The reconnect with Indic knowledge sources, which was lost over 1000 years ago, will now be possible only through Digital Medium.
Interactive delivery models using gamification and driven by visual graphic
representations will ensure the mass connect of our society with its erstwhile forgotten
and ignored ancient knowledge treasures!
Today, we see the important role that visual graphic representation,
gamification and digital interactivity are playing in enhancing learning
process of the younger generations. With the ever-increasing prominence of
online learning, which has been rather rudely expedited by the current Corona
virus pandemic, development of these new innovative learning processes will
further excel, swiftly.
Is the concept of Interactive and Innovative Learning, a new one?
When we look at ancient Indic texts and resources, we find
that everything is presented in the form of Shlokas or Short Poems and
colorful, eventful, and exciting stories, which we generally term as Mythology.
Mythology is present with almost all ancient cultures of the world. However,
there are historical and ageless facts hidden in many parts of the mythology. Stories
are woven around facts and knowledge to make it appealing and to ensure
retention by the learners and listeners. However, when the continuity of this
process gets disrupted, the regular updates and enhancements that need to
happen will be missed and disconnect with the process and sources take shape.
Eventually, we miss the distinction between the factual part and the creative
part of the mythology, which in turn develops into a dogma. Then, it is either disregarded,
wholly, or religiously believed in.
A recent video that I watched made me dwell deeper into this
line of inquiry and gain more clarity. At a TEDx US event, Raj Vedam,
beautifully described how many of the mythological stories are nothing but innovative
learning delivery and narrating tools, originally created or developed with a specific
purpose. He talks about one story from Greek Mythology and two stories from
Indic Mythology. I invite you to watch this video to learn of all three stories
in full. I will touch upon one story from Indic mythology and a favorite of
mine – Watching of the Arundathi or Alcor Star by newlywed couples.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq__DXtfeXw&list=PLklEOpfKXKCPQ230WF5RoIkS2dMQ5Px2N&index=2&t=0s
What do couples look for in the sky immediately after tying the knot?
In many parts of India, immediately after tying the knot in
a Hindu wedding, the priest takes the just wedded couple into an open area and
points into the sky. The couple pays their respects and bows down. When I saw
this as a child in one of my relative’s wedding, I inquired and got to know
that the priest points to the star Arundathi. Why the star Arundathi? Because
she was a very pious and dutiful wife. Well, then is there another star
representing a pious and dutiful husband for the couple to look at also? I
never found an answer, I never bought this story and could not understand the
rationale behind this custom. But now I know the reason behind this custom.
A newly married couple is asked to look at not one star,
Arundathi, but at a Binary Star, Mizar-Alcor! Binary Stars are sets of two stars,
one major stationary star and its minor partner revolving around it. However,
there is one Binary Star in the known galaxy that is comprised of two equal
stars, which revolve around each other in perfect harmony. Our ancients called
this Binary Star after the Sage Vasishta (Mizar) and his wife Arundathi (Alcor).
So, a newly wedded couple is advised to take inspiration from this star couple
and lead a harmonious and perfect partnership, where both are equals and must
contribute equally to building a rewarding relationship.
How did our ancients figure this Binary star in the first
place? That is a completely different line of inquiry and not subject to this
article!
Over the ages, the concept and the message got lost. The
custom remained more as a dogmatic ritual, which could be easily made fun of
and that hardly many could explain the meaning of. There are hundreds of such
customs, potentially, with most of them having a sound reason and perfect sense
along with a scientific and/or spiritual aspect.
Indic Knowledge Sources to Reconnect With
Our Indic mythology should be looked at holistically with a
line of inquiry to probe and see if there are any relevant historical,
scientific, philosophical, and spiritual facts and wisdom that it has to
offer. Once we do this, a lot will come to the surface that will make sense.
Overall, when we look at the Indic sources, a lot of knowledge
is waiting to be rediscovered, reconnected, reviewed, analyzed, and updated.
Especially, concerned with the subjects of astronomy, mathematics, and health
sciences.
I would like to mention here three particularly important
knowledge treasures that I am fascinated about – Surya Siddhanta, Vaiseshika Sutra
and Sushruta Samhita
Surya Siddhanta is arguably the most ancient and profound
book on astronomy. It is now being proven that there have been several updates
to the original work, which normally happens to any academic text of today. Though it was earlier dated to be from around 600 CE, it now is proven that the original
text is from several millennium before. Nilesh Oak is doing some astounding research
in this respect. Helio centric theory, planetary motions, inter-planetary
distances and many other facts and concepts are presented in this treasure trove.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQNhQ7wxOvA&list=PLklEOpfKXKCPQ230WF5RoIkS2dMQ5Px2N&index=9&t=0s
Vaiseshika Darshana is one of the 6 Aastika schools of
thought of Vedic Hindu philosophy. Sage Kanada, the leading thinker of this
school has presented many scientific concepts in the seminal work Vaiseshika
Sutra (2nd century BCE), such as the theory of atoms, types of
molecules, force of attraction of the earth, among others.
Sushrutha Samhita (1st century BCE) is the seminal
work dedicated to health sciences, especially to surgery. Starting with
Rhinoplasty, many surgical procedures along with a wide variety of surgical
tools are mentioned in this book. Indian Rhinoplasty was the cover feature in
1794 of the then newly launched Gentlemen magazine of the United Kingdom and
this was before The Royal College of Surgeons was founded in London in 1800.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIuKuYZ-bd8&list=PLklEOpfKXKCPQ230WF5RoIkS2dMQ5Px2N&index=7
Digital Medium to Reconnect with Indic Knowledge
It is exclusively because of the internet that I am educating
myself about the Indic history and trying to connect with my cultural roots. Being
an agnostic seeker, I never found solace in the religious rituals and always
had the troubling thought that there is a gross disconnect, between facts and
customs, reason, and ritual, etc., I always strongly felt that there is much
more than the religious aspects of this culture – scientific, philosophic, and spiritual.
Internet and online sources have become my library of inquiry.
In comparison to online books and papers, presentations in
the form of videos and infographics or banners on social media platforms will have
more penetration. But it will not be sufficient to fulfill a mass connect. A movie star birthday greetings or trailer of the new movie will get
millions of views and shares within a couple of days. But Indic Knowledge
material will not get that amount of traction even in a couple of years on
regular social media channels, dominated by pure entertainment, trivial and
click-bait stories and gossip. Almost every Indian would be aware of Sunny
Leone but I bet not even one-millionth of them would have heard of Surya
Siddhanta – case in point!
Thus, I strongly believe that a dedicated digital platform
should be set up that offers Indic knowledge in an interactive and gamification
model, loaded with visual graphic representations. The target market should be
high school, college students, and young professionals. If the younger
generations start to find affinity, the elder generations will be forced to
join the process.
The aim is not to provide academic learning but general
learning. There is a lot of rediscovered knowledge in a more enhanced format
floating around in the digital world but not getting mainstream attention. It
should be presented in bite-size and interactive formats. It is time that in
addition to the religious facet of this culture, we rediscover the scientific, spiritual,
and philosophical facets too.
Only dedicated digital platform with innovative delivery
models will make that happen!
Comments
Post a Comment