Unearthing Some Scientific Aspects of Indian Knowledge Systems:
Research Prospects in the Areas of Intangible Heritage of India
Dr. Rajeshwar Mukherjee
Abstract
The Indian Knowledge System considers knowledge to be an undivided whole. The holistic wisdom, in variegated form, is found scattered in the manifold sources of the Indian Knowledge system. It is a matter of immense pride that India has a rich literary heritage and a robust intellectual tradition. The elements of the Indian Knowledge system find cogent expression in the vast literary works comprising texts and manuscripts. The Vedic literature and its derivatives are the storehouses of knowledge reflecting Indian sciences, society, and culture. Modern researches reveal that the approach of the Indian Knowledge system is scientific in spirit. If Science and Indian Knowledge System combine without detriment, the human journey toward the abode of knowledge will be crowned with fulfillment. It is evident that the elements of wisdom contained in the Indian Knowledge system are cultivated and preserved in the form of Intangible Heritage. The paper is an attempt to unearth some of the scientific aspects of the Indian knowledge system in the backdrop of modern scientific thoughts.
Intangible Heritage:
The Intangible heritage comprises non-physical and intellectual wealth which is related to knowledge, customs, rituals, and culture. The Ministry of Culture, Government of India refers to the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India as an attempt to recognize the cultural diversities of India embedded in its intangible heritage. The list has been broadly classified into five domains in consonance with UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The modes of the manifestation of the cultural heritage, as recorded, are as follows:
- Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage
- Performing arts
- Social practices, rituals, and festive events
- Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe
Traditional craftsmanship[1]
Careful scrutiny of the list reveals that the area ‘Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe is one of the important aspects on which major strides are yet to be undertaken. The intangible cultural heritage of India related to the ‘Knowledge and Practices Concerning the Nature and the Universe’ – which is extremely relevant to solving modern life problems – can be broadly classified into the following three domains:
- Knowledge About the Human Approach to the Material World
- Knowledge About the Human Approach to the Biological World
- Knowledge about Human Approach to Self or Consciousness
The wisdom enshrined in the ancient Indian texts and knowledge systems embodies the excellence of the intangible heritage of India. The texts are invaluable documents that are preserved in printed form, but the profound knowledge contained in form of concepts and the ideas are to be demystified and reinterpreted so as to suit the modern context. Revisiting and reinterpreting our literary heritage which has a vast history and voluminous literature with a view to seeking the solutions in the knowledge embodied in the Indian Heritage. Some of the texts are still in its crude manuscript form and the work of decipherment is yet not done. The proper decipherment of these manuscripts in a scientific context requires domain knowledge.
Working with the manuscripts has a twofold significance:
1. Cultivation and preservation of the Knowledge-content enshrined in the manuscripts.
2. Preservation of the manuscripts in their original form as specimens of national heritage
Cultivation and preservation of the knowledge contained in the manuscripts:
A methodology for such work will consist of the identification and collection of manuscripts, registering the particulars of the manuscripts under several headings such as the title of the manuscripts, author of the manuscripts, scribes’ particulars, place of manuscripts/ library, year, script, and language, subject, pages, lines in one page, letters in one line, complete/ incomplete, critical edition of the manuscripts, translation of the manuscripts, critical notes, etc. All these works will help the intangible knowledge content in the manuscript. However, digitization of manuscripts is a major measure to preserve the knowledge content.
Preservation of the original manuscripts:
There are several standard techniques for the preservation of the original manuscripts. The intensive research on these aspects of the intangible heritage – with reference to scientific thoughts, ideas, and concepts – will definitely unravel the brave new world of knowledge which is hitherto unexplored. The identification, extraction, characterization, and interpretation of the scientific ideas and concepts will not simply add glory to the national prestige, but will certainly prove to be highly impactful to modern scientific developments as well as to human life.
