THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Zero is perhaps one of the first things an Indian has in defence for ‘the land of snake charmers’ taunt. However, that is not the only contribution India has made to the world of mathematics, says S Balachandra Rao, a researcher who has been studying ancient India’s contribution to science and astronomy.
“It is not just we who say that the Indian numeral system is a remarkable contribution. It has been acknowledged by European critics and mathematics historians, the world over. However, our affair with mathematics and astronomy dates back to 1200 BC, when Vedanga Jyotisa originated,” says Balachandra Rao.
He quickly adds a disclaimer: “An important point to note is that Jyotisa, originally meant astronomy, and not astrology. It could predict various astronomical events. In the Vedic literature, apart from sun and moon, the only planets mentioned are Jupiter and Venus. Venus was not called Shukra.”
He, with a group of like-minded friends, has been studying ancient texts on astronomy and mathematics to decipher algorithms. Since knowledge was transferred only orally, from father to child or teacher to disciple, there is little literature available on the Indian contribution. He wishes that he knew Malayalam, as there are Mathematical texts in Malayalam script too, courtesy Nilakanta Swamy, Parameswara and Madhava, mathematicians from the state.
However, why should one study ancient mathematics, when modern mathematics is eons ahead? “‘Vedang Jyotisa’ is not a dead science. Like how Modern Biochemical Research can be applied to Ayurveda to improve knowledge, we can take advantage of it,” he says.
He adds that the ancient algorithms were much simpler than the existing algorithms. “For example, Brahmagupta gave a general solution to a second order indeterminate equation in the 7th century. A thousand years later, Euler and Legrange solved it, and Brahmagupta’s algorithm was simpler than theirs,” says Rao.
Balachandra Rao was a Mathematics professor, who retired as the Principal of National College, Bengaluru. He is currently the honorary director of Centre of Science and Human Values, Bengaluru.
He started researching on ancient Indian mathematics in 1992. Currently, Ancient India’s contributions to science and mathematics have suddenly become a popular subject. However, he scoffs at the popularity of Vedic mathematics. “It is good for high school students, but not researchers in mathematics.”
He also dismisses off ‘Vimana Sasthra’ which rose to popularity recently, thanks to the Indian Science Congress. He says, “It is not the people who believe in it who cause a problem. The real danger lies in the vested interest groups ready to invest in such ‘research’ projects. Such baseless theories could be introduced into an academic curriculum.”
He says, “The algorithms in Vedanga Jyotisa give a fairly accurate result. If we predict an eclipse or solstice using it, the result will differ by a minute. This is because the orbits of heavenly bodies have become larger with time and angular velocities have changed. We improve the parameters and refine the values in the age-old computational algorithms, to get an accurate result.”
A more accurate ‘Panchanga’ will be one of the side-effects of the research. “I may not believe in astrology but the believers will benefit from the accurate results,” says Rao.