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Ancient Indian Physics (भौतिकविज्ञानम्) (view source)
Revision as of 19:41, 2 December 2025
, Tuesday at 19:41→Concept of Motion: added content
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=== Physical Attributes of Substance and Objects ===
=== Physical Attributes of Substance and Objects in Vaiseshika Darshana ===
In Classical (or Newtonian) Physics the role of Observer was ignored even though observation was essential. In Modern Physics, however, the role of the Observer is significant and is a critical requirement for all observations, since all observations are purely relative to the Observer. Even though Vaiseshika system deals with Classical Physics and not Quantum or Relativistic Physics, the importance of Observer was well recognized and the Observer was defined in two components: The Mind and the Self. The Self could be the actual Observer, but Self should have an active Mind, for performing observations. This could be identified as a unique contribution of Vaiseshika principles.<ref name=":9" /><blockquote>रूपरसगन्धस्पर्शाः संख्याः परिमाणानि पृथक्त्वं संयोगविभागौ परत्वापरत्वे बुद्धयः सुखदुःखे इच्छाद्वेषौ प्रयत्नाश्च गुणाः । वैशेषिक-१,१.६ । (Vais. Dars. 1.1.6)<ref name=":8" /></blockquote>Gunas (17) are the qualities or properties or attributes. They include
In Classical (or Newtonian) Physics the role of Observer was ignored even though observation was essential. In Modern Physics, however, the role of the Observer is significant and is a critical requirement for all observations, since all observations are purely relative to the Observer. Even though Vaiseshika system deals with Classical Physics and not Quantum or Relativistic Physics, the importance of Observer was well recognized and the Observer was defined in two components: The Mind and the Self. The Self could be the actual Observer, but Self should have an active Mind, for performing observations. This could be identified as a unique contribution of Vaiseshika principles.<ref name=":9" /><blockquote>रूपरसगन्धस्पर्शाः संख्याः परिमाणानि पृथक्त्वं संयोगविभागौ परत्वापरत्वे बुद्धयः सुखदुःखे इच्छाद्वेषौ प्रयत्नाश्च गुणाः । वैशेषिक-१,१.६ । (Vais. Dars. 1.1.6)<ref name=":8" /></blockquote>Gunas (17) are the qualities or properties or attributes. They include
# अधर्म - Adharma or demerit
# अधर्म - Adharma or demerit
# शब्द - Sound
# शब्द - Sound
Gunas are also elaborated in by Acharya Charaka in [[Gunas or Qualities : An Ayurvedic perspective (आयुर्वेदे गुणाः)|Ayurveda]] and in [[Gunas in Nyaya Shastra (न्यायशास्त्रानुसारेण गुणनिरुपणम्)|Nyaya Shastra]]
=== Air vs Space ===
=== Air vs Space ===
Dharma is science and nothing but science an most certainly not religion in the Vedic context.<ref>Verma, K. D. (2012). ''Vedic Physics: Towards Unification of Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity''. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,. (27-31)
Dharma is science and nothing but science an most certainly not religion in the Vedic context.<ref>Verma, K. D. (2012). ''Vedic Physics: Towards Unification of Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity''. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,. (27-31)
<nowiki>https://archive.org/details/vedic-physics-keshav-dev-verma</nowiki></ref>
Dharma is neither any worship or a ritual; science is the knowledge of order and '''dharma is the order''' itself.<ref name=":2" />
Dharma is neither any worship or a ritual; science is the knowledge of order and '''dharma is the order''' itself.<ref name=":2" />
== Concept of Motion ==
== Concept of Motion ==
=== Defining Motion based on Vaiseshika Principles and Prashastapada Bhashyam ===
Prashastapada in कर्मपदार्थनिरूपणम् prakarana<ref name=":10">[https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Prashastapada Bhashyam]</ref> defines motion as the change of place of particles and evolves a discussion of its characteristics properties.
एकद्रव्यवत्त्वं क्षणिकत्वं मूर्तद्रव्यवृत्तित्वम् अगुणवत्वं गुरुत्वद्रवत्वप्रयत्नसंयोगजत्वं स्वकार्यसंयोगविरोधित्वं संयोगविभागनिरपेक्षकारणत्वम् असमवायिकारणत्वं स्वपराश्रयसमवेतकार्यारम्भकत्वं समानजातीयानारम्भकत्वं द्रव्यानारम्भकत्वं च प्रतिनियतजातियोगित्वम् । दिग्विशिष्टकार्यारम्भकत्वं च विशेषः ।।
These properties may be stated as follows:<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":11" />
# peculiarity of a single motion affecting a single body (at a given time) since its change of place at that moment is one and definite.
