Did Indians know about Gravity before Newton?

Ever wondered about the force that keeps our feet planted firmly on the ground? It’s gravity, and it’s been quietly shaping our world since time immemorial. But here’s the kicker — it wasn’t some groundbreaking revelation by Sir Isaac Newton that brought gravity into existence. Nope, it’s been hanging around long before Newton came onto the scene.

Think about it. Whenever the word “gravity” pops up, who’s the first person that springs to mind? It’s usually Sir Isaac Newton, right? We’ve all heard the story about the apple falling from the tree and Newton’s “Eureka!” moment. But let’s pause for a moment and consider the bigger picture.

Newton may have formulated the laws of gravity and earned himself a spot in the annals of scientific history, but the concept of gravity predates him by centuries. Yep, you read that correctly — centuries! Long before Newton’s birth in 1643, India had already delved into the mysteries of gravity.

So, who exactly discovered gravity in India? It’s a tale that’s often overlooked in Western narratives but deserves its moment in the spotlight. Join me as we unravel the rich tapestry of India’s contributions to our understanding of this fundamental force.

Maharishi Patanjali

Maharishi Patanjali, who lived around the 2nd century BCE, is renowned for his profound contributions to yoga philosophy through his compilation of the Yoga Sutras. His timeless teachings continue to inspire practitioners and scholars alike, transcending the boundaries of time and culture. In one of his verses, he elucidates the gravitational force of the Earth: “लोष्ठ: क्षिप्तो बाहुवेगं गत्वा नैव तियर्क गच्छति नोर्ध्वमारोहति। पृथ्वीविकार: पृथ्वीमेव गच्छति आन्तर्यत:।।” which translates to “If a lump of soil is thrown upwards, it neither bends nor rises up after completing the multiple velocities. It is a disorder of the earth; hence it comes to the earth itself.” This insight into gravity predates modern scientific understanding and underscores the depth of knowledge in ancient Indian texts.

Maharishi Kanad

Maharishi Kanad, also known as Kashyapa Kanad, was an ancient Indian sage and philosopher who lived around the 6th century BCE. He is renowned for his foundational work in the field of atomism and metaphysics. In his book Vaisheshika Darshnam, he meticulously analyzed substances such as earth, water, air, fire, space, time, direction, soul, and mind, elucidating their properties. This is mentioned in this verse:

‘’पृथिव्यापस्तेजो वायुराकाशं कालो दिगात्मा मन इति द्रव्याणि”

Additionally, Kanad provided insights into the force of gravity, showcasing his deep understanding of natural phenomena and contributing to the early exploration of gravitational principles.

Maharishi Kanad delved deep into the nature of motion, outlining five fundamental types in his work. He articulated these as:

उत्क्षेपण (Upward movement),

अवक्षेपण (Downward movement),

आकुञ्च्न (Contraction),

प्रसारण (Expansion),

and गमण (Horizontal movement).

In his analysis, he attributed these motions to the action or force denoted by the term ‘कर्माणि’ in Sanskrit. Kanad’s insights into the dynamics of motion provide a foundational understanding of how objects move within the natural world.

Maharishi Kanad delved into the intricacies of projectile motion, offering a detailed explanation in his work. He presented a formula for projectile motion, stating: “गुरुत्वप्रयन्न संयोगाना मुत्क्षेपणम्” which translates to “Projectile motion arises from the confluence of gravitational force, external upward force, and upward movement.” To illustrate, imagine standing and throwing a football straight into the air. Three forces come into play: Firstly, the external force exerted by you propels the ball upward. Secondly, the Earth’s gravitational force acts downward, pulling the football back towards the ground. Lastly, there’s the air resistance force, adding another layer of complexity to the motion. These forces, as described by Kanad, provide a fundamental understanding of the physics behind projectile motion.

Now, let’s explore Maharishi Kanad’s insights. He describes the first force as “effort,” representing the external upward force exerted when we throw the ball into the air. The second force is “gravity,” the downward pull exerted by the Earth. When these opposing forces interact, they create a resultant force known as “upliftment,” signifying the upward movement of the object. Kanad emphasizes the collaboration between gravity and effort, termed “elevation.”

