy ,ay *e /o'nd in historicity o/ de$e!o),ent o/ Yo&a )ractices associated #ith rit'a!s and rites( inc!'din& ani,a! sacri/ices( thro'&h the )eriod o/ do,inance o/ 3'ddhis, and =ainis,1 Pro*a*!y( the *annin& o/ rit'a!istic #orshi)s and ani,a! sacri/ices etc1 /orced the sadha4as o/ Tantra to 'nderta4e their sadhana in secrecy( and the ,ystery soon shro'ded their ,ethods and ,eans1 Second!y( as #ith e$ery re!i&io's )ractice( entry o/ )ersons o/ !esser ca!i*er and 4no#!ed&e( inc!'din& those #ho )racticed these ,ethods /or achie$in& )ersona! ,ateria! &ains etc1( ca'sed the Tantras to de&enerate in ,any instances at the cost o/ *!e,ish on the syste, as a #ho!e1 The third ca'se ,ay *e the re)'!si$e techni8'es 'sed in the )ractice( s'ch as a. ,editation in !one!y )!ace !i4e *'ria! &ro'nd( *. 'se o/ ani,a! and h',an s4'!!( and *!ood( etc1 c. in$o!$e,ent o/ se%'a! )ractices as in sadhana o/ Veera 3ha$a( and <. 'se o/ narcotic or si,i!ar dr'&s *y the sadha4as1 S)irit'a! and ,enta! !e$e!s o/ &ro#th $ary /ro, )erson to )erson0 accordin&!y( the rit'a!s ado)ted a!so are di//erent1 5or instance( those )eo)!e #ith do,inant ani,a! instincts ,'st a$oid a!! te,)tations( those in #ho, h',an and s)irit'a! tendencies are #e!! *a!anced ,ay ta4e ') )ractices o/ heroic "Veera " 3ha$a( and the )'re in the heart sho'!d ta4e ') the hi&hest sadhana o/ Di$ya 3ha$a or +od!y )ractices1 The )eo)!e ind'!&in& in Va,achara or #ine and #o,en )ractices etc1 are !i4e those( i/ one ,ay say so( #ho try to enter the Pa!ace thro'&h the )ath o/ draina&e )i)esD One #o'!d reach the destination( *'t the ro'te ado)ted is dirty and dan&ero's1 Sri Ra,a4rishna says( 7#hy enter the Mansion /ro, *ac4door !i4e a thie/G Instead( ta4e the roya! road o/ 2a)a and de$otion( #hich is the ri&ht a))roach to the +o!den +ate o/ the MansionD One )'r)ose o/ ad$ent o/ Sri Ra,a4rishna on this earth #as to esta*!ish the a'thenticity o/ the Tantras( no do'*t( *'t in addition he sho#ed the si,)!er and the )'rer #ays to 'nderta4e s'ch Tantric sadhanas1 He has sho#n that there is no need to ta4e he!) o/ #ine and #o,an0 other e8'a!!y e//ecti$e *'t !ess dan&ero's ,ethods are a$ai!a*!e !i4e #orshi) o/ chosen idea! in the ca$ity o/ the heart( re)eatin& Ho!y na,e o/ the deity o/ o'r choice( seein& e$ery /e,a!e as Di$ine Mother( and association #ith )'re and ho!y ,en1 It is a!so to the credit o/ Sir =ohn Woodro//e( the Chie/ ='stice o/ Ca!c'tta Hi&h Co'rt 'nder the 3ritish India( #ho 'ndertoo4 ,on',enta! #or4 o/ *rin&in& o't #or,"eaten )a!,"!ea/ ,an'scri)ts on the Tantras( and #ho #as en&a&ed in )ainsta4in& research o/ trans!ation c'!,inatin& in )'*!ications o/ &reat #or4s on Tantras /or the *ene/it o/ /'t're ,an4ind1 S This *rin&s 's to the conce)t o/ coi!ed ') ener&y " the C'nda!ini Sha4tiD

The Tantras and The Conce)t o/ C'nda!ini Sha4ti @ Part A The *asic teachin&s o/ a!! the si% syste,s o/ ancient Indian Tho'&ht can *e to!d in S#a,i Vi$e4ananda7s /a,o's #ords( 7each so'! is )otentia!!y di$ine0 the &oa! is to ,ani/est that di$inity #ithin( *y contro!!in& nat're( e%terna! and interna!71 Moreo$er( it is asserted in a!! the teachin&s( inc!'din& esoteric Tantras( that #hate$er #e #ant to attain in o'r !i/e is contained #ithin 's1 The in/inite so'rce o/ s'))!y is #ithin 's0 !i4e the seed containin& the /'t're #ho!e treeD Tantra teaches 's one ,ethod as to ho# to )'t o'rse!$es in to'ch #ith that eterna! so'rce *y #ay o/ a#a4enin& o/ C'nda!ini Po#er1 The syste, o/ Tantras is !i4e the syste, o/ Yo&a( *'t has had a tin&e o/ ,ystery and secrecy a*o't it1 8undalini Po"er This )otentia!ity o/ )er/ection is )resent #ithin e$ery ,an and #o,an in the /or, o/ $ery s'*t!e &er, or seed1 The seers o/ the Tantras 'sed the ,eta)hor o/ 7C'nda!ini70 the 7coi!ed one7 !i4e the s!ee)in&Edor,ant ser)ent that is inacti$e *'t not deadD With ,ediation and instr'ctions /ro, a s)irit'a! Teacher it is )ossi*!e to acti$ate this !atent ener&y into )o#er/'! /orce that is s're to transcend the !i,itations o/ the h',an ,ind and to esta*!ish the sadha4a in the a!tered state o/ hi&her conscio'sness1 Where does this s)irit'a! )o#er reside in o'r *odyG Accordin& to the Tantra( it !ies hidden as the dor,ant ener&y at the *ase o/ the s)ine1 3't it has )otentia!ity to #a4e ') and rise thro'&h the channe!s ')#ards to#ards the *rain1 These channe!s are 4no#n as nadis and are three in n',*er1 The !e/t is Ida( the ri&ht one is Pin&a!a( and the centra! one is S'sh',na1 The ri&ht and the !e/t 2oin the centra! one at the *ase root o/ the s)ine( and they cross each other at the !e$e! o/ nec41 In ,ost o/ the )ersons( at the 's'a! !e$e! o/ h',an or ani,a! conscio'sness( the ener&y c'rrents )ass thro'&h these t#o channe!s( the Ida and the Pin&a!a1 As S'sh',na re,ains *!oc4ed *y dor,ant resid'e o/ ener&y( !i4e de*ris o*str'ctin& a cond'it( o'r hi&her or s)irit'a! conscio'sness re,ains non",ani/est1 5or the ,ani/estation o/ hi&her conscio'sness the !atent )otentia! ener&y ,'st rise thro'&h the centra! )ath#ay o/ S'sh',na1 On this )ath are sit'ated se$en cha4ras or ener&y centers( ,eta)horica!!y ca!!ed Lot's Sy,*o!s1 The !o#est cha4ra is at the *ase o/ the s)ine and is ca!!ed as M'!adhara1 The second one at the !e$e! o/ &enita!s is ca!!ed S#adhisthana1 The third( at the !e$e! o/ na$e!( is 4no#n as Mani)'ra1 The /o'rth at the !e$e! o/ heart is ca!!ed Anahata( and /i/th at the !e$e! o/ throat is Vish'ddha1 The si%th in *et#een t#o eye*ro#s is A2na( and the hi&hest at the !e$e! o/ to) o/ the s4'!! is Sahasrara1 -P!ease see the )ict're. Each sy,*o! re)resents a !e$e! o/ conscio'sness( they are sy,*o!ic in nat're( and no dissection o/ the s)ine or the *rain #o'!d e$er re$ea! the,D As the 4'nda!ini a#a4ens and rises thro'&h the centra! channe!( these cha4ras *!oo, one *y one #ith ,ani/estation o/ hi&her and hi&her !e$e! o/ conscio'sness1 Essentia! 'nion #ith Se!/( or +od( or Shi$a is achie$ed #hen the 4'nda!ini rises to the hi&hest cha4ra( the Sahasrara1 The eaning o$ #hakras

The cha4ras re)resent de/inite ,eanin&1 5or instance( M'!adhara is the storeho'se o/ a!! the )ast i,)ressions( sa,s4aras( #hi!e acti$ation o/ S#adhisthana !eads to a#a4enin& o/ )assions( inc!'din& se%'a! desires1 When the conscio'sness is at the !e$e! o/ Mani)'ra cha4ra( the sadha4a en2oys a!! the #ea!th( na,e( /a,e( ,ateria! co,/orts and !'%'ries o/ the #or!d1 In ,ost o/ 's o'r conscio'sness d#e!!s in any one o/ these cha4ras1 Th's !o$e and hate( an&er and !'st( de)ression and e!ation( cra$in&

/or #or!d!y &ains and co,/orts is a!! that #hat #e desire1 On!y #hen the 4'nda!ini a#a4ens and reaches to the !e$e! o/ heart cha4ra Anahata Lot's then so,e s)irit'a! di,ension is added to o'r conscio'sness1 editation on the #hakras Sit on the re&'!ar ,editation seat( in )ost're( #hich 4ee)s the *ac4 and nec4 strai&ht1 3reathe re&'!ar!y or ado)t Pranaya,a *reathin& e%ercises i/ yo' 4no# the,1 Try to $is'a!iHe a !',ino's channe! r'nnin& a!! the #ay /ro, the *ase o/ the s)ine to the *rain centers " S'sh',na1 5ee! *y the )o#er o/ *reathin& and tho'&ht the )assa&e at the *otto, o/ this channe! has c!eared and a constant strea, o/ s)irit'a! ener&y is r'nnin& into it /ro, U sha)ed cond'it( /or,ed *y the 2'nction o/ Ida( Pin&a!a( and centra! S'sh',na1 This inr'sh o/ ener&y c'rrent a#a4ens 4'nda!ini( #hich has ta4en the /or, o/ a s,a!!( #hite !'cid( *'t so/t and soothin& !i&ht( !i4e the /!a,e o/ a cand!e1 This !i&ht is s!o#!y tra$e!in& ')#ards thro'&h the channe! o/ the S'sh',na1 9. It to'ches and i!!',ines the /irst center( M'!adhara( sy,*o!iHed *y a !ot's !ocated at the *ase o/ the s)ine1 As the !i&ht to'ches this center( the droo)in& !ot's *'d strai&htens ') and o)ens( sho#in& *ea'ti/'! /o'r )eta!s in *ri!!iant red1 The disc inside is a!so o/ sa,e co!or1 I/ one can &et contro! o$er this center( the )erson #i!! *e a*!e to re,e,*er e$erythin& concernin& his )re$io's !i$es ?. Ne%t $is'a!iHe the !i&ht o/ 4'nda!ini to'chin& the second center( S#adhisthana( o)enin& it into si%")eta!!ed $er,i!ion !ot's1 This center is the /o'ntainhead o/ a!! o'r ani,a! /orces( #hich can *e s)irit'a!iHed and 'sed /or o'r *est ad$anta&e *y &ainin& a*so!'te contro! o$er this center1 A. Vis'a!iHe( concentrate( ,editate( thin4( or i,a&ine si,i!ar!y as yo' &o hi&her ') to the third and s'*se8'ent centers1 Mani)'ra is ten")eta!!ed !ot's sy,*o! #ith scar!et co!or1 Mani)'ra ,eans city o/ 2e#e!s( and contro! o$er this center ,ar4s the c!i,a% o/ a!! ,ateria! en2oy,ent( )o#er( na,e( /a,e( hea!th( and )hysica! *ea'ty( and )ros)erity1 <. Anahata at the !e$e! o/ the heart has t#e!$e )eta!s and it is *ri!!iant *!'e in co!or1 Anahata ,eans the 'nca'sed or the non"a&itated1 With the 'n/o!din& o/ hi&her conscio'sness at this !e$e!( the )erson *eco,es hi&h!y s)irit'a!1 He carries ,essa&e o/ !o$e( /riendshi)( he!)( and /or&i$eness( )eace in short1 B. Vish'ddha has si%teen )eta!s( and is !i&ht &rey in co!or1 Vish'ddha ,eans $ery )'re1 Conscio'sness at this !e$e! *rin&s into ,ani/estation in the )ersona!ity o/ the yo&i )'re *ea'ty( )'re &oodness( and )'re tr'th1 The )erson *eco,es e%ce)tiona!!y &i/ted in art and he *eco,es an artist o/ the hi&hest order1 ;. A2na *et#een the eye*ro#s has t#o )eta!s o/ sno#"#hite h'e1 A2na( #hich ,eans the 7a!!"4no#in&7( is the sta&e #hen the yo&i 'n/o!ds a*so!'te 4no#!ed&e1 There is nothin& in this or any other 'ni$erse( #hich heEshe does not

4no#1 There is in/inite 'nderstandin& and #isdo,1 >. The tho'sand")eta!!ed sahasrara center is the sy,*o! o/ transcendent state1 When the !i&ht o/ 4'nda!ini reaches there( one sees ocean o/ !i&ht( *ri!!iant and e//'!&ent( *'t coo!( soothin& and )eace/'!1 The /inite !i&ht o/ 4'nda!ini ,er&es #ith the in/inite Conscio'sness( !i4e dro) in the ocean1 In the /ina! state( o/ reachin& the tho'sand")eta!!ed !ot's( sahasrara( that !itt!e distinction *et#een o'r !i,ited e&o and the cos,ic e&o is !ost( and the sadha4a reaches the hi&hest transcendent state o/ sa,adhi1 HeE she *eco,es one #ith 3rah,an1 Ca'tion@ This )ractice ,ay *e /'!! o/ ad$erse reactions( i/ done #itho't the &'idance o/ a Teacher or +'r'1 Yo&a Nidra Many )eo)!e in the East and the West are attracted to Yo&a Practices( /or they thin4 they can /ind so!'tion to e$ery )ro*!e, therein0 *e it )hysica!( ,enta!( e,otiona! or s)irit'a!D M'ch i,)ortance is attached to re!a%ation techni8'es that one thin4s ,i&ht he!) a )erson in easin& the tension ca'sed d'e to chronic stress/'! !i/e sty!e1 Yo&a Nidra is one s'ch #onder/'! techni8'e( not on!y /or )hysica! or ,enta! re!a%ation *'t a!so /or )re)arin& the ,ind /or s)irit'a! disci)!ine1 It concerns ,ain!y #ith )ratyahara -#ithdra#in& senses /or, sense"o*2ects. and dharana -concentration.1 It is to *e 'nderstood that ordinary s!ee) is not re!a%ation( /or tensions cannot a!#ays *e reso!$ed co,)!ete!y in ordinary s!ee)1 Yo&a Nidra is 8'a!itati$e!y di//erent re!a%ation1 It is a 7s!ee)7 #here a!! the *'rdens are thro#n o// to attain ,ore *!iss/'! state o/ a"areness( a re!a%ation ,'ch ,ore intense than ordinary s!ee)1 As S#a,i Satyananda Saras#ati -Pre/ace to Yo&a Nidra ( 9:J?( 3ihar Schoo! o/ Yo&a( Mon&hyr( 3ihar( India. says@ 7When a#areness is se)arate and distinct /ro, vrittis " ,enta! ,odi/ications( #hen #a4in&( drea,( and dee) s!ee) )ass !i4e c!o'ds( yet a#areness o/ At,an re,ains( that is the e%)erience o/ tota! re!a%ation1 That is #hy( in Tantra( Yo&a Nidra is said to *e the door#ay to sa,adhiD7 .euro-(hysiologic Basis There is no 8'estion a*o't the c!ose re!ation *et#een the *ody and the *rain1 Vario's centers in the *rain contro!( ,odi/y( and a//ect o'r *odi!y /'nctions1 In /act( there is a center in the *rain /or e$ery act( #hether #i!!/'! or re/!e%( )hysica! or ,enta!1 E%)eri,enta! data ha$e identi/ied ,any s'ch s)eci/ic centers1 Sti,'!ation o/ these centers !eads to a))ro)riate actions( *e they ,otor or sensory( secretary or e,oti$e( a//ecti$e or co&niti$e1 Th's #e ha$e a ho!o&ra)hic re)resentation o/ the *ody on the *rain1 To )'t the thin& ,ore concrete!y( it is )ro$ed that the !e/t ha!/ o/ the *ody is re)resented in ri&ht ha!/ o/ the *rain and $ice"a"$ersa1 As /ar as the ,'sc'!ar actions are concerned( the re)resentation is in an 7')side do#n ,anner7 in ,otor area o/ )re"centra! &'r's1 Th's( at the to) o/ this )art o/ *rain the !o#est )ortion o/ o'r *ody "/oot" is re)resented1 Then co,es an4!e( !e& -ca!/.( 4nee( thi&h( hi)( tr'n4( sho'!der( ar,( e!*o#( #rist( )a!,( /in&ers( th',*( then nec4( 2a#( /ace( eyes( ears( ton&'e( taste( s#a!!o#in&( etc1 The sa,e thin& is a))!ica*!e /or sensations1 Sti,'!ation o/ *rain centers o/ sensory corte% e$o4es sensations on the o))osite ha!/ o/ the *ody1

