The Mystery of 'Zero(0)' in the eye of sacred

scriptures

A questions has been raised consistently as to from whom this universe comes, in whom it
rests, and to whom it goes; and the answer has been given that from freedom it comes, in
bondage it rests and goes back in to that freedom again. We see that the whole universe is
working starting from atom to the highest being, with only one objective to attain absolute
freedom and perfect equilibrium. In all combinations every particles is trying to go on its own
way, to fly away from the other particles. Our earth is trying to fly away from sun and moon
from earth. Everything has a tendency to infinite dispersion. Here, an attempt has been made
to show that mathematics is that science which enables us to know about bondage (Maya: the
cosmic veil) and open the path to get free from bondages.

It is a time tested fact that the study of philosophy (Darshan Sastra) is the main root from
which its derivatives like Mathematics, Social science, Physical science and all discipline of
sciences have emerged. ‘Darshan Sastra’ defines Mathematics as a branch of study dealing
with the analysis of finite with the genuine characteristic features of infinite. Realising the
limitation of we mortals, the study of philosophy has purposefully demarcated the vast world
of mathematics within the periphery of ‘zero’ and ‘one’ for human comprehension. As no
further subtraction is possible from ‘zero’, it can be considered as a concept which is far
beyond any value tag or price tag, thus cannot be priced. This significant role of ‘zero’ as par
the study of philosophy has been considered to be at par with the creator himself, hence
‘zero’ very well represents the supreme soul (Parambrahma). In this regard I may quote:

“Mule mulabhabadmulam mulam” (Sankhya Sutra)

“Mule Sunyam bijaniyat, Sunyam vai param bramha” (Ganeshapurbatapinyupanishad)

The ‘parambrahma’ is the fountain resource from which the miniatures modules are
disseminated. The web of existence has been very intricately weaven in a chain which is
initiated from ‘Brahma’ giving rise to ‘Abyakta’, from ‘Abyakta’ to ‘Mahat’, ‘Mahat’ to
‘Aham’, ‘Aham’ to ‘Sabda Tanmatra (Akasa tatwa)’, ‘Sabda Tanmatra’ to ‘Sparsa Tanmatra(
Vayu Tatwa)’, ‘Sparsa Tanmatra’ to ‘Rupa Tanmatra ( Teja Tatwa)’, ‘Rupa Tanmatra’ to
‘Raja Tanmatra ( Jal Tatwa)’, ‘Raja Tanmatra’ to ‘ Gandha Tanmatra ( Prithvi Tatwa)’
respectively. In this regard I may quote the statement from Upanishads:

“Tam hye vai purba hoka-mewa -dwitium brahmasit tasmat abyaktam,

Abyaktamewakhyaram tasmadkhyaranmahanmnahato waa ahamkarasta –smadebaha-
ahamkarat pancha tanmatrani tevya vutani terabrutamakhyaram bhabati”

(Gopalottaratapinyopanishad)
Starting from redundant grass to ‘Redwood’, from germs to gigantic creatures available in the
Universe are the product of the above explained nine causative factors ( Panch tanmatras and
all) and it is note worthy that from the germination to the final destruction they continue to
maintain to the equilibrium within the above factors and coincidentally it has got a perfect
correlation in the field of mathematics as- may it be the smallest or the largest, all are formed
out of the digits ranging from ‘zero’ to ‘nine’.

Every life has a death, every beginning has a conclusion, every entry has an exit, which has
been presumed to be the common goal of the Universe but in a broader perspective if
analysed it is revealed that this process is not as simple as straight line rather it is better
presented through a cyclic process. In case of natural entities as mentioned earlier their origin
is the all nine causative factors and finally mingles after their destruction and degradation
again in those basic factors successively and become united with ‘Parambrahma’. Similarly
in the field of mathematics we may start from zero and reach up to infinity and this journey
with numbers can better be represented in the cyclic process as the reverse also is governed
by the same principle. In order to establish the concept the Upanishads roar:

“ Sarbani Voutikani kaarane bhutapanchke sangjojya bhumim jale jalam bannho

Bannhim vayou vayumakashe chaakashamahamkare chaaham mahati mahat-abyakte

Abyktam purushe kramena viliyate” ( pengalopanishad)

Byomakesh Debata

Faculty Member

MBA-Prog., CIT.