Translating Kanad’s concept into Newton’s language, we understand that the upward force acting on any object launched into the air is directly proportional to the combination of an external upward thrust (represented by X) and the gravitational pull downwards. This elucidation showcases Kanad’s remarkable clarity in explaining the principle of gravity, predating and contributing to our understanding of this fundamental force.

Continuing his discourse, Maharishi Kanad expounds in the second sutra: “प्रयत्नविशेषन्नोदनविशेष:”. This succinct statement elucidates that special effort leads to a special impulse. Remarkably, this correlates with Newton’s second law of motion, which asserts that the change in momentum of an object is directly proportional to the force applied to it. Kanad’s profound understanding of the relationship between effort and impulse, articulated in ancient Sanskrit, foreshadows and mirrors Newton’s foundational principles of motion and force.

Expanding upon his discourse, Maharishi Kanad elucidates in a sutra: “कार्य्यविरोधी कर्म्म”. This concise statement conveys that every action is always accompanied by an opposite reaction. Remarkably, this aligns with Newton’s third law of motion, which asserts that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Kanad’s profound insight, articulated in ancient Sanskrit, mirrors Newton’s foundational principle and underscores the timeless nature of scientific understanding across cultures and epochs.

Apart from Maharishi Kanad, numerous Indian sages and mathematicians have also referenced gravity in their texts.

Varahamihir

In the sixth century, the renowned astronomer and mathematician Varahamihir composed the verse: “पंचभमहाभूतमयस्तारा गण पंजरे महीगोल:। खेयस्कान्तान्त: स्थो लोह इवावस्थितो वृत:।।” This verse elucidates that the Earth possesses a force that attracts objects towards it, akin to the gravitational force we now recognize. Varahamihir further describes this force as inherent in all celestial bodies, anchoring them in their respective positions. Although he didn’t explicitly use the term ‘gravity,’ Varahamihir’s observations and insights hint at an early understanding of this fundamental force in the cosmos.

Brahmagupta

Mathematician Brahmagupta, born around 598 CE, continued the exploration of gravity a century after Varahamihira. In his book ‘Dhyanagrihopadesh,’ he articulated a more logical explanation of the theory of gravity. Brahmagupta posited that due to the inherent natural force of the Earth, objects consistently fall towards its center. This principle also explains why water always flows downwards. Notably, Brahmagupta’s contributions extended beyond theoretical insights; he made significant strides in practical measurements, accurately calculating the circumference of the Earth and the total length of the year.

Mahabharata

In a verse from the Mahabharata, Bhishma Pitamah addresses Yudhishthir, stating: “भूमै: स्थैर्यं गुरुत्वं च काठिन्यं प्रसवात्मना, गन्धो भारश्च शक्तिश्च संघात: धृति”. This verse highlights the various properties of land, as explained by Bhishma Pitamah. Among these properties, Bhishma identifies “gravity” as one of the inherent characteristics of the Earth. This ancient text underscores the longstanding recognition of gravity as a fundamental property of the Earth, emphasizing its significance in understanding the nature of the world around us.

In wrapping up our exploration, it’s abundantly clear that the ancient texts and teachings of Indian sages and mathematicians provide invaluable insights into the concept of gravity, long before Newton’s groundbreaking discoveries. From Maharishi Kanad’s meticulous analysis of motion to Varahamihir and Brahmagupta’s astute observations of gravitational forces, these visionary minds laid the groundwork for our modern understanding of gravity.

Delving into Sanskrit texts like the Mahabharata and Dhyanagrihopadesh, we unearthed a treasure trove of knowledge that highlights the profound understanding our ancestors had of the natural world. Their keen observations and timeless wisdom continue to resonate, offering a holistic perspective that transcends time and borders.

Moreover, it’s crucial to recognize and amplify the truth that Indians were acquainted with the principles of gravity long before Newton’s era. This historical reality deserves to be brought to the forefront of global awareness, underscoring the rich scientific heritage of ancient India.

In essence, by acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of Indian sages and mathematicians to our understanding of gravity, we not only honor their legacy but also enrich our collective appreciation of the interconnectedness between past and present scientific knowledge. It’s time to shine a spotlight on this historical truth and ensure that it is duly recognized and appreciated on a global scale.