Special Topics on History of Indian Science

Dr. Umesh Kumar Singh, Research Associate, Centre for Indic Studies
University of Massachusetts, USA.
umeshvaidik@gmail.com

Background 10. Science of language & language of science in the

These topics were identified during our research project entitled
context of Sanskrit
11. Compatibility with modern or western science
“Science & Technology in Ancient Indian Texts (STAIT)” . Our aim was
to make an introductory syllabus for Indian Science for P.G. Students.
For fulfillment of this goal we studied the Indian philosophical tradition
and Ayurveda. Vimanshastra & Anśubodhinī helped us very much to
understand the problems in the way of identifying these topics. We
13. Terminology
1. कम in आयुवद, ाकरण and याय
were also looking for a new manuscript like Vimanshastra or
Anśubodhinī so we did a survey at Jaipur Collection in first year of our
project and in this year we sought Scientific manuscripts from
Sampurṇnand Sanskrit University (SSU), Varanasi. 2. ई र of याय, योग, सां य & चैत य भु

1. Models for documenting the scientific 3. लंक in िवमानशा

knowledge 1 4 . Goal of all types of science- Mokṣa

1. Human body model: Kāla Puruṣa, Kāvya Puruṣa, Veda Puruṣa etc.
2. Tree model 15. Historical study
1- Relation of science & all schools of Indian philosophy
2. Documentation & preservation of science in 2- Post Vedic philosophy & science
stories & verses 3- Ancient Indian physics
1. Caraka Saṃhitā
4- Ancient Indian chemistry
2. Suśruta Saṃhitā 5- Ancient Indian zoology & botany
3. Mahābhārata 6- Indian history of mathematics
4. Līlāvatī etc.
Conclusion
3. Scientific sustainability with nature
After our wide survey on Scientific Sanskrit Literature (SSL) we found that
4. Areas of knowledge still lots of topics on which we may do more research. We may find new
dimensions for modern science through the literary heritage of Sanskrit
5. Hypothesis making Language. In ancient period Sanskrit was the language of Science also not
only the literature. We see the high of philosophical thoughts in Sanskrit so
1. Puṣpaka Vimāna it’s obvious that there may be same level of science because there is a
2. 100 Brothers of Duryodhana & Tissue culture philosophy behind every type of science.
3. Brahmastra & nuclear weapons

6. Coding of science with literature Acknowledgements

I am very thankful to my project supervisors Prof. Balram Singh, Director,
7. Lost technology or technology to be Centre for Indic Studies, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, USA who
invented gave me chance to do this work & Dr. Girish Nath Jha who is an Associate
Professor in Special Centre for Sanskrit Studies, JNU & Mukesh & Priti
Chhattar Distinguished Prof. of History of Science in Centre for Indic Studies,
8. Classification of subjects in different groups University of Massachusetts, USA he provided me all local facilities to do this
work.
like brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya & śūdra
Bibliography
1. Snakes in Ayurveda
2. Horses in Aśvavaidyakam
Childress, David Hatcher. 1991. Vimana: Aircraft of Ancient India, Adventures Unlimited Press.
Dongre, Dr. Narayan Gopal & Nene, Dr. Shankar Gopal, Maharṣi Bharadvāja’s Anśubodhinīśāstram: Cosmology and Physics of Nuclear Particles in

3. Lands in Bṛhatsaṃhitā
Ancient India.Triangle Concepts 5/82 Uma Shankar Society, Behind Mahesh Society, Bibwewadi, Pune- 411037, India.
Founders of Sciences in Ancient India- Swami Satyaprakash Sarasvati

4. Gems in Āyurveda & Ratnaparikṣā

H.S. Mukunda, S.M. Deshpande, H.R. Nagendra, A. Prabhu, and S.P. Govindaraju, 1974. A critical study of the work “Vymanika Shastra”, Scientific
Opinion. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore‐560012 (Karnataka), India.

5. Metals in Nighanṭus
Hindu Chemistry- P.C. Ray
Josyer G. R. 1973. Vymaanika-Shaastra: Aeronautics by Maharshi Bharadwaaja. International Academy of Sanskrit Research, Mysore-4, India.
Josyer G. R. 1979. Diamonds, Mechanisms, Weapons of War, Yoga Sutras. International Academy of Sanskrit Research, Mysore-4, India.

9. Symbolism for numbers & matters

Kanjilal, Dileep Kumar 1985. Vimana in Ancient India : Aeroplanes Or Flying Machines in Ancient India, Sanskrit Pustak Bhandar, Calcutta, India.
Maharṣi Bharadvāja’s Anśubodhinīśāstram: Cosmology and Physics of Nuclear Particles in Ancient India-Dr. Narayan Gopal Dongre
Maharṣi Kaṇāda’s Vaiśeṣikaśāstram: A Treatise on Physical and Cognitive Sciences-Dr. Narayan Gopal Dongre
Physics in Ancient India- Dr. Narayan Gopal Dongre
Sharma & Mishra, Śri Pāvanī Prasād (Hindi Tr.) & Shri Brahmashankar (Ed.) Reprint 2007. The Lohasarvasvam of Śri Sureśwara, Chaukhamba Bharti

1. Indu (Moon) & Arka (Sun) for 1

Academy, Varanasi-221001, India.
Sharma, G. Venkatachala (Ed. & Tr.) 1931. Anśubodhinīśāstram, Messrs. Faredun Kershasp Dadachanji & Ramniklal Ratanlal Mody, Solocitors, Medows

2. Netra (eyes) for 2

street, Fort, Bombay, India.
Shastri, Brahmarshi Subbraya 1955. Aptattvaprakāśikā, Shilpa Sansara (Magazine), Pune, India.

3. Agni (Fire) for 3

Shastri, T. Ganapati (Ed.) 1924. Samarāngaṇa-Sutradhāra of Maharajadhiraja Bhoja, Oriental Institute, Baroda.
Singh, Dr. Umesh Kumar (Ed.) 2010. Ratnapradīpikā. Parimal Publications, Shakti Nagar, New Delhi-110007, India.

4. Veda for 4
Svāmī, Brahmamuni Parvrājaka, (Ed. & Hindi Tr.) 1958. Bṛhadvimānaśāstra (Maharṣi Bhāradvāja Praṇīta) , Sāravadeśika Ārya Pratinidhi Sabhā, Dayānanda
Bhavana, Rāmalīlā ground, New Delhi-110002, India.
ाचीन भारत म रसायन का िवकास- वामी स य काश सर वती, गोिव दराम हासान द काशन, द ली।
5. Bana (Arch) for 5 etc. वै ािनक िवकास क भारतीय पर परा- वामी स य काश सर वती, गोिव दराम हासान द काशन, द ली।

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