0oga .idra Practice In Yo&a Nidra e%act!y o))osite )rocess is 'sed to ,a4e the *rain centers acti$e *y /oc'sin& a#areness on the )arts o/ the *ody in a de/inite se8'ence1 Th's( the )erson tries to sti,'!ate $ario's )arts o/ the *rain *y /oc'sin& the a#areness on the corres)ondin& )arts o/ the *ody1 3y a#areness is ,eant 7attit'de o/ #itness7 to#ards )hysica! or ,enta! actions o/ the *ody1 The Techni5ue Us'a!!y it ta4es /ro, t#enty to /orty ,in'tes to co,)!ete one Yo&a Nidra session1 The )roced're is carried o't *y /irst doin& a /e# asanas ")racticin& a /e# )ost'res1 Then the )erson !ies on his or her *ac4 in tota!!y re!a%ed )ost're -sha$asana ")ost're si,'!atin& dead *ody.1 Eyes are !i&ht!y c!osed( ar,s are 4e)t #ith )a!,s /acin& ')#ards and /in&ers are ha!/ !i/ted /ro, the &ro'nd( *reathin& is nat'ra! and 8'iet1 &esolve or sankalpa 3e/ore the rotation o/ a#areness the as)irant sho'!d ,a4e a )ositi$e reso!$e a*o't the ai, in !i/e1 The #ordin&s sho'!d *e c!ear and )recise1 It is not e%)ected that the sadha4a ,a4es ,inor reso!$es !i4e( 7I #i!! &i$e ') s,o4in&( or a!coho!( or to*acco( *'t he or she sho'!d thin4 so,ethin& hi&her1 A /e# reso!$es can *e@ a. I #i!! a#a4en ,y s)irit'a! )otentia!( *. I #i!! *e s'ccess/'! in ,y a!! 'nderta4in&s( c. I #i!! achie$e tota! hea!th( or d. I #i!! *e a )ositi$e he!) in s)irit'a! )ro&ress o/ others( etc1 94 &otation o$ 6"areness Then the rotation o/ a#areness *e&ins1 The )erson has to 2'st $is'a!iHe the )art o/ the *ody ,entioned *y the instr'ctor0 it can *e a teacher or a ta)e"recorder1 The st'dent ,'st not ,o$e any )art o/ his *ody1 6'ic4!y corres)ondin& #ith the instr'ctions( he or she has to shi/t his or her a#areness /ro, one )art to the ne%t1 The as)irant sho'!d not i,a&ine the ne%t )art *e/ore the instr'ctor ,entions it1 The #ho!e )rocess sho'!d *e a )!eas're and not a *'rden1 There sho'!d not *e any an%iety or e%)ectation1 The 's'a! )attern is to start /oc'sin& a#areness in the /o!!o#in& se8'ence@ 5irst on the ri&ht side@ The th',*( /in&ers -one *y one.( )a!, o/ the hand( then the #rist( the /orear,( the e!*o#( ar,( sho'!der( ri&ht side o/ the *ac4( hi)( thi&h( 4nee( !e&( an4!e( /oot( &reat toe( other toes o/ the ri&ht /oot1 The sa,e se8'ence is re)eated /or the !e/t side1 Then a#areness is /oc'sed on the )ro%i,ity o/ the *ody #ith the car)et -&ro'nd.1 3ac4 o/ the head( sho'!ders( *ac4 and s)ine( thi&hs( hee!1 Ne%t the /ront o/ the *ody" s'r/ace is *ro'&ht in to a#areness1 5ace( *ro#( eyes( nose( !i)s( ,o'th( ears( chin( nec4( chest( a*do,en1 :4 6"areness o$ the -reath A/ter rotation o/ the conscio'sness in s'ch a se8'ence( /oc'sin& the attention on the act o/ *reathin& co,)!etes (hysical rela+ation1 One si,)!y ,aintains a#areness o/

*reath( either at the nostri! or o/ its )assa&e thro'&h the na$e! and throat1 It is c!ai,ed that the )rocess( in addition to concentration o/ ,ind( assists in )ratyahara " #ithdra#in& the sense centers /ro, their o*2ects o/ sensations1 ;4 <eelings and *motions Ne%t co,es rela+ation at the level o$ $eelings and emotions 1 Atte,)t is ,ade to *rin& to ,e,ory the intense )hysica! and e,otiona! /ee!in&s0 they are re" e%)erienced or re"!i$ed and then e//aced1 Us'a!!y this is )racticed #ith )airs o/ t#o o))osite /ee!in&s !i4e hot and co!d( !i&htness and hea$iness( )ain and )!eas're( 2oy and sorro#( etc1 Re!a%ation at the e,otiona! !e$e! and *'i!din& ') o/ stron& #i!!" )o#er are the t#o ,a2or o'tco,e o/ this )roced're1 =4 Visuali3ation The /ina! sta&e o/ yo&a nidra re!ates to mental rela+ation1 The as)irant tries to $is'a!iHe the o*2ects as descri*ed *y the instr'ctor1 Us'a!!y s'ch i,a&es and sy,*o!s are chosen that ha$e 'ni$ersa! si&ni/icance1 To 8'ote a /e#@ the ,o'ntain( ri$er( ocean( te,)!e( ch'rch( cross( saint( /!o#er etc1 The )ractice he!)s to de$e!o) se!/"a#areness and he!)s in concentration " dharana1 Rare!y( e$en ,editation "dhyanaa" ,ay *e the nat'ra! o'tco,e1 >4 *nding the (ractice Once a&ain the reso!$e or sankal a is intent!y tho'&ht o/ or e$en $is'a!iHed1 Th's( conscio's!y one tries to direct the 'nconscio's ,ind a*o't the &oa! in !i/e1 This ti,e the 'nconscio's is $ery rece)ti$e and there/ore ,ay acce)t the s'&&estion /ro, the conscio's ,ind #ith ,ore intensity1 It is c!ai,ed that in d'e co'rse o/ ti,e( de)endin& ')on the sincerity and re&'!arity o/ the sadhana( the reso!$e *ears /r'it in sadha4a7s !i/e1 ?tility Yo&a nidra he!)s in restorin& ,enta!( e,otiona!( and )hysica! hea!th *y #ay o/ re!a%ation( and ,a4es the ,ind ,ore cond'ci$e to )ratyahara "#ithdra#in& senses /ro, their o*2ects( dharana "concentration( and ,editation1 S'ch a )ractice he!)s har,oniHe t#o he,is)heres o/ the *rain and the t#o as)ects o/ a'tono,o's ner$o's syste, $iH1 sy,)athetic and )arasy,)athetic1 The i,)ressions in the s'*conscio's are *ro'&ht to s'r/ace( e%)erienced and re,o$ed1 Th's( the /i%ation o/ a#areness to the *ody is re)!aced #ith the a#areness !in4ed to s'*t!er as)ects o/ )rana and s)irit'a! di,ensions1 S C S Shah

A,aHin& Science U 7Part 9,

%aints and %cience, By %"ami %ada %hiva Tirtha In This 6rticle 6ma3ing %cience, #osmology and Psychology, edicine 76yurveda,, 6viation, %urgery, Paediatrics, /ynaecology, 6natomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, *m-ryology, Blood #irculation, &hino(lasty, 6m(utation, #aesarian and #ranial surgeries, 6nesthesia, 6nti-iotic her-s, 6tomic

theory, #hemistry 6lchemical etals, 6stronomy and athematics, /eogra(hy, #onstellation science, Botany and 6nimal science, 6lge-ra, 6rithmetic and /eometry, Planetary (ositions, *cli(ses, #osmogra(hy, and mathematical techni5ues, <orce o$ /ravity, The )ecimal, etallurgy4 When #e !oo4 at scientists #ho are credited #ith the ,ost i,)ortant ideas o/ o'r ti,e #e /ind ,ain!y +ree4s( E'ro)eans( A,ericans !isted1 Yet #estern history see,s to ha$e *een ar*itrari!y *e&'n d'rin& the +ree4 era1 In /act( #hen #e e%tend the *o'ndaries o/ history to $ie# the !on&er s)an o/ history #e /ind so,e a,aHin& de$e!o),ents )redatin& ,odern history ori&inatin& in India ,ore than B(KKK years a&o1 The ancient thin4ers o/ India #ere not on!y scientists and ,athe,aticians( *'t a!so dee)!y re!i&io's( estee,ed saints o/ their ti,e1 Whi!e it ,ay s'r)rise so,e to thin4 o/ re!i&io's sa&es as ,'ndane scientists( the Indian $ie# is that re!i&ion -'ni$ersa!. and science are *'t t#o sides o/ the sa,e coin " in shortOse,antics1 Whether one ca!!s a nat'ra! )heno,ena #ind or the #ind &od " Vay' " one is s)ea4in& o/ the sa,e thin&1 Yet it see,s that ha$in& a s)irit'a! /o'ndation not on!y *ro'&ht o't i,)ortant disco$eries sti!! in 'se today( *'t these disco$eries a!so #ere he!)/'! #itho't ca'sin& har, or destr'ction1 In /act this artic!e #i!! cite the ori&ins o/ so,e a,aHin& and here"to"/or ,is"credited disco$eries as co,in& /ro, India1 So,e e%a,)!es inc!'de so"ca!!ed Ara*ic n',era!s( the conce)t o/ the Hero( so"ca!!ed Pytha&orean theory( s'r&ery and ,ore1 It ,ay see, astonishin&( *'t the ancient te%ts are there to sho# the thin4in& and #ritin& o/ these &reat Indian thin4ers1 Why is India not creditedG It see,s that in the West #e ha$e a condescendin&( E'ro" or +reco"centric $ie# that ci$i!iHations o!der than +reece #ere 'nci$i!iHed *ar*arians1 This notion #as /'rther ,e!ded into o'r co!!ecti$e )syche thro'&h Ho!!y#ood7s )ortraya! o/ ancient c'!t'res1 One on!y has to !oo4 at o!d TarHan ,o$ies to see ancient tri*es sho#n as *ar*aric( s')erstitio's ido! #orshi))in& )eo)!e1 TarHan hi,se!/ #as sho#n to *e a non"s)ea4in& ani,a!"!i4e )erson1 In /act( in the ori&ina! *oo4s( TarHan #as a #e!!"ed'cated and hi&h!y e!o8'ent s)ea4er1 Cha'$inistic ,isre)resentation e%ists e$en today1 Near!y e$ery *oo4 #ritten on the history o/ ,athe,atics is e8'a!!y *iased1 The one *ri&ht s)ot is the Crest o/ the Peacoc41 E$en this year( d'rin& the recent Hind' /esti$a!( the C',*ha Me!a " the !ar&est h',an &atherin& in history ->K ,i!!ion )eo)!e. the ,odern"day )ress ,ain!y re)orted on the ,ost ne&ati$e as)ects o/ the e$ent1 It #as not credited as the !ar&est &atherin&( nor #as it )ointed o't that /or 9 #ee4( the area #as the #or!ds !ar&est city -!ar&er )o)'!ation than London( Tehran( Rio( Paris( Chica&o( 3ei2in&( Hydera*ad and =ohannes*'r& )'t to&ether.1 Virt'a!!y no one s)o4e o/ the sacredness o/ the e$ent( the hardshi)s )eo)!e end'red /or this ho!y e$ent1 5'rther( the #ho!e e$ent #ent o// #itho't a hitch " ade8'ate /ood( #ater( e!ectricity " a ,ar$e! *y any standards1 There #ere ,ore than 9A(KKK tons o/ /!o'r( >(JKK tons o/ rice( ?K(KKK )'*!ic toi!ets( 9? hos)ita!s( AB e!ectric )o#er centers( ?K(KKK )o!ice( 9(K:K /ire hydrants and ,'ch ,ore1 Rare!y #as an ardent de$otee inter$ie#ed or )hoto&ra)hed1 Instead re)orters and ca,era,en on!y /oc'sed on the ,inority e!e,ents " na4ed sadh's s,o4in& &an2a -,ari2'ana. and i,)!yin& )rayers #ere to so,e !esser &od1 3't it se!!s ne#s)a)ers and TV ne#s1 In tr'th( the Indian ,edia sho#ed an e8'a! a,o'nt o/ *ias and !ac4 o/