Indian Knowledge System as Intangible Heritage:
Impacting Science and Society
| Domains of Intangible Heritage | Areas of Modern Research | Relevant IKS Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge about Human Approach to Material World | Quantum Physics, Cosmology |
Vedic Samhita, Aranyaka Texts, Upanishads, Samkhya Philosophy, Vedanta Philosophy, Buddhist Philosophy, Puranas |
| Mathematics, Geometry and Astronomy | Sulba Sutra, Siddhanta Texts: Surya Siddhanta , Siddhanta Jyotish etc. Hindu Mathematics Source books on Vedics Deities | |
| Knowledge about Human Approach to Biological World | Quantum Biology | Upanishads, Brahmasutra and its interpretations |
| Health Sciences and Healing Methods | Yoga texts, Ayurveda Texts, Traditional Indian Healing Methods, Holistic Medicine | |
| Morality, Ethics and Values | Dharmasastra | |
| Knowledge about Human Approach to Self | Science of Consciousness and wellbeing | Upanishads, Brahma Sutra, Tantra |
| Self-management and Sustainability (Dharma), Science of Concentration, Yogic Science, Science of Meditation | Srimadbhagavadgita, Yoga sutra, Dharmasastra | |
| Applied Psychology, Positive Psychology | Yoga sutra, |
Research in Some Areas of Intangible Heritage as Envisaged by Swami Vivekananda:
The cosmological models discussed and described in the theories of physics are very significant in regard to the march of science is concerned. But arguably, the most popular models like the Big Bang model also suffer from a host of serious limitations and shortcomings. Competitive theories are emerging from time to time. The scientific community is divided into fragmentary groups having no consensus about the most consistent model. The scientific work on the cyclic universe is now considered a major rival theory in modern times which is an echo of the cosmological theories propounded in the Indian Knowledge system. The ancient Indian texts, starting from the Vedas and down to the Puranas and Siddhanta texts, deal with a host of cosmological models which can serve as good sources of ideas and insights for scientific research. Though the finer details and working methods are not systematically developed, the germ of ideas contained within those theories opens up vistas of advanced research. The scientific theories are fragmentary in the sense that the aspect of consciousness is fully neglected. On the other hand, the models upheld in the Indian Knowledge system are not presented in explicit mathematical language, which is the hallmark of modern science. If modern scientific knowledge and ancient Indian wisdom are integrated then Swami Vivekananda cherished undertaking research to combine Indian Cosmology with scientific cosmology. He interacted with Nikola Tesla to work out in detail but the confluence of these two masterminds did not run its full course. He also cherished writing a book combining modern cosmology with Indian Knowledge, but the dream remains unfilled. However, documentary evidence of his research work is found in the collection of his literature.
Select Documentary Evidences:Swami Vivekananda on 13th February 1896 wrote to one of his Western devotees:
“I intend to write a book later in the form of questions and answers. The first chapter will be on cosmology, showing the harmony between Vedantic theories and modern science.”[2]Unfortunately, his intention did not materialize during his lifetime It will also be relevant to examine the background of the germination of the idea in Swami Vivekananda’s mind. Swamiji after a meeting with famous Scientist Mr. Nikola Tesla in 1895 wrote in a letter, Mr. Tesla thinks he can demonstrate mathematically that force and matter are reducible to potential energy. I am to go and see him next week to get this new mathematical demonstration. In that case, the Vedantic cosmology will be placed on the surest of foundations. I am working a good deal now upon the cosmology and eschatology of the Vedanta. I clearly see their perfect union with modern science, and the elucidation of the one will be followed by that of the other.[3]
Doyens of Physics on Indian Knowledge System
It is remarkable that some of the leading scientists, including the early fathers of quantum mechanics, were irresistibly drawn to the Indian knowledge system. They not only tasted the richness of the traditional wisdom of India but had an in-depth understanding of the same. The meeting of Tagore and Einstein and that of Tagore and Heisenberg constitute a fascinating episode in the history of scientific thoughts. Conspicuously, Schrödinger authored a book titled ‘What is Life?’ that explicitly makes reference to the concepts of the Upanishads. The book now serves as the authentic canon of Quantum Biology.
The Government of India has taken significant initiatives to strengthen the area of research involving the scientific interpretation of the Indian Knowledge System. The AICTE, under the Ministry of Education, Government of India has started an innovative cell on Indian Knowledge Systems. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kharagpur has launched a Centre of Excellence for the Indian Knowledge System.
