Mathematics in Yajur Veda

A sloka in Yajur Veda describes how mathematics was used since the time immemorial, even by a layman. 2nd sloka in Chapter seventeen of Yajur Veda is a sloka on prayers to increase the number of cattles. Cattles represent the wealth of a person in those days. Thus, the sloka was used to pray for  a person's success in worldly  life which will lead him to the higher level. Success in worldly life is important for a person to lead a proper karmik  and dharmik life for attaining moksha.

The sloka/prayers sound in such:-
"Our number of cattles ought increase from one to ten, ten to hundred, hundred to thousand, thousand to ten thousand, ten thousand to hundred thousand, hundred thousand to one million, one million to hundred millions, hundred millions to thousand millions, thousand millions to mahapadmam, mahapadmam to shank, shank to samudram, samudram to madyam, madyam to prarthk, prarthak to the higher number that lead me to a wealthy life here and hereafter. To guard the wealth, let it give me the strength and punya that equal to the bricks that guards the homa fire"

This shows that how the Hindu mathematics calculation (probably Yajur Veda was compiled 1400-1000 BCE) at ancient time is outnumber recent mathematics figures of millions, billions, trillions and zillions. 

Temple

This body of ours is the temple of God - Kathoupanishad

The structure of the temple represents the macrocosm (the universe) and the human body as microcosm (the inner space).Temples' ground plan is described as a symbolic miniature of a cosmos.

Temples are built based on Vedic Shastras with a firm concept and aesthetic sense. The procedure for building a temple is called as Karshanadi Pratisthantam. According to our Veda agamas a temple should be built in a square shape. It would be divided into 64 or 81 smaller squares, each squares represent a specific divinity. The square in the centre house the main deity of the temple. Image of the deity that used is called archa (by Panini- great grammarian).

                                                    Prambanan Shiva temple in Indonesia

                                                         Cross section of a main temple

                                                               Ground plan o f a temple

The archa or the deity is housed in garbhagraha (womb of the temple). The garbhagraha is crowned by a Vimana. Pillared halls called mandapas is place in front of the garbhagraha.  It is joint together with the main temple to form a hall for public rituals . There are few type of mandapams -  artha mandapam, asthana mandapam, kalyana mandapam, maha mandapam. The mandapam are bulit to use as balconies, assembly halls and auditoriums.There are also outer pillars and pilasters known as gopuras which are the getaways for the temples.

A Stapathi (traditional temple architect)  is the one who has full authority in delivering and interpreting the Hindu temple art and architectural elements. Currently, the iconic Dr. V. Ganapathi Stapathi and his grand nephew Santhanam Krishna Stapathi are patronizing the knowledge of Sthaptya Veda architecture.

Vastu-shastra

Vastu - to dwell/to exit
Shastra - science
Vastushastra - science to create building spaces to live in harmony with subtle nature

It unfolds the scientific principles and models of spiritual art and architecture to yield a harmonious flows of energy in the physical environment, attaining good health, wealth, intelligence, happiness and attunment with the wider universe - Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami (Hawaii)

Yet modifications of a building lead to a disturbance of energy inside the enclosed space. Hence, the shastras do not recommend any post-construction alteration - Dr. V. Ganapathi Sthapati (Renowed Indian architect and Vastushastra expert)

Vastushastra is an ancient knowledge that started with the main focus on the sacred architecture of Hindu temples around 6000 BCE to 3000 BCE. It is based on the harmony of  5 elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space- pritvi,appu, agni, vahyu and akasha). Indian science advocates that our universe is made up of these 5 elements and it coordinates with the human body as well.

 

 

Besides the 5 elements, the directions are important in Vastu practice. The directions correlate with the 5 elements. 8 directions ( north, east, west south, north east, north west, south east and south west) are given utmost importance with each as specific characteristic in deciding a harmonious life.
It can be simplified to:-

a. East - sun rise/ new beginning
b.West - sun set/ the success is not big
c. North - best for business people
d. South - successful in the beginning
e. Northeast - most auspicious
f. Northwest- good for interpersonal relationship
g. Southeast - good for logical and reasoning people
h. Southwest - direction for demons/ can command in business field

But this is only a basic. There are other sciences such as astrology, numerology and other Vastu factors also taken into consideration when planning a new structure or building.

Though the Northeast is auspicious in Vastushastra but the centre (Brahmasthan) is the one emanating the energy flow for the whole structure or site. The subtle energy flowing originate from Vastu Purusha and then spread into the four corners of a building.

(Vastu purusha the presiding deity of any site and his position is keep changing throughout the year)

 

Science in Hinduism

1. Astronomical evidence in Vedas shows that Rig Veda is 
    composed around 23720 years B.C.
 

2. All the Nakshatras are named in our Vedas.
 

3. Amavasya (new moon day in English) is the day when the Sun 
    and Moon reside together. The word Amavasya is more scientific 
    name  where 'ama' means together and  'vasya' is to reside.
 

4. Vedas have arranged Lunar as well as Solar, seasonal  months.
 

5. The Solstices and Equinoxes were known and the Sun's position 
    on these is recorded.
 

6. The record of season described in Rig Veda about rainy seasons 
    and the beginning of the new Year in Yajur  Veda shows the 
    development of astronomical knowledge in Hinduism  dated 25 
    000 years ago.
 

7. Nasadeeya Sukta tells how the Universe came into being, a 
    concept same as the recent  Big Bang Theory.