Vedic Math is an interesting offshoot of mathematics. It contains a series of 16 sutras, or aphorisms, deciphered by Jagadgru Swami Sri Bharati Krishna Tirthaji Maharaja in the early 20th century. Tirthaji was born in India in 1884. By the age of 20, he’d already completed seven masters degrees, including areas of study like Sanskrit, Mathematics, English, Philosophy, History, and Science. Tirthaji was a dedicated scholar, learning all over the world.
It was in 1911 that Tirthaji vowed to make sense of several dismissed sections of the Atharva-veda, the sacred text of Hinduism. Some of these sections, deemed nonsensical by many antiquarian scholars, seemed to be labeled mathematical formulae. However, they did not specifically refer to mathematics in their texts. Tirthaji, though, believed that the sections contained an expansive source of wisdom for both secular and spiritual situations. He was determined to understand these vague, cryptic sections of the Atharva-veda, traveling to Sringeri, Karnataka and cloistering himself there to study the texts.
Those long years of isolation led Tirthaji to create the 16 fundamental sutras of Vedic mathematics. He claimed these dismissed sections of the Atharva-veda to include mathematical shortcuts and rules that could apply to every branch of mathematics. With his discovery in hand, Tirthaji began to travel across India teaching the sutras. In 1958, he even lectured on the subject throughout the U. S. And Europe.
They were, unfortunately, irretrievably lost, forcing Tirthaji to begin again. He managed to completely re-write the first volume before eventually passing away in 1960. Vedic Mathematics, the first volume, was not published until five years after Tirthaji’s death. The tome has become that basis for the entire field.
Vedic mathematics has not escaped controversy, however, from both mathematicians and Hindu scholars. Some mathematicians believe Vedic math to have grown irrelevant since the invention of the calculator. Others in the Hindu community question Tirthaji’s source for Vedic mathematics. Many of the texts used as the basis for his discovery make no distinct reference to mathematics at all.
Vedic mathematics is also subject to controversy in the Hindu community. Many Hindu scholars believe Tirthaji’s discoveries to be apocryphal, as the texts he translated make no specific mention of mathematics in any form.
The Maharashi School Lancashire, England, has incorporated this form of mathematics into its curriculum with great success. Many of the students claim Vedic mathematics is an easier learning tool than traditional forms of calculation. The school even describes better academic performance and participation since the inclusion of Vedic math.
The sutras provide shortcuts, allowing students to perform calculations far more quickly than normal. Some students have even discovered Vedic math an easier tool to wield than traditional mathematic techniques. The Maharashi School Lancashire, England, has even integrated this form of mathematics into the school’s curriculum with great success. The school claims improved performance, enjoyment, and participation thanks to Vedic mathematics.
Vedic mathematics may be a little behind these calculator-laden times, but it still carries weight. There may even be more mathematical secrets hidden in the subject, waiting only for the right scholar to uncover them.
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