Deep Science in Ancient Indian Philosophical Thought 
by Dr. Anil Rajvanshi,
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9347683886, Motilal Banarsidas International, UK, 146 Pages

Ancient India was the greatest centre of learning, which attracted scholars and students from all parts of the world. It was the hub of high - quality scientific research, education and technology. The Universities of Nalanda and Takshashila are far too well known. Innumerable great discoveries were made which have been documented in large number of scriptures, namely, ‘Sutras’, ‘Puranas’, ‘Itihas’, ‘Kaavyas’, ‘Vedas’, ‘Bhagavadgita’ etc. The rishis accomplished ‘impossible’ feats many of which are yet to be understood clearly by modern scientific methods. The invaluable knowledge contained in those scriptures got lost over a period of time due to a variety of reasons which I will not go into here. As a consequence, the common tendency among the youth of the present generation is to dismiss those feats as fiction.

In the above background, the book ‘Deep Science in Ancient Indian Philosophical Thought’ (Published by Motilal Banarsidass International) and authored by Dr. Anil Rajvanshi assumes great importance and raises a hope. As a true scientist and technologist, he does not dismiss the so-called incomprehensible information documented in the scriptures, but rather makes serious efforts with an open mind to provide rational insights as per the current knowledge of science and technology, into the documented observations and interpretations. That is truly the process of scientific exploration. Intuitive hypotheses are made, then experiments are designed to test them, ideas can change on the basis of evidences obtained, and this process continues in an iterative manner until acceptable explanations are reached. There is no denying even today that great discoveries have almost invariably resulted from intuition, open mind and dedicated pursuit.

The primary source – book for Dr. Rajvanshi is the ‘Yoga Sutras’ of sage Patanjali, although he mentions about some others as well. He has brought to light the enormous scientific information contained in the Yoga Sutras, and reading between the lines he makes his own conclusions / speculations in accordance with the laws of physics and chemistry. He is extremely overwhelmed by the depth of science in those yoga sutras, so much so that he even makes a bold inference that sage Patanjali belongs to a different class of intellectual ability, not seen on this planet and hence must have descended onto the earth from outer space. He even suggests that our origins are also extra-terrestrial. Ancient scriptures do indeed talk about such galactic travel. It is a great challenge and invitation for the modern scientist to explore such phenomena. In fact, current efforts by the scientists and technologist to travel to Moon, Mars etc subscribe to such thoughts.

‘Deep Science in Ancient Indian Philosophical Thought’ is largely a collection of stand–alone articles and essays written by Dr. Rajvanshi at different points of time over a period of 25 years. These cover four interesting themes collected in the first section of the book:

1. Deep science in Patanjali Sutras
2. Thought, its production, transmission and interaction with matter
3. Life, death, fear and pain
4. Spiritual knowledge for technological growth, sustainability and happiness.

In the beginning Dr. Rajvanshi presents a brief summary of the contents covering Science and Spirituality in the four different sections of the Yoga Sutras – Samadhi Pada, Sadhana pada, Vibhuti Pada and Kaivalya Pada.

The essays which are collected together in the second section of the book expand on these themes. All of these are articles with specific focus. Since the articles are published at different places, the book provides a convenient resource at one place for the seekers. The individuals can choose to read particular articles depending on the questions they are dealing with. Since these are all stand-alone articles written at different points of time and the topics do have some overlaps, it is inevitable to find some repetitions in the different sections.

Through all of these, Dr. Rajvanshi addresses a number of abstract concepts such as: Consciousness, Universal consciousness (God), life and death, origin of thought, transmission of thought, memory, reincarnation, fear and pain, karma, moksha (liberation from cycle of births and deaths), cosmology, space and time, yoga, pranayama, health care, meaning and scope of spirituality, to list the most prominent ones. At most places he takes recourse to Patanjali sutras and tries to bridge the apparent gaps making his own conjectures relying on his own knowledge of technology, biological physics, quantum physics, neuroscience etc. The conjectures are at times quite provocative for a thinking mind. This is an invitation to the modern scientists to research and provide appropriate explanations based on data. In every section he identifies a number of unsolved problems of modern science, with the hope that the inquisitive mind will strive to find answers.

Dr. Rajvanshi introduces a new concept called ‘Knowledge Space’ which he claims lies outside the human brain, and is the store house of all memories (Sanskaar as per Indian Philosophy). Every soul draws knowledge from this space; this space is not individual specific. He connects this with the idea of ‘quantum entanglement’ belonging to the domain of quantum physics.

He also talks of God as creator of the Universe. This is a thought which has been echoed by a large number Nobel Laureates. For example, Christian Anfinsen (Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 1972) stated: ’there exists an incomprehensible power with limitless foresight and knowledge that started the whole Universe going, in the first place’.

The author then brings about the relation between scientific discoveries, and divine intervention, when ideas flash to the minds of chosen individuals; Srinivas Ramanujan, the famous mathematician of the last century is a classic example, who declared that the theorems he wrote were actually given to him by Goddess Namagiri in his dreams. Sir C V Raman, Nobel prize winner in Physics in 1930 declared: ‘the growing discoveries of Physics and Astronomy are further and further revelations by God’.

Dr Rajvanshi shows how spiritual pursuits can help control greed, anger and other moral values, and thus help live a peaceful life. Spiritual pursuits would also help technological growth, which in turn contribute to sustainability and happiness. He indicates some practical examples of using Solar power. Further, Nature has a lot to offer in terms of technological concepts, health care, and many of these have been documented in our ancient Indian scriptures. Plants have many secrets of technology which are available for the scientists to understand and harness. Only a person with spiritual bent of mind will read and benefit from these. Who can understand this better than Dr. Rajvanshi who has been intimately connected with an agricultural research institute for the last several years? Thus, no wonder he makes a profound statement: Spirituality + Technology = Sustainability and happiness.

Dr Rajvanshi has covered a number of topics in this book, but cautions that this is only the tip of an iceberg and the seeker will get motivated to read many other scriptures and find satisfaction and a path to liberation from the cycle of births and deaths (Moksha). This is the ultimate aim of every soul.

I am confident that readers will derive immense benefit from this book and will be motivated to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s intellectual and spiritual growth.