advaita and new science contrasted

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CHAPTER 4

ADVAITA AND NEW SCIENCE CONTRASTED

The quest for reality, the quest to transcend appearance and to approach

reality had always been with the enquiring minds. The knowledge seeking

minds were intimately concerned with the immediate and mundane

phenomenal world, nature and the inter relationship between appearance

and reality. The postulate that what is apparent may neither be the truth, nor

be the reality had long been established. The reality behind the nature, a

deep level beneath the surface level had always troubled knowledge seeking

minds.

In the ancient world, in Bharata Varsha, it had been the Maha Rishis and

Rishis who went for knowledge both empirical and transcendental. For the

West, which has its base in the Greek Tradition, it was the Philosophers who

searched for knowledge. Thus we have two types of seekers such as

seekers of the Empirical knowledge as well as the seekers of the

Transcendental knowledge; both using similar categories and tools in their

efforts. These two sets are not mutually exclusive. Both sets of people used

to overlap one another and also to supplement one another.

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From this let us look at the Maha Rishis and Rishis of India and the

Philosophers and Scientists of the West.

Advaita Vedanta or the unqualified monism of Sankaracharya tries to

understand reality, both mundane and transcendental. Philosophers of the

West involved in metaphysics looking for the ontological existence and

empirical scientists were also searching reality at the empirical level.

Ultimately all the searches converged simply at one point and therefore, let

us offer our respect to all various knowledge seekers of Mans great

Knowledge Tradition.

4.1. The Knowers, Knowing and Knowledge according to Advaita

The shanti mantra of Katha Upanishad tells us how the knowledge giver

and knowledge seeker are ought to be:

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(May both of us be protected, be nourished. May both of us work together

with energy and vigor. May our study be enlightening, not giving rise to

hostility. Aum Peace, Peace, Peace.)

Nyaya Sutra by Maharshi Akshapada Gautama is a work that discuses the

epistemology in detail. He insists that knowledge worth the name must have

the property of affecting the knower through the process of refining the

knower to make him a Sanskrita, the refined one.

However, the process of acquiring real knowledge is not an easy task as

explained by Katha Upanishad as:

(Arise, awake and follow the Wise. Like the sharp edge of a razor is

that path, so the Wise say- hard to tread and difficult to cross) 1.

Such path can only be taken by very select few, the real seekers of

knowledge as Bhagavath Gita rightly says:

(Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and

of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows truth.) 2

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There is an anecdote of Siva and Parvati. It is Siva who gave the Battle Axe

(Parasu) to Bhargava Rama and it is with that same battle axe that Rama

attacks Vinayaka, the son of Siva. In that context, Parvati tells Siva that gift

should be given only to the deserving hands. Knowledge also is similar. It

must be given to the deserving. Deserving one, here, implies a student with a

yearning mind and an impeccable quest for knowing. Describing the quality

of a student, Bhagavath Gita says:

(One who is self-controlled and unattached and who disregards all material

enjoyments can obtain, by practice of renunciation, the highest perfect stage

of freedom from reaction)3.

Katha Upanishad agrees on the point as:

(When the aspirant is devoid of all desires which stain his mind, then and

then alone he enjoys the bliss of realization) 4 along with Chandogya

Upanishad:

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(One should think with a concentrated mind about Reality so that one may

realize it) 5 and Setaswatara Upanishad: The image becomes clear when

the mirror over which it reflects is clean. Similarly, when the aspirants mind

is pure, he realizes all 6

In Sankaracharyas own words:

(The man who discriminates between the Real and the Unreal, whose mind

is turned away from the unreal, who possesses calmness and the allied

virtues, and who is longing for Liberation, is alone considered qualified to

enquire after the truth.)7

Viveka Chudamani further suggests four fold path for attaining knowledge:

First is enumerated discrimination between the Real and the Unreal; next

comes aversion to the enjoyment of fruits (of ones actions) here and

hereafter; (next is) the group of six attributes, viz. calmness and the rest;

(last) is clearly the yearning for Liberation 8

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In all the process of knowing, presence of mind is inevitable. Knowledge-

seeking mind must be gifted with very high concentration. Speaking about

the property of concentration, Katha Upanishad says that:

(It is perceived or realized only through a concentrated mind) 9

For Advaita, a knower is a Rishi, a seer, who has seen the truth. They are

the ancient sages, through their meditation, experienced the divine truths.

