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Physics deals with matter and energy and their interactions. Measurements are central to the growth of physics, and length (space), time, and mass are the three most important physical quantities, called the fundamental quantities. Most other physical quantities are generally expressed in terms of mass, length, and time. For example, speed is measured in miles per hour (or kilometers per hour) and involves a measurement of space (distance) and time.  

Physics deals with matter and energy and their interactions. Measurements are central to the growth of physics, and length (space), time, and mass are the three most important physical quantities, called the fundamental quantities. Most other physical quantities are generally expressed in terms of mass, length, and time. For example, speed is measured in miles per hour (or kilometers per hour) and involves a measurement of space (distance) and time.  

Electricity, light, heat, mechanics (motion and inertia of things), gravitation, sound and its transmission, and quantum physics, which comprise the subjects of modern physics have been explored in several Indian traditions along with their applications.  

Electricity (विद्युत), light (प्रकाशः), Heat (तापः), Mechanics (motion (गतिः) and inertia of things), Magnetism (चुम्बकत्वम्), Gravitation (गुरुत्वम्), Sound  (ध्वनिः) and its transmission, and quantum physics, which comprise the subjects of modern physics have been explored in several Indian traditions along with their applications. In the Vedas, [[Agni (अग्निः)|Agni]] represents many aspects of physics.  

== Source Texts for Physics in India ==

== Source Texts for Physics in India ==

# [[Vedas (वेदाः)|'''Vedas''']] - They were the earliest texts that deal with the [[Srshti Siddhanta (सृष्टिसिद्धान्तः)|concepts of cosmology]], creation  of the universe and cosmic cycles. Sutra granthas specifically the [[Shulbasutras (शुल्बसूत्राणि)|Shulbasutras]] gave the fundamentals of mathematics and their application in geometry and architecture.

# [[Vedas (वेदाः)|'''Vedas''']] - They were the earliest texts that deal with the [[Srshti Siddhanta (सृष्टिसिद्धान्तः)|concepts of cosmology]], creation  of the universe and cosmic cycles. Sutra granthas specifically the [[Shulbasutras (शुल्बसूत्राणि)|Shulbasutras]] gave the fundamentals of mathematics and their application in geometry and architecture.

# [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|'''Upanishads''']] - They explain interconnectedness of matter-energy, their relationship and unity, the chemical qualities such as solubility, viscosity etc. Physical

# [[Upanishads (उपनिषदः)|'''Upanishads''']] - They explain interconnectedness of matter-energy, their relationship and unity, the chemical qualities such as solubility, viscosity etc.

# '''Darshanas''' - They put forth the earliest atomic theory, defined matter, their interactions and attributes. [[Vaiseshika Darshana (वैशेषिकदर्शनम्)|Vaiseshika darshana]] elaborates the atomic theory (Paramanu), classified reality into seven padarthas and explained their characteristics.

# '''Darshanas''' - They put forth the earliest atomic theory, defined matter, their interactions and attributes. [[Vaiseshika Darshana (वैशेषिकदर्शनम्)|Vaiseshika darshana]] elaborates the atomic theory (Paramanu), classified reality into seven padarthas and explained their characteristics.

# '''Puranas''' - A great deal of information on light, cosmology is specifically noted in Vishnu, Vayu and Matsya puranas.<ref>Kak, S. (1999). The Speed of Light and Puranic Cosmology. In ''Annals of Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute,'' vol. 80, pp. 113-123, 1999. arXiv:physics/9804020v3 [physics.hist-ph] 15 Jan 2001</ref>

# '''Puranas''' - A great deal of information on light, cosmology is specifically noted in Vishnu, Vayu and Matsya puranas.<ref>Kak, S. (1999). The Speed of Light and Puranic Cosmology. In ''Annals of Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute,'' vol. 80, pp. 113-123, 1999. arXiv:physics/9804020v3 [physics.hist-ph] 15 Jan 2001</ref>

=== Rta ===

=== Rta ===

[[Rta (ऋतम्)|Rta]] is the cosmic law of harmony. ‘Rta’ means ‘the course of things’, order or law, and the primal principle, which is non-temporal and cohesive. It is a natural law which even the Vedic deities have to follow; they are often described as the "guardians of rta" and "practicers of rta" in the Rigveda (1.23.5). The natural phenomena, such as the flow of rivers, change of seasons, and day and night, are stated to be in accordance with this natural law (Rig. Veda. 4.3.8-12; 5.80.1). Aditya, or Surya, is the all-pervading light extolled as the dweller in eternal law and, eventually, the eternal law itself (Rig Veda 4.40.5). The Rigvedic seers were convinced that nature is not as heterogeneous as it seems to us and that all types of natural motions are traceable to rta, which, according to them, is self-existent and ever extending. Symbolically, rta was also conceived by the Rigvedic seers as Varuna, who was supposed to have determined the laws of the physical universe. Rta helps Indra "light up and energize the whole world" and Ushas to "illumine the universe". As eternal order, it is transcendental, signifying uniformity of nature or an ordered course in a cosmic sense.<ref name=":1" />

