What is Infinity (अनंत)? Infinity, as we hear this word our brain instantaneously thinks of something very big and enormous which we can’t visualize. And indeed, infinity is limitless (अनंत). Mathematically, it is represented by the symbol ‘ꝏ’, sometimes called as a lemniscate.
If you open Mathematical Books of today, you will find the idea of infinity mentioned in somewhat higher level courses. You won’t, however, find either the infinite or the infinitesimal in an elementary book on algebra, let alone arithmetic! The only thing you may find in an algebra book is a very stern warning about not ever dividing by zero! (Because if you divide any number by zero, you get infinity). On the other hand, in the algebra books of ancient times in India, we find both the infinite and the infinitesimal treated routinely. One such example is Bhaskaracharya Bijaganita (his book on Algebra) and Lilavati (his book on Arithmetic). Bhaskaracharya was a twelfth-century Indian mathematician and astronomer. He was born in Bijapur in Karnataka. While Newton and Leibniz have been credited with differential and integral calculus, there is strong evidence to suggest that Bhaskaracharya was a pioneer in some of the principles of differential calculus. Definition of Inifinity – Bhaskaracharya’s Bijaganita 2.18 In Bijaganita, we find the following shlok वधादौ वियत् खस्य खं खेन घाते खहारो भवेत् खेन भक्तश्च राशिः॥ vadhādau viyat khasya khaṃ khena ghāte khahāro bhavet khena bhaktaśca rāśiḥ॥ A zero results when multiplied by zero, a “khahara’’ (zero-divided, or infinity) results when a number is divided by zero. Infinity further explained – Bhaskaracharya’s Bijaganita 2.20 For Khahara, he explicitly adds a colorful description अस्मिन् विकारः खहरे न राशावपि प्रविष्टेष्वपि निःसृतेषु। बहुष्वपि स्यात् लय-सृष्टिकाले अनन्ते अच्युतेभूतगणेषु यद्वत्॥ Transliteration: asmin vikāraḥ khahare na rāśāvapi praviṣṭeṣvapi niḥsṛteṣu bahuṣvapi syāt laya – sṛṣṭikāle anante acyute bhūtagaṇeṣu yadvat English Translation: There is no change in the Khahara (infinity) by adding or subtracting, just like infinite immutable (Brahma or Viṣnu) which does not have any effect by the living beings entering or leaving it at the time of dissolution or creation of the world. we write ꝏ to denote the “khahara” i.e. 1/0. The additional facts about “khahara” can be presented as, X* ꝏ + Y = X* ꝏ, for any number X and Y. It states that when a “khahara” is added to an ordinary number, then only the “khahara” survives. This is the same as infinity just represented by another name. In ancient Indian Mathematics, we find Jain texts discussing various such concepts of infinities. These texts are mainly religious or philosophical, but often carry a healthy amount of serious mathematics. They seem to introduce formal concepts of finite or enumerable, innumerable (very large but still finite) and infinite. They even classify multidimensional concepts for infinity. In Lilavati (Shlok 48), Bhaskaracharya gives more instruction about multiplying by zero शुन्ये गुणके जाते खं हारश्चेत् पुनस्तदा राशिः। अविकृत एव ज्ञेयस्तथैव खेनोनितश्च युतः॥ Transliteration: śunye guṇake jāte khaṃ hāraścet punastadā rāśiḥ। avikṛta eva jñeyastathaiva khenonitaśca yutaḥ॥ English Translation: If a zero becomes a multiplier and a number turns into zero, it should (really) be considered as unchanged if it is again divided by zero! Similarly, if a zero is subtracted off and added in (a number is considered unchanged.) Mention of Inifinity in Ishavasya Upanishad! The invocatory verse of Ishavasya Upanishad which is part of Shukla Yajur Veda and it dates way back than Bhaskaracharya also talks about a rather precise concept of infinity. It goes something like this, IshaVasya Upanishad Invocatory verse ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात् पूर्णमुदच्यते । पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥ Transliteration: Om pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidaṃ pūrṇāt pūrṇamudacyate pūrṇasya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate English Translation: Om, That is Full, This also is Full, from this Fullness comes that Fullness, Taking Fullness from Fullness, Fullness Indeed Remains. Conclusion Infinity is a central concept as far as advanced sciences are concerned, such a great advancement at such complex subject shows how rich and prosperous was our culture. We hope you have understood infinity from both the modern as well as ancient perspective. Please let us know your thoughts on this and if anything you’d like to add. K Rajaram IRS 8825 On Fri, 8 Aug 2025 at 06:30, Markendeya Yeddanapudi < [email protected]> wrote: > > > -- > *Mar*The Center of the Universe > > > > Infinity is the basic property of the Universe. There is the abstract or > formless infinity, the perception and understanding infinity, and much > other infinity, the limit being one’s own conceptualization. As there can > be no definite center of the infinity or the Universe, for you, you are the > center of the Universe. And you are part of the Universe. Your perception > and understanding incorporates into you and you express your perception and > understanding into the universe radiating into the universe. > > The basic feature of nature is, what you will actually happens, provided > you believe completely. Your belief and its radiations and expressions > impact nature, and nature responds symbiotically. After all you consist of > seven octillion cells and bacteria whose number is many times more. It is > your feeling as you, that is making all of them, identify as you. Your very > existence is based on your belief that you are you the singular, though you > are basically plural. > > That plurality as