Introduction

Hi Friends,

I have create this blog to writedown my views on every topic under the sky (and outside the sky as well).

Please share your comments and views.

Thanks
Santosh Gairola

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.