What Did Western Thinkers & Scientists Say About Vedas and Upanishads (EP-30)
What we are searching outside is right here in our homes
It’s a pity that we Indians have such rich and expansive wisdom in the form of Vedas and Upanishads but we overlook them. We instead choose to look towards Western philosophy which appears to be more appealing to us intellectuals of the East.
It’s a human condition that is universal in all of us. Familiarity breeds contempt and the distant fields always look green.
I will tell you my story.
I love traveling and visiting places of interest. I was born and brought up in the historic city of Panipat which bore witness to three epic battles shaping Indian history as a result.
There are a lot of places in Panipat that are worth a visit. From the likes of Ibrahim Lodhi’s tomb to Kala Amb Park and many more, I haven’t seen most of them.
What we are searching outside is right here in our homes, in our own heartland. The knowledge we tirelessly seek in foreign philosophies is often found in our own roots.
Instead, I will go to my neighboring city of Karnal to see that lake or the neighboring state to see that fort.
What we are searching outside is right here in our homes, in our own heartland. The knowledge we tirelessly seek in foreign philosophies is often found in our own roots.
Acknowledging the Vedas and Upanishads does not indicate a backward mindset, instead, it shows the depth of understanding.
The Western thinkers who studied these scriptures were awe-struck. They couldn't believe that such profound wisdom and knowledge existed so long ago.
For example, philosopher Schopenhauer wrote in his book 'The World as Will and Representation' that
"the Upanishads are the solution to the riddle of the world."
Likewise, T.S Eliot, the Nobel prizewinning poet, weaved Upanishadic philosophy into his works, evoking the eternal truths that transcend time and space. He remarked, "In my end is my beginning", a concept directly derived from the wisdom of the Upanishads.
American author Ralph Waldo Emerson found great inspiration in the Vedas and Upanishads as well. He once noted:
"I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavat Geeta. It was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence."
Then there's Carl Jung, the celebrated psychiatrist. He believed that Vedantic philosophy could offer deep insight into the human psyche. Jung reportedly said:
"The Upanishads and the Vedas are far more than just religious scriptures. They are part of the psychological vertebrate of the human race."
Here is what some of the Western scientists have said about Vedas and Upanishads:
Erwin Schrödinger: The Austrian physicist and Nobel laureate Erwin Schrödinger said:
"Vedanta teaches that consciousness is singular, all happenings are played out in one universal consciousness and there is no multiplicity of selves."
Niels Bohr: The Danish physicist and Nobel laureate Niels Bohr stated, "I go into the Upanishads to ask questions."
Robert Oppenheimer: The American physicist and one of the key figures in the development of the atomic bomb, Robert Oppenheimer, famously quoted a line from the Bhagavad Gita after witnessing the first successful nuclear test:
"Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."
Werner Heisenberg: The German physicist and one of the founders of quantum mechanics, Werner Heisenberg, remarked:
"After the conversations about Indian philosophy, some of the ideas of Quantum Physics that had seemed so crazy suddenly made much more sense."
David Bohm: The American physicist David Bohm found connections between Eastern philosophy and quantum physics. He said:
"In some sense, man is a microcosm of the universe; therefore what man is, is a clue to the universe. We are enfolded in the universe."
Gary Zukav: The American author and physicist Gary Zukav wrote:
"The most important thing to understand about the physics of the universe is that the universe is a spiritual phenomenon. Its primary underlying principle is a spiritual one."
Richard Feynman: The American physicist Richard Feynman mentioned the interconnectedness of all things, echoing Eastern philosophical concepts.
These Eastern teachings have undeniably influenced Western thought in significant and profound ways.
Thus, embracing our own heritage doesn't negate the wisdom of others; instead, it provides a lens through which we can view and appreciate the collective knowledge of humanity.
This is what I wish to achieve with Eastern Perspective.
If you like my intentions please consider sharing with your family and friends who can benefit from this (free) newsletter.