Relevance of the Scientific study of the Knowledge and Practices concerning Nature and the Universe as a component of Intangible Heritage:
Modern science has embarked upon some pathbreaking theories, challenging ideas, and revolutionary concepts which have impacted not only the world of knowledge but the human life at large. But it has been observed that in the contemporary Natural sciences there are several unresolved problems, enigmas, and issues that have been intriguing scientists from time immemorial. The unresolvedness of such issues gives impetus for further research. These issues may be referred to in the ancient Indian knowledge system for further enlightenment. There is a high hope that the wisdom enshrined in the ancient intangible heritage of India may provide some insights into the core of these unresolved issues.
To list some of the conspicuous issues:
- What is the ultimate microstructure of matter?
- In essence, which is the fundamental particle forming the atom? Is there any endpoint?
- What is the ultimate building block of life?
- How the building blocks of matter is related to the building blocks of life?
- What is the nature of Consciousness?
- What is the link between the matter and Life?
- How Consciousness is related to matter and life?
The present endeavor of interfacing natural sciences and the intangible heritage of India can be considered as the paradigm illustration of the required methodology.
Research Outcome:
The results of this research initiative will facilitate the synthesis and unification of Indian wisdom and Contemporary sciences and the emergence of unifying global science thereby overcoming the fragmentary approach to reality. The study of different cosmological models will provide fresh insights in regard to the following concepts in the field of Natural Sciences[4]:
- Nature of space and time
- Principles of Causality
- Origin of Matter
- Nature of Matter and its hierarchical structure
- Intersections and Boundaries of Life and Matter
- Living and Non-Living: Differences and Commonalities
- Evolution of Life and Living Being
- Consciousness and its nature
- Human Behaviour
- Cultivation of Human qualities
- Science of Concentration
Long-term Goals
- Animation films on the Indian cosmological model
- Heritage Vedic Planetarium
- Animation Films on Vedic deities
- Application of the Knowledge of Elements to Holistic Healing
Research Methodology:
In the absence of the availability of readymade methodology, owing to the novelty of the research area, we have to take recourse to several methods depending upon the requirement of the nature of the field. The field will determine the method and a tailormade methodology expected to evolve. Our investigation will not be speculative but it will be based on epistemological methods such as rationality, logicality, and mathematics. This will also be our criterion for the veracity of the findings. Our findings are purported to enlighten and enrich the fields of knowledge in the contemporary sciences.
Techniques:
- Identifications
- Characterization
- Comparison
- Mathematical Modelling
- Interpretation
- Applications
- Outreach
Formulation of hypothesis:
Hypothesis 1:
There are some novel concepts in the Indian Knowledge system which are potent to address the fuzzy areas of Natural Sciences.
Hypothesis 2:
Scientific Characterization of such concepts is possible and such work will bring about fresh insights.
Hypothesis 3:
Scientific insights obtained from the Indian Knowledge System will be applied in the field of Natural Sciences to address unresolved issues.
Hypothesis 4:
The concepts enshrined in the Indian Knowledge System may contribute greatly to the making of the science of consciousness.
Research Design:
- Identification of the texts, Manuscripts and other resources.
- Decipherment of relevant topics
- Consolidation of the concepts
- Scientific Characterization of the concepts
- Mathematical representation or modelling, if possible
- Application of the concepts to the relevant areas of Natural Sciences
- Interpretation of the output.
Conclusion: The Indian Knowledge System, as a component of the Intangible Heritage of India, has immense possibilities. It may unravel newer frontiers of knowledge hitherto unexplored. The robust body of knowledge built up through the cultivation of ancient Indian wisdom will become a source of national prestige. It will earn crowning glory for the nation. Above all, the work will definitely expand the horizons of knowledge with new fascinating discoveries marvelling the world with its splendour.
[1] https://www.indiaculture.nic.in/national-list-intangible-cultural-heritage-ich[2] Swami Vivekananda, The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol 5, p 102.[3] Swami Vivekananda, The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol 5, p 77.[4]Cf. Vatsayan, Kapila (Ed.). Prakriti, Volume 4, p xii.