The ancient Rishis led a very pious life which was further sanctified by the

austerity of penance. They could hear the silence of the Divinity and could

see the formlessness of the Infinite.

The Vedic Rishi is referred to as a drashta or a Seer. The Vedic Rishis could

see even the transcendental truth as they were great seers. The divine

truths were revealed to them while they were in meditation on higher spiritual

planes.

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4.1.1. Rishis of New Science

The New Science has its own Rishis called Scientists named Rutherford,

Bohr, Heisenberg, de Broglie, Einstein etc. It is not out of context to examine

how far the New Scientists resemble the Rishis since they are the leading

birds of their own flocks.

New Scientists are not very much pleased with the traditional pattern of

discovery or invention by following the path of experiment, observation and

inference. Like Rishis, they too follow the methods of concentration and

meditation. New Scientists own a childlike ability to see the world as it is and

not as it ought to appear in accordance with the old Science. This childlike

ability is the first qualification to know, as suggested by Katha Upanishad10.

They never hesitate to drop their experts minds and to take up the

beginners mind that is blessed with numerous possibilities.

New Scientists possess almost all the qualities required by the seekers as

given in the fundamental texts of Vedanta. They always dare to struggle

hard: as hard as walking on the edge of a razor11

and they are ones out of thousands12

( ). They have discrimination between real and unreal,

aversion to enjoyment of worldly pleasures, six prescribed qualities and

finally, the incessant yearning to know the Reality.

Like Yogis, they concentrate upon their object of inquiry. They, like the

Sages, never waited for experimental verification to assert the truth they

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have seen. They, very often, follow pure Mathematics, a normative enquiry, a

process very close to meditation in its nature.

It is not very surprising that their results often sound like certain conclusions

of Advaita Vedanta since they fulfill the requirements of Advaitic Rishis.

4.1.1.1. Advaita and Bohr

Bohr Model of atom pictures a planetary model of atom as seen in Chapter

III. One of the most striking features of Planetary Model is the amount of

empty space present in an atom.

The mass of an electron is 9.8 X 10-27grams13. This is equal to the number

we get by dividing one with 1027. This is obviously a very minute quantity,

almost equal to zero, and hence negligible. The masses of proton and

neutron, that together form the atomic nucleus, are 1.672 X 10-27grams14 and

1.675 X 10-24 grams respectively15.

Since the electrons are of very negligible mass, the nucleus constitutes 99.99

% of the total mass of the atom. However, the volume of this dense nucleus

is only 0.01% of the total atomic volume.

This follows that 99.99 % of the total atomic volume is empty. Atom is

something very hollow in nature. These atoms are regarded as the building

blocks of the Universe. In other words, Universe is made up of the hollow

bricks called atoms.

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Here we see Neils Bohr at a very close proximity to Adi Sankaracharya. The

Universe is a hollow. It is, as we perceive, a mere appearance. An illusion as

suggested by Advaita through a number of examples. Of the fundamental

texts of Advaita Vedanta, there are countless citations in this respect. Maitri

Upanishad 16 and Gaudapadakarika17, for instance, agree upon this.

In Sankaracharyas own words:

(The world which is full of attachments, aversions, etc., is like a dream. It

appears to be real, as long as it continues but appears to be unreal when

one is awake - when true wisdom dawns) 18,

(the Jagat appears to be true (Satyam) so long as Brahman, the

substratum, the basis of all this creation, is not realized. It is like the illusion

of silver in the mother-of pearl, the shell) 19, and again:

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(The wise one should intelligently merge the entire world-of-objects in the

Atman alone and constantly think of the Self ever as contaminated by

anything as the sky20).