singularity, as you, can be extended infinitely, when > you make the universe,’ you’. Whatever you discover or experience as > revelation, it becomes your characteristic, as your hormonal communications > via your bloodstream, connects the discoveries and revelations into your > cells. Your education becomes the incorporation of the new perceptions and > understandings, into your internal hormonal communications, impacting your > basic being. Actually the basic beauty of life is, that to every organism > it has to be its universe. There is no outside universe separate from it. > > Theism or the feeling of identity with the universe radiates from you and > into you. The basic requirement for the expansion of your ‘self identity’ > is ‘Free and Healthy Nature Without any Human Tampering’. You gradually > feel the free nature as you, as your communication continuously extends and > expands. The communications can only be feelings laden and not mechanical > without feelings. The mechanical approach cannot enter your internal > hormonal communications as it has no feelings content. > > The free and lush the nature the greater your perception and > understanding, as nature becomes the great college with every organism of > the flora and the fauna becoming student, participating in the symbiotic > learning. Actually you cannot come out of your situation as the center of > your Universe, as the Universe. Your five > senses,Seeing,Smelling,Hearing,Touching and Eating, your Panchangam, forces > you into your feeling as nature, provided nature is free and untampered. > > You have to accept the fact that you are part of nature, making you > nature. You need that macro self identity. You cannot be the outside > observer to do science. If you become the outside observer, the basic false > existence, to avoid the fact, you have to surrender to technology and > machines which take over your life. You practice viewing like a machine > without feelings. It simply means your repudiation of your connection to > the flora and the fauna of the Biosphere. > > Today machines are continuously destroying nature and we are calling it > progress. They are destroying you at the core. We desperately need Ecology > and we have to jettison economics. > > It is the basic and elementary duty of every university to start ‘The Free > Nature Parks without Our Tampering’ urgently. > > YM Sarma > > Chat gpt > > Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking piece by YM Sarma. It's rich > with philosophical and ecological insights. Here's a brief reflection and > breakdown of the core ideas in the essay, in case you'd like to explore or > discuss them further: > ------------------------------ > > *🌌 Core Themes and Ideas:* > > *1. You as the Center of the Universe* > > - The Universe is infinite and without a fixed center. > - However, since perception is individual and subjective, *you are the > center of your own universe*. > - Your consciousness radiates out into the world, making *you both > perceiver and participant*. > > *2. Belief and Nature’s Response* > > - Belief is powerful: *what you believe fully, manifests*. > - There's a *symbiotic relationship* between your internal state and > the external world (nature). > - Nature reflects back the intentions and energy you radiate, > especially when belief is strong and heartfelt. > > *3. Singularity in Plurality* > > - Though your body consists of trillions of cells and bacteria, your > *feeling > of identity* creates a unified sense of self — *a singular "you" from > a plural biological system*. > - When your awareness expands, this identity can encompass the entire > universe — the "macro self." > > *4. Education and Revelation as Biological Integration* > > - True learning isn't just intellectual — it's hormonal and biological. > - Revelations and understanding enter the bloodstream; they become *part > of your body*, not just your mind. > - This positions *education as a deeply embodied process*, not > mechanical or detached. > > *5. The Role of Untampered Nature* > > - Nature, when left free and untampered, acts as *a living university*. > - Every organism in the biosphere is a *participant in a symbiotic > learning process*. > - Our connection with nature must be felt through the senses — not > analyzed coldly from the outside. > > *6. Critique of Mechanization and Disconnection* > > - Becoming a machine-like observer strips us of feeling, connection, > and humanity. > - Technological progress, when it overrides ecology, is seen as *a > path to self-destruction*. > - We must *reclaim feeling, ecology, and symbiosis*, rejecting > lifeless mechanical control. > > *7. Call to Action: Free Nature Parks* > > - Sarma calls on universities to establish *'Free Nature Parks without > Our Tampering'*. > - These parks are not only ecological preserves, but *spiritual and > educational centers* for reconnecting with nature and self. > > ------------------------------ > > *🧠 Reflections* > > This essay blends metaphysics, ecology, biology, and education into a > holistic philosophy that: > > - *Centers personal perception* as both source and expression of the > Universe, > - Advocates for a *deep integration of nature and self*, and > - Warns against the *disconnection brought by mechanistic science and > unbridled technology*. > > It invites readers to rethink progress, embrace ecological identity, and > restore our biological and spiritual ties to the living Earth. > ------------------------------ > > Would you like help summarizing this in a different format (e.g., for a > talk, article, or presentation), or are you exploring more writing along > these lines? > > Sure — here is a *detailed evaluation