All World
Gayatri Pariwar

  Science means knowledge and elucidation of truth.  The rishis – Indian sages of yore - had pioneered this search of truth – reality of Nature, reality of life, its genesis and ultimate evolution – tens of thousands of years ago in the pre-historic times. These visionaries, discoverers and inventors of the science of Nature and Consciousness also used to share their views and research findings in periodic conferences organized in different parts, usually along the banks of major rivers, of ancient India. Here is a sketchy description of one such panel discussion.

“The science propounded by the rishis pertains to decipheration and expression of the power of Nature and truth of the Omniscient Spirit from different angles. It has uncountable dimensions, each interlinked with the other in some respect. Its domain is infinite; there is novelty as well as convergence in each branch, each facet, and each aspect of research in this science. The flow of knowledge is eternal. Hence the path of science will continue forever. Its research will carry on without a pause” – with these opening remarks, Maharshi Angiras welcomed the august gathering of Maharshis (rishis, who had achieved eminence in their fields of research), Manishis (accomplished scholars) and Brahmacharis (research students).  This was a gathering for a special advanced research conference.  Almost all Maharshis from across Aryavarta (ancient India) had come there with their scholarly disciples. The venue also was special – panoramic banks of river Saraswati at the feet of the majestic Himalayas.

Nurtured by the nectar-like pure water currents of Saraswati, this place, under the serene shades of silvery white Himalayan Mountains was pervaded with immense natural beauty: surrounded by multicolor smiling flowers here and there protected by lush green rows of tall tress standing like alert guards with their heads up in pride of the motherland and natural carpet of soft green grass on the floor. A dense forest was not far off – which reverberated with casual roars of lions and varieties of other loud or melodious musical sounds of cheerful animals in the open air. The “Kasturi” deer found in that region were running around the venue without any fear and thus spreading soothing fragrance everywhere. Being the Ashram of Maharshi Angiras the place was vibrant with spiritual energy. The Maharshi was the organizer of this conference.

There were nearly a thousand brilliant participants. Noted amongst invited speakers were Acharya Bharadwaj (son of Brahaspati), Rishi Pragahs, Munivar Vambarish, Maharshi Medhatithi Kanva and Acharya Vasushrut – who used to call himself as “son of the soil”. They were stars of attraction because of their recent findings. They had investigated the science of Nature in a comprehensive way and deciphered novel aspects of its visible and invisible facets. At the end of his welcome address, Maharshi Angiras invited all of them on the dais and requested them to commence the panel discussion highlighting the aims and scope of the conference.

Acharya Bhardwaj spoke on the holistic approach of the ancient Indian sages towards scientific research.  He said that science as viewed and developed by the rishis pertained to search of truth in an absolute sense and it was not confined only to matter or manifestation of nature, which was perceivable through the sense organs; rather its domains of research encompassed the infinite expanse of Nature, consciousness force and eternal reflections of God.  

Supporting the views expressed by rishi Bhardwaj, rishi Pragath said that if a research was constrained by a preconception, prejudiced views, it would not be considered scientific, as it would not lead to the search of truth. Truth by its very definition could not be restrained by specific theories or prevailing ideas of contemporary scientists; one should be focused but should not regard that truth could be investigated only in a particular way or that truth was truth only if it could be verified according to some set norms. Such convictions made scientific motives of research as unscientific, he said.

He further said that those who believed that science pertained to only that which could be investigated, experimented or tested, using material means blocked the real pursuit of science. Physical, Chemical or Biological sciences were confined only to the material domains of Nature. These could decipher material elements and energy as long as these could be studied via some instruments. These were confined to perceivable existence of the inanimate and animate manifestations of Nature. These alone would not lead to truth, thus these alone could not be regarded as science.   He illustrated his point by elaborative examples in an interesting way.  No one would have disagreed with what he said.