c'!t'ra! )ride1 In short the ,edia sti!! )ortrays India in a dee)!y condescendin& ,anner1 3't I di&ress1 The )oint is that #esterners ha$e *een *ro'&ht ') /or decades incorrect!y $ie#in& ancient ci$i!iHations as inte!!ect'a!!y and c'!t'ra!!y in/erior to ,odern ,an1 So it is no s'r)rise to *e s'r)rised in !earnin& so,e o/ the &reatest disco$eries not on!y ca,e /ro, India( *'t /ro, ancient India1 It sha4es the $ery /o'ndations o/ )re2'dicia! *e!ie/s1 Here are *'t a /e# e%a,)!es o/ India7s en!i&htened thin4ers1 A,aHin& Science -Saints and Science. 3y S#a,i Sada Shi$a Tirtha Cos,o!o&y I )sycho!o&y Accordin& to India7s ancient te%ts( aro'nd AKKK 3CE sa&e Ca)i! /o'nded *oth cos,o!o&y and )sycho!o&y1 He shed !i&ht on the So'!( the s'*t!e e!e,ents o/ ,atter and creation1 His ,ain idea #as that essentia! nat're -)ra4rti. co,es /ro, the eterna! -)'r'sha. to de$e!o) a!! o/ creation1 No dee)er a $ie# o/ the cos,os has e$er *een de$e!o)ed1 5'rther( his )hi!oso)hy o/ San4hya )hi!oso)hy a!so co$ered the secret !e$e!s o/ the )syche( inc!'din& ,ind( inte!!ect and e&o( and ho# they re!ate to the So'! or At,a1 Medicine -Ay'r$eda.( A$iation Aro'nd JKK 3CE Sa&e 3harad#a2( #as *oth the /ather o/ ,odern ,edicine( teachin& Ay'r$eda( and a!so the de$e!o)er o/ a$iation techno!o&y1 He #rote the Yantra Sar$as$a( #hich co$ers astonishin& disco$eries in a$iation and s)ace sciences( and /!yin& ,achines " #e!! *e/ore Leonardo DaVinchi7s ti,e1 So,e o/ his /!yin& ,achines #ere re)orted to /!y aro'nd the earth( /ro, the earth to other )!anets( and *et#een 'ni$erses1 His desi&ns and descri)tions ha$e !e/t a h'&e i,)ression on ,odern"day a$iation en&ineers1 He a!so disc'ssed ho# to ,a4e these /!yin& ,achines in$isi*!e *y 'sin& s'n and #ind /orce1 There are ,'ch ,ore /ascinatin& insi&hts disco$ered *y sa&e 3harad#a21 Medicine( S'r&ery( )aediatrics( &ynaeco!o&y1 anato,y( )hysio!o&y( )har,aco!o&y( e,*ryo!o&y( *!ood circ'!ation Aro'nd this era and thro'&h <KK 3CE ,any &reat de$e!o),ents occ'rred1 In the /ie!d o/ ,edicine -Ay'r$eda.( sa&e Di$odasa Dhan#antari de$e!o)ed the schoo! o/ s'r&ery0 Rishi Cashya) de$e!o)ed the s)ecia!iHed /ie!ds o/ )aediatrics and &ynaeco!o&y1 Lord Atreya( a'thor o/ the one o/ the ,ain Ay'r$edic te%ts( the Chara4 Sa,hita( c!assi/ied the )rinci)!es o/ anato,y( )hysio!o&y( )har,aco!o&y( e,*ryo!o&y( *!ood circ'!ation and ,ore1 He disc'ssed ho# to hea! tho'sands o/ diseases( ,any o/ #hich ,odern science sti!! has no ans#er1 A!on& #ith her*s( diet and !i/esty!e( Atreya sho#ed a corre!ation *et#een ,ind( *ody( s)irit and ethics1 He o't!ined a charter o/ ethics cent'ries *e/ore the Hi))ocratic oath1 Rhino)!asty( a,)'tation( caesarean and crania! s'r&eries( anesthesia( anti*iotic her*s Whi!e Lord Atreya is reco&niHed /or his contri*'tion to ,edicine( sa&e S'shr't is 4no#n as the 5ather o/ s'r&ery 1 E$en ,odern science reco&niHes India as the /irst co'ntry to de$e!o) and 'se rhino)!asty -de$e!o)ed *y S'shr't.1 He a!so )racticed

a,)'tation( caesarean and crania! s'r&eries( and de$e!o)ed 9?B s'r&ica! instr',ents inc!'din& sca!)e!s( !ancets( and need!es1 Lord Atreya " a'thor o/ Chara4 Sa,hita1 Circa Jth " ;th cent'ry 3CE1 Perha)s the ,ost re/erred to RishiE)hysician today The Chara4 Sa,hita #as the /irst co,)i!ation o/ a!! as)ects o/ ay'r$edic ,edicine inc!'din& dia&noses( c'res( anato,y( e,*ryo!o&y( )har,aco!o&y( and *!ood circ'!ation -e%c!'din& s'r&ery.1 He #rote a*o't ca'ses and c'res /or dia*etes( T3( and heart diseases1 At that ti,e( E'ro)ean ,edicine had no idea o/ these ideas1 In /act( e$en today ,any o/ these disease ca'ses and c'res are sti!! 'n4no#n to ,odern a!!o)athic ,edicine1 Other 'ni8'e 8'a!ity o/ Ay'r$eda is that it 'nco$ers and c'res the root ca'se o/ i!!ness( it is sa/e( &ent!e and ine%)ensi$e( it sees ; sta&es o/ disease de$e!o),ent -#here ,odern ,edicine on!y sees the !ast t#o sta&es.( it treats )eo)!e in a )ersona!iHed ,anner accordin& to their dosha or constit'tion and not in any &eneric ,anner1 5'rther( Ay'r$eda *ein& the science o/ 7!i/e7( Atrea #as 8'ic4 to e,)hasiHe( )ro)er n'trition accordin& to dosha( and )erha)s a*o$e a!! e!se( that there #as a ,indE*odyEso'! re!ationshi) and that the root ca'se o/ a!! diseases and the *est ,edicine /or a!! conditions is s)irit'a! and ethica! !i/e1 Rishi S'shr't is 4no#n as the /ather o/ s'r&ery I a'thor o/ S'shr't Sa,hita1 Circa B " <th cent'ry 3CE1 He is credited #ith )er/or,in& the #or!d7s /irst rhino)!asty( 'sin& anesthesia and )!astic s'r&ery1 He 'sed s'r&ica! instr',ents " ,any o/ the, !oo4 si,i!ar to instr',ents 'sed today0 and disc'ssed ,ore than AKK ty)es o/ s'r&ica! o)erations1 One o/ the Ay'r$edic s'r&ica! )ractices *ein& 'sed today in India in$o!$es di))in& s't'res into anti*iotic her*s so #hen se#ed into the )erson( the scar hea!s 8'ic4er and )re$ent in/ection1 The ,odern s'r&ica! #or!d o#es a &reat de*t to this &reat s'r&ica! sa&e1 QNote0 The /o!!o#in& instit'tion o//ers ,ore 4no#!ed&e on the s'*2ect o/ Ay'r$edaR Ay'r$eda Ho!istic Center I Schoo! o/ Ay'r$eda ?"Year Certi/ication I Ph1D1 )ro&ra,s Read the Ay'r$eda Encyc!o)aedia htt)@EEay'r$edahc1co, Ato,ic theory Sa&e Canad -circa ;KK 3CE. is reco&niHed as the /o'nder o/ ato,ic theory( and c!assi/ied a!! the o*2ects o/ creation into nine e!e,ents -earth( #ater( !i&ht or /ire( #ind( ether( ti,e( s)ace( ,ind and so'!.1 He stated that e$ery o*2ect in creation is ,ade o/ ato,s that in t'rn connect #ith each other to /or, ,o!ec'!es near!y ?(BKK years *e/ore =ohn Da!ton1 5'rther( Canad descri*ed the di,ension and ,otion o/ ato,s( and the che,ica! reaction #ith one another1 The e,inent historian( T1N1 Co!e*roo4 said( Co,)ared to scientists o/ E'ro)e( Canad and other Indian scientists #ere the &!o*a! ,asters in this /ie!d1 Che,istry a!che,ica! ,eta!s In the /ie!d o/ che,istry a!che,ica! ,eta!s #ere de$e!o)ed /or ,edicina! 'ses *y sa&e Na&ar2'na1 He #rote ,any /a,o's *oo4s inc!'din& Ras Ratna4ar( #hich is sti!!

'sed in India7s Ay'r$edic co!!e&es today1 3y care/'!!y *'rnin& ,eta!s !i4e iron( tin( co))er( etc1 into ash( re,o$in& the to%ic e!e,ents( these ,eta!s )rod'ce 8'ic4 and )ro/o'nd hea!in& in the ,ost di//ic'!t diseases1 Astrono,y and ,athe,atics Sa&e Arya*hatt -*1 <>; CE. #rote te%ts on astrono,y and ,athe,atics1 He /or,'!ated the )rocess o/ ca!c'!atin& the ,otion o/ )!anets and the ti,e o/ ec!i)ses1 Arya*hatt #as the /irst to )roc!ai, the earth #as ro'nd( rotatin& on an a%is( or*itin& the s'n and s's)ended in s)ace1 This #as aro'nd 9(KKK years *e/ore Co)ernic's1 He #as a &eo,etry &eni's credited #ith ca!c'!atin& )i to /o'r deci,a! )!aces( de$e!o)in& the tri&ono,ic sine ta*!e and the area o/ a trian&!e1 Perha)s his ,ost i,)ortant contri*'tion #as the conce)t o/ the Hero1 Detai!s are /o'nd in Sh'!$a s'tra1 Other sa&es o/ ,athe,atics inc!'de 3a'dhayana( Catyayana( and A)asta,*a1 Astrono,y( &eo&ra)hy( conste!!ation science( *otany and ani,a! science1 Varaha,ihr -<:: " BJ> CE. #as another e,inent astrono,er1 In his *oo4( Panschsiddhant( he noted that the ,oon and )!anets shine d'e to the s'n1 Many o/ his other contri*'tions ca)t'red in his *oo4s 3r'had Sa,hita and 3r'had =ata4( #ere in the /ie!ds o/ &eo&ra)hy( conste!!ation science( *otany and ani,a! science1 5or e%a,)!e he )resented c'res /or $ario's diseases o/ )!ants and trees1 Cno#!ed&e o/ *otany -Vr4sh"Ay'r$eda. dates *ac4 ,ore than B(KKK years( disc'ssed in India7s Ri& Veda1 Sa&e Parashara -9KK 3CE. is ca!!ed the /ather o/ *otany *eca'se he c!assi/ied /!o#erin& )!ants into $ario's /a,i!ies( near!y ?(KKK years *e/ore Lannae's -the ,odern /ather o/ ta%ono,y.1 Parashara descri*ed )!ant ce!!s " the o'ter and inner #a!!s( sa) co!or",atter and so,ethin& not $isi*!e to the eye " an$as$a1 Near!y ?(KKK years "!ater Ro*ert Hoo4e( 'sin& a ,icrosco)e descri*ed the o'ter and inner #a!! and sa) co!or",atter1 A!&e*ra( arith,etic and &eo,etry( )!anetary )ositions( ec!i)ses( cos,o&ra)hy( and ,athe,atica! techni8'es1 /orce o/ &ra$ity In the /ie!d o/ ,athe,atics( 3has4aracharya II -999< " 99JA CE. contri*'ted to the /ie!ds o/ a!&e*ra( arith,etic and &eo,etry1 T#o o/ his ,ost #e!! 4no#n *oo4s are Li!a$ati and 3i2a&anita( #hich are trans!ated in se$era! !an&'a&es o/ the #or!d1 In his *oo4( Siddhant Shiro,ani( he e%)o'nds on )!anetary )ositions( ec!i)ses( cos,o&ra)hy( and ,athe,atica! techni8'es1 Another o/ his *oo4s( S'rya Siddhant disc'sses the /orce o/ &ra$ity( BKK years *e/ore Sir Isaac Ne#ton1 Sa&e Sridharacharya de$e!o)ed the 8'adratic e8'ation aro'nd ::9 CE1 The Deci,a! Ancient India in$ented the deci,a! sca!e 'sin& *ase 9K1 They n',*er"na,es to denote n',*ers1 In the :th cent'ry CE( an Ara* ,athe,atician( A!"Ch#ariH,i( !earned Sans4rit and #rote a *oo4 e%)!ainin& the Hind' syste, o/ n',eration1 In the 9?th cent'ry CE the *oo4 #as trans!ated into Latin1 The 3ritish 'sed this n',erica! syste, and credited the Ara*s " ,is!a*e!!in& it 7Ara*ic n',era!s71 We o#e a !ot to the Indians( #ho ta'&ht 's ho# to co'nt( #itho't #hich no #orth#hi!e scienti/ic disco$ery co'!d ha$e *een ,ade1 " A!*ert Einstein1 Meta!!'r&y

India #as the #or!d"!eader in Meta!!'r&y /or ,ore than B(KKK years1 +o!d 2e#e!!ery is a$ai!a*!e /ro, A(KKK 3CE1 3rass and *ronHe )ieces are dated *ac4 to 9(AKK 3CE1 E%traction o/ Hinc /ro, ore *y disti!!ation #as 'sed in India as ear!y as <KK 3CE #hi!e E'ro)ean Wi!!ia, Ca,)ion )atented the )rocess so,e ?(KKK years !ater1 Co))er stat'es can *e dated *ac4 to BKK CE1 There is an iron )i!!ar in De!hi datin& *ac4 to <KK CE that sho#s no si&n o/ r'st or decay1 There are t#o 'ni8'e as)ects to India7s ancient scientists1 5irst their disco$eries are in 'se today as so,e o/ the ,ost i,)ortant as)ects o/ their /ie!d0 and are $a!idated *y ,odern techno!o&ica! ,achines1 Second( their disco$eries *ro'&ht )eace and )ros)erity rather than the har, and destr'ction o/ ,any o/ o'r ,odern disco$eries1 D'e to their intense s)irit'a! !i/e( they de$e!o)ed s'ch )o#er o/ discri,ination -$i$e4.1 S)irit'a!ity &i$es he!)/'! direction and science *rin&s s)eed1 With a core o/ s)irit'a!ity( ,odern scientists7 disco$eries can 8'ic4!y *rin& on!y he!)/'! ideas to he!) h',anity1 Whi!e Einstein is credited #ith the idea that one can tra$e! /aster than the s)eed o/ !i&ht( it #as #ritten a*o't cent'ries *e/ore in the ancient Vedic !iterat're1 Perha)s it #as Einstein7s association #ith the /a,ed Indian )hysicist( 3ose that !ed to his introd'ction to the $ie#s a*o't the s)eed o/ !i&ht1 Thro'&h dee) ,editation and readin& the ancient Vedic te%ts( #ho 4no#s #hat o'r ,odern"day scientists #i!! disco$erG There are t#o )oints here( the /irst is that India sho'!d *e )ro'd o/ its a,aHin& achie$e,ents and *e )ro)er!y credited( and second is that India !ea$es a *!'e)rint( co,)ass and ,a) /or ho# to de$e!o) sa/e and he!)/'! disco$eries /or the /'t're *etter,ent o/ ,an4ind1 So'rces@ Ay'r$eda Encyc!o)edia S#a,i Sadashi$a Tirtha1 AHC Press 9:JJ Vedic Mathe,atics =a&ad&'r' Shan4aracharya S#a,i Sri 3harati Crsna Tirtha2i Mahara21 Moti!a! 3anarsidass 9:JJ The Crest o/ the Peacoc4 +eor&e +1 =ose)h1 I131 Ta'rist Co( London 9::9 Indian Astrono,y I Mathe,atics O1P1 =a&&i1 At,a Ra, I Sons( De!hi 9:J; S'rya Siddhanta Re*1 E 3'r&ess trans!ator1 S#aran Press1 De!hi 9:>> htt)@EE###1s#a,inarayan1or& Hind'is, Today ,a&aHine MayE='ne ?KK9 ###1hind'is,today1co, Sa,s4rita 3harati ###1hind'net1or&Esans4rit V Co)yri&ht ?KK9( Ay'r$eda Ho!istic Center1 A!! ri&hts reser$ed1 Re)rinted #ith )er,ission1 S#a,i Sadashi$a Tirtha( D1Sc1 is the /o'nder o/ the Ay'r$eda Ho!istic Center I the

S#a,i Narayan Tirtha Math in US1 5or /ree ,onth!y e"ne#s!etter( /ree artic!e !i*rary( ,editation roo,( dosha test and ,'ch ,ore( $isit his #e*site@ htt)@EEay'r$edahc1co, 7Part :, <rom The aha-harata, %anti Parva %ection @V