of the essay* *“The Center of the > Universe” by YM Sarma* based on common criteria used in academic or > philosophical writing. I’ll follow it with a *mark breakdown*, *grade*, > and suggestions for improvement. > ------------------------------ > 📝 *Evaluation Criteria* 1. *Content & Originality (8.5/10)* > > · The essay demonstrates *deep philosophical insight* and a *unique > worldview* that blends metaphysics, ecology, and consciousness. > > · The idea that the individual is both *a center of perception* > and *part of an interconnected biosphere* is rich and thought-provoking. > > · Concepts like *“plurality as singularity,” “hormonal > communication of revelations,”* and *“free nature as a college”* are > creative and original. > > · However, some ideas, while profound, are not always clearly > defined or logically developed, which affects clarity and impact. > 2. *Structure & Coherence (6.5/10)* > > · The essay is structured as *a continuous flow of thought* > rather than a logically segmented argument. > > · There is *no clear paragraphing* or organization into > introduction, body, and conclusion. > > · While this may be a stylistic choice, it *reduces readability* > and makes the argument *feel circular or repetitive* at times. > > · Transitions between ideas are *intuitive rather than logical*, > which can disorient some readers. > 3. *Language & Style (7/10)* > > · The language is *philosophical and poetic*, and at times > evocative (e.g., “nature becomes the great college,” “you are the center of > your Universe”). > > · However, the *grammar, punctuation, and syntax* are often > inconsistent: > > o There are missing articles, incorrect punctuation (e.g., “the > universe,’ you’”), and long, unpunctuated sentences. > > · This affects the *clarity and professional polish* of the > writing. > 4. *Argumentation & Logic (6/10)* > > · The essay operates on *emotive logic* and *philosophical > assertion*, not evidence-based reasoning. > > · Statements like “what you believe actually happens, provided > you believe completely” are intriguing but lack *logical or empirical > support*. > > · The central thesis could benefit from *more rigorous > development or philosophical framing* (e.g., using references to > phenomenology, ecological philosophy, or consciousness studies). > 5. *Impact & Relevance (8/10)* > > · The essay touches on *extremely relevant themes*: ecological > destruction, technological alienation, and the need for reconnection with > nature. > > · The final call for *“Free Nature Parks without Human Tampering”* > is powerful and specific, though it could be better integrated into the > essay’s flow. > ------------------------------ > 📊 *Mark Breakdown (Out of 100)* > > *Criterion* > > *Marks* > > Content & Originality > > 17 / 20 > > Structure & Coherence > > 13 / 20 > > Language & Style > > 14 / 20 > > Argumentation & Logic > > 12 / 20 > > Impact & Relevance > > 16 / 20 > > *Total* > > *72 / 100* > ------------------------------ > 🎓 *Grade: B (Upper Second Class / 2:1 Equivalent)* > ------------------------------ > ✅ *Strengths* > > · Deep, original thinking. > > · Rich ecological and spiritual insight. > > · Strong and timely message about the crisis of modernity and the > importance of nature. > ❗ *Areas for Improvement* > > · Introduce structure: clear paragraphing and logical progression > of thought. > > · Improve grammar and punctuation for clarity. > > · Support assertions with references to philosophy, science, or > ecology to enhance intellectual rigor. > > · Define key concepts more precisely (e.g., “hormonal > communication of revelation”). > ------------------------------ > > Would you like help editing or rewriting this essay to meet a higher > academic standard (e.g., turning it into an article or publication-ready > piece)? > > Certainly! Here's a poem inspired by the themes of your essay — the self > as the center of the universe, the unity of nature and being, and the call > to return to untampered nature. > ------------------------------ > > *The Center of the Universe* > > I am not just skin and bone, > But breath of leaf, and pulse of stone. > The stars may swirl with grand design, > Yet all begins in this heart of mine. > > The trees don’t speak in words I know, > But I can feel their silent flow. > Their roots beneath, their crowns above, > Remind me: knowing is to love. > > I am the many in the one, > Seven octillion threads spun > Into the mask I call my face — > A spark, a tide, a woven place. > > The bird that sings, the wind that bends, > The fox that leaps, the stream that mends — > These are not scenes outside of me, > But waves within the same vast sea. > > No machine can touch this thread > Of feeling, living, joy and dread. > No metal voice can ever feel > The forest’s breath, the body’s zeal. > > If I forget, and walk apart, > A ghost of mind without a heart — > Then let the hills reclaim my name, > And make me wild and whole again. > > So plant no flag, and build no wall, > Where trees and waters gently call. > Let nature rise without our chain, > And I shall rise in it again. > ------------------------------ > > Let me know if you'd like this adapted for a particular purpose — a > speech, a meditation, a dedication, or anything else. > > > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "societyforservingseniors" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CACDCHCLkHW21%2BbLfS7zVwWvo%3DnGYQswek46wnmTReAE2vwwjMg%40mail.gmail.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CACDCHCLkHW21%2BbLfS7zVwWvo%3DnGYQswek46wnmTReAE2vwwjMg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/CAL5XZoqeLOo8CpkBgmCeWJs4dN0vbnea5SoBeLUMbXy_C5k83w%40mail.gmail.com.