Munivar Vambarish explained the point more deeply: “Matter or whatever the researchers of the perceivable Nature* regard as elements of creation of matter is only a manifestation of the tamoguna of Nature.  The rajoguna generates activity (energy vibrations and vitality) in every element of Nature. The satoguna constitutes what corresponds to the expression and perception of consciousness and its spiritual faculties. Thus, even the science of nature would be incomplete without considering the domains of rajoguna and satoguna. That means that along with the study of matter and energy contained in its elements, scientific research should also encompass the study of Prana (life-force, vital energy), mental and spiritual energies, expressed as well as intrinsic roots of thoughts and emotions, subconscious and unconscious domains of mind, sublime facets of spirituality and soul-reality.”  

“This holistic approach is the nucleus of the scientific investigations of our ancient rishis” — Acharya Vasushrut suffixed this sentence as an approval and completion (or complementary) remark to what his predecessor had explained.  Continuing further he said: “Considering only on the physical (i.e. within the grasp of sense-organs or instruments) domains of Nature keep one’s research trapped in the periphery of matter and limited forms of energies. Pursuit of this kind of science shields the sight of truth. Single-tracked approach cannot lead to the real purpose of science. If the scientists keep aside the prejudices of regarding truth as what the contemporary norms and theories in their field of specialization suggests and discard the negative approaches of rejecting other (subtler) dimensions of Nature, they would be able to see newer horizons of Nature and may some day succeed in deciphering the ultimate reality of the soul and the supreme spirit (God).

The science propounded by the ancient rishis is free of all such limitations; it adopts positive approach to knowledge and research embracing all the visible and invisible, the physical and sublime, the mental and spiritual, expressions of truth beyond the periphery of space and time.  This is why their path leads to peace, harmony and welfare of all. Negative approach of material based science* may be misused and lead to destructive developments. A positive or constructive approach makes prudent use of everything in nature for noble purposes. For example, in Ayurveda, every plant may be used for some medicinal preparation. On the contrary, a single-tracked materialistic goal-oriented researcher may synthesize an artificial medicine** or may convert a natural product into a toxic** one.” Most importantly, the speaker emphasized that “the science of rishis aims at satyam, shivam, sundaram – it not only leads to the search of truth (satyam), but also to benevolence (shivam) and auspicious bliss (sundaram)”.   

The host Maharshi Angiras was attentively listening to the discussion; the smile on his face reflected a deep sense of contentment and appreciation in his heart. He suddenly looked at Maharshi Medhatithi Kanva who had been silent till then; he appeared engrossed in some deep thoughts. He was senior-most of the eminent researchers, who had explored and experienced the subtle world inside the atoms and subatomic particles and also the world beyond our three dimensional space.  Maharshi Angiras requested him to say a few words on the theme of the panel discussion.

The preeminent spiritual scientist said — “Every realm of existence is as real as the world on this earth. As the plants, animals, humans and other creatures and life-forms exist on this earth at different levels of manifested expression of the Omnipresent Consciousness Force, similarly, the yakshas, pitars, devagana, etc exist in subtler realms.  The ionosphere and ideosphere of the earth are affected not only by the energy waves of the animate and inanimate creation on the earth, but also by the energy currents in the other realms of existence. This science of our Vedic rishis deals with the study of this interdependence as well.  As all the scholarly views presented so far have pointed out, there is no limit of time or space in the investigations of these scientists. After all, their science is holistic. It aims at elucidation of the absolute reality of Creation (Nature) and the Creator (God), all dimensions of their existence and expressions, all realms of evolution of life”.  

After highlighting this ‘satayam’ aspect of Rishi-Science, he also reminded the younger researchers of its role as shivam and sundaram by reminding them that the Vedas say – “Vigyan yagya Tanute, karmani Tanute api Cha|” (Meaning - Science protects and nurtures the growth of all yagyas – experiments for global wellbeing and also of all karmas – deeds of happy progress).

Indeed, this concluding remark conveys a message that is relevant even today. May these inspirations of the ‘Rishi-Science’ cultivate spiritual attitude in the modern science too.    
*Modern science and technology fall under this category.
**Several of the synthetic drugs and antibiotics are of this type.