Tuesday, March 01, 2005

The begining of 'Zero'.

This question is quite controversial. I'd like to share my views:

In my view, Zero (0) is more than just a mathematical digit for India. It is deeply rooted into the philosophy and spirituality of India. I'd like to give some examples:


Example One


The slok (verse) from Isavasya Upanishad

OM,
Purnamadah purnamidam, purnat purnamudachyate,
Purnasyapurnamadayah, purnameva-avasisyate.
is considered as the beginning of 'zero' by many mathematician/historian.
Grammatically the world "Purna" has many meanings.
Let's check two meanings of the word "Purna".


  • Purna - complete (shape of circle or point):
Zero, which can be written as a circle '0' or as a point '.' is "Purna" (complete).
If this slok will be calculated mathematically then it fits into the definition of 'zero'.

Purnamadah purnamidam,
That is 'zero', this is 'zero',
purnat purnamudachyate,
'zero' comes from 'zero',
Purnasyapurnamadayah,
by taking 'zero' from 'zero',
purnameva-avasisyate.
'zero' remains.

  • Purna - whole (existence):
Considering this slok merely a mathematical verse will be unwise. This slok also summarise the whole Indian spiritual-philosophy. If "Purna" is translated as 'whole' (it can be meant 'whole existence'), then:

Purnamadah purnamidam,
That is 'whole', this is 'whole',
purnat purnamudachyate,
'whole' comes from 'whole',
Purnasyapurnamadayah,
by taking 'whole' from 'whole',
purnameva-avasisyate.
'whole' remains.

The second meaning goes with the Indian spiritual conclusion "Atma so Paramatma" (soul is god), which also can be interpreted as "everyone is god".


Example Two


All sages of India are calling "Dhyan" (meditation) as dipping into the "Sunya" (zero). Where the meaning of "Sunya" is "Nothingness". Acording to Indian spiritual philosophy,
"Meditation is the state of entering into Sunya (zero, nothingness)".


Base on these two examples, I thing, even if "zero" is not invented in India, it is deeply rooted into Indian philosophy and spirituality.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

!nice Info!

Anonymous said...

This is a very interesting interpretation !

Santosh Gairola said...

Hi friends,
I'll appreciate if you'll write down you names with your comments.

Thanks
Santosh Gairola

Anonymous said...

Its a nice interpretation by you.

The indian thought on infinity or anantha is also amazing.
Lord Narayana is also called ANANTHA SAYANA ,meaning ONE WHOS IS SLEEPING ON INFINITY !
The whole can also be interpreted as INFINITY for INFINITY minus INFINITY is INFINITY !

based on interpretations
whole = purna/shunya !!
i.e
INFINITY = SHUNYA
( not mathematically though but by philosophical/spiritual intrepretation ).

regards
Sunil
( sunil_mudambi@yahoo.com )

Anonymous said...

poorna = complete;
poorna is NOT shunya!
infinity = ananta;
indeterminate = ( nikhil + akhil )

= our collective consciousness of the entire mankind, alive & dead.

this verse is alos the 'sa-ar' of our understanding of 'darshana' = pholisophy.

sudip121@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Purna could also be taken as infinity....
this(man) is infinity, that(god) is infinity
from infinity(god) comes infinity(man)
infinity taken away from infinity or added to infinity
infinity alone remains....
i think is is more apt