An in-depth study of the origin of the MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES will show that Mathematics requires the following essential skills: 1. OBSERVATION 2. QUANTIFICATION 3. DERIVATION 4. DOCUMENTATION and 5. MODERNIZATION, which includes knowledge of computer applications.

We will study in this article how VEDIC MATHEMATICS made use of the first four criteria in the science of mathematics, thus paving the way for the last criterion i.e. modernization including computerization.

1. MATHEMATICS AS A SCIENCE OF OBSERVATION SINCE THE VEDIC TIME

Nature has its own Rhythm and Order. Intelligent beings, from the moment they are born on Earth, begin to observe the environment around them and notice rhythm and order. Mathematical calculations begin at the earliest stage of growth.

Even animals have the power to judge space and time. Animals like tiger, cat, etc. they judge distances before jumping. This is evident when they catch their prey by jumping distances. Most of the time, they don’t fail. In the same way, birds perceive distance and time and travel thousands of kilometers across continents to reunite with their mates.

Hence, it is the basic instinct of living beings to observe, judge and make decisions.

But MAN, by virtue of the unique intelligence that he possesses, is capable of prescribing various measurement techniques and bringing uniform measurement systems in Space and Time. Mathematics is a science of looking at the universe around us and measuring things using various techniques. This process has started from very early ages of evolution, such as the search for food, shelter, etc. At present, there are very modern mathematical techniques that take precedence over the use of computers; however, the base remains the same.

The VEDAS are the oldest scriptures in the world and we can see that the foundations of mathematics were laid in those days. Some of the observations made by the people of the Vedic era that have resulted in accurate mathematical calculations are as follows:

* The calculation of the pregnancy period was made accurately. Naturally, this could have been one of the first calculations made by humans. Perhaps even medical science could have begun with the study of childbirth and the subsequent care of mother and child.

* The man, after observing the Earth for some time, looked up and observed the sky. His keen observations and recording of astral movements led to the new science of ASTRONOMY.

* All calculations related to the exchange of goods, assets, although they were made through barter, were based on mathematics.

* Auspicious times were calculated on the basis of almanacs and calendars, which were based entirely on arithmetic calculations.

* Agricultural cycles, seasons, etc. they were all based on a rhythm controlled by mathematics.

* The life cycles of various species were also fixed for a particular period depending on the species.

Therefore, every activity in the Universe is controlled by precise mathematical calculations. The Rishis (great Saints) of antiquity, by their simple observation could calculate, record and also predict the future.

We will briefly see how the Vedas dealt with the subject mentioned in the early teachings of mathematics.

2. QUANTIFICATION (SETTING OF SCALES).

In very early times there were no fixed scales. The man used parts of his body and his movements to measure. He used the steps and palms to measure the distances, and then multiplied them by several steps and extended them to distances as great as light years. Likewise, he used eye blinking to measure time and extended such small measurements to millions of years.

TIMING:

As stated in the previous paragraph, the normal blink of the human eye is taken as the most fundamental unit of TIME. One NIMESHA is the time it takes for a normal human eye to blink once. 15 NIMESHAS constitute a KASHTA. 30 KASHTAS constitute a KALA. 20 KALAS constitutes a MUHURTHA. 30 MUHURTHAS constitute a day of the current 24 hours and 30 of those days constitute a month.

Six months constitute one AYANA and one year consists of 2 AYANAS. This year is equivalent to a DAY for the Devas (Celestial subjects or minor Gods). So once again let’s take 360 ​​days (1 day = 2 Ayanas for celestial subjects). This is a year for them. 12,000 of those years are known as 4 Yugs (ages). (Centuries). (Krudh Yuga, Dreta Yug, Dwaper Yug and Kali Yug). The era we are living in is the KALI YUG (BLACK AGE). One thousand ChaturYug is a day for Brahma, (The Creator). A MANVANTRA is one fourteenth of the single day of Brahma.

Thus, one Manvantra is equal to: 71 Chaturyug, 542 Divine years, 10 Divine months, 8 Divine days, 7 Divine Murthas, 4 Divine Kalas and 8 Divine Kashtas, and 8.5 Divine Nimeshtas.

These calculations were given by the Vedic Rishi named Parasarar; This is equal to 300 million, 6.7 million, 20000 human years + 6 chatur Yugs.

This huge scale is based on the simple measurement of the blink of an eye.

These are quantified by actually calculating the actual motion of the Sun and by observing the phases of the moon. The full moon, new moon, and eclipses were precisely calculated and thus predicted by mathematical derivations in very early Vedic times. The two AYANAS (half years) are known as Dakshinayana (movement of the Sun from north to south) and Utharayana (from south to north) and the seasons are calculated. Several festivals in India depend on these calculations.

Likewise, arithmetic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, arithmetic progressions, geometric progressions, fractions, etc. they are also given in several verses.

3. LEADS:

Consider the geometric construction of ritual sites.

The Vedas were able to solve mathematical problems by building fire altars that have different shapes but occupy the same area. The altars were built with five layers of fired bricks on the condition that each layer consist of 200 of those bricks and that no adjacent layer had a congruent layer of bricks.

The Sulba Sutras (easy formulas) contain the oldest verbal expression of the Pythagorean theorem as stated in the following Sutra. form.

Representation of the unknown as “X”:

We are aware that in Mathematics, if two variables are known in a sum and the third is not known, we name it X and at the moment the problem is solved, we remove X and put the known number in its place.

Adi Sankara, the founder of Advaita, the well-known Indian philosophy based on Vedic teachings, has used this method to explain the secret of Divinity. Like X, which cannot be defined in mathematics, MAYA (Illusion Theory) cannot be explained in words. Brahman (The Supreme God) has created this Universe using Maya (illusion).

The formula is Brahman (God) + X=Universe. So, the unknown entity X = Universe-Brahman.

Adi Sankara gave the concept of illusion to explain this. that is to say: Universe-Brahman= Illusion (Maya). So illusion=X.

The moment this Maya is removed, the Universe becomes one with Brahman. This is the basic teaching of Advaita founded by Adi Sankara.

4. DOCUMENTS:

As already stated, the Vedas were not in written form. The teachings were passed down from generation to generation through practice. However, the UPANISHADS were written later as explanations of the Vedic teachings. The saints have documented them in an orderly fashion. KATOPANISHAD is one such Upanishads, written by Nachiketas, a young Vedic scholar, in his argument with Lord Yama (God of Death).

Likewise, there are various sutras (formulas) that have given calculations for measuring distances, mass, area, volume, etc. Any book on Vedic Mathematics will be able to give a clear treatment of the above topics. Students with mathematical knowledge are requested to analyze them and improve their knowledge based on the Vedas.

5. MODERNIZATION:

There may be so many AGES in the past, but today is the age of computers. Everything is recorded on computers and computerization has changed the whole perspective of life. But there is a clear downside to mechanical knowledge. We can observe that even the telephone numbers need to be registered in the machine and checked from time to time. Modern students have lost the power of their memory. But the students of the Vedic period were able to calculate even the highest degrees of calculus simply from memory. The bits, bytes, megabytes and gigabytes of today are equivalent to Nimeshas and kashtas of the Vedic period.

Vedic mathematics has been included in the curriculum of some universities. Students are advised to study and specialize in this aspect of study so that they can master the subject of mathematics through brain power. By combining it with modern equipment, they can reach new heights in achieving their goals.