The Real according to Advaita is immutable, self existent and eternal. Our

understanding about it does not undergo any change. Whatever lacks this

characteristic mark of the real must not be called real. 21 Also, Universe is

therefore, due to ignorance. It is not ultimately real. 22 These arguments are

totally valid in the case of the idea of the Universe that arises from the Bohr

atom model too. It does not essentially remains what it is. And hence, Jagat

is Midhya.

4.1.1.2. Advaita and de Broglie

Louis de Broglies matter-wave duality, on close examination, has some

similarity with Advaita. In the light of the concept, matter is no longer a solid

thing as it appears to us. It is something else too: the wave (something

diametrically opposite). It follows that matter is not matter alone, but wave

also and vice versa.

To expand on the theory further, mass and energy are one and the same.

The duality proposed by de Broglie eventually points out to the non-duality of

matter and energy: A kind of Advaita, in the world of New Science.

Matter, therefore, according to Louis de Broglie, is only a form or an

appearance of something else. And so is the case with energy.

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Newtonian Science is explanatory, relaying upon observation and experiment

and knowledge of causal connection. On the other hand, the entire Indian

knowledge system always remained experiential (Anubhava) that used to be

trans-Newtonian Scientific methods. Here, de Broglie, the trans-Newtonian

Scientist uses exactly the same experiential method as used by the

Maharshis and Rishis of Bharata Varsha. People of New Science may call it

as lately found method or as intuitive, but to an Indian mind, it is at once and

undoubtedly experiential.

The Newtonian concept of matter used to be one that of solid which has

extension, mass and volume. When it comes to de Broglie, Matter is wave

and wave is matter at the same time. That is the matter-wave dichotomy is

illusory; something like the Brahman-Atman dichotomy which is Maya arising

out of Avidya. Here, we see that de Broglie comes very close to Sankara

Vedanta.

Maya has been identified with jada or matter in Svetaswatara Upanishad23,

a point of agreement with de Broglie.

(Know, then, that Prakriti is Maya and that Great God is the Lord of Maya.

The whole Universe is filled with objects which are parts of His being.)

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And again equates Maya with the Universe (As seen in the usage, Viswa

Maya.) 24

In the context, Bhagavad Gita25 identifies Maya with the power of God as:

And so does Gaudapadakarika26 as:

4.1.1.3. Advaita and Schrdinger

de Broglie knew nothing about Advaita Vedanta. He became Vedantin

without being aware of the tradition of Vedanta, Indian Epistemology or

Methodology. His becoming of Vedantin was spontaneous and he believed

that his knowledge was intuitive. Schrdinger, on the other hand, studied

Vedanta and understood it to a considerable extend. Inspired by the de

Broglie Hypothesis, Schrdinger suggests that the electrons are not spherical

objects but patterns of standing waves. (It must be noted that, contrary to

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Bohr who bases his Atom Model on experimental verifications, Schrdinger

gets into know his equation from an abstraction, or I would say,

experientially).

The standing waves as pictured by Schrdinger are that kind of waves

produced when a string of a guitar is plucked. One, here, observes a

movement and a stillness at the same time- movement of the string and the

stillness of the wave pattern produced.

Likewise, fundamental particle is a standing wave pattern produced by the

movement of something else. In other words, the atomic particle is an

appearance of something else. When we perceive an atomic particle, we

perceive a mere appearance- a something that is actually not present there.

This is again in resonance with the Advaitic conception that views the

Universe as Maya.

Inevitably, Schrdinger has to assume that some thing is waving or moving

so that the fundamental particles appear and behave as we now observe

them (because, to produce a wave, there must be something that is waving

or moving).

