VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation of the Centre for Vedic Research - the country's first such institute - at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) on Tuesday. The centre will explore lost or ignored ancient Indian Vedic texts related to various sciences and also conduct multidisciplinary research.The centre will also prepare course material on Vedic scientific knowledge for inclusion in existing courses and to fill up the absence of Vedic sciences in various scientific texts currently taught in educational institutions, Veda department head Upendra Kumar Tripathi said on Monday, adding the centre will collect Vedic manuscripts for publication. There will be a state-of-the-art research laboratory to study and research the effect of Vedic mantras, rituals, yoga and meditation on the human mind through neuro-psychological studies."The centre will attempt to study the past glory of Vedic sciences and work towards popularising the scientific approach and vision of Vedic seers," Tripathi said."In the ancient period, the Indian wisdom and knowledge tradition developed many branches which may be seen in the form of voluminous literature on various subjects, like the science of rituals, agamas, dramaturgy, music, architecture, astrology, astronomy, cosmology, medicine, surgery, military strategy, yoga, mathematics , metallurgy, etc. The centre will focus on all these aspects," he added."Ancient seers like Pravacanakaras, Bharatmuni, Aryabhata, Bhaskara I & II, Varahamihira, Shushruta and Charaka contributed immensely to science and technology. But in the last seven-eight centuries Vedic science remained in oblivion. The centre aims at bridging the gap of these centuries by connecting it with modern science and technology," Tripathi said.According to Tripathi, the centre will carry out academic programmes offering certificate courses, diploma courses, degree courses, post-graduate and PhD courses.Full report on www.toi.in

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