Course Title:  Vedic Science & Technology

Course Code: VS -001

Duration: 12 Weeks (One Semester)

Mode: Online / Self-paced + Live Interaction

Credits: Equivalent to 3 Credit Hours

Prerequisites: None (basic familiarity with science and/or Indian philosophy preferred)

Certificate Awarded By: Vedic Science Virtual Vishva Vidyapeeth (VSVV), USA

Course Objectives

• To introduce the foundational concepts of Vedic  science from the perspective of the Vedas, Upaniṣads, and ancillary texts.
• To explore correlations between Vedic insights and modern science.
• To understand time, space, matter, and energy through both Vedic and scientific frameworks.
• To encourage critical thinking, comparative analysis, and philosophical reflection on the nature of reality.

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the course, learners will be able to:
• Interpret key Vedic mantras related to science in their original Sanskrit with meanings.
• Explain Vedic concepts of the creation, structure, and dissolution of the universe.
• Compare Vedic time cycles with astronomical and cosmological timescales.
• Analyze the concept of matter, energy, and motion in the Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika and Sāṅkhya systems.
• Appreciate the philosophical depth and scientific symbolism of Vedic cosmology.

Course Structure

Module 1: Introduction to Vedic Science (Week -1)

• Meaning and subject matter of Veda
• Veda and its classifications
• Veda as a book of Science
• Meaning of “Vedic Science” – scope and sources.
• Primary sources: Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, Sāmaveda, Atharvaveda, Upavedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upaniṣads.
• Supporting sources: Vedangas (Sūtras), Upangas ( Six systems of Vedic philosophical schools), commentaries, Scientific texts in Sanskrit.
• Vedic and modern epistemology (Pramāṇa vs. scientific method).

Module 2: Vedic Science and Modern Discourse of Science  (Week -2)

Module 3: Foundations of Science in East and West (Week -3)

1. Concept of Vidya and Vijnana in the Vedas vs. “Science” in the Western tradition

2. Epistemology of Science: Pratyakṣa, Anumāna, Śabda (Vedic) vs. Empiricism and Rationalism (Western)

3. The Six Darśanas as Scientific Discourses – Nyāya, Vaiśeṣika, Sāṅkhya, Yoga, Pūrva-Mīmāṁsā, Vedānta

4. The Scientific Revolution in Europe and its philosophical underpinnings

Module 4: – Cosmology and Physics (Week -4)

5. Vedic cosmology: Sṛṣṭi-Sthiti-Pralaya cycles vs. Big Bang and Heat Death theories

6. The concept of Ṛta (cosmic order) vs. the idea of physical laws in modern science

7. Pañca Mahābhūtas (five elements) and Guṇas vs. modern atomic and quantum theory

8. Time in Vedic thought (Kalpa, Yuga) vs. relativity and space-time continuum

Module 5: – Life Sciences and Medicine (Week -5)

9. Ayurveda as a holistic life science vs. modern biomedicine

10. Concept of health in Vedas: balance of Doṣas vs. modern pathology and immunology

11. Ecology and environment: Ṛgveda hymns on nature vs. modern sustainability discourse

12. Genetic continuity and rebirth (Punarjanma) vs. heredity and evolutionary biology

Module 6: – Psychology and Consciousness (Week -6)

13. Patanjali’s Yoga as psycho-science vs. modern psychology and neuroscience

14. Citta, Manas, Buddhi, Ahaṅkāra vs. modern theories of mind and cognition

15. Consciousness in Vedānta (Ātman-Brahman) vs. modern debates on AI and the “hard problem of consciousness”

16. Meditation and brain sciences: comparative research findings

Module 7: – Ethics and Purpose of Science (Week -7)

17. Purpose of knowledge: Mokṣa (liberation) vs. technological mastery

18. Dharma-based science vs. secular, profit-driven research

19. Vedic ecological ethics (Ahimsā, Ṛta, Ṛṇa) vs. environmental science and climate change debates

20. Future of synthesis: Towards a new paradigm of Vedic-Scientific dialogue

Module 8: Nature and Scope of Vedic Science and Technology (Week -8)

Definition of Vijnāna and Śāstra in the Vedic tradition

Mantrika Science and Technology,

Tantrika Science and Technology 

• Yogic psycho-technology: control of Citta, Manas, Buddhi, Ahaṅkāra
• Techniques of meditation, Prāṇāyāma, and their psycho-physiological effects
• The concept of Siddhis (higher faculties) as inner sciences

 

Yantrika Science and Technology

Module 9: Research methodology of Vedic Science and Modern Science  (Week -9)

Module 10: Lost Scientific Literature of Bharat (Week -9)

Module 11: Interplay of Consciousness and Science (Week 10)

• Role of the observer in Vedic and quantum frameworks.
• Upaniṣadic insights on consciousness as substratum.
• Modern quantum mechanics parallels.
• Yoga and perception in scientific observation.

Module 12: Vedic Technology and Applications (Week 11)

• Descriptions of vimānas, yantras, and ancient instruments.
• Conceptual designs based on Vedic principles.
• Ethical framework for scientific use (technology).

Module 13: Integration and Contemporary Relevance (Week 12)

• Bridging Vedic and modern scientific discourse.
• Limitations and challenges of interpretation.
• Future research pathways in Vedic Science.

Activity:

• Group discussion: “Can science exist without philosophy?”
• Short quiz on Vedic knowledge sources.

• Short essay: “Is reality observer-dependent?”

Assessment

• Quizzes (MCQ + Short Answer) – 30%
• Project (comparative study or diagram-based research) – 40%
• Participation (discussion forums & live Q&A) – 10%
• Final Essay/Presentation – 20%

Suggested Reading List

Vedic Science Journal: Chief Editor Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya

Vedic Culture and Civilization – Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya

Vedic Science-Raja Ram Mohan Rai

Yoga, Vaiśeṣika and Sāṅkhya Sūtras – Translated by Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya

Bhagavad Gitā- Translated by Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya

Engineering and Technology in Ancient India-Prof. Ravi Prakash Arya

Astronomical texts like Surya Siddhānta and others

Selected hymns from Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, Sāmaveda and Atharvaveda (with commentary)

Selected texts from Upanshads and Puranas

Course Fees: 

1. All live online (Zoom Class)  courses are offered free of charge. Participants are welcome to make voluntary donations at our donation page during or after the course to support its continuation and delivery. For live online course, one can enroll here.

2. Self-paced digital correspondence (email based) and pre-recorded video courses can be opted  only by the Members . Members will be given a password to access the course/courses of their choice available during that period.  If you want to opt for self-paced digital correspondence or pre-recorded video courses,  you shall have to apply for any types of membership offered by  the VSVV.   

Commencement of Course:

•  Live Online Courses: Once 60 registrations are received for a particular course, the start date of live online free course will be announced on the portal. We encourage you to regularly check the portal for updates.
• Available Digital correspondence and Pre-recorded Video course can  be started at any time by the Members.