Interestingly enough, he names that something that, waves as the Greek

letter, , (Psi, read as Sigh). Psi is the root of the word psychology and the

symbol is always seen as something pertaining to psyche, or

consciousness, universally. is seen at the Universities and Hospitals as a

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symbol at the front doors of the departments of Psychology and

Psychotherapy and used in the logo of various world famous psychological

associations through out the globe. Schrdinger, being an ardent lover of

Vedanta, may be suspected of choosing the symbol purposefully to indirectly

imply chit, consciousness behind the appearance of the Universe, purely in

the Vedic tradition.

Eventually, becomes the very heart of his famous equation. As per the

equation, as seen earlier, determine the presence of the subatomic particle.

Schrdinger may be hinting at picturing the symbol as the decisive factor in

the subatomic realm (and also in the Universal realm).

Later, commenting on the increasing importance of the role of consciousness

in Quantum Mechanics, he states as: In the world there is no kind of frame

work within which we find consciousness in the plural form. This is simply

something we construct because of the temporal plurality of the individuals.

But it is a false construction The only solution to this conflict, in so far as

any is available to us at all, lies in the ancient wisdom of the Upanishad. 27

Advaita attempts to picture Brahman or the Ultimate reality as pure

consciousness that is the Cause of the Universe. Sankaracharya in his

Commentary on Bhagavad Gita proposes that Brahman is the locus of the

Universe. Universe is due to ignorance. And hence it is not ultimately real28.

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He repeats the same idea in Viveka Chudamani also; no Universe, but

Consciousness alone29

In Katha Upanishad also we have the passage: Brahman is the eternal

brilliance which illumines every luminous object 30.

Once we read all these together with Max Borns comment that the

subatomic particles are not real things, the picture becomes clearer.

Interestingly, even today, the Physicists use these two diametrically opposite

theories (Bohrs Particles and Schrdingers Probability Waves) in order to

interpret many a subatomic phenomena. When they take up Bohr, they

simply forget Schrdinger and do the calculations in Bohrs way and vice

versa. In both the cases, they get the result they need- the result in

accordance with the particle nature or the probability nature as it is in the

case may be. Unknowingly, these Scientists are following the Bhagavad Gita

that proclaims:

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(In whatever way you desire to perceive me, I appear to you in accordance

with your wish). 31

4.1.1.4. Advaita and Heisenberg

Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle, as the name indicates, postulates the

uncertainty concerning the micro world. The impossibility of accuracy in

measurement as put forward by the principle has certain definite

philosophical implications, in addition to its devastating effects on the

Classical Mechanics.

The Principle, at the first instance, presents the helplessness of the

deterministic view. It challenges the notion of causation in Nature, that every

determinant cause in the nature is inevitably followed by the resulting effect.

In terms of the Classical Physics, this means that the future motion of a

particle could exactly be predicted or determined from the knowledge of its

present position and momentum and all of the forces acting upon it.

Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle rejects this; because, one cannot know

the precise position and momentum of a particle at a given instant and hence

its future cannot be determined. The only option the principle permits is to

predict a range of possibilities for the future motion of the particle.

Heisenbergs Uncertainty Principle says that in the sharp formulation of the

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law of causality-- "if we know the present exactly, we can calculate the

future"-it is not the conclusion that is wrong but the premise. 32 With this, we

see that the much celebrated law of causation and the concept of causal

connection get nullified.

4.1.1.5. Advaita and Einstein

Einsteins Special Theory of Relativity, on one hand, rejects the concepts of

Absolute Space and Absolute Time, and suggests the non duality of Matter

and Energy on the other.

4.1.1.5.1. Advaita and Relative Nature of Space and Time

To the dismay of Newtons Physics, the clocks at different frames of

reference no longer tick away at the same pace and nowhere exists a

paradise that acts as the Absolute frame of reference for the entire Universe.

This is the very anti thesis of Newtons Classical concepts of Absolute Space

and Absolute Time. Both Space and Time are destined to lose their Classical

glory for ever and are to be Relative.

