The world of physics is a tapestry woven with the threads of human curiosity and scientific exploration. Step into the time machine of knowledge and embark on a captivating journey as we uncover the hidden gems of ancient Indian physics. Brace yourself for a thrilling exploration that will bridge the gap between the past and present, revealing the astonishing parallels between ancient wisdom and modern scientific theorems.
Theory of Atomism:
Lets begin our voyage with the ancient Indian philosopher Kanada and his profound theory of atomism
“Anu (atom) is that which cannot be divided. It is eternal and indestructible. It is the smallest particle of matter. They combine to form complex structures” — Kanada, Vaisheshika Sutra (6th century BCE)
This insight from Kanada is not far from modern theory. Modern science has confirmed the existence of atoms and has provided a more detailed understanding of their behavior. The modern atomic theory states that atoms are the basic building blocks of matter and that they are made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons.
What is more interesting is to note that this does not seems to be a revolutionary idea to the people of the time. Most of the prominent intellectuals in 6th century BC were readily accepting it as fact. (An example can be conversation between Makkhali Gosala and Mahavira in Bhagavati Sutra)
Law of Motion:
Lets move little further in time to 3rd century BC to meet a rishi named Gautama wrote Nyaya Sastra. In the Nyaya philosophy, the concept of motion is understood in terms of the movement of physical objects and the causes that bring about such motion. The Nyaya Sutras discuss the relationship between cause and effect, including the causes that initiate or sustain motion. He formulates:
“A body at rest tends to remain at rest, and a body in motion tends to remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force.”
Well no doubt this sounds familiar with Newton’s first law of motion also called law of inertia.
Law of Gravitation:
Our next stop takes us to the pioneering work of Aryabhatta and Brahmagupta. The law of gravitation, which states that all objects in the universe are attracted to each other, was first mentioned in the ancient Indian text, Surya Siddhanta, which dates back to 400 CE. The text states:
“The earth, planets, constellations, and other objects in the sky are all held in orbit due to the force of attraction between them.”
This concept was later elaborated upon by the Indian mathematician and astronomer, Brahmagupta, in his book, Brahmasphutasiddhanta, which was written in 628 CE.
“Objects fall on the earth due to a force of attraction by the earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, the moon, and the sun are held in orbit due to this attraction.”
The modern law of gravitation, formulated by Sir Isaac Newton in 1687, states that all objects in the universe are attracted to each other with a force that is proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.
Optics:
Next, encounter is with Varahamihira, one of the most renowned astronomers and mathematicians of his time
“When light enters a denser medium, its velocity decreases and its path bends towards the normal, while when it enters a rarer medium, its velocity increases and its path bends away from the normal.” — Varahamihira, Brihat Samhita (6th Century CE)
Varahamihira’s enchanting words find a modern echo in the theory of optics. The modern theory of optics elucidates the behavior of light. It confirms Varahamihira’s observations, explaining that when light transitions between different media, such as from air to water, its velocity changes, leading to refraction. The direction of this bending is determined by the refractive indices of the media involved.
I believe after traveling in time spanning 1200 years from 6th century BC to 6th century AD its time to give a rest to our time machine.
As our journey through the ancient marvels of Indian physics reaches its destination, we can now awe at the timeless wisdom preserved in these extracts from ancient texts. The echoes of ancient scholars resonate with the theories that shape our modern understanding of the universe. Let us celebrate the enduring spirit of human curiosity and pay homage to these remarkable minds who paved the way for our exploration of the mysteries that surround us. And make sure to continue to burn the fire of same spirit within us and pass it on to future generations so that we as humans neither forget our glorious past nor stop looking passionately at the future.
