Integration of Science and Spirituality for a Blissful and Bright Future for Global Humanity- Prof PB Sharma
Feb 27th 2025: For a long time, the debate about Gyana and Vigyana, often referred to as Vidhya and Avidhya have been at the center stage of spiritualists and religious leaders, here in India and in many countries of the world who perceived modern science as devoted to materialistic pursuits of economic development, and science and technology innovations as means for progress and material prosperity. Such a perception about Science and Technology is not totally unfounded as from the First World War onwards, and more so after the Second World War, science and technology advancements have propelled development of an industrial society thriving on production, profit and economic growth, measured under the exciting statistics of GDP.
But for the ancient seers and sages of the Vedic times, who were great spiritualists as well as great scientists, the integration of Science and Spirituality was the necessary condition to create a society deep rooted in the pursuit of Truth and for cultivating righteousness and goodness all around. For them Science, the Vigyana, was to unveil the hidden layers of mysteries of life and provide valid support for the sustenance of a healthy life and strengthening the foundation for nurturing sustainability in all aspects of human endeavors. In the Vedic Scientopretual tradition of Aadhyatma, both Science and Spirituality being the pursuit of truth of our being aimed at unveiling the eternal truth of our life existence, were complimentary to each other and were to be nurtured in an integrative environment of Sattvik, the pure and the Purna. Science, the Vigyana and Spiritual pursuit, the Gyana, both were inseparable for understanding the mysteries of life and to the development of an inclusive, sustainable human society committed to living and leading a blissful life in harmony with Nature and the vast universe.
Labelling Science as Unreal Knowledge, Avidhya was a Gross Mistake:
Religious leaders often focus their attention more on the invisible Spirit, the Atman, the Divine Force of creation , sustenance and dissolution, than on the ‘life in action’ that the Atman is in its life existence in the world of Karma. Those engaged in cultivation of knowledge of the Self, the Spirit, the Atman, ascertain that the real knowledge, the Gyana is the ‘Knowledge of the Atman’ and usually mistake Science, the Vigyana. as an unreal knowledge, even label it as Avidhya and Agyana. It is this gross mistake that has kept Science and Spirituality poles apart in the modern scientific era. Science being the discovery of truth requires the purity of mind, its consciousness tuned to the sattvic, pious intent and aimed at the larger purpose of scientific discoveries and technology innovations that help eradicate the sufferings of the vast humanity and create the divine bliss all around. It is this Sattvik, the pure and pious intent for Scientists that was to come from integration of science and spirituality. The gulf of misconception about spirituality created in the modern scientific age has done more harm than good it aimed to accomplish through science and technology advancements. Those pursuing science unknowingly ascertain that science is neutral and is open to one and all for its uses without realizing that Science, the Vigyana is to be a supportive means to live a life full of divine bliss protecting the interest of people and the planet Mother Earth in the larger context of maintenance of the vital harmony with the vast universe that the science aims to explore.
The Message of the Vedas:
The true message and purport of the Vedas and the Upanishads is that both the Gyana as well as Vigyana are to be pursued together to comprehend the mysteries of life and our existence in harmony with the vast universe. For the Vedic Rishis, Seers and Sages our existence was to be perceived as being interconnected of the entire creation, with the vital understanding of Sarve, the whole.The cosmos, it’s stars and galaxies the planets and the constellations were as much of interest for the Vedic Rishies Seers and Sages as the life on Mother Planet Earth was. The Vidic Rishis recognized the interconnectedness of our life existence and made inclusivity and sustainability as the cardinal principles of living a life of
Divine on planet Mother Earth
The Isha Upanishad attached to the Rg Veda, clearly defines the wholistic nature of creation, its sustenance and its ability to retain its real existence as the whole, the Purna as in “Om Purnamida Purnamidam, Purnat Purna Mudachhayate”. The entire Vedic knowledge rests on this principle of Sasvat, the Sanatan, the Purna, the indestructible, and the eternal, the whole, as the real nature of existence. At the same time the Vedas recognize the transformative nature of the Purna in multitudes of forms and manifestations. The Isha Upanishad itself proclaims “Ishavasya midam Sarvam, yet Kinchayat Jagatyam Jagat”. Not only here in this gatiman, Jagat but even beyond anywhere else in the vast universe, it is this all-pervading, the eternal Purna is the real nature of of our existence. They proclaimed that everything returns and thus reposed a great sense of responsibility on our karmic life, our deeds and actions.
Integration is more needed now in the the Transformative Era:
The integration of Science and Spirituality today is more important than ever before, now that the age of AI and path breaking scientific advances has arrived. In this new age it becomes all the more important to align scientific advancement and tech-innovations to accomplishing the goals of an inclusive, just, sustainable, Satvik, the righteous, caring and a compassionate human society and achieve the SDGs and Net Zero Emissions compliance with courage, conviction and commitment that the modern age of ingenuity of man demands from the citizens of the planet Mother earth. In this transformative era, technological innovations are the drive force, but the people and their engagement and conduct is equally important. We need a newer emphasis on science and foster a new culture of scientism that takes on board the interest of people and planet. It is here the integration of science and spirituality offers a way forward for creating the vital urge in science to foster a culture of science that cares and helps create a just, equitable and peaceful world.
Let no one be left behind, now that the power of science and might of technology is exerting a powerful influence on the advancement of global human society. Let the Vedic objective of ‘Sah no Yasha, Sah no Brahma Varchasam’ that is not alone but together as a human society, achieve a goal of rising to great esteem, name fame and glory in service of God Almighty, our creator.
No wonder Nobel Laureate of great eminence Dr Albert Einstein ordained that “Religion without Science is blind and Science without religion is lame”. For the same reason the celebrated Nobel Laureate Madam Marie Curie, who received two Nobel Prizes in science has opined long ago “I am among those who think that science has great beauty and with its great spiritual strength will in time cleanse this world of its evils, its ignorance, its poverty, diseases, wars, and heartaches”. The time to rediscover the hitherto hidden ‘spiritual strength of science’ has now come to create the sustainable, bright and blissful future for the global humanity. Dr TD Singh, the Founder Saint of Bhaktivedanta Institute founded his mission on ‘Science and Spiritual Quest’ and engaged himself with a number of Nobel Laureates on a dialogue on synthesis of science and spirituality. This dialogue has now resulted in a greater appreciation of this vital integration of science and spirituality. Let the scientists of the world rise to this call and make science wipe out sufferings, hunger, diseases and help achieve lasting peace and happiness all around. Let the spiritualists join the scientists in creating such a blissful future for the global humanity as the world is now one and has a common future.
The Author Prof PB Sharma, is the Founder Vice Chancellor of DTU and RGPV, Past President of AIU, Former Professor of IIT Delhi, President of World Academy of Higher Education and Development, W-AHEAD and currently the Vice Chancellor of Amity University Gurugram. The Views expressed are the personal views of the author.