Advaitins point of view regarding Space and Time is very much similar to

that of Einsteins Special Theory of Relativity. Advaitin holds that whatsoever

is relative is not real at all and so is the case with Space and Time. There are

a number of instances in this matter from the fundamental texts of Advaita

and the works of Adi Sankaracharya.

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Mandukya Upanishad, at the beginning itself, mentions something that which

is beyond Time. All that is past, present and future is, indeed, AUM. And

whatever else there is, beyond the threefold division of timethat also is

truly AUM33

Definitely, Mandukya Upanishad is sure about a state other than past,

present and future: The Timeless Reality.

Svetaswatara Upanishad clearly mentions the beginning34 of Time as

and end35 of Time as

Translated as: He by whom the whole universe is constantly pervaded is the

Knower, the Author of time. He is sinless and omniscient, it is at His

command that the work which is called earth, water, fire, air and akasa

appears as the universe. All this should be reflected upon by the wise. The

usage of the term author of time presupposes a beginning for the time

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which is true according to the modern cosmology that developed with the

help and support of the theory of Relativity.

Adi Sankaracharyas Bhagavad Gita Bhashya has many citations of the

unreal nature of Space and Time. It follows from Bhagavad Gitas concept

that the Supreme consciousness is beyond Space and Time. At one place it

is seen as: Not knowing my supreme nature, which is subtler and more

pervasive than space, ignorant people get ruined 36 and at another, mentions

the Absolute as the source of the concepts of Space and Time. Here, Space

and Time appear as a construct of Consciousness 37. This is again appears

to be on the same mind with both Einstein and Schrdinger because, for the

former, Space and time are relative and for the other, Consciousness

determines everything.

Among Adi Sankaracharyas independent works, Viveka Chudamani, Atma

Bodha, Vakya Sudha etc are noted for their philosophical contents that go

along with Einsteins Special Theory of Relativity and its relative nature of

Space and Time.

Atma Bodha, while describing the One who has seen the reality hails him as

one who is renouncing all activities, who is free of all the limitations of Space

and Time38.

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Here, Space and Time are treated as limitations due to the handy work of

Maya and are to be discarded to realize the Absolute Truth. This also

subscribes to Einsteins thought of the Relative nature of Space and Time.

Even the very birth of Special Theory of Relativity is a result of Einsteins

brave attempt to go beyond the hypothesis of regarding Space and Time as

absolute.

In Vakya Sudha also, Sankaracharya does not treat Time as Absolute. It is

evident from the verse 37 that comments that the Individual Self was present

before Time began. Through this, Adi Sankaracharya hints that Time is not

absolute and it has a beginning. Consciousness, again, appears as more

dignified.

Adi Sankaracharyas Sri Dakshinamurthy Stotram also admits this as: The

many places and Time which are before us are drawn by illusion in the board

of life in a peculiar manner. 39

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Both Space and Time are, therefore, from Adi Sankaracharyas and

Einsteins points of view, doubtlessly, relative and unreal.

Viveka Chudamani has a number of instances to present in this regard when

it says: Dream Time, Space etc are all unreal in the waking state and

likewise, those Time, Space etc appearing in the waking state are also

unreal 40.

This, beyond all doubts proves the Advaitins knowledge of the relative

nature of Space and Time.

In addition to this, Viveka Chudamani, time and again, expresses the need of

going beyond Space and Time as: That which is beyond caste, creed,

family, devoid of name and form, merit and demerit transcending Space,

Time and sense object 41.

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According to Adi Sankaracharya, the one who has realized the Absolute is

the one who has gone beyond the barriers of Space and Time as expressed

in Viveka Chudamani: The noble soul who has perfectly realized the truth

and whose mind-functions meet with no obstruction, no more depends upon

conditions of Space, Time, posture, direction etc. 42

and as: So this Atman, that is eternal, manifests itself as soon as the right

means of knowledge is present and does not depend upon either place or

time. 43

Viveka Chudamani also treats Time as a construct of the Consciousness, like

Bhagavad Gita and the Theory of Relativity. One of the verses runs: Such

ideas as gross or subtle are imagined by people through the manifestations

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of things superimposed- just as Cycles, Years, Half Years, Seasons etc (in

short, Time in general) are imagined 44.