# instantaneous change of place (simplest form of motion)
# property of relating to a single body; the action of a composite whole is determined by the action of the constituent parts taken together
# a lack of gunas or qualities
# property of being generated by gravity, fluidity, volitional effort, and conjunctions (samyoga)
# property of being opposed by conjunctions caused by themselves
# property of acting as independent cause of conjunctions and disjunctions
# property of acting as non-inherent cause
# property of initiating effects (by conjunctions and disjunctions) in their own as well as in other substrates
# inability to initiate its own kind
# inability to generate motion in other bodies
# ability to classify into distinct types (of motion) characterized by directions of initial motion (linear, upwards, contraction, spreading etc)
Prashastapada defines motion as the unconditional cause of conjunctions and disjunctions i.e., a change of place of particles. He regards motion as instantaneous, distinguishing it from impressed motion, and momentum (vega) which is a persistent tendency (Samskara) and implies a series of motions. Motion of a particle or object is one but from the point of view of the Observer, there may be many motions involved, e.g., a falling leaf driven by wind may have a rotatory or vibratory motion and a vertical downward motion at the same time. Here each particle of the leaf taken separately has only one motion or change of place at the same moment, but from Observer's stance, the particles have a rotatory or vibratory motion in one relation and the leaf as whole has a downward motion in another relation.<ref name=":11" />
=== Cosmic Motion ===
=== Cosmic Motion ===
In the discussion about Rta, it is mentioned that Rta pertains to cosmic motion. Prakriti in motion is named '''rta''' and its transformed or condensed state is called '''satya''' in Vedic texts. Rta is derived from the root r meaning ''gati'' or motion.<ref name=":4">Chatterjee, S. D. (1986). Physics and Mechanics in Ancient and Medieval India. In P. Ray & S. N. Sen (Eds.), ''The Cultural Heritage of India'' (Vol. 6, pp. 101–114). The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture.</ref> The concept of motion is fundamental as seen in the movement of sound waves, the speed of light rays travelling in space, the falling bodies due to gravitation,
In the discussion about Rta in the earlier section, it is mentioned that Rta pertains to cosmic motion. Prakriti in motion is named '''rta''' and its transformed or condensed state is called '''satya''' in Vedic texts. Rta is derived from the root r meaning ''gati'' or motion.<ref name=":4">Chatterjee, S. D. (1986). Physics and Mechanics in Ancient and Medieval India. In P. Ray & S. N. Sen (Eds.), ''The Cultural Heritage of India'' (Vol. 6, pp. 101–114). The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture.</ref> The concept of motion is fundamental as seen in the movement of sound waves, the speed of light rays travelling in space, the falling bodies due to gravitation,
=== Atoms are in a state of Motion ===
=== Atoms are in a state of Motion ===
* being endowed with motion (kriyatattva)
* being endowed with motion (kriyatattva)
* to provide an inherent or material cause
* to provide an inherent or material cause
Parispanda sometimes stands for motion molar as well as molecular, but more often for the subtle motion of atoms or molecules. The radical meaning of the term is whirling or rotary motion, a circling motion, but it may also include simple harmonic motion (e.g. vibration). All action, operation, work (Kriya, Vyapara) is ultimately traced to this form of subtle motion lodged in the atoms or in the matter-stuff.<ref>Seal, B. (1915). ''The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus''. Longmans, Green and Co.</ref>
Parispanda sometimes stands for motion molar as well as molecular, but more often for the subtle motion of atoms or molecules. The radical meaning of the term is whirling or rotary motion, a circling motion, but it may also include simple harmonic motion (e.g. vibration). All action, operation, work (Kriya, Vyapara) is ultimately traced to this form of subtle motion lodged in the atoms or in the matter-stuff.<ref name=":11">Seal, B. (1915). ''The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus''. Longmans, Green and Co.</ref>
=== Karma or Activity in terms of Physical Motion ===
=== Karma or Activity in terms of Physical Motion ===
* Gamana (general movements)
* Gamana (general movements)
