Nirvana!

Translated from the original article in Kannada by Dr.Y.S.Gayatri in 'Shankara Krupa' Ed 13 July-2011 issue ‘ ज्ञानं विज्ञान सहितं ’ is an ancient Indian adage. Knowledge and Science being in tandem with their way of life is not new for Indians. Bhagawan Veda Vyas said, ‘ यदिहास्ति तदन्यत्र यन्नेहास्ति न तत् क्वचित् ’ about the Mahabharata. This saying can be extended to the Vedas too as the root of all the ‘ Shastras’ are to be found in the Vedas. In the same vein the roots of Astronomy also lies in the very same Vedas. It is a known fact that the Rig Veda is the oldest scripture of mankind. Several sections in the Rig Veda point to the knowledge of Astronomy of those days. Based on the proofs gathered from within the Rig Veda and the opinions of many researchers like Weber, Max Muller, Jacobi, Winternitz, Balagangadhara Tilak and others, the Rig Veda was written around B.C 4000. The Rig Veda has several references to the Solar System with 1

Translated from the original article in Kannada by Prof T.S.Krishnamurthy in 'Shankara Krupa' Ed 13 July-2011 issue Whenever we remember the cultural and literary history of Bharat, the name of Maharishi Veda Vyasa will be among the foremost mentions. He was not only a treasure house of knowledge but was also creator and a protector of our ancient culture and traditions. He was one of the greatest seers with utmost wisdom and insight of the 'Dwapara Yuga'. Even today when we take his name we feel the adrenaline rush in us, shows his importance and greatness. Such was his personality. 'Veda Vyasa' was not his own or original name. It was a title given to him out of respect. His original name was 'Krishnadvaipayana'. He was born on an island in the Yamuna river and was dark skinned (Krishna) and hence the name. A few years after his birth he started to live the life of an ascetic in the forests. Though he was living the life of an ascetic, he had