In This 6rticle Bacteria -Viruses, Physiology, %cience o$ %(eech Bacteria- Viruses This ,o*i!e and i,,o*i!e 'ni$erse is /ood /or !i$in& creat'res1 This has *een ordained *y the &ods1 The $ery ascetics cannot s'))ort their !i$es #itho't 4i!!in& creat'res1 In #ater( on earth( and /r'its( there are inn',era*!e creat'res1 It is not tr'e that one does not s!a'&hter the,1 What hi&her d'ty is there than s'))ortin& one7s !i/eG There are ,any creat'res that are so ,in'te that their e%istence can on!y *e in/erred1 With the /a!!in& o/ the the eye!ids a!one( they are destroyed1 Physiology 5ro, The Maha*harata( Santi Par$a( Section CCCPPI Re)rod'ced /ro, Pa&e E,)ty Cha,*er The constit'ent e!e,ents o/ the *ody( #hich ser$e di$erse /'nctions in the &enera! econo,y( 'nder&o chan&e e$ery ,o,ent in e$ery creat're1 Those chan&es( ho#e$er( are so ,in'te that they cannot *e noticed1 The *irth o/ )artic!es( and their death( in each s'ccessi$e condition( cannot *e ,ar4ed( O 4in&( e$en as one cannot ,ar4 the chan&es in the /!a,e o/ a *'rnin& !a,)1 When s'ch is the state o/ the *odies o/ a!! creat'res( " that is #hen that #hich is ca!!ed the *ody is chan&in& incessant!y e$en !i4e the ra)id !oco,otion o/ a steed o/ &ood ,ett!e" #ho then has co,e #hence or not #hence( or #hose is it or #hose is it not( or #hence does it not ariseG What connection does there e%ist *et#een creat'res and their o#n *odiesG QNote@ The /act o/ contin'a! chan&e o/ )artic!es in the *ody #as #e!! 4no#n to the Hind' sa&es1 This disco$ery is not ne# o/ ,odern )hysio!o&y1 E!se#here it has *een sho#n that Har$eyLs &reat disco$ery a*o't the circ'!ation o/ the *!ood #as not 'n4no#n to the Rishis1 The instance ,entioned /or i!!'stratin& the chan&e o/ cor)ora! )artic!es is certain!y a $ery a)t and ha))y one1 The /!a,e o/ a *'rnin& !a,)( tho'&h )er/ect!y steady -as in a *reeHe!ess s)ot.( is rea!!y the res'!t o/ the s'ccessi$e co,*'stion o/ )artic!es o/ oi! and the s'ccessi$e e%tin&'ish,ents o/ s'ch co,*'stion1R

Part ;, In This 6rticle

?niversity 7The "orld's $irst university,, athematics, 1ero, the most (o"er$ul tool, /eometry, The value o$ Pi in India, Pythagorean Theorem or Baudhayana TheoremA &aising 9B to the (o"er o$ >;, 6stronomy, The !a" o$ /ravity- 9:BB years -e$ore .e"ton, easurement o$ Time, Plastic surgery in India :CBB years old, 9:> ty(es o$ surgical instruments, ;BB di$$erent o(erations, India's contri-utions ackno"ledged -y historians and scholars The /o!!o#in& to)ics are researched and the te%t #ritten *y Sadh' 3rah,a$iharidas AARSH " A4shardha, Centre /or A))!ied Research in Socia! Har,ony ?niversity 7The "orldDs $irst university, Ta4shashi!a -Ta%i!a. Aro'nd ?>KK years a&o( as ear!y as >KK 3CE there e%isted a &iant Uni$ersity at Ta4shashi!a( !ocated in the north#est re&ion o/ India1 Not on!y Indians *'t a!so st'dents /ro, as /ar as 3a*y!onia( +reece( Syria( Ara*ia and China ca,e to st'dy1 ;J di//erent strea,s o/ 4no#!ed&e #ere on the sy!!a*'s1 E%)erienced ,asters ta'&ht a #ide ran&e o/ s'*2ects1 Vedas( Lan&'a&e( +ra,,ar( Phi!oso)hy( Medicine( S'r&ery( Archery( Po!itics( War/are( Astrono,y( Acco'nts( co,,erce( 5't'ro!o&y( Doc',entation( Occ'!t( M'sic( Dance( The art o/ disco$erin& hidden treas'res( etc1 The ,ini,', entrance a&e #as 9; and there #ere 9K(BKK st'dents1 The )ane! o/ Masters inc!'ded reno#ned na,es !i4e Ca'ti!ya( Panini( =i$a4 and Vishn' Shar,a1 See a!so A))endi% to this )a&e The R'ins o/ Na!anda Uni$ersity( 3ihar( India A 3'ddhist Uni$ersity( Bth Cent'ry athematics Tero NThe Most Po#er/'! Too! India in$ented the Tero( #itho't #hich there #o'!d *e no *inary syste,1 No co,)'tersD Co'ntin& #o'!d *e c!',sy and c',*erso,eD The ear!iest recorded date( an inscri)tion o/ Tero on San4heda Co))er P!ate #as /o'nd in +'2arat( India -BJB"BJ; CE.1 In 3rah,a"Ph'ta"Siddhanta o/ 3rah,a&')ta ->th cent'ry CE.( the Tero is !'cid!y e%)!ained and #as rendered into Ara*ic *oo4s aro'nd >>K CE1 5ro, these it #as carried to E'ro)e in the Jth cent'ry1 Ho#e$er( the conce)t o/ Tero is re/erred to as Sh'nya in the ear!y Sans4rit te%ts o/ the <th cent'ry 3CE and c!ear!y e%)!ained in Pin&a!aLs S'tra o/ the ?nd cent'ry1 /eometry

In$ention o/ +eo,etry The #ord +eo,etry see,s to ha$e e,er&ed /ro, the Indian #ord M+yaa,itiL #hich ,eans ,eas'rin& the Earth1 And the #ord Tri&ono,etry is si,i!ar to MTri4ona,itiL ,eanin& ,eas'rin& trian&'!ar /or,s1 E'c!id is credited #ith the in$ention o/ +eo,etry in AKK 3CE #hi!e the conce)t o/ +eo,etry in India e,er&ed in 9KKK 3CE( /ro, the )ractice o/ ,a4in& /ire a!tars in s8'are and rectan&'!ar sha)es1 The treatise o/ S'rya Siddhanta -<th cent'ry CE. descri*es a,aHin& detai!s o/ Tri&ono,etry( #hich #ere introd'ced to E'ro)e 9?KK years !ater in the 9;th cent'ry *y 3ri&&s1 The Va!'e o/ PI in India The ratio o/ the circ',/erence and the dia,eter o/ a circ!e are 4no#n as Pi( #hich &i$es its $a!'e as A(9<?JB>91 The o!d Sans4rit te%t 3a'dhayana Sh'!*a S'tra o/ the ;th cent'ry 3CE ,entions this ratio as a))ro%i,ate!y e8'a! to A1 Arya*hatta in <::( CE #or4ed the $a!'e o/ Pi to the /o'rth deci,a! )!ace as A19<9;1 Cent'ries !ater( in J?B CE Ara* ,athe,atician Moha,,ed I*na M'sa says that This $a!'e has *een &i$en *y the Hind's -Indians. 1 Pythagorean Theorem or Baudhayana TheoremA The so"ca!!ed Pytha&oras Theore, N the s8'are o/ the hy)oten'se o/ a ri&ht" an&!ed trian&!e e8'a!s the s', o/ the s8'are o/ the t#o sides N #as #or4ed o't ear!ier in India *y 3a'dhayana in 3a'dhayana S'!*a S'tra1 He descri*es@ The area )rod'ced *y the dia&ona! o/ a rectan&!e is e8'a! to the s', o/ the area )rod'ced *y it on t#o sides1 QNote@ +ree4 #riters attri*'ted the theore, o/ E'c!id to Pytha&orasR athematics The Deci,a! 9KK3CE the Deci,a! syste, /!o'rished in India It #as India that &a$e 's the in&enio's ,ethod o/ e%)ressin& a!! n',*ers *y ,eans o/ ten sy,*o!s -Deci,a! Syste,.O1a )ro/o'nd and i,)ortant idea #hich esca)ed the &eni's o/ Archi,edes and A)o!!oni's( t#o o/ the &reatest ,en )rod'ced *y anti8'ity1 "La P!ace Raisin& 9K to the Po#er o/ BA The hi&hest )re/i% 'sed /or raisin& 9K to a )o#er in todayLs ,aths is MDL /or 9K to a )o#er o/ AK -/ro, +ree4 Deca.1 Whi!e( as ear!y as 9KK 3CE Indian Mathe,aticians had e%act na,es /or /i&'res ')to 9K to the )o#er o/ BA1 e4a, W9 dasha4a, W9K shata, W9KK -9K to the )o#er o/ 9K. sahasra, W9KKK -9K )o#er o/ A. dashasahasra, W9KKKK -9K )o#er o/ <.

!a4shaha W9KKKKK -9K )o#er o/ B. dasha!a4shaha W9KKKKKK -9K )o#er o/ ;. 4otihi W9KKKKKKK -9K )o#er o/ >. ay'ta, W9KKKKKKKKK -9K )o#er o/ :. niy'ta, W -9K )o#er o/ 99. 4an4ara, W -9K )o#er o/ 9A. $i$ara, W -9K )o#er o/ 9B. )araardhaha W -9K )o#er o/ 9>. ni$ahaaha W -9K )o#er o/ 9:. 'tsan&aha W -9K )o#er o/ ?9. *ah'!a, W -9K )o#er o/ ?A. naa&*aa!aha W -9K )o#er o/ ?B. titi!a,*a, W -9K )o#er o/ ?>. $ya$asthaana )ra&na)tihi W -9K )o#er o/ ?:. het'hee!a, W -9K )o#er o/ A9. 4arah'h' W -9K )o#er o/ AA. het$indreeya, W -9K )o#er o/ AB. sa,aa)ta !a,*haha W -9K )o#er o/ A>. &ananaa&atihi. W -9K )o#er o/ A:. nira$adya, W -9K )o#er o/ <9. ,'draa*aa!a, W -9K )o#er o/ <A. sar$a*aa!a, W -9K )o#er o/ <B. $isha,a&na&atihi W -9K )o#er o/ <>. sar$a&naha W -9K )o#er o/ <:. $i*h'tan&a,aa W -9K )o#er o/ B9. ta!!aa4shana, W -9K )o#er o/ BA. -In An'yo&d#aar S'tra #ritten in 9KK 3CE one n',era! is raised as hi&h as 9K to the )o#er o/ 9<K.1 6stronomy Indian astrono,ers ha$e *een ,a))in& the s4ies /or ABKK years1 9KKK Years 3e/ore Co)ernic's Co)ernic's )'*!ished his theory o/ the re$o!'tion o/ the Earth in 9B<A1 A tho'sand years *e/ore hi,( Arya*hatta in Bth cent'ry -<KK"BKK CE. stated that the Earth re$o!$es aro'nd the s'n( 2'st as a )erson tra$e!!in& in a *oat /ee!s that the trees on the *an4 are ,o$in&( )eo)!e on earth /ee! that the s'n is ,o$in& 1 In his treatise Arya*hatteea,( he c!ear!y states that o'r earth is ro'nd( it rotates on its a%is( or*its the s'n and is s's)ended in s)ace and e%)!ains that !'nar and so!ar ec!i)ses occ'r *y the inter)!ay o/ the s'n( the ,oon and the earth1 The !a" o$ /ravity - 9:BB 0ears Be$ore .e"ton The La# o/ +ra$ity #as 4no#n to the ancient Indian astrono,er 3has4aracharya1 In his S'rya Siddhanta( he notes@ O*2ects /a!! on earth d'e to a /orce o/ attraction *y the earth1 there/ore( the earth( the )!anets( conste!!ations( the ,oon and the s'n are he!d in or*it d'e to

this attraction 1 It #as not 'nti! the !ate 9>th cent'ry in 9;J>( 9?KK years !ater( that Sir Isaac Ne#ton redisco$ered the La# o/ +ra$ity1

easurement o$ Time In S'rya Siddhanta( 3has4aracharya ca!c'!ates the ti,e ta4en /or the earth to or*it the s'n to : deci,a! )!aces1 3has4aracharya W A;B1?BJ>B;<J< days1 Modern acce)ted ,eas're,ent W A;B1?B:; days1 3et#een 3has4aracharyaLs ancient ,eas're,ent 9BKK years a&o and the ,odern ,eas're,ent the di//erence is on!y K1KKKJB days( on!y K1KKK?X1 A<KKKTH o/ a Second to <1A? 3i!!ion Years India has &i$en the idea o/ the s,a!!est and the !ar&est ,eas're o/ ti,e1 Crati Crati W A<(KKKth o/ a second 9 Tr'ti W AKKth o/ a second ? Tr'ti W 9 L'$ ? L'$ W 9 Cshana AK Cshana W 9 Vi)a! ;K Vi)a! W 9 Pa! ;K Pa! W 9 +hadi -?< ,in'tes. ?1B +adhi W 9 Hora -9 ho'r. ?< Hora W 9 Di$as -9 day. > Di$as W 9 sa)taah -9 #ee4. < Sa)taah W 9 Maas -9 ,onth. ? Maas W 9 R't' -9 season. ; R't' W 9 Varsh -9 year. 9KK Varsh W 9 Shataa*da -9 cent'ry. 9K Shataa*da W 9 sahasraa*da <A? Sahasraa*da W 9 Y'& -Ca!iy'&. ? Y'& W 9 D#aa)ary'& A Y'& W 9 Tretaay'& < Y'& W 9 Cr'tay'& 9K Y'& W 9 Mahaay'& -<(A?K(KKK years.

9KKK Mahaay'& W 9 Ca!)a 9 Ca!)a W <1A? *i!!ion years

Plastic %urgery In India :CBB 0ears Old Sh'shr'ta( 4no#n as the /ather o/ s'r&ery( )ractised his s4i!! as ear!y as ;KK 3CE1 He 'sed chee4 s4in to )er/or, )!astic s'r&ery to restore or resha)e the nose( ears and !i)s #ith incredi*!e res'!ts1 Modern )!astic s'r&ery ac4no#!ed&es his contri*'tions *y ca!!in& this ,ethod o/ rhino)!asty as the Indian ,ethod1 9?B Ty)es O/ S'r&ica! Instr',ents The Hind's -Indians. #ere so ad$anced in s'r&ery that their instr',ents co'!d c't a hair !on&it'dina!!y 1 MRS P!'n4et Sh'shr'ta #or4ed #ith 9?B 4inds o/ s'r&ica! instr',ents( #hich inc!'ded sca!)e!s( !ancets( need!es( catheters( recta! s)ec'!',s( ,ost!y concei$ed /ro, 2a#s o/ ani,a!s and *irds to o*tain the necessary &ri)s1 He a!so de/ined $ario's ,ethods o/ stitchin&@ the 'se o/ horseLs hair( /ine thread( /i*res o/ *ar4( &oatLs &'ts and antLs heads1 AKK Di//erent O)erations Sh'shr'ta descri*es the detai!s o/ ,ore than AKK o)erations and <? s'r&ica! )rocesses1 In his co,)endi', Sh'shr'ta Sa,hita he ,in'te!y c!assi/ies s'r&ery into J ty)es@ Aharya, W e%tractin& so!id *odies 3hedya, W e%cision Chhedya, W incision Aeshya, W )ro*in& Le4hya, W scari/ication Vedhya, W )'nct'rin& Visraa$ya, W e$ac'atin& /!'ids Si$ya, W s't'rin& The ancient Indians #ere a!so the /irst to )er/or, a,)'tation( caesarean s'r&ery and crania! s'r&ery1 5or rhino)!asty( Sh'shr'ta /irst ,eas'red the da,a&ed nose( s4i!/'!!y s!iced o// s4in /ro, the chee4 and s't'red the nose1 He then )!aced ,edicated cotton )ads to hea! the o)eration1

IndiaDs #ontri-utions 6ckno"ledged #ontri-utions It is tr'e that e$en across the Hi,a!ayan *arrier India has sent to the #est( s'ch &i/ts as &ra,,ar and !o&ic( )hi!oso)hy and /a*!es( hy)notis, and chess( and a*o$e a!! n',era!s and the deci,a! syste,1 Wi!! D'rant -A,erican Historian( 9JJB"9:J9. !anguage The Sans4rit !an&'a&e( #hate$er *e its anti8'ity( is o/ #onder/'! str'ct're( ,ore )er/ect than the +ree4( ,ore co)io's than the Latin and ,ore e%8'isite!y re/ined than either 1 Sir Wi!!ia, =ones -3ritish Orienta!ist( 9><;"9>:<. Philoso(hy YI/ I #ere as4ed 'nder #hat s4y the h',an ,ind has ,ost /'!!y de$e!o)ed so,e o/ its choicest &i/ts( has ,ost dee)!y )ondered on the &reatest )ro*!e,s o/ !i/e( and has /o'nd so!'tions( I sho'!d )oint o't to India 1 Ma% M'!!er -+er,an Scho!ar( 9J?A"9:KK

&eligion There can no !on&er *e any rea! do'*t that *oth Is!a, and Christianity o#e the /o'ndations o/ *oth their ,ystica! and their scienti/ic achie$e,ents to Indian initiati$es 1 " Phi!i) Ra#son -3ritish Orienta!ist.

