'Modern Physics - String
Theory and Hindu Scriptures'
Relativistic quantum field theory has worked very well to describe the
observed behaviors and properties of elementary particles. But the theory
itself only works well when gravity is so weak that it can be neglected.
Particle theory only works when we pretend gravity doesn't exist. While
'General relativity' only works when we pretend that the Universe is purely
classical and that quantum mechanics is not needed in our description of
Nature.
' String theory' is believed to fill the gap between 'Quantum field theory'
and General relativity theory'. 'String theories' are recent developments in
modern day physics.
In 'String theory', the elementary particles we are thought to be excitation
modes of elementary strings. However, the strings in string theory are
floating in space-time. Nonetheless, they have tension.
We are used to thinking of fundamental particles (like electrons) as
point-like 0-dimensional objects. A generalization of this is fundamental
strings that are 1-dimensional objects. They have no thickness but do have a
length, typically 0.000000000000000000000000000000001cm [that's a decimal
point followed by 32 zeros and a 1]. This is very small compared to the
length scales that we can reasonably measure, so these strings are so small
that they practically look like point particles.
Now what some of our ancient scriptures say about the elementary composition
of this 'Universe'.
"Sun and the rest of the universe are woven in string. What is that
string that is Vayu." (Shatapatha Brahmana (8.7.3.10)
Kathashruti 2.2 says that Vayu has entered the universe and taken the
shape of every object in the universe.
Now please don't translate the meaning of 'Vayu' to be 'air' because in
Vedic Sanskrit 'Vayu' is some thing different. 'Vayu' is something, which is
all pervading. Shatapatha Brahmana gives a definite clue as to the meaning
of 'Vayu' when it says that 'What is that string is Vayu'. It further says
that whole universe is woven in 'String'. Now haven't you heard some thing
similar being discussed by 21st century physicist when they discuss the
'String Theory'.
Some people may laugh and say it is a long shot and those ancient people may
just have mentioned something like 'String' by mistake. Well before
rejecting what those 'ancient people' said it would be worth for any
intelligent person to read some of these ancient scriptures after learning
Vedic Sanskrit. Then you can come to your own conclusions.
--Editor-Gateway for India
(Purpose of this article is not to explain
'String Theory' but to just give an example of what modern day scientists
are finding out now may well have been described by Rishis in sacred ancient
scriptures. The purists in physics may find many points missing in this
article. Anyone interested in details of 'String theories' should refer to
specialized articles or textbooks).