4.1.1.5.2. Advaita and Mass-Energy Equation

Non duality of Matter and Energy is an essential feature of the Special

Theory that has made tremendous impact in the History of the world.

Einstein postulated through his equation, E = mc2, that Matter and Energy

are one and the same. This assumption, at the first instance, would have

destroyed the law of conservation of Matter (and Energy) and threatened the

very base of Physics, but for the timely acceptance of Energy as a form of

Matter and vice versa.

Advaita Vedanta uses the Sanskrit words, Jada and Sakti to denote both

Matter and Energy respectively. Both of them are denoted by the term

Maya, all through the Texts of Advaita Vedanta. In the view of the Advaitin

also, Matter and Energy are one and the same Maya. Therefore, one can

safely infer that Jada and Sakti are the same because both of them are

Maya.

There are a number of instances where the term Maya is used in the

Vedantic Texts to denote both Matter and Energy (Jada and Sakti).

Svetaswatara Upanishad describes the Matter as Maya when it knows Maya

as the primal cause of the Universe and Maheswara as possessing Maya. 45

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Again, Svetaswatara Upanishad uses the term twice to get the meaning

Universe, which is nothing but Matter. 46, 47

Bhagavad Gita also describes Matter and Energy as Maya. It is described as

supernatural power48:

and power that lets the things in the Universe move49.

These are the examples of treating Energy (Sakti) as Maya. On the other

hand, when Gita points out that men are deluded by Maya50 it can be

regarded as treating matter as Maya. These two instances together appears

as a kin to that of the Mass-Energy equivalence of the Special Theory of

Relativity.

4.1.1.5.3. Advaita and Space-Time Continuum

Adi Sankaracharya states that Space and Time are relative. They together

form the background of all the illusions. It is obvious that they are inseparably

closer or a continuum together. This follows from the General Theory of

relativity also. Since the advent of the general Theory, no longer there is any

separate Space or separate Time. They are, now, to be viewed together so

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that the Time forms the fourth axis to the till then three-dimensional Cartesian

Space. They are made to merge into one continuum called the Space-Time

Continuum; a continuum that does not exist apart from the objects.

Swami Vivekananda hints the same idea when he interprets the Advaitic

concept of Maya: The one particular attribute we find in time, space and

causation is that they cannot exist separate from things. Try to think of space

without color or limits or any connection with the things around- just abstract

space. You cannot. You have to think of it as the space between two limits,

or three objects. It has to be connected with some object to have any

existence. So with time; you cannot have any idea of abstract time but you

have to take two events by the idea of succession. Time depends on two

events, just as space has to be related to outside objects. And the idea of

causation is inseparable from time and space 51.

4.1.1.5 Role of Consciousness in Advaita and New Science

Advaita, as seen earlier, accepts consciousness as the Ultimate Reality. It is

evident from the Upanishadic verses or the Maha vakyas like:

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(Prajnanam Brahma 52, Ayam atma Brahma 53, Tatavamasi 54, Aham

Brahmasmi 55 etc)

Science has changed a lot since the Galilean-Newtonian era. Today at the

age of Quantum Mechanics and Einsteins Relativity, it has become aware of

the importance of Consciousness. Objectivity has got itself dissolved into

Subjectivity as it is seen in the Uncertainty-Thought Experiment of

Heisenberg. When he makes the startling remark about the electrons

movement: I believe that the existence of the classical "path" can be

pregnantly formulated as follows: The "path" comes into existence only when

we observe it 56, he actually stresses the importance of the observer or the

knower and it becomes in tune with Advaita Vedanta as Bhagavad Gita says:

The knowledge of the whole field of experience, both internal and external,

together with that of the knower of the field of experience is true and

complete knowledge 57. In this respect, Sankaracharya himself declares in

Atma Bodha: There are no distinctions such as Knower, the Knowledge

and the Object of Knowledge in the Supreme Self. On account of Its being

of the nature of endless Bliss, It does not admit of such distinctions within

Itself. It alone shines by Itself. 58

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In Heisenbergs thought experiment it is seen that the observed electron

changes its position due to the observation itself or the observer himself. To

quote H.P. Strapp, When one measures the position of an electron, it will

destroy information about the electrons momentum: your observation

disturbs it 59.

