Ancient Vedic literature is known for its deep knowledge on various subjects like language, science, mathematics, psychology, medicine, astrology, cosmology, life sciences etc. All the concepts, discoveries and scientific laws were revealed to our ancient sages during their dhyan and higher spiritual practices. This gyan got through revelations, was preserved through memorisation and recitation through centuries.
Vedic science provides us with immense knowledge on anthropology, a multidisciplinary field of study that explains the origin and development of human beings and human biology, primarily through philosophical, psychological, anatomical and spiritual framework. Vedic science mentions that the human body is a reflection of the universe, a miniature representation of the external world and nature.
Amazing Scientific Knowledge
Eight Thousand Plus Years Ago, Uma Samhita of the Shiv Purana Describes:
39-51:22
Newborn has 360 bones, 500 muscles, 35 million hair follicles
2.5 Talas and 10 palas of solid fat, blood in 3 palas and 4 times the mass of bone marrow. Hair inside and outside the body with many nadis.
- The secretions circulate within and go out through the vessels. The teeth are 32 in number, and the nails are 20.
- The measure of bile content in the body is one kudava (1/4th of prastha or 12 handfuls). The phlegm is one Adhaka (256 fistfuls). The vasa fat weighs 20 palas. Half of that is the tawny matter.
- The weight of solid fats is 21/2 Tulas and 10 palas. Blood in 3 palas and it is four times the marrow. (repeat)
- The semen is half a kudava. The strength of the living being depends on it. A mass of flesh weighs a thousand palas.
50.0 Excellent sage, the blood is hundred palas according to which the faeces and the urine form four handfuls each.
Garbha Upnishad an ancient Vedic scripture written around 4,000 years ago by Rishi Pippalada, explains with clarity and accuracy, how life is conceived, grows and develops within the mother's womb. It explains the process of fertilisation, the formation of embryos and its progression through various stages of development. In the first month, embryo is just a mass of cells, second month it develops a distinct shape, third month limbs begin to form and in the fourth month consciousness arises. It says that by the seven months, the soul becomes fully conscious, and the foetus starts reflecting on its past lives; based on the karmic consequences of its actions and even praying for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Such metaphysical observations combined with biological details make this upanishad not just a text on human biology but also a spiritual guide itself.
Uma Samhita of Shiv Puran written 8,000 plus years back, also gives detailed information about the development of foetus. It tells about placenta, how child develops inside the womb by taking food from the mother through umbilical cord and about the child tasting all of the six tastes. It gives detailed description of bodily processes, nadis, blood flow, bones, nails, hair etc.
Another ancient Vedic scripture on ayurveda Susruta Samhita provides detailed insights about skeletal system, circulatory system (rasavaha srotas), the urinary system (mootravaha srotas), the respiratory system (pranavaha srotas). Its anatomical description includes 360 bones, as well as type of joints, ligaments, muscles, various organs like heart, liver, intestine, bladder, sira (veins), dhamani (arteries) and srotas. The text includes a complete description of foetus development along with the sequential development of various structures of the embryos. Another important revelation by Rishi Shusruta was gender inheritance and congenital defects.
Rishi Charaka, considered as the father of Ancient medicine, Ayurveda gifted us with Charak Samhita which deals with the topics ranging from the origin of human beings to embryology, physiology and neonatology.
The depth of knowledge in the Vedas reveals that ancient Indian wisdom was far ahead of its time, blending spirituality and science that is awe inspiring. Many modern-day inventions, concepts and laws were already mentioned in Vedic literature thousands of years back.
Vedas describe the eternal truth and gyan, recorded permanently in the memory of the universe and discovered by our Vedic Rishis during their intense yogic practices otherwise how could the sages unveil the secrets of womb and human body in such stunning details without microscope, sonography, x-ray or any modern tools?
