Bhaskaracharya - The Great Mathematician!

Bhaskaracharya - The Great Mathematician!

In 1114, was born a boy in Brahmin astrologer Mahesvara’s home at Ujjain. He was soon to redefine the rules of mathematics as it was followed then. Bhaskara, later known as Bhaskaracharya (Aacharya meant Teacher in those times), was taught mathematics and astrology by his father and went on to lead the prestigious astronomical observatory (in Ujjain) which was also the leading mathematical centre in India.

This great mathematician wrote many books. His main work “Siddhānta Shiromani” ("Crown of treatises) is divided into four parts called Lilāvati, Bijaganita, Grahaganita and Golādhyāya. These four sections deal with arithmetic, algebra, mathematics of the planets, and spheres respectively!

He reached an understanding of the number systems and solving equations which was not to be achieved in Europe for several centuries. Some of his original concepts he pioneered are:

- He almost accurately calculated the time that is required for the Earth to orbit the Sun as 365.2588 days. The modern accepted measurement is 365.2563 days, a difference of just 3.5 minutes!

- The Earth is not flat, has no support and has a power of attraction

- One day of Moon is equivalent to 15 earth-days and one night is also equivalent to 15 earth-days.

- He conceived the convention that when a finite number is divided by zero, the result is infinity.

- He was the first to create a wheel that he claimed would run forever (A perpetual motion machine). This was famously called Bhaskara wheel

- He anticipated the modern convention of signs (i.e. minus by minus makes plus, minus by plus makes minus)

- Defined concepts around Trigonometry, algebra, calculus etc much before pioneers like Newton or Rolle were born.

After he died in 1185, an educational institution was set up, in 1207, by his son to study Bhaskaracharya's works. A medieval inscription there reads:-

"Triumphant is the illustrious Bhaskaracharya whose feats are revered by both the wise and the learned. A poet endowed with fame and religious merit, he is like the crest on a peacock."

(Prepared for Ruhin Raghuvanshi..)

Diversity of India – a brief perspective

Diversity of India – a perspective

India is diverse. Yes it is. Diversity is found in every walk of our life in India, in terms of race, religion, language, caste, culture & a lot more. As a Hindi saying goes “Kos kos pe badale pani, char kos pe vani” i.e In India - the taste of water changes every 3 kms, and the language changes every 12 km! That is how diverse we are!

To understand the extent of diversity in numbers, sample this – there are 4635 known communities in India, there are 3000 castes and 25000 sub-castes, more than 1650 languages, 1000+ festivals, 1866 registered political parties, wide religious diversity with 9 main religions, 8 classical dance forms, 29 states and 7 Union territories – with each being different in the way they live, eat, speak and the way they celebrate their festivals.

Do you know how many Gods do we have as per Upanishads? “Trayatrimsa koti” i.e. 330 Million! So metaphorically speaking there is 1 God for every 3 person today! And this is only counting Hindu Gods. There are others for Jainis, Buddhists etc.

Add to this 1.2 Billion people in the country and we are looking at a very complicated and diverse group of people under one nation. No wonder Mark Twain called India “a country of hundred nations” and “cradle of human race itself”. As unbelievable as it seems, it is this amazing we stay united. God must love us! According to me though, every community has sacrificed a lot for the independence of this great nation and it is this love for the nation that acts as the overpowering binding force which keeps us united. And so it will in future too I am sure. Amen to that.

Thank you!

(Prepared For Ruhin Raghuvanshi - for Class)