In case, the thought experiment is insufficient to show the importance of

Consciousness, the Davisson-Germer experiment is not. Here, the electron

behaves like both particle and wave. Where the experimenter wants it to be a

particle; it appears as a particle and where the experimenter wants it to be a

wave; it appears as wave. As Bhagavad Gita states:

[In whatsoever form people want me to appear, I (Absolute Reality)

appear in that particular form. Oh, Arjuna, People always follow my path60.]

H.P. Strapp also stresses the importance of consciousness in Quantum

Mechanics: Physical objects only appear due to the collapse of their

probability waves by a conscious observer. In its simplest form, it means that

any quantum experiment must include everything about the experiments set

up, including the experimenter 61.

Dr. Amit Goswamy, the Theoretical Quantum Physicist and the founder of

Center Quantum Activism writes: the consciousness of the subject in a

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subject-object experience is the same consciousness that is the ground of all

being. Therefore, consciousness is unitive. There is one subject-

consciousness, and we are that consciousness. 62 It seems that Dr. Amit

Goswamys words become complete once we add the immortal Vedic dictum

to it:

(Aham Brahmasmi).

In the Macro Universe, also, Consciousness has its say. According to

Bertrand Wong: The Special Theory of Relativity is evidently linked to

Consciousness for it postulates that the intense gravitational field caused by

travel at almost the velocity of light will cause the slowing down of clocks and

therefore time as well as the brain (Consciousness which feels time passing

more slowly) and bodily functions of a person. It is evident that

Consciousness is the main player in the scheme of things in nature. 63

Max Planks comment on the importance of consciousness is remarkable. I

regard matter as derivative from consciousness. Everything that we talk

about, everything that we regard as existing postulates consciousness. 64

As the Upanishads say:

174

(Prajnanam Brahma)

As we see, a comparison of Advaita and Science is going to be never ending

since the Science is growing day by day, moment by moment.

175

REFERENCE

1. Katha Upanishad 1.3.14, The Upanishads, The Blue Mountain Center of

Meditation, Canada, 2007.

2. Bhagavath Gita 7.3, International Society for Krishna Consciousness,

Los Angels, 1998.

3. ibid 18.49



5. Chandogya Upanishad 3.14.1, The Upanishads, The Blue Mountain

Center of Meditation, Canada, 2007.

6. Setaswatara Upanishad 2.14, Sixty Upanishads, Motilal Banarasidass,

New Delhi, 1980.

7. Viveka Chudamani 17, Kuntaline Press, Calcutta, 2008.

8. ibid 19



10. ibid 6.14

11. ibid 3.14

176

12. Bhagavath Gita 7.3, The American Gita Society, New York, 2003.

13. Puri and Sharma, Principles of Inorganic Chemistry, p.34, Shobhan Lal

Nagin Chand & Co, Delhi, 1989.

14. ibid, p.37

15. ibid, p. 38

16. Maitri Upanishad iv.2, Sixty Upanishads, Motilal Banarasidass, New

Delhi, 1980.

17. Gaudapadakarika 1.17, Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysore, 1949.

18. Atma Bodha, 6, Asram Vidya Press, Delhi, 1986.

19. ibid, 7

20. ibid, 39

21. Chandogya Upanishad Sankara Bhashya vii.3.2, Upanishads in

Sankaras Own Words, Vol II, The University of Virginia, USA, 2008

22. Brahma Sutra Sankara Bhashya I.4.3, Popular Book Depot, Jaipur,

1960.

