The Aryavarth Express
Bengaluru (Aryavarth): Nearly a millennium ago, the ancient city of Ujjain gave birth to a mathematical genius whose scholarly prowess would illuminate the world for ages to come. Bhaskaracharya, the 12th century astronomer and mathematician, authored seminal treatises like Lilavati, Bijaganita and Siddhanta Shiromani that became enduring pillars of India’s scientific legacy.
The text Lilavati, a tribute to Bhaskara’s daughter, stands apart for its lyrical elegance in elucidating intricate mathematical ideas through vivid allegories from daily life. Whether narrating algebraic riddles as bees flitting between flowering branches, or geometric principles through vignettes of pillars casting shadows – Bhaskara imbued mathematics with literary charm.
“He infused ‘lalithya’ (grace) in Lilavati, conveying complex math through an enchanting style,” remarks scholar Ravi Kulkarni, highlighting the work’s poetic allure bridging science and art.
In Bijaganita (‘seed of mathematics’), Bhaskara expounded on solving the renowned Pell’s equation through an ingenious cyclic method predating the English scholar it’s named after by centuries. His metaphysical metaphor expounding infinity mirrors the author’s creative genius.
However, Bhaskara’s crowning accomplishment was Siddhanta Shiromani applying mathematics to astronomical studies. This magnum opus contained pioneering insights like recognizing the concept of gravitational force over six centuries before Isaac Newton. “It encompassed planetary calculations, geometric models, cosmological theories – a definitive astronomical reference,” notes historian Christopher Minkowski.
Remarkably, even as 12th century Europe was merely beginning Arabic-to-Latin renderings of seminal Greek works like Euclid’s Elements that formed the basis of modern mathematics, Indian savants like Bhaskara were forging ahead, building upon their predecessors’ scholarly inheritance.
“As the Western world grappled with translations, Bhaskara innovated theories that foreshadowed the European Renaissance by 300 years,” highlights academic Amanda Rogers, underscoring India’s pivotal scientific role through the ages.
From celestial observations to algebraic formulations, Bhaskara’s genius traversed manifold realms. His treatises found their way into Persian and Arabic renderings under Mughal patronage, eventually influencing enlightened minds across continents.
As India woves towards Amrit Kaal, revisiting trailblazing intellects like Bhaskara rekindles pride in the nation’s glorious scholarly tradition – one whose depths remain vastly unexplored, yet whose light continues illuminating humanity’s shared journey of knowledge and progress.
