Scientific evidence in Neelakeci
R.Banukumar
Preface
Neelakeci, one among the five minor kavyas in Tamil literature, the others being Sulamani, Nagakumara Kavya, Uthayanakumara Kavya and Yasothara Kavya. Neelakeci, a work based on logical (தர்க்கம்) analysis of the Indian philosophical systems such as the Buddhist school of philosophy, the Ajiika school of philosophy , the Sankaya school of Philosophy, the Veda school of Philosophy, the Vaishadika school of Philosophy and the Buthavada school of Philosophy that were prevalent in ancient India . The author’s name remains unknown. It was assumed by scholars that it was written between the 4th to 5th century CE based on the internal evidences available in the book. The book appears to be a refutation of the Buddhist work called Kundalakeci which is unfortunately lost now. Kundalakeci was included as one among the major kavyas of Tamil literature, the others being Cilapathikaram, Ceevagachintamani, Valaiyapathi & Manimekalai.
The book is named after a shudra woman called Neelakeci who learnt Jain school of Philosophy (Doctrine of Ahimsa – Non-Violence to all living beings) from a Jaina monk Munichandra and took oath to preach the doctrine of Ahimsa throughout the country. Hence she visits various places & refutes the other school of philosophies in order to highlight the supremacy of Ahimsa dharma (Jaina school of doctrine).
However, our focus here is to bring out the scientific knowledge among Tamils in those early times. Neelakeci clearly brings out, talks about few of the scientific know how, “How Rainbow forms”; the difference between velocity of Light and sound; plants do experience sensation and have life; Infinite numbers etc.,
Scientific evidence in Neelakeci
To quote an instance from Neelakeci which clearly illustrates the formation of Rainbow in compliance with the modern science!
Rainbow:
In the sixth chapter “Ajivakavada sarkam”, Neelakeci refutes the Ajikava School of philosophy. During the debate the “Puranan”, a leader of this school, argues that his God’s appearance is unintelligible and inexplicable - when the rainbow appears in the sky. For this Neelakeci replied like this:
வானிடு வில்லின் வரவறி யாத வகையனென்பாய்
தானுடம் போடு பொறியின னாதலிற் சாதகனா
மீனடைந் தோடும் விடுசுட ரான்கதிர் வீழ்புயன்மேற்
றானடைந் தாற்றனு வாமிது வாமதன் றத்துவமே - 684 (நீலகேசி)
In this stanza which is important is the line ’மீனடைந் தோடும் விடுசுட ரான்கதிர் வீழ்புயன்மேற்’.
Let us see the meaning of this line.
வானிடு வில் = வானவில் = Rainbow
சுடரான் = சுடரோன் = Sun.
கதிர் = Rays of Sun
வீழ்புயன்மேற் = நீர் மேகத்திற் மேல் = over the clouds containing water particles.
A rough translation of the above: Rainbow is formed when the rays of the sunlight shines over the clouds (நீர்மேகம்) which contain water particles. This is an accepted theory of modern physics.
(Refer: Wikipedia - A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines onto droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere. They take the form of a multicolored arc, with red on the outer part of the arch and violet on the inner section of the arch. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow )
Conclusion:
From the above it is clearly evident, that, at least during the 4th CE, Tamils were aware of the scientific reasons for the formation of a rainbow. This might be the first written evidence available to us since the modern age.
R.Banukumar
Preface
Neelakeci, one among the five minor kavyas in Tamil literature, the others being Sulamani, Nagakumara Kavya, Uthayanakumara Kavya and Yasothara Kavya. Neelakeci, a work based on logical (தர்க்கம்) analysis of the Indian philosophical systems such as the Buddhist school of philosophy, the Ajiika school of philosophy , the Sankaya school of Philosophy, the Veda school of Philosophy, the Vaishadika school of Philosophy and the Buthavada school of Philosophy that were prevalent in ancient India . The author’s name remains unknown. It was assumed by scholars that it was written between the 4th to 5th century CE based on the internal evidences available in the book. The book appears to be a refutation of the Buddhist work called Kundalakeci which is unfortunately lost now. Kundalakeci was included as one among the major kavyas of Tamil literature, the others being Cilapathikaram, Ceevagachintamani, Valaiyapathi & Manimekalai.
The book is named after a shudra woman called Neelakeci who learnt Jain school of Philosophy (Doctrine of Ahimsa – Non-Violence to all living beings) from a Jaina monk Munichandra and took oath to preach the doctrine of Ahimsa throughout the country. Hence she visits various places & refutes the other school of philosophies in order to highlight the supremacy of Ahimsa dharma (Jaina school of doctrine).
However, our focus here is to bring out the scientific knowledge among Tamils in those early times. Neelakeci clearly brings out, talks about few of the scientific know how, “How Rainbow forms”; the difference between velocity of Light and sound; plants do experience sensation and have life; Infinite numbers etc.,
Scientific evidence in Neelakeci
To quote an instance from Neelakeci which clearly illustrates the formation of Rainbow in compliance with the modern science!
Rainbow:
In the sixth chapter “Ajivakavada sarkam”, Neelakeci refutes the Ajikava School of philosophy. During the debate the “Puranan”, a leader of this school, argues that his God’s appearance is unintelligible and inexplicable - when the rainbow appears in the sky. For this Neelakeci replied like this:
வானிடு வில்லின் வரவறி யாத வகையனென்பாய்
தானுடம் போடு பொறியின னாதலிற் சாதகனா
மீனடைந் தோடும் விடுசுட ரான்கதிர் வீழ்புயன்மேற்
றானடைந் தாற்றனு வாமிது வாமதன் றத்துவமே - 684 (நீலகேசி)
In this stanza which is important is the line ’மீனடைந் தோடும் விடுசுட ரான்கதிர் வீழ்புயன்மேற்’.
Let us see the meaning of this line.
வானிடு வில் = வானவில் = Rainbow
சுடரான் = சுடரோன் = Sun.
கதிர் = Rays of Sun
வீழ்புயன்மேற் = நீர் மேகத்திற் மேல் = over the clouds containing water particles.
A rough translation of the above: Rainbow is formed when the rays of the sunlight shines over the clouds (நீர்மேகம்) which contain water particles. This is an accepted theory of modern physics.
(Refer: Wikipedia - A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines onto droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere. They take the form of a multicolored arc, with red on the outer part of the arch and violet on the inner section of the arch. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow )
Conclusion:
From the above it is clearly evident, that, at least during the 4th CE, Tamils were aware of the scientific reasons for the formation of a rainbow. This might be the first written evidence available to us since the modern age.
