A Talk on Vedic Mathematics

A talk on Vedic mathematics was held in the institute on 27th Nov  06 by  Dr. Hans Raj  P.Joshi, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University ,Toronto- Canada.

It was presided over by H .H. Swami Vishweshwarananda Saraswati, President Omkarananda  Ashram, and attended by Prof. Subrahmaniun, Dean Academics, Mr. Vikram Kapoor, Mr. I.D.Joshi, Shri D.K.Varshney, faculty members and students of MBA and BCA.

Dr.S.L.Singh, Ex- Principal & Dean , faculty of sciences, Gurukul University, and Director, Vedic Research Institute Rishikesh, also graced the occasion and spoke on the subject.

The learned Professor Dr. Joshi, in his talk, pointed out the limitations of the translations of the Vedic text into English which are misunderstood and misinterpreted causing a cultural crisis, for example the Vedic word “Yajna” (yagya) has been translated as Sacrifice in English which has given a wrong message. He has further gone to the extent of calling it deliberate on the  part of the British Scholars.

Prof. S.L.Singh further emphasized the sad state of affairs regarding the poor translation of the Vedic texts – which arethe source of knowledge of Mathematics and Vedic Sciences, propounded by the great Rishis such as Bhaskaracharya. He referred to Leelawati Ganit as most interesting and inspiring. So much has to be done in the field of History of Vedic Maths.

Appreciating the talks of the learned Professors, Shri I.D.Joshi, further pointed out that language being culture based, can not be translated into the language of the other culture. It has its limitations despite the best efforts of the scholars in this respect.

In his presidential address, Swami Vishweshwaranand Ji, further expounded as to how Vedic Maths is related to spirituality. It was further explained that the Vedic mathematicians were great Seers and Rishis who pondered deep into the nature of cosmos – infinity, time and space, The concept of Infinity and Absolute are the common points which are the fundamentals of spirituality and Vedic Math.

Prof. Subrahmaniun, Dean Academics and Mr. Vikram Kapoor, Dept of Maths, welcomed the guest speakers and organized the Program and thanked the learned Professors for the illuminating talk which has been a source of inspiration to the students and teachers.

Swami Vishweshwaranand Ji honored the guest with shawl and Prasadam.

Prof. Subrahmaniun welcomed the learned Professors while Mr. Vikram Kapoor exerted them in the Institute and organized the Programme. In this vote of thanks Prof. Subrahmaniun called upon the students to thank a fresh on Vedic texts which are a source of learning and scholarship. The Vedic Management Theory can add to their modern knowledge and bring about innovations. He further exhorted the students to develop the great potential lying in them by unfolding the spiritual quotient personality.