The Ancient Vedic civilization now known as India is known to be the land of Saints and Gods – filled with various discoveries, inventions, and magical things. India has been a prominent center of learning since ancient times. The land was one of the most advanced regions in various fields of science, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, numerology, etc. We feel extremely proud when we come to know that we do belong to this mysterious land of discoveries, lords, saints, gurus, and Talismanic adventures. However, many ancient inventions were forgotten, lost to the pages of history, only to be re-invented millennia later, and came to be known as modern science. Every law which was scientifically proven now were already written there about 2000 BC years before.

Here we will introduce you with a few names of saints and their work, inventions and discoveries which you till now believed to be the works of foreign scientists. Read on to know about these saints and their inventions.

1. Bhaskaracharya Stated Law of Gravity:

We all are well familiar with the fact of objects falling on earth, which is known as Law of Gravity. Today, in modern times, the credit of discovering this law of gravity is given to Newton. However, hardly a few people know that discovery of gravity was first made by Indian saint Bhaskaracharya around 1200 years ago (Surya Siddhanta, dated 400-500 AD). Sir Isaac Newton rediscovered this phenomenon later in1687 AD and called it the Newton’s Law of Gravity.

Born in the obscure village of Vijjadit (Jalgaon) in Maharastra, Hindu astronomer Bhaskaracharya’s mathematical works called “Lilavati” and “Bijaganita” are considered to be unparalleled. In his treatise “Siddhant Shiromani” he writes on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, mathematical techniques and astronomical equipment. In the “Surya Siddhant,” he makes a note on the force of gravity.

2. Aacharya Kanada developed Atomic Theory:

John Dalton (1766 – 1844), an English chemist and physicist, is the man credited today with the development of Atomic theory that we are studying now. It is quite interesting to know that this Atomic theory was originated 2, 600 years back by our Indian sage and philosopher, known as Acharya Kanad. He had stated that the “anu (atom) was an indestructible particle of matter.

An interesting story states that this theory occurred to him while he was walking with food in his hand. As he nibbled at the food in his hand, throwing away the small particles, it occurred to him that he could not divide the food into further parts and thus the idea of a matter which cannot be divided further came into existence. He called that indivisible matter ‘Anu,’ i.e. molecule, which was misinterpreted as an atom. He also stated that Anu can have two states – Absolute rest and a State of motion.

3. Acharya Sushruta – Cataract surgery and Plastic surgery:

Cataract surgery and plastic surgery were also first performed by the ancient physician Sushruta. He used a curved needle and removed the cataract by pushing the lens. The eyes were then immersed in warm butter and were properly covered until they were completely healed. Usage of anesthesia was also well known in ancient India. People from far off countries came to India to seek treatment.

Born to sage Vishwamitra, Sushruta is the father of surgery. 2600 years ago, he along with the health scientists of his time conducted complicated surgeries like artificial limbs, cesareans, cataract, Rhinoplasty (restoration of a damaged nose), urinary stones, and 6 types of dislocations, 12 types of fractures, plastic surgery and even brain surgery. He is the author of the book “Sushruta Samhita”, in which he describes over 300 surgical procedures and 125 surgical instruments. Sushruta’s work was later translated into Arabic language and gradually passed on to European countries.

4. Aryabhatta who invented ZERO:

We can’t do mathematics without ‘0’ as it plays a crucial role in arithmetics. The master Astronomer and Mathematician ‘Aryabhatta’ contributed towards the invention of ‘0’ in ‘Aryabhatta’s Bhakshali’ manuscript and thus, zero came into existence.

About many decades before when someone don’t even know that what is earth, he stated that the earth round in nature and explains the motion of planets as well. In 499 CE, he wrote a text on astronomy and an unparallel treatise on mathematics called “Aryabhatiyam.” He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim that the earth is round, it rotates on its axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space – 1,000 years before Copernicus published his heliocentric theory.

5. Acharya Charak: Father of Medicine:

Acharya Charak has been crowned as the Father of Medicine for his renowned work, the “Charak Samhita,” is considered as an encyclopedia of Ayurveda. In ancient India, when people succumbed to illness and diseases like obesity, diabetes, etc, Acharya Charak contributed in diagnosing these and provided Ayurvedic solutions.

His principles, diagnoses, and cures retain their potency and truth even after a couple of millennium. When the science of anatomy was confused with different theories in Europe, Acharya Charak revealed the facts on human anatomy, blood circulation, embryology, pharmacology, and diseases like diabetes, heart disease, tuberculosis, etc.

In his book “Charak Samhita,” he has described the medicinal qualities and functions of 100,000 herbal plants. He has emphasized the influence of our diet and physical activities over our mind, which is even practiced by our today’s generation. He has proved the correlation between spirituality and physical health contributed greatly to diagnostic and curative sciences. He has also prescribed the ethical charter for medical practitioners two centuries prior to the Oath. Through his genius and intuition, Acharya Charak forever remains etched in the annals of history as one of the greatest and noblest of rishi-scientists.

6. Patanjali: Father of Yoga:

The Science of Yoga is one of the several unique contributions of India to the world. Our present generation is quite fond of fitness, and yoga is one of the famous physical activities among all. It is the method to discover peace and fitness all at the same time through yogic practices.

Acharya Patanjali prescribed the control of prana (life breath) as the means to control the body, mind, and soul. This subsequently rewards one with good health and inner happiness. His 84 yogic postures effectively enhance the efficiency of the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive and endocrine systems and many other organs of the body.

7. Saint Bharadwaj – Vymaanika Shaastra:

In modern times, the Wright Brothers invented the airplane. However, according to Hindu religious beliefs, Saint Bharadwaj had invented an equipment that could vanish the airplane, through his Vayushastras, He had also revealed the secrets of traveling from one planet to the other.

In 1875, the Vymaanika-Shaastra, a fourth century BC text written by Maharshi Bhardwaj, was discovered in a temple in India. The book dealt with the operation of ancient vimanas and included information on steering, precautions for long flights, protection of the airships from storms and lightning, and how to switch the drive to solar energy, or some other “free energy” source. Vimanas were said to take off vertically or dirigible. Bharadwaj refers to no less than 70 authorities and 10 experts of air travel in antiquity.

8. Varahamihira: Panch siddhant:

Varahamihir’s book “panch siddhant,” noted that the moon and planets are lustrous not because of their own light but due to sunlight. In the “Bruhad Samhita” and “Bruhad Jatak”, he has also revealed his discoveries in the domains of science, constellation, geography, botany and animal science. In his treatise on botanical science, Varahamihir presents cures for various diseases afflicting plants and trees.

After all these facts and figures about our saints and their contribution towards science, I am sure you will feel proud to be an Indian and let other people tell that not all inventions are done by foreign scientists.