Vedic flights of fancy

Recently, the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel claimed that Vedic-era sage Bharadwaj conceptualised the idea of the aircraft. She also described the mythological sleeping giant, Kumbhakaran, brother of Ravana from the epic Ramayana, as a technocrat, who spent six months secretly making machines. Presumably he slept soundly during the next six months. The Governor did not specify as to the precise nature of the machines invented during Kumbhakaran’s waking hours. As for the modern-day claim from the western world that it was the brothers Wright, Orville and Wilbur who invented and navigated the first aircraft in 1903, we will have to take that under advisement. Perhaps with a pinch of salt as well, if the word of the Governor of India’s largest state is anything to go by.

 The west has always been quick off the blocks to take credit for achievements where others have pre-empted them, mainly because the latter were too modest to make a song and dance about it. Not to forget, Madison Avenue in the Big Apple is the spiritual home of advertising. ‘It pays to advertise’ was a slogan the Americans created. The Governor further clarified that Kumbhakaran made these machines secretly. Or even secretively. So much so that no one ever came to know about it. Too shy (or sleepy) for his own good. A failing we shall happily gloss over. Addressing a group of university students, Anandiben exhorted the impressionable youngsters to devour our ancient texts to appreciate the ‘unparalleled research and discoveries made by their ancestors.’ In this respect my late mother would have seen eye to eye with the Governor. She was quick to upbraid me for being a cynical unbeliever for looking askance at mythical tales of scarcely believable triumphs that were narrated to me. I was still in my early teens as I listened raptly to these stories from India’s ancient texts. ‘We gave the world Yoga, Ayurveda and Classical Music,’ she would chide me. ‘And aircraft,’ I could have intoned but she would have thought I was being cheeky. I do believe I might have wronged her and now need to introspect and wonder if both my mater and the Governor did not have a point. Not for nothing did Socrates observe that ‘The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.’

It is instructive to note that India’s first aircraft was built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited during the 1950s. The flying machine was a two-seater cabin monoplane and was named Pushpak, inspired by Pushpaka Vimana from the Ramayana. Let me quickly clarify, before you jump to conclusions, that it was the name given to the aircraft that was the inspiration, not the fabled aircraft itself!

Predictably, the opposition parties have been quick to mock what they view as Ms. Patel’s outlandish claims. She is not the first to proudly point to Bharat Mata as being the harbinger of pathbreaking inventions. On a previous occasion, one of our politicians claimed at a gathering of scientists that several centuries ago, the hydra-headed Ravana had 24 types of aircraft, and Lanka was equipped with a state-of-the-art airport to house these flying marvels at the behest of Lord Rama’s bête noire! Even if the cynics characterise these claims as farcical, it is undeniable that 7^th century Indian mathematician, Brahmagupta discovered the zero. He was no cypher.

Indians are naturally blessed with calculating brains. They can be calculative as well. Many of them are billionaires abroad. When they become billionaires in India, half the country wishes to see them behind bars. How ironical is that? Speaking of irony, I found it piquant that one of the Wright Brothers, Orville, credited with inventing the aircraft, himself died in an airplane accident! Hoist with his own petard. On the other hand, Anandiben might tell you that sage Bharadwaj and technocrat Kumbhakaran died peacefully in their sleep. I suppose if you are in dreamland for six months in a year, there is a danger that you might not wake up. Finally, to all those naysayers who refuse to stand in solidarity with our leaders as they heap encomiums on India’s ancient wisdom, I have just one thing to say. Oh, ye of little faith!