This document summarizes several ancient Indian sciences or kalas that were part of the Vedic tradition, including their topics of study and attributed authors. Some of the sciences discussed include mathematics, sound, determination of sex, omens, construction, cooking, flowers, time, palmistry, alchemy, poisons, art, gymnastics, psychic abilities, horses, elephants, gems, magic, wealth, tantra, photography, weather, and various modes of transportation. Many of these sciences appear to have been comprehensive treatises covering advanced fields like physics, chemistry, and engineering.
This document summarizes several ancient Indian sciences or kalas that were part of the Vedic tradition, including their topics of study and attributed authors. Some of the sciences discussed include mathematics, sound, determination of sex, omens, construction, cooking, flowers, time, palmistry, alchemy, poisons, art, gymnastics, psychic abilities, horses, elephants, gems, magic, wealth, tantra, photography, weather, and various modes of transportation. Many of these sciences appear to have been comprehensive treatises covering advanced fields like physics, chemistry, and engineering.
This document summarizes several ancient Indian sciences or kalas that were part of the Vedic tradition, including their topics of study and attributed authors. Some of the sciences discussed include mathematics, sound, determination of sex, omens, construction, cooking, flowers, time, palmistry, alchemy, poisons, art, gymnastics, psychic abilities, horses, elephants, gems, magic, wealth, tantra, photography, weather, and various modes of transportation. Many of these sciences appear to have been comprehensive treatises covering advanced fields like physics, chemistry, and engineering.
This document summarizes several ancient Indian sciences or kalas that were part of the Vedic tradition, including their topics of study and attributed authors. Some of the sciences discussed include mathematics, sound, determination of sex, omens, construction, cooking, flowers, time, palmistry, alchemy, poisons, art, gymnastics, psychic abilities, horses, elephants, gems, magic, wealth, tantra, photography, weather, and various modes of transportation. Many of these sciences appear to have been comprehensive treatises covering advanced fields like physics, chemistry, and engineering.
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The Kalas
We shall now have a quick look at the different sciences or Kalas known to have existed, those that come under the category of Vedas.
The first that calls for mention is the encyclopaedic Sastra which goes by the name of Akshara-laksha. The authorship of this science is attributed to Sage Valmiki. All kinds (325 to be exact) of mathematics including modern geometry, algebra, trigonometry, physics or applied mathematics; minerology, hydels; the method of measuring air, heat and even electricity; geography etc., are said to have been treated. This work comprehends earlier discoveries by Sage Kashyapa, Ganapati, Soorya, Brihaspati, Jaimini, Hanuman and others
This work consists of 50 chapters. The first half deals with mathematics and the second half is about the Shaktis that make up the world.
The next science of importance is Sabda Sastra. One Kandika Rishi wrote this. It deals with sounds, echoes of moving and non-moving objects in creation. It also deals in five chapters with capturing or mechanically reproducing sounds, measuring their pitch, velocity, etc.
Sage Sakatayana is the author of Lakshana Sastra, or the science of
determining the sex in animate and inanimate creation.
Babhru Muni has written about Kanya-Lakshana in which 32 marks are
indicated for chastity etc.
Sage Garga has written on Sakuna Sastra, the determination of good and bad effects from the sounds of birds, words of human beings etc. (in other words, omens).
Shilpa Sastra is said to have been written by Sage Kashyapa and it consists of 22 chapters. 307 varieties of Shilpas including 11 types of constructions like temples, palaces, halls etc., are detailed. Earlier writers on this subject are Viswakarma, Maya, Maruti, Chayapurasha, etc., whose thoughts have been incorporated in the above.
Supa-Sastra deals with the science of cooking. One Sukesa is the first author of this science. 108 varieties of preparations, from condiments and pickles to sweetmeats, cakes, puddings, and 3032 kinds of dishes meant for people living in different parts of the world are mentioned.
Sage Rishyasringa is credited with writing a comprehensive treatise on the
science called Malinee Sastra which consists of flower arrangements, making garlands, bouquets, hair-do’s in various styles for women, writing love messages on flower petals to convey to beloveds in codes. This work consists of 16 chapters.
The science of Kala or Time was written by Lord Karttikeya. Its division into definite periods, their classification into auspicious and inauspicious moments, the deities that preside over each are dealt with in this work.
Samudra Raja, or the Lord of the Ocean is the original author of Samudrika Sastra. He noted down the auspicious marks on the body of Lord Vishnu while the latter was resting on Aadisesha in the ocean. This science was later developed by Sages like Narada, Varaha and Mandavya and Lord Kartikeya. Palmistry belongs to this sastra.
Aswini Kumaras are credited with writing the science of Dhatuvada which, in 7 chapters treats of natural as well as artificial Dhatus or primary substances, their combinations and transmutations. Alchemy or converting copper into gold etc. is dealt with in this work.
The science of poisons or Visha Sastra is said to have been exhaustively
written about by Aswini Kumaras. This treats of 32 kinds of poisons, their properties, their preparations, effects and antidotes.
Bhima is credited with having composed the science of fine arts called Chitrakarma Sastra. It consists of 12 chapters and expounds nearly 200 kinds of drawings. There is a section in which students are taught to recreate the figure of a person after seeing a single hair or nail or a bone of that person.
One Malla is said to have composed a comprehensive work on Malla Sastra
which deals with 82 kinds of gymnastics and sports necessary for preservation of health and athletic activities and 24 kinds of infantry warfare where hand to hand combat is involved. This work consists of 3 parts.
The revered Valakhilyas are credited with writing the science on Parakaya Pravesha i.e., entering into one body from another body, and it teaches 32 kinds of Yogas and the eight-fold Siddhis (super-human capabilities), Anima, Mahima etc.
One Agnivarma has written exhaustively on the science of horses, their
auspicious marks, their physiology, breeding, training etc.
Similarly, one Kumaraswamy has written exhaustively on Gaja Sastra (about
elephants). He has given 16 methods to test various marks on the bodies of elephants. Sage Vatsyayana has composed a work on Ratna Pariksha or testing of gems (precious stones). His analysis shows 24 characteristics of gems or precious stones, natural and artificial ones; their forms, weights etc are discussed and classified into categories. 32 methods of testing them for genuineness are also described.
Veerabahu, the lieutenant of Lord Subramanya, is the author of a work on
Mahendrajala or the science of magic. It teaches how illusions, like walking on the water, riding in the air etc., are made.
Sage Vyasa is said to have composed a work on Artha Sastra consisting of
three chapters, in which he teaches 82 ways of earning money, even while leading a righteous life.
Sage Agastya is credited with the composing of Shakti Tantra consisting of
eight chapters in which Mulaprakriti, Maya etc., and 64 kinds of external Shaktis of bodies like those of the Sun, Moon and Air, Fire etc., are explained and their particular applications are also given. Atomic fission or nuclear science appears to form part of this science.
Sage Matanga is credited with composing a science called Soudamini Kala
by which all phenomena could be attracted through shadows and even ideas. Also taught is the science of photographing interiors of mountains, earth etc. Authorship of the science which treats of the clouds, is attributed to Sage Atri. This work deals with 12 kinds of clouds, their characteristics, 12 kinds of rains, 64 kinds of lightnings, 32 varieties of thunderbolts etc.
In a work on Yantras by Bharadwaja, he explains about 339 types of
vehicles useful in travelling on land, 783 kinds of boats and ships to be used on water and 101 varieties of airships, by use of the Mantra, Tantra, and artificial means and those used by semi-divine beings like Gandharvas etc., are also explained.