It is interesting to see the definition of general motion distinguished from the other four specific categories of motion. Prashastapada identified many more categories of motion as follows:<blockquote>गमनग्रहणाद्भ्रमण-रेचन-स्पन्दनोर्ध्वज्वलनतिर्यक्पतननमनोन्नमनादयो गमनविशेषाः । ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D Prashastapada Bhashya])</blockquote>While motion (gamana) can mean, in general, any type of motion, as defined in a given context, Prashastapada has identified some well known additional categories of motion that are universally observable and referred to in later sutras of Vaiseshika:<ref name=":9" />
It is interesting to see the definition of general motion distinguished from the other four specific categories of motion. Prashastapada identified many more categories of motion as follows:<blockquote>गमनग्रहणाद्भ्रमण-रेचन-स्पन्दनोर्ध्वज्वलनतिर्यक्पतननमनोन्नमनादयो गमनविशेषाः । (Prashastapada Bhashya<ref name=":10" />)</blockquote>While motion (gamana) can mean, in general, any type of motion, as defined in a given context, Prashastapada has identified some well known additional categories of motion that are universally observable and referred to in later sutras of Vaiseshika:<ref name=":9" />
* भ्रमणम् or circular motion or rotation
* भ्रमणम् or circular motion or rotation
=== Geocentrism and Rotatory Motion of Earth ===
=== Geocentrism and Rotatory Motion of Earth ===
The Indian traditional astronomy is essentially geo-centric and geo-static inasmuch as the Earth is considered to be a stationary sphere at the centre of the solar system. The Sun, the Moon and the planets have a motion of their own from west to east while the asterisms or the stellar sphere is considered to have their motion from east to west, as a result of which the former are supposed to fall behind the latter. This geocentric and geo-stationary view was for the first time modified by Aryabhata I who, while maintaining the geo-centric idea, conceived of a direct rotation of the Earth about its axis, and even gave a precise rate of rotation stating that the Earth rotates through an angle of one second in one prana of time.<ref>Subbarayappa, B. V., & Sarma, K. V. (1985). ''Indian Astronomy: A Source-book: Based primarily on Sanskrit texts''. Nehru Centre. <nowiki>http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA10111373</nowiki></ref>
The Indian traditional astronomy is essentially geo-centric and geo-static inasmuch as the Earth is considered to be a stationary sphere at the centre of the solar system. The Sun, the Moon and the planets have a motion of their own from west to east while the asterisms or the stellar sphere is considered to have their motion from east to west, as a result of which the former are supposed to fall behind the latter. This geocentric and geo-stationary view was for the first time modified by Aryabhata I who, while maintaining the geo-centric idea, conceived of a direct rotation of the Earth about its axis, and even gave a precise rate of rotation stating that the Earth rotates through an angle of one second in one prana of time.<ref>Subbarayappa, B. V., & Sarma, K. V. (1985). ''Indian Astronomy: A Source-book: Based primarily on Sanskrit texts''. Nehru Centre. <nowiki>http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA10111373</nowiki></ref>
=== Gravitation ===
=== Vega: Inertia, Momentum and Acceleration ===
A motion has been conceived as a change of place in a particle, instantaneous and incapable of producing another motion. But when motion is caused by impact (abhighata) or impelling push (nodana) it develops a samskara or persistent tendency to motion. This persistent tendency of a moving body to continue its motion has been called vega. That vega is a samkara has been clearly stated by Prashastapada. According to him, samskara is of three types<ref name=":4" />
* vega or momentum
* bhavana or mental impression
* sthitisthapaka or elasticity
The concept of vega closely fits in with the modern concept of momentum. Vaiseshikas accept one and the same samskara lasting till the cessation of motion. Uddyotakara and other writiers of the Nyaya school suppose a series of samskaras, each one generating the one that succeeds it. Nyaya view implies the modern idea of acceleration. The power of samskara diminishes by doing work against the counteracting forces and gradually when it gets exhausted, the moving body comes to rest. Thus Vega corresponds to inertia in some respects and to momentum (impressed motion) in others. It is the nearest approach to Newton's first law of motion.<ref name=":4" />
== Light ==
== Light ==