[[Rta (ऋतम्)|Rta]] is the cosmic law of harmony. ‘Rta’ means ‘the course of things’, order or law, and the primal principle, which is non-temporal and cohesive. It is a natural law which even the Vedic deities have to follow; they are often described as the "guardians of rta" and "practitioners of rta" in the Rigveda (1.23.5). The natural phenomena, such as the flow of rivers, change of seasons, and day and night, are stated to be in accordance with this natural law (Rig. Veda. 4.3.8-12; 5.80.1). Aditya, or Surya, is the all-pervading light extolled as the dweller in eternal law and, eventually, the eternal law itself (Rig Veda 4.40.5). The Rigvedic seers were convinced that nature is not as heterogeneous as it seems to us and that all types of natural motions are traceable to rta, which, according to them, is self-existent and ever extending. Symbolically, rta was also conceived by the Rigvedic seers as Varuna, who was supposed to have determined the laws of the physical universe. Rta helps Indra "light up and energize the whole world" and Ushas to "illumine the universe". As eternal order, it is transcendental, signifying uniformity of nature or an ordered course in a cosmic sense.<ref name=":1" />

The Vedic seers had the instinctive conviction in the natural order. They conceived the external world as an ordered whole and that its dynamic or changing phenomena were regulated by rta. Vedas state that the emergence of ''ṛta'' is the initiation of the process of creation. In the context of physical sciences, it is not far-fetched to infer that Prakriti from the state of existence (first attribute) undergoes a change by way of rajas guna (second attribute), or motion. In modern scientific language this would mean that energy at rest changed to kinetic form and thus the Vedic term for modern kinetic energy is ''ṛta.''<ref name=":2">Verma, K. D. (2012). ''Vedic Physics: Towards Unification of Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity''. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,. <nowiki>https://archive.org/details/vedic-physics-keshav-dev-verma</nowiki></ref>  

The Vedic seers had the instinctive conviction in the natural order. They conceived the external world as an ordered whole and that its dynamic or changing phenomena were regulated by rta. Vedas state that the emergence of ''ṛta'' is the initiation of the process of creation. In the context of physical sciences, it is not far-fetched to infer that Prakriti from the state of existence (first attribute) undergoes a change by way of rajas guna (second attribute), or motion. In modern scientific language this would mean that energy at rest (Potential Energy) changed to kinetic form (Kinetic Energy) and thus the Vedic term for modern kinetic energy is ''ṛta.'' The term Kinetic Energy relates purely to motion and does not carry other  meanings related to rta as in the Vedic context, i.e., rta represents motion charged with the knowledge of accomplishing some purpose.<ref name=":2">Verma, K. D. (2012). ''Vedic Physics: Towards Unification of Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity''. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,. <nowiki>https://archive.org/details/vedic-physics-keshav-dev-verma</nowiki></ref>  

The term 'kinetic energy' does not carry the meanings as given in Vedic context. Hence ''ṛta'' does not merely mean motion but reveals that its motion is charged with the knowledge of accomplishing some purpose. Rta is all science, divine and is never wrong, rta is always right as Vedic language calls the divergence from rta as ''anṛta'' i.e., not ''ṛta''. Rta through its constant motion lays down the pattern of the cosmic law which governs, controls and maintains all creation and the entire activity, actions and re-actions, related with the same. This cosmic law is called ''dharma'' by Veda. Dharma is neither any worship or a ritual; science is the knowledge of order and '''dharma is the order''' itself.<ref name=":2" />  

Rta is all science, divine and is never wrong, rta is always right as Vedic language calls the divergence from rta as ''anṛta'' i.e., not ''ṛta''.  

Rta through its constant motion lays down the pattern of the cosmic law which governs, controls and maintains all creation and the entire activity, actions and re-actions, related with the same. This cosmic law is called ''dharma'' by Veda.  

Dharma is neither any worship or a ritual; science is the knowledge of order and '''dharma is the order''' itself.<ref name=":2" />  

rtam ca satyam ca (Rig. Veda. 10.190.1)

rtam ca satyam ca (Rig. Veda. 10.190.1)

Rta and satya were the successive manifestations of Prakriti after the commencement of the process of creation. While rta is the cosmic order, Satya, the Sanskrit term, is synonymous with 'Truth' in English, but in physics ''''satya' denotes 'reality'''<nowiki/>'. Verma mentions that in Yaskacharya's Nirukta, rta has been stated to denote '''electricity'''.