6tomic Physics A/ter the con$ersations a*o't Indian )hi!oso)hy( so,e o/ the ideas o/ 6'ant', Physics that had see,ed so craHy s'dden!y ,ade ,'ch ,ore sense 1 W1 Heisen*er& -+er,an Physicist( 9:K9"9:>;. %urgery The s'r&ery o/ the ancient Indian )hysicians #as *o!d and s4i!/'!1 A s)ecia! *ranch o/ s'r&ery #as de$oted to rhino)!asty or o)erations /or i,)ro$in& de/or,ed ears( noses and /or,in& ne# ones( #hich E'ro)ean s'r&eons ha$e no# *orro#ed 1 Sir W1H'nter -3ritish S'r&eon( 9>9J"9>JA.

!iterature In the &reat *oo4s o/ India( an E,)ire s)o4e to 's( nothin& s,a!! or 'n#orthy( *'t !ar&e( serene( consistent( the $oice o/ an o!d inte!!i&ence #hich in another a&e and c!i,ate had )ondered and th's dis)osed o/ the 8'estions that e%ercises 's 1 " R1W1E,erson -A,erican Essayist( 9JKA"9JJ?. Panini7s &ra,,ar has *een e$a!'ated /ro, $ario's )oints o/ $ie#1 A/ter a!! these di//erent e$a!'ations( I thin4 that the &ra,,ar ,erits assertin& 111 that it is one o/ the &reatest ,on',ents o/ h',an inte!!i&ence1 " An e$a!'ation o/ Panini7s contri*'tion *y Cardona 7Part =, In This 6rticle /rammar, Phonetics, Phonology, or(hology %anskrit "as the classical literary language o$ the Indian Eindus and Panini is considered the $ounder o$ the language and literature4 Panini Artic!e *y@ = = O7Connor and E 5 Ro*ertson Schoo! o/ Mathe,atics and Statistics Uni$ersity o/ St Andre#s( Scot!and 3orn@ a*o't B?K 3C in Sha!at'!a -near Attoc4.( no# Pa4istan Died@ a*o't <;K 3C in India Panini #as *orn in Sha!at'!a( a to#n near to Attoc4 on the Ind's ri$er in )resent day Pa4istan1 The dates &i$en /or Panini are )'re &'esses1 E%)erts &i$e dates in the <th( Bth( ;th and >th cent'ry 3C and there is a!so no a&ree,ent a,on& historians a*o't the e%tent o/ the #or4 #hich he 'ndertoo41 What is in !itt!e do'*t is that( &i$en the )eriod in #hich he #or4ed( he is one o/ the ,ost inno$ati$e )eo)!e in the #ho!e de$e!o),ent o/ 4no#!ed&e1 We #i!! say a !itt!e ,ore *e!o# a*o't ho# historians ha$e &one a*o't tryin& to )in)oint the date #hen Panini !i$ed1 Panini #as a Sans4rit &ra,,arian #ho &a$e a co,)rehensi$e and scienti/ic theory o/ )honetics( )hono!o&y( and ,or)ho!o&y1 Sans4rit #as the c!assica! !iterary !an&'a&e o/ the Indian Hind's and Panini is considered the /o'nder o/ the !an&'a&e and !iterat're1 It is interestin& to note that the #ord Sans4rit ,eans co,)!ete or )er/ect and it #as tho'&ht o/ as the di$ine !an&'a&e( or !an&'a&e o/ the &ods1 A treatise ca!!ed Astadhyayi -or Asta4a . is Panini7s ,a2or #or41 It consists o/ ei&ht cha)ters( each s'*di$ided into 8'arter cha)ters1 In this #or4 Panini distin&'ishes *et#een the !an&'a&e o/ sacred te%ts and the 's'a! !an&'a&e o/ co,,'nication1 Panini &i$es /or,a! )rod'ction r'!es and de/initions to descri*e Sans4rit &ra,,ar1 Startin& #ith a*o't 9>KK *asic e!e,ents !i4e no'ns( $er*s( $o#e!s( consonants he )'t the, into c!asses1 The constr'ction o/ sentences( co,)o'nd no'ns etc1 is e%)!ained as ordered r'!es o)eratin& on 'nder!yin& str'ct'res in a ,anner si,i!ar to ,odern theory1 In ,any #ays Panini7s constr'ctions are si,i!ar to the #ay that a ,athe,atica! /'nction is de/ined today1 =ose)h #rites in Q?R@" Sans4rit7s )otentia! /or scienti/ic 'se #as &reat!y enhanced as a res'!t o/ the

thoro'&h syste,isation o/ its &ra,,ar *y Panini1 111 On the *asis o/ 2'st 'nder <KKK s'tras Qr'!es e%)ressed as a)horis,sR( he *'i!t $irt'a!!y the #ho!e str'ct're o/ the Sans4rit !an&'a&e( #hose &enera! 7sha)e7 hard!y chan&ed /or the ne%t t#o tho'sand years1 111 An indirect conse8'ence o/ Panini7s e//orts to increase the !in&'istic /aci!ity o/ Sans4rit soon *eca,e a))arent in the character o/ scienti/ic and ,athe,atica! !iterat're1 =ose)h &oes on to ,a4e a con$incin& ar&',ent /or the a!&e*raic nat're o/ Indian ,athe,atics arisin& as a conse8'ence o/ the str'ct're o/ the Sans4rit !an&'a&e1 In )artic'!ar he s'&&ests that a!&e*raic reasonin&( the Indian #ay o/ re)resentin& n',*ers *y #ords( and '!ti,ate!y the de$e!o),ent o/ ,odern n',*er syste,s in India( are !in4ed thro'&h the str'ct're o/ !an&'a&e1 Panini sho'!d *e tho'&ht o/ as the /orer'nner o/ the ,odern /or,a! !an&'a&e theory 'sed to s)eci/y co,)'ter !an&'a&es1 The 3ac4's Nor,a! 5or, #as disco$ered inde)endent!y *y =ohn 3ACCUS in 9:B:( *'t Panini7s notation is e8'i$a!ent in its )o#er to that o/ 3ACCUS and has ,any si,i!ar )ro)erties1 It is re,ar4a*!e to thin4 that conce)ts #hich are /'nda,enta! to today7s theoretica! co,)'ter science sho'!d ha$e their ori&in #ith an Indian &eni's aro'nd ?BKK years a&o1 At the *e&innin& o/ this artic!e #e ,entioned that certain conce)ts had *een attri*'ted to Panini *y certain historians #hich others dis)'te1 One s'ch theory #as )'t /or#ard *y 3 Indra2i in 9J>;1 He c!ai,ed that the 3rah,i n',era!s de$e!o)ed o't o/ 'sin& !etters or sy!!a*!es as n',era!s1 Then he )'t the /inishin& to'ches to the theory *y s'&&estin& that Panini in the ei&hth cent'ry 3C -ear!ier than ,ost historians )!ace Panini. #as the /irst to co,e ') #ith the idea o/ 'sin& !etters o/ the a!)ha*et to re)resent n',*ers1 There are a n',*er o/ )ieces o/ e$idence to s'))ort Indra2i7s theory that the 3rah,i n',era!s de$e!o)ed /ro, !etters or sy!!a*!es1 Ho#e$er it is not tota!!y con$incin& since( to 8'ote one e%a,)!e( the sy,*o!s /or 9( ? and A c!ear!y don7t co,e /ro, !etters *'t /ro, one( t#o and three !ines res)ecti$e!y1 E$en i/ one acce)ts the !in4 *et#een the n',era!s and the !etters( ,a4in& Panini the ori&inator o/ this idea #o'!d see, to ha$e no ,ore *ehind it than 4no#in& that Panini #as one o/ the ,ost inno$ati$e &eni'ses that #or!d has 4no#n so it is not 'nreasona*!e to *e!ie$e that he ,i&ht ha$e ,ade this ste) too1 There are other #or4s #hich are c!ose!y associated #ith the Astadhyayi #hich so,e historians attri*'te to Panini( others attri*'te to a'thors *e/ore Panini( others attri*'te to a'thors a/ter Panini1 This is an area #here there are ,any theories *'t /e#( i/ any( hard /acts1 We a!so )ro,ised to ret'rn to a disc'ssion o/ Panini7s dates1 There has *een no !ac4 o/ #or4 on this to)ic so the /act that there are theories #hich s)an se$era! h'ndreds o/ years is not the res'!t o/ !ac4 o/ e//ort( rather an indication o/ the di//ic'!ty o/ the to)ic1 The 's'a! #ay to date s'ch te%ts #o'!d *e to e%a,ine #hich a'thors are re/erred to and #hich a'thors re/er to the #or41 One can 'se this techni8'e and see #ho Panini ,entions1 There are ten scho!ars ,entioned *y Panini and #e ,'st ass',e /ro, the conte%t that these ten ha$e a!! contri*'ted to the st'dy o/ Sans4rit &ra,,ar1 This in itse!/( o/ co'rse( indicates that Panini #as not a so!itary &eni's *'t( !i4e Ne#ton( had stood on the sho'!ders o/ &iants 1 No# Panini ,'st ha$e !i$ed !ater than these ten *'t this is a*so!'te!y no he!) in )ro$idin& dates since #e ha$e

a*so!'te!y no 4no#!ed&e o/ #hen any o/ these ten !i$ed1 What other interna! e$idence is there to 'seG We!! o/ co'rse Panini 'ses ,any )hrases to i!!'strate his &ra,,ar any these ha$e *een e%a,ined ,etic'!o's!y to see i/ anythin& is contained there to indicate a date1 To &i$e an e%a,)!e o/ #hat #e ,ean@ i/ #e #ere to )ic4 ') a te%t #hich contained as an e%a,)!e I ta4e the train to #or4 e$ery day #e #o'!d 4no# that it had to ha$e *een #ritten a/ter rai!#ays *eca,e co,,on1 Let 's i!!'strate #ith t#o act'a! e%a,)!es /ro, the Astadhyayi #hich ha$e *een the s'*2ect o/ ,'ch st'dy1 The /irst is an atte,)t to see #hether there is e$idence o/ +ree4 in/!'ence1 Wo'!d it *e )ossi*!e to /ind e$idence #hich #o'!d ,ean that the te%t had to ha$e *een #ritten a/ter the con8'ests o/ A!e%ander the +reatG There is a !itt!e e$idence o/ +ree4 in/!'ence( *'t there #as +ree4 in/!'ence on this north east )art o/ the Indian s'*continent *e/ore the ti,e o/ A!e%ander1 Nothin& conc!'si$e has *een identi/ied1 Another an&!e is to e%a,ine a re/erence Panini ,a4es to n'ns1 no# so,e ar&'e that these ,'st *e 3'ddhist n'ns and there/ore the #or4 ,'st ha$e *een #ritten a/ter 3'ddha1 A nice ar&',ent *'t there is a co'nter ar&',ent #hich says that there #ere =aina n'ns *e/ore the ti,e o/ 3'ddha and Panini7s re/erence co'!d e8'a!!y #e!! *e to the,1 A&ain the e$idence is inconc!'si$e1 There are re/erences *y others to Panini1 Ho#e$er it #o'!d a))ear that the Panini to #ho, ,ost re/er is a )oet and a!tho'&h so,e ar&'e that these are the sa,e )erson( ,ost historians a&ree that the !in&'ist and the )oet are t#o di//erent )eo)!e1 A&ain this is inconc!'si$e e$idence1 Let 's end #ith an e$a!'ation o/ Panini7s contri*'tion *y Cardona in Q9R@" Panini7s &ra,,ar has *een e$a!'ated /ro, $ario's )oints o/ $ie#1 A/ter a!! these di//erent e$a!'ations( I thin4 that the &ra,,ar ,erits assertin& 111 that it is one o/ the &reatest ,on',ents o/ h',an inte!!i&ence1 Artic!e *y@ = = O7Connor and E 5 Ro*ertson Schoo! o/ Mathe,atics and Statistics Uni$ersity o/ St Andre#s( Scot!and htt)@EE###"history1,cs1st"andre#s1ac1'4EhistoryEMathe,aticiansEPanini1sht,!! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Panini( /a,o's &ra,,arian o/ the Sans4rit !an&'a&e( !i$ed in India so,e ti,e *et#een the >th and the <th cent'ries 31C1 5o!!o#in& in the ste)s o/ the 3rah,i a!)ha*et ,a4ers( he *eca,e the ,ost reno#ned o/ the &ra,,arians1 His #or4 on Sans4rit( #ith its <(9;J r'!es( is o'tstandin& /or its hi&h!y syste,atic ,ethods o/ ana!yHin& and descri*in& !an&'a&e1 The *irth o/ !in&'istic science in Western E'ro)e in the 9:th cent'ry #as d'e !ar&e!y to the E'ro)ean disco$ery o/ Panini7s Sans4rit &ra,,ar( ,a4in& !in&'istics a science1 The ,odern science o/ !in&'istics is the *asis /or )rod'cin& a!)ha*ets /or !an&'a&es yet 'n#ritten today1 =AARS A!)ha*et M'se', 3o% ?<J

Wa%ha#( NC ?J9>A ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Panini7s &ra,,ar -;th cent'ry 3CE or ear!ier. )ro$ides <(KKK r'!es that descri*e the Sans4rit o/ his day co,)!ete!y1 This &ra,,ar is ac4no#!ed&ed to *e one o/ the &reatest inte!!ect'a! achie$e,ents o/ a!! ti,e1 The &reat $ariety o/ !an&'a&e ,irrors( in ,any #ays( the co,)!e%ity o/ nat're and( there/ore( s'ccess in descri*in& a !an&'a&e is as i,)ressi$e as a co,)!ete theory o/ )hysics1 It is re,ar4a*!e that Panini set o't to descri*e the entire &ra,,ar in ter,s o/ a /inite n',*er o/ r'!es1 Scho!ars ha$e sho#n that the &ra,,ar o/ Panini re)resents a 'ni$ersa! &ra,,atica! and co,)'tin& syste,1 5ro, this )ers)ecti$e it antici)ates the !o&ica! /ra,e#or4 o/ ,odern co,)'ters1 One ,ay s)ea4 o/ a Panini ,achine as a ,ode! /or the ,ost )o#er/'! co,)'tin& syste,1 So'rce@ Staa!( 51 9:JJ1 Uni$ersa!s1 Chica&o@ Uni$ersity o/ Chica&o Press1 ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Panini #as a Sans4rit &ra,,arian #ho &a$e a co,)rehensi$e and scienti/ic theory o/ )honetics( )hono!o&y( and ,or)ho!o&y1 Sans4rit #as the c!assica! !iterary !an&'a&e o/ the Indian Hind's1 In a treatise ca!!ed Astadhyayi Panini distin&'ishes *et#een the !an&'a&e o/ sacred te%ts and the 's'a! !an&'a&e o/ co,,'nication1 Panini &i$es /or,a! )rod'ction r'!es and de/initions to descri*e Sans4rit &ra,,ar1 The constr'ction o/ sentences( co,)o'nd no'ns etc1 is e%)!ained as ordered r'!es o)eratin& on 'nder!yin& str'ct'res in a ,anner si,i!ar to ,odern theory1 Panini sho'!d *e tho'&ht o/ as the /orer'nner o/ the ,odern /or,a! !an&'a&e theory 'sed to s)eci/y co,)'ter !an&'a&es1 The 3ac4's Nor,a! 5or, #as disco$ered inde)endent!y *y =ohn 3ac4's in 9:B:( *'t Panini7s notation is e8'i$a!ent in its )o#er to that o/ 3ac4's and has ,any si,i!ar )ro)erties1 htt)@EEhistory1,ath1cs's*1ed'EMathe,aticiansEPanini1sht,!! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

