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Concept of Vedic Mathematics

Posted on by vidyanidhi

What does mathematics have to do with Hinduism? Well, just as the basic principles of Hinduism lie in the Vedas, so do the roots of mathematics. The Vedas, written around 1500.900 BCE, are ancient Indian texts containing a record of human experience and knowledge. Researchers of Teacher Training Institute feels that thousands of years ago, Vedic mathematicians authored various theses and dissertations on mathematics. It is now commonly believed and widely accepted that these treatises laid down the foundations of algebra, square roots, cube roots, various methods of calculation, and the concept of zero.

Vedic Mathematics

“Vedic Mathematics ” is the name given to the ancient system of mathematics , or to be precise, a unique technique of calculating based on simple rules and principles, with which any mathematical problem be it aromatic, algebra, geometry or anemometry can be solved, hold your breath, orally’.

Development of Vedic Maths

Vedic math was immediately hailed as a new alternative system of mathematics, when a copy of the book reached London in the late 1960. Some British mathematicians, including Kenneth Williams, Andrew Nicholas and Jeremy Pickles took interest in this new system. They extended the introductory material of Bharati Krishna’s book, and delivered lectures on it in London. In 1981, this was collated into a book entitled Introductory Lectures on Vedic Mathematics. A few successive trips to India by Andrew Nicholas between 1981 and 1987, renewed the interest on Vedic math, and scholars and teachers in India stated taking it seriously.

“India was the motherland of our race and Sanskrit the mother of Europe’s languages. India was the mother ofour philosophy, of much of our mathematics, of the ideals embodied in Christianity of self-government and democracy. In many ways, Mother India is the mother of us all.”

Interest in Vedic maths is growing in the field or education where maths teachers are looking for anew and better approach to the subject. Even students at IIT (Indian institute of Technology) are said to be using this ancient technique for quick calculations. No wonder, a recent Convocation speech addressed to the students of IIT, Delhi, by Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Indian Minister for Science & Technology, stressed the significance of Vedic maths, while pointing out the important contributions of ancient Indian mathematicians, such as Aryabhatta, who laid the foundations of algebra, Baughayan, the great geometer, and Medhatithi and Madhyatithi, the saint duo, who formulated the basic framework for numerals.

Vedic Maths in Schools

Quite a few years ago, St Jams School, London, and other schools began to teach the Vedic system, with notable success. Today this remarkable system is taught in many schools and institutes in India and abroad, and even to MBA and economics students.

When in 1988, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi brought to light the marvels of Vedic maths; Maharishi Schools around the world incorporated it in their syllabi. At the school in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, UK, a full course called “The Cosmic Computer was written and tested on 11 to 14 year old pupils, and later published in I988.

Since 1999 a Delhi-based forum called international Research Foundation for Vedic Mathematics and Indian Heritage, which promotes value-based education, has been organising lectures on Vedic maths in various schools in Delhi, including Cambridge School, Amity International, DAV Public School, and Tagrore International School.