Rta and satya were the successive manifestations of Prakriti after the commencement of the process of creation. While rta is the cosmic order, Satya, the Sanskrit term, is synonymous with 'Truth' in English, but in physics ''''satya' denotes 'reality'''<nowiki/>'. Verma<ref name=":2" /> mentions that in Yaskacharya's Nirukta, rta has been stated to denote '''electricity'''.

=== Yajna ===

=== Yajna ===

=== Panchamahabhutas ===

=== Panchamahabhutas ===

The Indian doctrine of five elements, or [[Panchamahabhutas (पञ्चमहाभूतानि)|Panchamahabhutas]], it must be emphasized, is a part of the philosophical ideas. In other words, it does not have an independent standing apart from its being an integrated component of the leading systems of Indian thought.<ref name=":1" /> It accounts for the apparently unordered, diverse world of matter and qualities. Also known as Pancabhutas (mahabhutani), the five elements are prthvi, ap, tejas, vayu, and akasa, which are loosely translated respectively as earth, water, fire, air and a non-material ubiquitous substance. Since they are interrelated, they have to be viewed in totality.  

The Indian doctrine of five elements, or [[Panchamahabhutas (पञ्चमहाभूतानि)|Panchamahabhutas]], it must be emphasized, is a part of the philosophical ideas. In other words, it does not have an independent standing apart from its being an integrated component of the leading systems of Indian thought.<ref name=":1" /> It accounts for the apparently unordered, diverse world of matter and qualities. Also known as Panchabhutas (Mahabhutani), the five elements are Prithvi, Apas, Tejas, Vayu, and Akasha, which are loosely translated respectively as earth, water, fire, air and a non-material ubiquitous substance. Since they are interrelated, they have to be viewed in totality.  

 

 

 

 

 

=== Geocentrism and Rotation of Earth ===

=== Geocentrism and Rotation of Earth ===

== Light ==

== Light ==

The concept of light has been an important part of Indian shastras and is associated with various philosophical, spiritual, and scientific ideas.  These include Jyotish (Vedic Astrology), Prakasha (Illumination), Jnana (Knowledge), Surya (Sun), and Tejas (Radiance). The symbol of light has been used in Indian texts to describe knowledge and spiritual practice and as a symbol of enlightenment, inner strength, transformation and energy. Jyotish itself means “light” or “illumination” and refers to the idea that the study of astrology sheds light on the mysteries of the universe and our place within it.

The concept of light has been an important part of Indian shastras and is associated with various philosophical, spiritual, and scientific ideas.  These include Jyotish (Vedic Astrology), Prakasha (Illumination), Jnana (Knowledge), Surya (Sun), and Tejas (Radiance). The symbol of light has been used in Indian texts to describe knowledge and spiritual practice and as a symbol of enlightenment, inner strength, transformation and energy. Jyotish itself means “light” or “illumination” and refers to the idea that the study of astrology sheds light on the mysteries of the universe and our place within it.<ref name=":5">Sharma, R., Kamlesh Thakkar, & Dubey, K. K. (2024). Physics in ancient Indian knowledge system. ''Journal of Technology'', 267–268.</ref>

* '''Jyotish''' uses the positions of celestial bodies and other astronomical phenomena to understand and interpret human affairs and natural phenomena.   

* '''Jyotish''' uses the positions of celestial bodies and other astronomical phenomena to understand and interpret human affairs and natural phenomena.   

* '''Jnana''' is often associated with the concept of light in Indian philosophy. Light illuminates and removes the darkness; similarly, jnana illuminates our minds and removes ignorance to reveal the truth of our nature and the nature of the universe.

* '''Jnana''' is often associated with the concept of light in Indian philosophy. Light illuminates and removes the darkness; similarly, jnana illuminates our minds and removes ignorance to reveal the truth of our nature and the nature of the universe.

* '''Surya''' is an important symbol of light and illumination in Hinduism. The sun is often associated with knowledge, enlightenment, and the power of consciousness to dispel darkness and ignorance. Rituals and practices are performed at sunrise and sunset, when the light of the sun is believed to be most potent.

* '''Surya''' is an important symbol of light and illumination in Hinduism. The sun is often associated with knowledge, enlightenment, and the power of consciousness to dispel darkness and ignorance. Rituals and practices are performed at sunrise and sunset, when the light of the sun is believed to be most potent.

* '''Tejas''' refers to radiance or brilliance. Tejas is associated with the concept of [[Agni (अग्निः)|agni]], or fire, and is considered to be a form of energy that fills the universe. It is often associated with the concept of tapas, or spiritual discipline, and is believed to be the source of inner strength, energy, and illumination.

* '''Tejas''' refers to radiance or brilliance. Tejas is associated with the concept of [[Agni (अग्निः)|agni]], or fire, and is considered to be a form of energy that fills the universe. It is often associated with the concept of tapas, or spiritual discipline, and is believed to be the source of inner strength, energy, and illumination.<ref name=":5" />

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Physics]]

[[Category:Physics]]