Zero to Gravity: The Ancient Indian Roots of Modern Science.
Explore the 108 foundational concepts across mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and engineering..
PART 1: THE ROOTS OF MATHEMATICS
Squaring the Circle (Geometric Transformation) – The Geometry of the Fire Altar
The Concept ‘Squaring the Circle’ refers to using only a ruler and compass to create a square with the same [...]
The Pulveriser (Kuttaka) – Grinding Down the Numbers
The Concept ‘Kuttaka’ implies breaking or smashing something into small pieces. It is a method for solving linear indeterminate equations [...]
Brahmagupta’s Formula for Cyclic Quadrilaterals – The Universal Area Formula
The Concept It's simple to calculate the area of a rectangle: simply multiply the length and breadth. However, calculating the [...]
Magic Squares (Chautisa Yantra) – The Perfect Grid of Numbers
The Concept A Magic Square is a grid of numbers in which the sum of each row, column, and diagonal [...]
The Rule of Three (Trairashika) – The Merchant’s Golden Rule
The Concept The ‘Rule of Three’ is the most common technique to practise maths in everyday life. It addresses proportional [...]
Symbolic Algebra (Bijaganita) – The Colorful Code of Unknowns
The Concept In algebra, you employ letters (x, y, z) to represent numbers you do not know. Maths used to [...]
PART II: THE ROOTS OF ASTRONOMY AND COSMOLOGY
Solar Parallax (Lambana) – The Geometry of Perspective
The Concept Why do solar eclipses occur in one city but not another?. The Surya Siddhanta accepts that calculations for [...]
The Armillary Sphere (Gola Yantra) – The Automated Mechanical Universe
The Concept An armillary sphere is a mechanical representation of the universe. The skeleton is made up of rings that [...]
Moving Orbits (Mandochcha) – The Shifting Apogees of the Cosmos
The Concept Orbits do not remain fixed; they shift and vary. According to the Surya Siddhanta, the Apogee, or the [...]
Solar Years vs Lunar Years – Synchronizing the Clocks of Heaven
The Concept The lunar cycle (354 days) and the solar cycle (365 days) do not match. You need to synchronise [...]
Identifying Planets (Grahas) – The Wanderers of the Night Sky
The Concept Distinguishing planets from stars: Planets move around, whilst stars stay in one location. The Story To the ancient [...]
Distance Between Planets (Kaksha) – The Equal Linear Velocity Rule
The Concept The Surya Siddhanta calculates the absolute distances of planets in Yojanas. It follows the Equal Linear Velocity Rule, [...]
PART III: THE ROOTS OF PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY
Mordants (Fixing Colour) – The Secret of Color Bonding
The Concept Dipping clothing in dye will cause it to wash out. To chemically bond the dye to the fabric, [...]
Flame Tests (Coloured Fire) – Reading the Colors of Fire
The Concept Different metals burn in different hues. For example, sodium burns yellow, while copper burns green/blue. This is a [...]
Acids and Alkalis (Kshara) – The Chemistry of Balance
The Concept In chemistry, acids and bases (alkalis) are analogous to yin and yang. They react to make each other [...]
Mercury Processing (Parad Samskara) – Mastering the Living Metal
The Concept Mercury (Quicksilver) is toxic. However, in the Indian alchemical tradition (Rasa Shastra), it was refined using 18 specific [...]
Laboratory Distillation (Yantra) – Separating the Essences
The Concept Distillation is the separation of liquids through boiling and condensation. It is used to make alcohol, fragrances, and [...]
Crystallised Sugar (Khanda) – The Reed That Produces Honey
The Concept Sugarcane juice is chemically refined to form stable, transportable crystals. This process includes boiling, clarifying, and crystallising. The [...]
PART IV: THE ROOTS OF LIFE SCIENCES AND MEDICINE
Metabolism and Digestion (Agni) – The Digestive Fire
The Concept The body functions as an engine, burning fuel (food). This burning power is known as metabolism. If the [...]
Genetics (Beeja, Kshetra) – The Blueprint of Heredity
The Concept Traits are passed on from parents to offspring. The ‘seed’ (DNA) contains the blueprint. Defects in the seed [...]
Microbes and Parasites (Krimi) – The Invisible Killers
The Concept Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are small, invisible organisms that cause a variety of diseases. The Story Louis Pasteur [...]
Anaesthesia (Sammohini) – The Trance of Painless Surgery
The Concept Surgery is painful, and in order to perform it correctly, the patient must be numb and asleep . [...]
Anatomy via Dissection (Mrita Shodhana) – The Non-Invasive Autopsy
The Concept To repair a body, you must first understand what is within it . Dissection is the procedure of [...]
Embryology (Garbha Upanishad) – The Window into the Womb
The Concept Human life begins in the womb and develops in stages. It begins as a single cell and grows [...]
PART V: THE ROOTS OF ENGINEERING AND CIVILISATION
Sanskrit Language (Devavani) – The Perfect Phonetic Code
The Concept Sanskrit (Samskrita) translates as ‘refined’ or ‘perfected.’ Sanskrit, unlike languages that evolved by happenstance (such as English, where [...]
Scientific Temper (Satyam Eva Jayate) – The Relentless Pursuit of Truth
The Concept Science pursues Truth, regardless of discomfort, and requires an open mind and the courage to explore. The Story [...]
Democracy (Janapadas) – The Power of the People
The Concept A democracy is a system of government where the people are in charge. It is said to have [...]
Yoga (Bio-Feedback) – The Conscious Over-Ride
The Concept Yoga demonstrates that the autonomic nervous system may be actively managed through Pranayama (breath control) and Asana (posture), [...]
Economics (Arthashastra) – The Science of Wealth
The Concept Economics is the management of wealth. It addresses taxation, trade, employment legislation, and risk management. It is the [...]
Panini’s Grammar (First Code) – The Motherboard of Language
The Concept Language normally evolves in a chaotic manner. However, Sanskrit was ‘refined’ (Samskrita) into an ideal algebraic system. It [...]