TOP FTo to) o/ this )a&e A))endi% The R'ins O/ Na!anda Uni$ersity

A 3'ddhist Uni$ersity( Bth Cent'ry 3ihar( India THE ANCIENT SEAT O5 LEARNIN+ To#ards the So'theast o/ Patna is a $i!!a&e ca!!ed the 73ada +aon7( in the $icinity o/ #hich( are the #or!d /a,o's r'ins o/ Na!anda Uni$ersity1 Ho'sin& a*o't 9K(KKK st'dents and ?(KKK teachers( this 'ni$ersity attracted )')i!s /ro, a!! o$er the #or!d1 A Wa!4 in the r'ins o/ the 'ni$ersity( ta4es yo' to an era( that sa# India !eadin& in i,)artin& 4no#!ed&e( to the #or!d " the era #hen India #as a co$eted

)!ace /or st'dies1 The 'ni$ersity /!o'rished d'rin& the Bth and 9?th cent'ry1 The r'ins o/ Na!anda 'ni$ersity is s)read o$er an area o/ 9< hectares1 This 'ni$ersity #as tota!!y *'i!t in Red c!ay *ric4s1 The Na!anda 'ni$ersity attracted scho!ars /ro, a!! o$er the #or!d1 E$en Chana4ya or Ca'ti!ya #as once a st'dent o/ this 'ni$ersity1 This 'ni$ersity #as seat o/ 4no#!ed&e /or the #or!d( the !i&ht o/ 4no#!ed&e s)read a!! o$er the #or!d /ro, Na!anda1 Today on!y the ,e,ories o/ those &!orio's days are re/reshed in the r'ins1 Whate$er re,ains o/ the &reat 'ni$ersity has *een #e!! )reser$ed1 A,on& the r'ins one sti!! reco&niHes the di//erent sections o/ the )!ace1 Partic'!ar!y the )!ace o/ #orshi) and the hoste!s are $ery distinct1 The #ho!e area is s'rro'nded *y *ea'ti/'! !a#ns1 At the e%ca$ation site( Visitors &oin& in /or the ,onasteries and te,)!es stand at the Eastern &ate1 The to'rists &oin& in /or 'ni$ersity r'ins enter the site /ro, the Western &ate1 The ,ain te,)!e area no1 A is sit'ated on the so'thern side o/ the site1 The te,)!e is s'rro'nded *y ,any s,a!! St')as in a co'rtyard1 The Vihar area no1 9 is the ,ost i,)ortant at this )!ace1 This Vihar has : storeys1 The $ario's !e$e!s are identi/ied *y the concrete co'rtyards and the #a!!s I drains #hich are *'i!t one o$er the other1 It is *e!ie$ed that the !o#er ,ost Vihar #as *'i!t *y De$a)a!( the third 4in& o/ the Pa!a dynasty1 This )!ace sa# the rise and /a!! o/ ,any e,)ires and e,)erors #ho contri*'ted in the de$e!o),ent o/ Na!anda1 Many ,onasteries and te,)!es #ere *'i!t *y the,1 Cin& Harsh#ardhana &i/ted a ?B, hi&h co))er stat'e o/ 3'ddha and C',ar&')ta endo#ed a co!!e&e o/ /ine arts here1 Na&ar2'na" a Mahayana )hi!oso)her( Dinna&a" /o'nder o/ the schoo! o/ !o&ic and Dhar,)a!a" the 3rah,in scho!ar( ta'&ht here1 The /a,o's Chinese tra$e!!er and scho!ar( Hie'n"Tsan& stayed here and has &i$en a detai!ed descri)tion o/ the sit'ations )re$ai!in& at that ti,e1 Care/'! e%ca$ation o/ the )!ace has re$ea!ed ,any st')as( ,onasteries( hoste!s( stair cases( ,editation ha!!s( !ect're ha!!s and ,any other str'ct'res #hich s)ea4 o/ the s)!endo'r and &rande'r this )!ace en2oyed( #hen the )!ace #as a centre o/ serio's st'dy1 Hie'n Tsan& Me,oria! Ha!!@ Hie'n Tsan& #as a Chinese tra$e!!er( #ho ca,e to India in aro'nd Bth cent'ry1 He has &i$en a $ery detai!ed and $i$id descri)tion o/ the Indian )o!itica! and socia! conditions at that ti,e1 His #ritin& is considered to *e one o/ the ,ost a'thentic so'rces o/ in/or,ation o/ that )eriod1 Hie'n Tsan& #as a!so attracted *y the &!ory o/ Na!anda Uni$ersity1 He ca,e and stayed here( *oth as a st'dent and as a teacher1 As a st'dent( he st'died Yo&a /or si% years 'nder Acharya Shi! 3hadra1 He #as in Na!anda /or t#e!$e years1 The ,e,oria! Ha!! has *een *'i!t in his ,e,ory1 TOP FTo to) o/ this )a&e A /ascinatin& historica! acco'nt *y The Chinese )i!&ri, Hie'n Tsan& -A st'dent o/ Na!anda in Bth cent'ry. The Roya! Patrons o/ the Uni$ersity o/ Na!anda Researched *y Re$1 H1 Heras( S1=1( M1A1 =o'rna! o/ the 3ihar and Orissa Research Society( PART I1 Vo!1 PIV 9:?J ))1 9"?A Inc!'des re/erence /ro, I"Tsin&( A Record o/ the 3'ddhist Re!i&ion

-Trans!ated *y Ta4a4as'.1 Cin& C',arra +')ta I is 'ndo'*ted!y the /o'nder o/ the 'ni$ersity o/ Na!anda1 The Chinese )i!&ri, Hie'n Tsan& does not say that C',ara +')ta #as a 3'ddhist( *'t says on!y that he res)ected and estee,ed the !a# o/ 3'ddha and hono'red $ery hi&h!y the 3'ddha( the dhar,a and the san&ha1 In /act he see,s to ha$e *een a Vaiena$a1 3't s'ch res)ect and estee, /or 3'ddhis, is not a stran&e thin& in a Hind' ,onarch1 Moreo$er #e cannot do'*t that C',ara +')ta &a$e so,e endo#,ents to the 'ni$ersity( as so,e o/ the other 4in&s ,entioned *y Hi'en Tsian& a!so did a/ter hi,( so that the st'dents *ein& s'))!ied #ith e$erythin& sho'!d not re8'ire to as4 /or anythin&1 Th's the 'ni$ersity co'!d *e ca!!ed /ro, the *e&innin& o/ its e%istence Na!anda( i1e1 charity #itho't inter,ission1 As a ,atter o/ /act I"Tsin& records the /act that the !ands )ossessed *y the 'ni$ersity( that contained ,ore than ?KK $i!!a&es( had *een *esto#ed ')on the instit'tion *y 4in&s o/ ,any &enera/ions1 O/ this 4in& Hi'en Tsian& says@ 3'ddha&')ta"ra2a111111 contin'ed to !a*o'r at the e%ce!!ent 'nderta4in& o/ his /ather1 To the so'th o/ this he *'i!t another san&hara,a1 Accordin&!y S4anda +')ta contin'ed the )o!icy o/ his /ather to#ards the 'ni$ersity1 His )atrona&e #as s)ecia!!y sho#n in the /act that he *'i!t another san&hara,a to the so'th o/ that erected *y his /ather1 S'ch en!ar&e,ent o/ the 'ni$ersity #as ,ost !i4e!y carried o't *y S4anda +')ta a/ter his $ictorio's ret'rn /ro, the #est #here he had cr'shed the )o#er o/ the H'nas( then /or the /irst ti,e in$adin& the )!ains o/ Arya$arta1 Cin& P'ra +')ta P'ra +')ta is said *y Hi'en Tsian& to ha$e $i&oro's!y )ractised the /or,er r'!es -o/ his ancestors.( and he *'i!t east /ro, this another san&hara,a1 These #ords o/ the Chinese )i!&ri, )oint o't t#o /acts@ /irst( the *'i!din& o/ another co!!e&e east o/ the one *'i!t *y his *rother0 second( a ,ore $i&oro's )atrona&e )o!icy in /a$o'r o/ the 'ni$ersity( )ro*a*!y *y &rantin& )ri$i!e&es and endo#,ents to the instit'tion1 We ha$e a!ready ,entioned the /act o/ P'ra +')ta7s &reat de$otion to Vas'*andh'1 It is not stran&e there/ore that( either on his o#n accord or )erha)s in/!'enced *y Vas'*andh'( P'ra +')ta sho'!d /a$o'r the instit'tion e$en ,ore than his deceased *rother1 Cin& Narasi,ha +')ta Hitherto the /a,o's 'ni$ersity had not a)arent!y s'//ered as yet any attac4 o/ any ene,y1 3't *y this ti,e the +')ta E,)erors had a!ready !ost their )ara,o'nt so$erei&nty and had *eco,e /e'datories o/ his /orei&n ene,ies the H'nas1 The !atter7s 4in& Mihira4'!a( #hose ca)ita! see,s to ha$e *een so,e#here in Ma!#a( iss'ed a decree d'rin& Narasi,ha +')ta7s rei&n( *y #hich he dec!ared his )'r)ose to destroy a!! the -3'ddhist. )riests thro'&h the /i$e Indies( to o$erthro# the !a# o/ 3'ddha( and !ea$e nothin& re,ainin&1 The &reatest n',*er o/ 3hi4s's 'ndo'*ted!y resided in the 4in&do, o/ Narasi,ha +')ta1 So this 4in&( a /er$ent disci)!e o/ Vas'*andh'( and #ho is said *y the Chinese )i!&ri, to ha$e )ro/o'nd!y hono'red the !a# o/ 3'ddha( as soon as ne#s o/ the )ersec'tion *e&'n *y Mihira4'!a reached his ears he strict!y &'arded the /rontiers o/ his 4in&do, and re/'sed to )ay tri*'te177 This #as a dec!aration o/ #ar on the )art o/ the +')ta so$erei&n1 The H'na 4in& acce)ted the cha!!en&e( entered the 4in&do, o/ Ma&adha and )'rs'ed Narasi,ha +')ta

ti!! the *ay o/ 3en&a!1In the co'rse o/ this ca,)ai&n Mihira4'!a at the head o/ his ar,y had to )ass $ery near the 'ni$ersity o/ Na!anda( /or he /irst 'ndo'*ted!y ,arched on Pata!i)'tra( and on!y #hen he rea!ised that the +')ta so$erei&n had /!ed to#ards the sea then he contin'ed his ,arch ti!! the *ay o/ 3en&a!1 This inroad o/ the H'na ar,y #as *o'nd to *e /ata! to the 4in&do, o/ Ma&adha and s)ecia!!y to the 3'ddhist re!i&ion then )rotected and )atroniHed *y the +')ta ,onarchs1 Mihira4'!a( *eyond do'*t( in his hatred o/ 3'ddhis, destroyed a!! its *'i!din&s that he /o'nd in his #ay( and 4i!!ed a!! its )riests"" cr'e!ties #hich he #as short!y a/ter#ards to re)eat /ro, his e%i!e into Cash,ir1 Na!anda Uni$ersity #as not /ar /ro, the ca)ita!( Pata!i)'tra( and its /a,e had a!so reached Mihira4'!a7s ears1 The *'i!din&s o/ Na!anda #ere then )ro*a*!y destroyed /or the /rst ti,e( and its )riests and st'dents dis)ersed and )erha)s 4ii!ed1 3't Mihira4'!a #as /ina!!y de/eated *y the +')ta ar,y and e%i!ed to Cash,ir *y the $ictor1A/ter this Narasi,ha +')ta( the &reat )atron o/ 3'ddhis,( co'!d not )er,it that s'ch an i,)ortant instit'tion o/ !earnin& sho'!d )erish1 Hi'en Tsian& te!!s 's that he *'i!t another san&hara,a -Co!!e&e. on the northeast side o/ the one *'i!t *y his /ather1This san&hara,a -co!!e&e. #as sti!! ca!!ed the co!!e&e o/ 3a!aditya"ra2a in the ti,e o/ Hi'en Tsian&1 Moreo$er he constr'cted a &reat $ihara AKK /eet hi&h1 With res)ect to its ,a&ni/icence( says Hi'en Tsian&( its di,ensions( and the stat'e o/ 3'ddha )!aced in it( it rese,*!es the &reat $ihara *'i!t 'nder the 3odhi tree1 3't *esides the *'i!din& o/ the san&hara,a and the $ihara Na!anda 'ndo'*ted!y o#ed to Narasi,ha +')ta the restoration o/ the #ho!e 'ni$ersity a/ter the destr'ction *y the H'na Cin&1 The ne# san&hara,a ,entioned *y Hi'en Tsian& #as on!y an en!ar&e,ent o/ the 'ni$ersity0 *'t the o!d *'i!din&s #ere )art!y reconstr'cted or ne#!y *'i!t o$er the r'ins o/ the /or,er ones1 This has *een e$ident!y )ro$ed in the co'rse o/ the e%ca$ations1 They ha$e sho#n that so,e o/ the ,onasteries and other *'i!din&s ha$e *een erected on the r'ins o/ ear!ier ones1 Moreo$er in the ti,e o/ Harsa"$ardhana the ,ain ha!! *'i!t *y C',ara" +')ta I #as sti!! e%istin&( either in its )ri,iti$e /or, or )artia!!y reconstr'cted1This sho#s that a/ter the destr'ction o/ the 'ni$ersity the )ristine )!ot #as not a*andoned1 A/ter this #or4 o/ restoration #as done and a/ter the ne# san&hara,a and $ihara #ere /inished( Narasi,ha +')!a decided to co,,e,orate the e$ent #ith a &reat asse,*!y1 Hi'en Tsian& says that he in$ited co,,on /o!4 and ,en o/ re!i&ion #itho't distinction1 The ,eetin& o/ this asse,*!y #as a &reat s'ccese0 9K(KKK )riests /!oc4ed to Na!anda /ro, e$ery corner o/ India and e$en t#o ,on4s ca,e /ro, /ar"o// China1 Narasi,ha +')ta( on seein& the /aith o/ these t#o /orei&n ,on4s co,in& to the &reat ce!e*rations at Na!anda /ro, so distant a co'ntry( #as /i!!ed #ith &!adness( says the *io&ra)her o/ Hi'en Tsian&1 This &!adness see,s to ha$e *een the e//ect o/ a &reat s)irit'a! conso!ation( /or the Chinese )i!&ri, hi,se!/ says that the 4in& then #as a//ected *y a )ro/o'nd /aith1 The res'!t o/ this /aith and &!adness #as that Narasi,ha +')ta resi&ned the cro#n and entered the san&ha as a ,on41 We cannot do'*t these t#o /acts0 Hi'en Tsian& records that he &a$e ') his co'ntry and *eca,e a rec!'se( #hi!e his *io&ra)her states e$en ,ore e%)!icit!y that he &a$e ') his roya! estate and *eca,e a rec!'se1 We 4no# o/ on!y one e)isode o/ the !i/e o/ Narasi,ha +')ta in the san&ha1 The Chinese )i!&ri, re!ates that he -*e/ore *ein& /'!!y ordained. )!aced hi,se!/ as the !o#est o/ the )riests( *'t his heart #as a!#ays 'neasy and i!! at rest1 75or,er!y -he said. I #as a 4in&( and the hi&hest a,on& the hono'ra*!e0 *'t no# I

