Vedic Mathematics
Introduction
The subject of Vedic Mathematics has become a household name in recent years. In fact the subject of Vedic Maths is very ancient and is known in India for several thousands of years.The term Vedic mathematics indicates that mathematics which is related to the Vedas.Then, what is Veda? Veda means knowledge, which includes both the spiritual knowledge and worldly knowledge.
The Vedas are treated with highest reverence by all the followers of Sanatana Dharma. The traditionalists believe that the Vedas are eternal, that is, the Vedas exist for ever. The Vedas are also known as Sabda Brahma, as they are considered as the sound form of the Supreme God, Paramatma.
In addition to the intellectual debates of highest level on various aspects of spiritual knowledge, the Vedas extensively deal with the rituals also, that is Yajnas or, sacrifices, of several kinds, for the upliftment of the humanity. These rituals involve several topics which are directly related to mathematics. Hence a thorough knowledge of mathematics is essential for proper performance of the rituals.
Number of Sessions
One session of one hour per week
Every Saturday evening 7:00 PM (IST)
Books of Vedas & Vedangas
The Jyotisha is made of three parts, siddhanta, jataka and samhita. Among them, the siddhanta bhaga involves intensive mathematical calculations related to the relative positions of the planets and other celestial bodies. For this they utilize spherical geometry, and Trikonamiti, or alternatively called as Trigonometry.
Because of the vast coverage of mathematics and its significance, the Jyotisha is adored from times immemorial. Lagadha, the great mathematician of India of about 1500b.c., states in his book of Vedanga Jyotisha that Yathaa sikhaa mayuraanaam naagaanaam manayo yathaa Tadvadvedaanga saastraanaam ganitam (/jyotisham) muurdhani sthitam “Like the crest of a peacock, and like the gems on the hoods of serpants, the mathematics (Jyotisha) lies at the top of all Vedanga Sastras.”
Similarly the Chandas has lot of knowledge related to the mathematics like permutations and combinations.
Thus lot of mathematical principles were discovered by our sages, who include Surya, Pitamaha, Vasishtha, Medhatithi, Garga, Lomasa and several others.
Other Major Contributors in India
Because of the contributions of these stalwarts, India is known as the land of mathematics for several millennia. Its contributions include the digits, decimal system, Pi, zero, infinity and so on.
Spread of Vedic Mathematics to Other Countries
Subsequently the subject of Indian mathematics spread to Spain, Germany, France, England and other countries.
Names of Indian Mathematicians Suppressed
For illustration, the Boudhayana siddhanta, related to the areas of the sides of a right angled triangle, is now known in the name of Pythagoras of about 500 B.C., who was born about three centuries after Boudhayana.
The theorem of interpolation, introduced by Govinda Swami of 300 B.C., is now known in the names of Newton and Gauss, born after a gap of about 1800 years.
Vedic Mathematics of Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha Maharaj
The present series of lessons prepared under the banner of SVB, include most of the mathematical principles identified by Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha Maharaj. In addition, the techniques given in Lilavati Ganitam and other related books are also covered.
Course Materials
Learning Vedic Mathematics
Objectives Behind Teaching Vedic Mathematics
The main reason for the propagation of Vedic Mathematics is to see that our teachers, students and youth understand the rich heritage of India, which is still relevant and useful in modern times also.
Another important purpose of teaching this subject is to remove the phobia about mathematics in the minds of children. For achieving this, the mathematics is explained in simple terms, and less number of steps, as found in Vedic literature. Consequently the children feel happy while solving the mathematical problems.
Further, the “speed and accuracy” of students appearing for competitive examinations, are improved by Vedic Mathematics because of its techniques and thus helpful in their real life. Finally, we wish that
The learners of this Vedic mathematics carry out their research,
explore the contents of thousands of palm leaf books lying in various libraries,
highlight the mathematical principles which are still lying unidentified, and
serve the society with the fund of knowledge given by our sages.
We invite you all to participate in this mission to the extent possible.
