— Atul Sathe
Background and rationale
The past couple of centuries and in particular the past few decades witnessed immense progress by humans in terms of technology, infrastructure, modern medicine and economic prosperity, at least in some parts of the world, following the rapid scientific discoveries made in the western world at the end of the middle ages. But much of this growth was devoid of the basic tenets of sustainability that were followed in most of the ancient civilizations. This resulted in imperial colonization of many lands, loot of natural resources, degradation and destruction of many native cultures, gradual disruption of social order, new age diseases and a rising economic disparity among regions and countries.
Now, mankind is increasingly realizing the lacunae of this materialistic culture based on expansionism in every sphere of life. Naturally, there is rising interest in eastern philosophy, which offers sustainable solutions. The rising popularity of aspects like Yoga, Vedanta, natural farming, spiritual-based economics and Samskrit language are indicators that humans once again wish to revert to a balanced view of life as against the era of excesses in every endeavour.
Vijnana Bharati, an Indian organization, endeavours to find synergies between modern science and the age-old spiritual concepts, so as to ensure sustainability in personal and collective social life. The 3rd World Congress of Vedic Sciences (Vishwa Ved Vijnana Sammelan) organized in January 2018 in Pune, India by Vijnana Bharati in association with the state governments of Maharashtra and Goa and Deccan College, was an important step in this ongoing quest. It not only focussed on bridging new age science and ancient spirituality, but also encouraged rediscovering and implementing the scientific knowledge embedded in Indic spiritual texts. Pune-based Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) was one of the several co-partners of the event.
Myriad topics covered
The 4-day event covered a range of topics associated with Vedic sciences through plenary sessions and concurrent sessions. This included Vedic sciences vis-à-vis modern sciences, quantum physics and Vedanta, Samskrit language and computing, science and philosophy, Yoga, sustainable architecture, Vedas and management, natural farming, Ayurveda, sustainable development and Harappan (Vedic) civilization.
The educational conclave organized in the beginning, discussed the need and ways of introducing Vedic sciences into mainstream education from the school level to the post-graduate level. Dr Sai Susarla, Dean, MIT School of Vedic Sciences, emphasized on attracting youngsters to study Indic shaastras as a viable career option. Prof Varun Sahni, Vice Chancellor, Goa University, highlighted the need to have Indic Knowledge departments, rather than just Samskrit departments. The conclave also covered aspects like contribution of rishis as scientists, economic aspects from Atharva Veda and Arthashaastra, Ramayan and Bhagwad Gita as a management books and employability after studying Vedic sciences. Let us take a quick look at some of the key plenary discussions.
Modern science and eastern spirituality
While, discussing science and philosophy, Dr Vijay Bhatkar, Chancellor, Nalanda University and Chief Advisor, MIT Group, opined that modern science and Vedic knowledge need to be integrated through dialogue as an enduring venture. Highlighting the fact that in India, science and spirituality always went hand-in-hand, Swami Atmapriyanand, Vice Chancellor, Ramakrishna Mission’s Vivekananda University, said that in Europe the Church had forced Copernicus to admit that the earth was the centre of the universe. In contrast, in India, both Para Vidya (spiritual sciences) and Apara Vidya (physical sciences) are considered important. Going further, modern science is slowly beginning to realize that beyond space, time and matter, consciousness also exists, something that was described in the Vedic sciences long ago. This is very much in line with Swami Vivekanand’s famous prophecy, “Science and philosophy will have to shake hands.” It was mentioned during the discussions that the Theory of Everything (TOE) that is talked about in modern physics indicates to an overarching concept like Brahman as described by Indians, ages ago. At the individual level, people with heightened consciousness excel in life.
Another plenary session discussed the scientific vision of Swami Vivekanand at length. Mr Jayant Sahasrabuddhe, Organizing Secretary, Vijnana Bharati, mentioned that during his speeches in the US, Swami Vivekanand – considered to be an intuitive scientist – extensively spoke on science and spirituality, where he highlighted that the objective of both is to find unity. Quantum physics and astrophysics are moving in the direction that was traversed by Vedanta long ago. The Panch Mahabhutas from the Vedic sciences are the five basic building blocks of the world – Akash (space), Vayu (air), Tej (fire), Aap (water) and Pruthvi (earth), which emerge in that order, a fact that has been proved by modern science. Vivekanand’s thoughts that energy and matter can be reduced to potential energy were appreciated by Nikola Tesla and later proved in Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. Vivekanand had also driven home the similarity between science and spirituality by saying that the former talks about infinity and the latter believes that Ishwar is Anant; and there cannot be two infinities.
Harappans as Vedic Indians
For long, debates have been raging on the issue of Harappans being a different people than Vedic Indians (Aryans). Most of the earlier research done was with a western centric view and as mentioned by Prof M K Dhavalikar in one plenary session, it is now proved by the archeological evidence from Harappan sites and the literary evidence from the Vedas that Harappans and Vedic people were one and the same. Ancient developments like the massive flood in northern India in the times of King Manu (mentioned in Indic texts), the drying up of Saraswati River towards the end of the Harappan phase (mentioned in Indic texts and indicated by satellite imagery and on-ground findings) and decline of human settlements in the Indus-Saraswati river beds and movement of populations eastward and westward (found in archeological excavations and Indic texts) all point to a similar period of history and the fact that Harappans and Vedic Indians were the same. Literary and archeological evidences from India, Iran, Iraq and even Europe suggest the movement of people from the Indus-Saraswati river valleys, who took their methods, innovations and customs to the new regions. In his speech on Nalanda Vidyapeeth, Prof Vasant Shinde, Vice Chancellor, Deccan College, said that the meticulous town planning of Harappan sites is also seen in the historical locations around the ancient university in Bihar. He also mentioned that about 2/3rd of all the Harappan settlements have been found to be in the erstwhile Saraswati basin and only 1/3rd in the Indus basin.
Relevance of Yoga
The very fact that Yoga (asanas in particular and philosophy in general) are getting popular the world over, shows that people have begun to understand the practical utility of the eastern way of life. Jeffrey Armstrong, Founder of US-based Vedic Academy of Sciences & Arts, said in a plenary session that science has been used in an unsustainable way, unlike what was envisaged in the Yoga philosophy, and has thus turned into “Frankenscience” like Frankenstein. The vast Indic sciences offer a balanced perspective of life and Indians can well be called the “people of the library”. The very meaning of the word Namaste (not me, but you) explains the all-encompassing Indic philosophy, which is increasingly attracting the attention of western seekers. He attributes the present day social maladies of India, largely to the British who were devoid of Yogic thoughts. Going forward, Indians also need to refrain from falling prey to the ever expanding consumer culture, which lacks balance and equity.
Thus, in conclusion, it can be said that as true inheritors of a vast and profound culture, Indians first need to revisit their knowledge in depth and then assertively spread it around the world in the true spirit of Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam (The world is one family). The Ved Vijnana Sammelan played an important role in fostering this spirit among the participants and the audience.
The author works as Content Developer-Curriculum & PR at the Pune-based MIT Group of Institutions and can be contacted on atul.sathe@mitpune.edu.in