ha$e *eco,e a rec!'se( I a, de&raded to the *otto, o/ the )riesthood71 The )oor e%"4in&( tho'&h !i$in& #ithin the #a!!s o/ his $ihara( #as sti!! #ishin& to *e the reci)ient o/ the #ord!y hono'rs #hich he had *een acc'sto,ed to in /or,er days1 He conse8'ent!y ,ani/ested his &rie$ance to the s')eriors o/ the san&ha1 It #as conse8'ent!y reso!$ed( in order to )!ease the roya! disci)!e( that those ,on4s #ho had not yet recei$ed the /'!! orders sho'!d *e c!assed not accordin& to the n',*er o/ years they had *een !ay disci)!es( *'t accordin& to their nat'ra! years o/ !i/e ti!! the ti,e o/ recei$in& /'!! ordination1 Narasi,ha see,s to ha$e *een )!eased #ith the decision1 The on!y thin& he co'!d not stand #as to *e the !ast o/ the #ho!e co,,'nity1 Accordin& to this chan&e in the ,onastic c'sto,s( he had a!! the yo'n& ,on4s *ehind ""as he #as then an o!d ,an""and his a,*ition #as satis/ied1 This san&hara,a(77 adds the Chinese )i!&ri,( is the on!y one in #hich this !a# e%ists1 We do not 4no# #hether Narasi,*a +')ta #as /ina!!y /'!!y ordained1 C',ara +')ta II A/ter narratin& Narasi,ha7s !i/e in the san&ha( Hi'en Tsian& adds@ The 4in&7s son( ca!!ed Va2ra( ca,e to the throne in s'ccession1 Accordin& to the 3hitari sea! o/ C',ara +')ta II( the !atter #as the son and s'ccessor o/ Nsrasi,ha +')ta1It is a /act recorded *y Hi'en Tsian& that he a&ain *'i!t on the #est side o/ the con$ent a san&hara,a1 A !on& s'ccession o/ 4in&s( says Hi'en Tsian&( contin'ed the #or4 o/ *'i!din&( 'sin& a!! the s4i!! o/ the sc'!)tor( ti!! the #ho!e is tr'!y ,ar$e!!o's to *eho!d1 The a))earance o/ the 'ni$ersity a/ter a!! these san&hara,as and *'i!din&s had *een constr'cted is said to ha$e *een tr'!y ,ar$e!!o's *y the Chinese )i!&ri,1 Indeed his *io&ra)her #rites a /ine descri)tion o/ the 'ni$ersity( !i4e a *ird7s"eye $ie#( #hich is #orth 8'otin& as sho#in& #hat the 'ni$ersity !oo4ed !i4e d'rin& the /irst ha!/ o/ the se$enth cent'ry A1D1( a/ter a!! those 4in&s had e,*e!!ished its ,onasteries and decorated its to#ers and o*ser$atories1 H#'i Li7s descri)tion is to the /o!!o#in& e//ect@ The rich!y adorned to#ers( and the /airy"!i4e t'rrets( !i4e )ointed hi!!"to)s( are con&re&ated to&ether1 The o*ser$atories see, to *e !ost in the $a)o'rs o/ the ,ornin&( and the '))er roo,s to#er a*o$e the c!o'ds1 5ro, the #indo#s one ,ay see ho# the #inds and the c!o'ds )rod'ce ne# /or,s( and a*o$e the soarin& ea$es the con2'nctions o/ the s'n and ,oon ,ay *e o*ser$ed1 And then #e ,ay add ho# the dee) trans!'cent )onds *ear on their s'r/ace the *!'e !ot's( inter,in&!ed #ith the Cie"ni -Cana4a. /!o#er o/ dee) red co!o'r and at inter$a!s the A,ra &ro$es s)read o$er a!! their shade1 A!! the o'tside co'rts( in #hich are the )riests7 cha,*ers( are o/ /o'r sta&es1 The sta&es ha$e dra&on )ro2ections and co!o'red ea$es( the )ear!"red )i!!ars( car$ed and orna,ented( the rich!y adorned *a!'strades( and the roo/s co$ered #ith ti!es that re/!ect the !i&ht in a tho'sand shades( these thin&s add to the *ea'ty o/ the scene1 D'rin& this )eriod there occ'rred in Ma&adha se$era! #ars( #hich *y the nat'ra! ha$oc conse8'ent on any #ar( ,ay a!so ha$e *een destr'cti$e o/ Na!anda1 The a*o$e",entioned A)shad Inscri)tion o/ Adityasena ,entions t#o de/eats in/!icted on 4in& Isana$ar,an( the /irst *y one C',ara +')ta -)ro*a*!y the sa,e C',ara +')ta II. and the seoond *y Da,odara +')ta0 #hi!e Isana$ar,an hi,se!/ had )re$io's!y de/eated the H'nas1 Then Mahasena +')ta #on a $ictory o$er S'sthi$ar,an1 The Haraha inscri)tion o/ Isana$ara,an a!so re/ers to the $ictories o/ this ,onarch o$er the !ord o/ the Andhras #ho had tho'sands o/ three/o!d r'ttin& e!e)hants( o$er the S'!i4as #ho had an ar,y o/ co'nt!ess &a!!o)in& horses( and o$er the +a'das !i$in& on the seashore1 A )artia! destr'ction o/ Na!anda ca'sed *y these #ars -so,e o/ #hich #ere e$ident!y /o'&ht in the

territory o/ Ma&adha. ,ay #e!! ha$e ta4en )!ace1 Harsha"$ardhana Va2ra( i1e1 C',ara +')ta II( see,s to *e the !ast 4in& o/ the +')ta /a,i!y ,entioned *y Hi'en Tsian& in connection #ith the 'ni$ersity o/ Na!anda1 Moreo$er not e$en other 4in&s o/ the sa,e 4in&do, o/ Ma&adha( *'t *e!on&in& to other dynasties( are re/erred to *y the Chinese )i!&ri,1 3't he adds the na,e o/ a 4in& o/ another 4in&do, to this !ist o/ )atrons o/ the 'ni$ersity o/ Na!anda1 A/ter ha$in& ,entioned Va2ra and his doin&s( he says@ A/ter this a 4in& o/ Centra! India1 This 4in& o/ Centra! India( that a))ears a/ter the e%tinction o/ the +')ta /a,i!y *e/ore the arri$a! o/ Hi'en Tsian& in India( cannot *e other than Harsa"$ardhana o/ Cana'21 The sa,e Hi'en Tsian& re/er c!ear!y to hi, in other t#o )assa&es o/ his acco'nt in connection #ith the 'ni$ersity1 That this ,onarch had )ositi$e!y and o)en!y dec!ared !eanin&s to#ards 3'ddhis, is c!ear /ro, other )assa&es o/ Hi'en Tsian&7s tra$e!s1 When #e read /or instance Hi'en Tsian&7s acco'nt o/ the asse,*!y o/ Cana'2 con$o4ed *y Harsa /or )ro)a&atin& the doctrines o/ Mahayana( #e cannot do'*t that the &reat e,)eror had acce)ted in his heart the /aith o/ 3'ddha1 The /irst dea!in&s o/ Harsa #ith Na!anda see,( so it a))ears( to *e connected #ith a do'*!e tra&edy o/ his /a,i!y1 His sister Ra2yasri had *een ,arried to the Ma'4hari 4in& +raha$ar,an1This 4in&( so,e years !ater( had *een de/eated and 4i!!ed *y 4in& De$a +')ta o/ Ma!#a and a/ter his death Ra2yasri had *een cast into )rison *y the $ictor1 Harsa7s *rother( Ra2ya"$ardhana( then the 4in& at Thanesar( co'!d not stand this a//ront on his /a,i!y( ,arched a&ainst De$a +')ta and de/eated hi,1 3't it so ha))ened 2'st at this ,o,ent that Sasan4a( 4in& o/ +a'da in Eastern 3en&a!( entered Ma&adha as a /riend o/ Ra2ya"$ardhana( *'t in secret a!!iance #ith the Ma!#a 4in&1 Accordin&!y Sasan4a treachero's!y ,'rdered Ra2ya"$ardhana1 It #as ,ost !i4e!y on this occasion that he destroyed the sacred )!aces o/ 3'ddhis,( as re!ated *y Hi'en Tsian&@ Late!y Sasan4a"ra2a says he(77#hen he #as o$erthro#in& and destroyin& the !a# o/ 3'ddha( /orth#ith ca,e to the )!ace #here that stone is( /or the )'r)ose o/ destroyin& the sacred ,ar4s -3'ddha7s /oot")rints.1 Ha$in& *ro4en it into )ieces( it ca,e #ho!e a&ain( and the orna,enta! /i&'res as *e/ore0 then he /!'n& it into the ri$er +an&es1 In !ater ti,es( the sa,e Hi'en Tsian& &oes on to say( 77 Sasan4a"ra2a( *ein& a *e!ie$er in heresy( s!andered the re!i&ion o/ 3'ddha and thro'&h en$y destroyed the con$ents and c't do#n the 3odhi tree -at 3'ddha +aya.( di&&in& it ') to the $ery s)rin&s o/ the earth0 *'t yet he did not &et to the *otto, o/ the roots1 Then he *'rnt it #ith /ire and s)rin4!ed it #ith the 2'ice o/ s'&ar"cane( desirin& to destroy the, entire!y( and not !ea$e a trace o/ it *ehind1 S'ch #as Sasan4a7s hatred to#ards 3'ddhis,1 Hence #e cannot i,a&ine this 4in& &oin& /ro, the +an&es to +aya and )assin& so near Na!anda( the &reatest centre o/ 3'ddhis, in those days( #itho't !ea$in& there the e//ects o/ his *i&otry1 That ,ost !i4e!y #as a ne# occasion on #hich the *'i!din&s o/ Na!anda #ere raHed to the &ro'nd and its inha*itants ,'rdered or dis)ersed1 On hearin& o/ the ,'rder o/ his *rother( Harsa reso!$ed at once to ,arch a&ainst the treachero's 4in& o/ +a'da( and *oth the Harsa Charita and Hi'en Tsian& a&reed as to the co!ossa! s'ccess o/ Harsa7s e//orts1 A/ter ha$in& dri$en Sasan4a to 3en&a! #e cannot do'*t that Harsa( the enth'siastic disci)!e o/ Mahayana 3'ddhis,( restored the 'ni$ersity o/ Na!anda to its )ristine &rande'r( 2'st as P'rna$ar,a re)aired the da,a&es ca'sed *y Sasan4a at 3'ddh +aya1 3't this #as not a!!1 Harsa( ca!!ed *y Hi'en Tsian& a 4in& o/ Centra! India( *'i!t

to the north o/ this a &reat san&hara,a1 The Chinese )i!&ri, see,s to indicate that the san&hara,a *'i!t *y Harsa #as &reater than those *'i!t *y other 4in&s in the )recincts o/ the 'ni$ersity( /or this is the on!y one ca!!ed 77&reat *y hi,1 Hi'en Tsian& ,entions another *'i!din& d'e a!so to the de$otion and ,'ni/icence o/ Harsa1 To the so'th o/ this( says he( is a $ihara o/ *rass *'i!t *y Si!aditya" ra2a1 It is #e!! 4no#n that Si!aditya"ra2a is the na,e &i$en to Harsa *y the Chinese )i!&ri,( a tit!e #hich is a!so con/ir,ed *y n',is" ,atics1This $ihara #as sti!! 'nder constr'ction at the ti,e o/ Hi'en Tsian&7s stay at the 'ni$ersity1 A!tho'&h it is not yet /inished( he adds( yet its intended ,eas're,ent( #hen /inished( #i!! *e h'ndred /eet1 3't Hi'en Tsian&7s *io&ra)her( #ho #rote so,e years !ater( see,s to ha$e recei$ed so,e ,ore in/or,ation a*o't this *'i!din& a/ter its co,)!etion1 In /act H#'i Li says that it #as reno#ned thro'&h a!! co'ntries1 The $ihara( accordin& to H#'i Li7s in/or,ation( #as not ,ade a!! o/ *rass( *'t on!y co$ered #ith *rass )!ates1 Indeed the a))earance o/ the *'i!din& #as ,a&ni/icent and ad,ira*!e1 In /act the Hinayana ,on4s o/ Orissa en$ied the Mahayana ,on4s o/ Na!anda so rich and &or&eo's a *'i!din&1 Moreo$er in the ti,e o/ Hi'en Tsian& Harsa had the )'r)ose o/ dedicatin& an i,a&e o/ 3'ddha in the ha!! o/ the ,onarch #ho /irst *e&an the san&hara,a1 This see,s to *e an a!!'sion to the /irst san&hara,a *'i!t *y C',ara +')ta I15ina!!y Harsa7s )atrona&e is a!so sho#n *y the n',ero's endo#,ents *e &ranted to the 'ni$ersity1 The 4in& o/ the co'ntry( says H#'i Li( res)ects and hono'rs the )riests( and has re,itted the re$en'es o/ a*o't 9KK $i!!a&es /or the endo#,ent o/ the con$ent1 T#o h'ndred ho'seho!ders in these $i!!a&es( day *y day( contri*'te se$era! )ic'!s o/ ordinary rice( se$era! h'ndred catties in #ei&ht o/ *'tter and ,i!41 The *io&ra)her here dra#s a conse8'ence that disc!oses the &reat i,)ortance o/ these endo#,ents o/ Harsa1 Hence the st'dents here( *ein& so a*'ndant!y s'))!ied( do not re8'ire to as4 /or the /o'r re8'isites -c!othin&( /ood( *eddin& and ,edicine.1 This is the so'rce o/ the )er/ection o/ their st'dies( to #hich they ha$e arri$ed1 Hi'en Tsian& hi,se!/ a!so in/or,s 's that #hen Harsa decided to erect an i,a&e o/ 3'ddha in the sin&hara,a o/ C',ara +')ta( he said too@ I #i!! /eed /orty )riests o/ the con&re&ation e$ery day to sho# ,y &ratit'de to the /o'nder1 These endo#,ents and &rants o/ Harsa #ere ,ost !i4e!y con/ir,ed *y o//icia! doc',ents adorned #ith his sea!1 In /act t#o sea!s o/ Harsa ha$e *een /o'nd in Na!anda in the co'rse o/ the e%ca$ations1 A!! these /a$o'rs and donations o/ the &reat e,)eror #ere cro#ned *y the constr'ction o/ a !o/ty #a!! enc!osin& a!! the *'i!din&s o/ the 'ni$ersity1His intention see,s to ha$e *een to de/end the instit'tion o/ any other )ossi*!e hosti!e inroad1 Cin&s o/ other Co'ntries The Chinese )i!&ri, s)ea4in& o/ a *ric4 $ihara o/ Na!anda( #here an i,a&e o/ Tara 3odhisatt$a #as $enerated( says as /o!!o#s@ "" The 4in&s and ,inisters and &reat )eo)!e o/ the nei&h*o'rin& co'ntries o//er e%8'isite )er/',es and /!o#ers( ho!din& &e,"co$ered /!a&s and cano)ies( #hi!st instr',ents o/ ,eta! and stone reso'nd in t'rns( ,in&!ed #ith the har,ony o/ /!'tes and har)s1 These re!i&io's asse,*!ies !ast /or se$en days1 Who #ere these 4in&s o/ the nei&h*o'rin& co'ntries in the ti,e o/ Hi'en Tsian& *esides the &reat VardhanaG Un/ort'nate!y the Chinese )i!&ri, does not &i$e any c!'e /or ascertainin& this do'*t1 Anyho# si% #ere the ,ain 4in&do,s ro'nd Harsa7s e,)ire@ the 4in&do, o/ the Ma'4haris( the 4in&do, o/ +a'da in 3en&a!( the 4in&do, o/ Ca,ar')a in Assa,( the 4in&do, o/ Ne)a!( the 4in&do, o/ the Va!a*his in Sa'rastra and ti!e 4in&do, o/ the Cha!'4yas in the Deccan1 Let 's

