Sanskrit and Mathematics

 Sanskrit and Mathematics 

Reposting the greatness of this sloka  and its link to Mathematics. As the earlier post had a picture of a God prominently displayed, it is likely that some people (like me) may have missed.

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते । पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥

 ஓம் பூர்ணமத: பூர்ணமிதம் பூர்ணாத் பூர்ணமுதச்யதே பூர்ணஸ்ய பூர்ணமாதாய பூர்ணமேவாவசிஷ்யதே ஓம். 

அது முழுமை (பூர்ணம்). இதுவும் முழுமை. முழுமையிருந்து முழுமை தோன்றியுள்ளது. முழுமை யிலிருந்து முழுமையை எடுத்தும் முழுமையே எஞ்சி நிற்கிறது.

 An interesting explanation to this Sloka was given the HoD of Mathematics (PG) Department Prof Ramakrishnan. We, the final year students of Mathematics& Chemistry at Madura College had assembled for our Farewell function. One of the students Late Sankara Subramanian rose up and recited the above sloka. Once he was done, Prof Ramakrishnan asked the student whether he knows the meaning. I am not sure about the response from the student.

Prof Ramakrishnan said this sloka is nothing but an epitome of the Infinite Numbers and series. He elaborated: 

• What is the sum of all natural numbers: 1+2+3….+…. ? 

o Answer: Infinity ∞ 

• What is the sum of the series of odd numbers 1+3+5+7…..+….? 

o Answer : Infinity ∞ 

• From the series of natural numbers take out all odd numbers What are you left with? 

o We are left with 2+4+6+8…….. 

o What is the sum of this series? 

o Answer: Infinity ∞ That means from Infinity (POORNA) you take out Infinity (POORNA) you are left with Infinity ( POORNA) Does this not communicate the meaning of the Sloka, he asked? Needless to say, we were dumbstruck

For all those who believe Mathematics is an European import and it is Britishers who educated India.

Even while the western world was punishing people who said earth is NOT flat, Indian temples had 2 millennia old sculptures of Varaha Avathara with the spherical shaped globe carried by the tusks !