WHAT: Lecture Series on Relevance of Ancient Indian Literature in
Present Times

WHEN:  7:30-9:00 pm, October 4, 5, and 6, 2004

WHERE: Jonsson Engineering Center (JEC) 3207, Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute

BY WHOM:  Dr. Harish Chandra

Abstract: Ancient Indian literature of the Vedic period pre-dates any
literature known to exist in the modern times. This literature is to
date revered and studied by some, but its import and significance is
foggy and unclear to most. An obvious question arises about the
relevance of this vast body of literature in the modern times. How
could and why should this ancient and oldest body of knowledge continue
to be relevant in the present, fast-moving world, where scientific
knowledge sometimes gets outdated in a matter of decades and is often
replaced by newer theories.

In these lectures, the body of knowledge contained in the literature of
the Vedic period will be described as divided into Physical Sciences
and Spiritual Sciences, highlighting aspects that relate to present
times. A brief exposure will be given to the so-called classical Vedic
literature, what are called Vedanga and Upanga. A historical
perspective will be drawn by "reverse engineering" the process that
generated this body of literature over many millennia. The order of
creation of the literature sheds light on how India's history may have
charted its course.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Harish Chandra is a combustion scientist by
profession. After his B.Tech. from IIT Kanpur, he received his Ph.D. in
combustion theory from Princeton in 1979. He has held key research
positions in the US, Germany, Norway, and India. Since his early years,
he has also been an avid reader of the Vedic literature. His intensive
study included Panini's Sanskrit grammar in a gurukul in India. His
unique background enables him to interpret the verses of the Ancient
Indian literature in a scientific manner. For the last 10 years, he has
been devoting himself to conveying worldwide the scientific message of
the ancient Indian literature. He has also authored numerous articles
and books.