e%a,ine se)arate!y the )ossi*i!ity o/ the )atrona&e o/ Na!anda *y the 4in&s o/ these co'ntries1 -a. The Ma'4haris1""So,e o/ the Ma'4haris ,ay 'ndo'*ted!y *e co'nted a,on& the )atrons o/ Na!anda1 T#o o/ their sea!s ha$e a!so *een /o'nd at Na!anda ne%t to the sea!s o/ Harsa1Moreo$er P'rna$ar,a( #ho, I consider to *e the !ast Ma'4hari( see,s to ha$e had &reat a//ection /or 3'ddha and his doctrines1 Hi'en Tsian& te!!s 's that #hen hearin& o/ the destr'ction ca'sed to the 3odhi tree *y the /anaticis, o/ Sasan4a( P'rna$ar,a e%c!ai,ed@ The s'n o/ #isdo, ha$in& set( nothin& is !e/t *'t the tree o/ 3'ddha( and this they no# ha$e destroyed0 #hat so'rce o/ s)irit'a! !i/e is there no#1 He then( contin'es Hi'en Tsian&( cast his *ody on the &ro'nd o$erco,e #ith )ity0 then #ith the ,i!4 o/ a tho'sand co#s he a&ain *athed the roots o/ the tree( and in a ni&ht it once ,ore re$i$ed and &re# to the hei&ht o/ so,e 9K /eet1 5earin& !est it sho'!d *e a&ain c't do#n( he s'rro'nded it #ith a #a!! o/ stone ?< /eet hi&h177 S'ch a &reat de$otion /or the !a# o/ 3'ddha s're!y co,)e!!ed a!so P'rna$ar,a to )atroniHe the Na!anda Uni$ersity( s)ecia!!y a/ter its destr'ction *y the sa,e Sasan4a #ho ')rooted the 3odhi tree1 In /act the sa,e Hi'en Tsian& ,entions a )a$i!ion o/ si% sta&es ,ade at Na!anda *y P'rna$ar,a to enshrine a co))er stat'e o/ 3'ddha JK /eet hi&h1 -*. +a'da in 3en&a!1""We ha$e seen that its 4in& Sasan4a #as a dec!ared ene,y o/ 3'ddhis,1 His re!ations #ith Na!anda see, to ha$e *een )'re!y ne&ati$e and destr'cti$e1 -c. Ca,ar')a in Assa,1""The 4in& o/ Ca,ar')a conte,)orary o/ Harsa #as na,ed 3has4ara$ar,an1 He #as a 3rah,ana *y caste and *y /aith( *'t he res)ected and #as ,'ch interested in the !a# o/ 3'ddha1 When he ca,e to 4no# o/ the e%istence o/ a Chinese )i!&ri,( Hi'en Tsian&( at the Na!anda Uni$ersity he sent hi, three di//erent ,essa&es in$itin& hi, to his co'rt( ti!! his #ish #as satis/ied1 Later on #e see hi, acco,)anyin& Harsa"$ardhana in the &reat 3'ddhist asse,*!y o/ Cana'2( #here Mahayana 3'ddhis, #as )ro)o'nded1He ,'st 'ndo'*ted!y *e co'nted a,on& the )atrons o/ the Na!anda Uni$ersity1 One o/ his sea!s( /o'nd at Na!anda ne%t to those o/ Harsa( see,s to )ro$e the sa,e /act1 -d. Ne)a!1""Hi'en Tsian& &i$es so,e in/or,ation a*o't this co'ntry and its 4in&1 His na,e #as A,s'$ar,an( the /o'nder o/ the Tha4'ri dynasty1 He #as a descendant o/ the Liccha$is1 The Chinese )i!&ri, re/ers to his inte!!ect'a! a*i!ities and to his re!i&ion1 As re&ards the /or,er he says that he #as distin&'ished /or his !earnin& and in&en'ity1 He hi,se!/ had co,)osed a #or4 on 7so'nds70 he estee,ed !earnin& and res)ected $irt'e( and his re)'tation #as s)read e$ery#here As to his re!i&ion Hi'en Tsian& says as /o!!o#s@ His ,ind is #e!! in/or,ed( and he is )'re and di&ni/ied in character1 He has a sincere /aith in the !a# o/ 3'ddha177 In /act one o/ the inscri)tions o/ this 4in&( )'*!ished *y Pandit 3ha&$an!a! Indra2i( sho#s on the to) the #hee! o/ the !a#( *et#een t#o deer( that is a sy,*o! o/ the /irst ser,on o/ 3'ddha at the Deer Par4( Sarnath1The !iterary !i4in&s o/ this 4in& and his re!i&io's /aith ,a4e 8'ite )ro*a*!e that he hi,se!/ )atroniHed in so,e #ay or other the 'ni$ersity o/ Na!anda( s)ecia!!y i/ #e consider that he )aid ho,a&e to Harsa"$ardhana( as the introd'ction o/ Sriharsa era c!ear!y sho#s( and that he $isited Harsa7s 4in&do,( a /act recorded in the Par$a$iya Va,sa$a!i1 -e. The Va!a*his o/ Sa'rastra1"Accordin& to Hi'en Tsian& the conte,)orary Va!a*hi 4in& #as Dhr'$a)ata1 He see,s to *e 4in& Si!aditya VI( #ho is a!so

s'rna,ed Dhr'*hata or Dhr'$a*hata( i1e1 the constant #arrior1 A*o't his re!i&ion the Chinese )i!&ri, says 6'ite recent!y he has attached hi,se!/ sincere!y to /aith in the three 7)recio's ones7 -3'ddha1 dhar,a and san&ha.1 He ,oreo$er descri*es his character and !i4in&s as /o!!o#s@ He is o/ a !i$e!y and hasty dis)osition( his #isdo, and statecra/t are sha!!o#1 He estee,s $irt'e and hono'rs the &ood0 he re$erences those #ho are noted /or their #isdo,1 The &reat )riests #ho co,e /ro, distant re&ions he )ractica!!y hono'rs and res)ects1 This see,s to &i$e so,e )ro*a*i!ity to his *ein& one o/ the *ene/actors o/ Na!anda Uni$ersity1 -/. The Cha!'4yas o/ the Deccan1""The conte,)orary so$erei&n o/ the Deccan #as P'!a4esin II( the &reatest ,onarch o/ the Cha!'4yan dynasty1 Hi'en Tsian& says that 7his *ene/icent actions are /e!t o$er a &reat distance1 Ne$erthe!ess #e are not a#are o/ his !eanin&s to#ards 3'ddhis,1 Moreo$er( hi,se!/ *ein& an ene,y o/ Harsa( #ho, ha de/eated near the Nar*ada( it is not )ro*a*!e that he #o'!d /a$o'r the Na!anda Uni$ersity #ithin the *o'ndaries o/ his ene,y7s do,inions1 3esides these so$erei&ns there #ere in northern India se$era! )etty ra2as #ho had ac4no#!ed&ed the so$erei&nity o/ Harsa1 They a!so )erha)s /a$o'red at ti,es the 'ni$ersity o/ Na!anda1 Hi'en Tsian& says that there #ere t#enty o/ these 4in&s ro'nd Harsa at the Charity Asse,*!y he #itnessed at Praya&a -A!!aha*ad.1 A P!an o/ the Uni$ersity o/ Na!anda As a co,)!e,ent o/ o'r st'dy a*o't the roya! )atrons o/ Na!anda(a )ro*a*!e )!an o/ the 'ni$ersity at the ti,e o/ Hi'en Tsian&7s $isit( and accordin& to the data /'rnished *y hi,( #i!! not( I thin4( *e o't o/ )!ace1 Certain!y this )!an cannot *e #itho't errors1 The in/or,ation is not &reat and scattered here and there #itho't &i$in& the distances *et#een *'i!din&s and *'i!din&s( e%ce)tin& in t#o or three cases1 Anyho# this ro'&h s4etch #i!! &i$e a &enera! idea o/ #hat that /a,o's instit'tion #as !i4e and #i!! sho# the ,'ni/icence o/ its roya! )atrons and *ene/actors1 91 San&hara,a or co!!e&e *'i!t *y C',ara +')ta I on a !'c4y s)ot1 -3ea!( o1 c1( )1 9;J1. ?1 To the so'th o/ this( san&hara,a *'i!t *y S4anda +')ta1 -I*id1. A1 To the east o/ this( san&hara,a *'i!t *y P'rra +')ta1 -I*id1. <1 On the north"east side( san&hara,a *'i!t *y Narasi,ha +')ta1 -I*id.1 B1 On the #est side o/ the con$ent( I 'nderstand( o/ the /irst ori&ina! ,onastery( san&hara,a *'i!t *y C',ara +')ta II -)1 9>K.1 The Li/e o/ Hi'e, Tsian&( )1999( disa&rees1 H#'i Li says on!y that this san&hara,a #as to the north1 This 'ncertainty and the /act that he ne$er sa# Na!anda ca'ses ,e to )re/er Hi'en Tsian&7s state,ent1 ;1 To the north o/ this( &reat san&hara,a *'i!t *y Harsa""$ardhana -3ea!( o1 c1( )1 9>K1. The Li/e o/ Hi'en Tsian&( !1c1( says that this san&hara,a #as *'i!t *y the side77 o/ the one *'i!t *y C',ara +')ta II1 >1 On the #estern side o/ the san&hara,a( at no &reat distance( is a $ihara1 -3ea!( o1 c( )1 9>?1. J1 To the so'th 9KK )aces or so is a s,a!! st')a1 -I*id1. :1 On this so'thern side is a standin& /i&'re o/ A$a!o4ites$ara 3odhisatt$a177 -I*id1. 9K1 To the so'th o/ this stat'e is a st')a in #hich are re,ains o/ 3'ddha7s hair and nai!s1 -I*id1( 9>A1. 991 To the #est o/ this( o'tside the #a!!( and *y the side o/ a tan4( is a st')a1 -I*id1. )1 ?? 9?1 Tan41 -Vide No1 991. 9A1 To the so'th"east a*o't BK )aces( #ithin the #a!!s( is an e%traordinary tree( a*o't ei&ht or nine /eet in hei&ht( o/ #hich the tr'n4 is t#o/o!d( -I*id1.

9<1 Ne%t to the east there is a &reat $ihara a*o't ?KK /eet in hei&ht1 -I*id1. In the )!an I )!aced this $ihara ,'ch to#ards the east0 other#ise there is no roo, /or the /o!!o#in& $iharas north o/ this1 Accordin& to this arran&e,ent( the $ihara No1 9;( *'i!t *y Narasi,ha +')ta( co,es in the nei&h*o'rhood o/ the san&hara,a *'i!t *y the sa,e ,onarch( a /act that does not !oo4 i,)ro*a*!e1 9B1 A/ter this( to the north 9KK )aces or so( is a $ihara in #hich is a /i&'re o/ A$a!o4ites$ara 3oddhisatt$a1 -I*id.1 9;1 To the north o/ this $ihara is a &reat $ihara( in hei&ht a*o't AKK /eet( #hich #as *'i!t *y 3a!aditya" ra2a1 -Natrasi,ha +')ta. -I*id1. 9>1 To the north"east o/ this is a st')a1 -I*id1 )1 9><1. 9J1 To the north"#est is a )!ace #here the /o'r )ast 3'ddhas sat do#n1 -I*id1. 9:1 To the so'th o/ this is a $ihara o/ *rass *'i!t *y Si!aditya"ra2a1 -Harsa" $ardhana. -I*id1. Accordin&!y this $ihara *'i!t *y Harsa is not /ar /ro, the &reat san&hara,a a!so *'i!t *y hi,1 ?K1 Ne%t to the east#ard t#o h'ndred )aces or so( o'tside the #a!!s( is a /i&'re o/ 3'ddha standin& ')ri&h and ,ade o/ co))er1 Its hei&ht is a*o't JK /eet1 A )a$i!ion o/ si% sta&es is re8'ired to co$er it1 -I*id1. This is the )a$i!ion *'i!t *y P'rna$ar,a1 ?91 To the north o/ this stat'e t#o or three !i( in a $ihara constr'cted o/ *ric4( is a /i&'re o/ Tara 3odhisatt$a1 This /i&'re is o/ &reat hei&ht and its s)irit'a! a))earance $ery stri4in&1 -I*id1. )1 ?A ??1 Within the so'hern &ate o/ the #a!! is a !ar&e #e!!( -I*id( )1 9>B1. The )hrase o/ the )i!&ri, see,s to sho# that this #e!! #as c!ose to the &ate1 I had no s)ecia! reason /or )'ttin& it on the east side o/ the sa,e1 ?A1 Hi&h #a!! *'i!t ro'nd these edi/ices *y Harsa"$ardhana1 -I*id1( )( 9>:1. ?<1 The on!y &ate to enter the )re,ises o/ the 'ni$ersity1 -I*id1. 5'rther on Hi'en Tsia'& says that this &ate #as so'thern1 -I*id1( )1 9>B1. The /o!!o#in& 8'otation disc!oses the i,)ortance o/ this &ate1 I/ ,en o/ other 8'arters desire to enter and ta4e )art in the disc'ssions( the 4ee)er o/ the &ate )ro)oses so,e hard 8'estions0 ,any are 'na*!e to ans#er( and retire1 One ,'st ha$e st'died dee)!y *oth o!d and ne# *oo4s *e/ore &ettin& ad,ission1 Those st'dents( there/ore( #ho co,e here as stran&ers( ha$e to sho# their a*i!ity *y hard disc'ssion( those #ho /ai!ed co,)ared #ith those #ho s'cceed are as se$en or ei&ht to ten1 -I*id1( )1 9>91. The )recise e%tension o/ the area co$ered *y the *'i!din&s o/ the 'ni$ersity is not said *y Hi'en Tsian&1 Anyho# H#'i Li states that this san&hara,a -the #ho!e 'ni$ersity. is the ,ost re,ar4a*!e /or &rande'r and hei&ht a!! o$er India1-9. He a!so states that the )riests *e!on&in& to the con$ent( or stran&ers residin& therein a!#ays reach to the n',*er o/ 9K(KKK1 -?. 5ina!!y I"Tsin&( #ho tra$e!!ed thro'&h India to#ards the c!ose o/ the sa,e cent'ry( in/or,s 's@ There are ei&ht ha!!s and three h'ndred a)art,ents in this ,onastery1 -A. These scanty data #i!! &i$e so,e idea o/ the &reat e%tension o/ the 'ni$ersity o/ Na!anda1