23. Svetaswatara Upanishad, iv.10, Sixty Upanishads, Motilal

Banarasidass, New Delhi, 1980.

24. ibid1.10, and iv.1.10

25. Bhagavad Gita, vii.14 , The American Gita Society, New York, 2003.

177

26. Mandukya Karika iii. 24 and iii.27, Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Mysore,

1949.

27. Erwin Schrdinger, My View of the World, Chapter 4, Cambridge

University Press London, 1994.

28. Bhagavad Gita Sankara Bhashya XIII, 2, Sri Ramakrishna Math,

Chennai.

29. Viveka Chudamani, 237, Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, 1926.

30. Katha Upanishad, 5.15, Sixty Upanishads, Motilal Banarasidass, New

Delhi, 1980.

31. Bhagavad Gita, 4.11, The American Gita Society, New York, 2003.

32. Heisenberg, Uncertainty Principle Paper, 1927.

33. Mandukya Upanishad, 1, Sixty Upanishads, Motilal Banarasidass, New

Delhi, 1980.

34. Svetaswatara Upanishad vi.2, Sixty Upanishads, Motilal Banarasidass,

New Delhi, 1980.

35. Svetaswatara Upanishad iii.2, The Upanishads, The Blue Mountain


36. Bhagavad Gita Sankara Bhashya IX.11, Sri Ramakrishna Math,

Chennai.

178

37. Bhagavad Gita Sankara Bhashya IX.13, Sri Ramakrishna Math,

Chennai, 1996.

38. Atma Bodha 68, Asram Vidya Press, Delhi, 1986.

39. Sri Dakshinamurthy Stotram, 3, Sankhyayana Vidya Parishat, Delhi,

2006.






45. Svetaswatara Upanishad iv.10, The Upanishads, The Blue Mountain


46. Svetaswatara Upanishad i.10, The Upanishads, The Blue Mountain


47. Svetaswatara Upanishad iv.i.10, The Upanishads, The Blue Mountain


48. Bhagavad Gita iv.6, International Society for Krishna Consciousness,

Los Angeles, 1998.

49. Bhagavad Gita xviii.61, The American Gita Society, New York, 2003.

179

50. Bhagavad Gita vii.14, International Society for Krishna Consciousness,

Los Angeles, 1998.

51. Swami Vivekananda, Complete Works, Vol.2 p135,

52. Aithareya Upanishad 3.3, The Upanishads, The Blue Mountain Center

of Meditation, Canada, 2007.

53. Mandukya Upanishad 1.2, The Upanishads, The Blue Mountain Center

of Meditation, Canada, 2007.

54. Chandogya Upanishad 6.8.7, The Upanishads, The Blue Mountain


55. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10, Sixty Upanishads, Motilal

Banarasidass, New Delhi, 1980.

56. Werner Heisenberg, Uncertainty Principle Paper, 1927.

57. Bhagavad Gita Sankara Bhashya XIII.35, Sri Ramakrishna Math,

Chennai, 1996.

58. Atma Bodha 41, Asram Vidya Press, Delhi, 1986.

59. H.P. Strapp, Are Superlumind Connections Necessary? P.16, Nuovo

Cimento, 1977

60. Bhagavad Gita IV.11, International Society for Krishna Consciousness,

Los Angeles, 1998.

180

61. H.P. Strapp, Are Superlumind Connections Necessary? Nuovo

Cimento, 1977, p.14.

62. Dr. Amit Goswamy, The Self Aware Universe: How Consciousness

Creates the Material world?, G.P. Putnams Sons, New York, P.51.

63. Bertrand Wong, Quantum Particles, Consciousness, Unified Field

Theory and Relativity, The Science Journal, May 2010.

64. Max Plank As quoted by James Jeans in Philosophical Aspects of

Modern Science, p.12.

advaita and new science contrasted

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