Modern physics tells us that matter and energy can be converted into each other, but does not tell us much about the shape of fundamental particles and whether there are any stages between the transformation of matter particle into energy. Fundamental particles are considered point particles which have zero length and volume, but possess mass, momentum and charge, thus making the mass- energy and charge density infinite for the point particles. When a property tends to infinity, physicists call it a singularity. Modern particle physics is then a mine of moving singularities. Physicists dislike singularity, because it is difficult to handle and conceptually meaningless. They have come up with smart ways to avoid singularities, but that can not be considered
detection. These limits have become so obvious that a controversial book "The End of Science" has been written[l].
However, the approach of modern science is not the only way to investigate the ultimate reality. The analytical approach of modern science has limitations, and Vedic physics goes beyond these limitations as the Vedic scientists have seen whatever can be seen in this universe. It is only appropriate that the Vedic scientists gave the name Pasu to whatever could be seen.
9.1: Particle
Pasu is derived from root "Pas" meaning to see. That is why Purusa was termed Pasu when he changed his form from unobservable to observable. The primary meaning of Pasu is animal. That Pasus are related to being observable, and nothing to do whatsoever with animals in their intended meaning, is clearly seen in the Satapatha Brahmana.
"Prajapati saw Agni in those Pasus, therefore they are called
Pasus." Satapatha Brahmana 6.2.1.1-4
This mantra also shows explicitly the equivalence of particles (Pasus) and energy (Agni). There are several mantras in Vedic scriptures to this effect.
"Agni was Pasu." Yajurveda 23.17
"Pasus are Agneya." Taittiriya Brahmana 1.1.4.5
Agneya means having the quality of Agni. Earlier, the reader has seen that Maruta are related to radiation. Vedic sages knew perfectly well that particles radiated energy
"Pasus are Maruta." Aitareya Brahmana 3.19 "Pasus are Agneya and Maruta." Jaiminiya Brahmana 2.231
Maruta means having the quality of Maruta. The
transformation of matter particles into energy and energy into particles is well established by these mantras.
9.2: Bosons and Fermions
How did particles originate? The Purusa hymn describes the origin of particles (Pasus) in the following verse.
"From that Yajna of entire offering coagulated butter (or butter mixed with curd) was obtained. Vayavya, Aranya and Gramya animals (Pasu) were made." Rgveda 10.90.8
Coagulated butter refers to the universe becoming inhomogeneous. In earlier state universe was Salila, completely j.
homogeneous. With the rise of inhomogeneity, particles were formed. Particles can be thought of as condensation of energy. Particles were given the name Pasu because they could be seen. Primary meaning of Pasu is an animal. Animals have been classified under three categories: Gramya, Aranya and Vayavya. Gramya animal means those animals which prefer to stay together or domestic animals. Grama is a word in Sanskrit which means a village called so because people live together there. As opposed to Gramya, Aranya means wild animal, derived from Aranya meaning forest Wild animals prefer to stay alone. Knowledgeable readers will come to the conclusion that Gramya particles are what physicists call bosons and Aranya particles are what physicists call fermions. Vayavya means pertaining to Vayu. I have already identified Vayu with field, so Vayavya particles
interact with each other. Earlier scientists believed in the principle of action at a distance. Particles just interacted with each other without any intermediary and interaction was instantaneous. Newton was the champion of this school of thought. Later scientists hypothesized that particles interacted with an intermediary called field. Interaction is not instantaneous and the highest speed of interaction is the velocity of light. Einstein was the champion of this school of thought. Scientists in last few decades have come up with the idea of field particles, and under this concept particles interact via the exchange of field particles. Electromagnetic interaction takes place by the exchange of photons. It is evident that the Vedic scientists considered field to act via field particles and knew five thousand years ago what scientists are beginning to realize only now.
Gramya particles are further divided in four types: Aja meaning goat, Avi meaning sheep, Asva meaning horse and Gau meaning cow. This is again described in the Purusa hymn.
"From that horses were born, who have teeth on both sides. From that cows were born, from that goats and sheep were born."
Rgveda 10.90.10 It is important to note here that only these four domestic animals find repeated mention in the Rgveda. Cat, for example, is not mentioned in the Vedas. Cows are hidden in the mountains, horses drive the chariot of the gods, wool of sheep is used to strain Soma juice and goat is the vehicle of Pusa. All of these have a precise scientific meaning. The choice of these four animals to represent four Gramya particles is not arbitrary, which will become evident soon. Aja means not born. Sometimes Aja is also referred to as Ekaja meaning once-born. Aja is the intermediate step between the transformation of energy into particle. I will translate Aja as localized energy. Aja is almost
like energy, and that is why it was given the name not-born, however some change has taken place which could not escape the attention of the Vedic scientists. You should recall that energy is considered immortal in Vedic science, and therefore not-born. "Aja then transforms into Avi, Asva or Gau particle. As Avi, Asva or Gau particle are born from Aja, these three particles can be considered twice-born with Aja being considered once-born. The confusion between animals and particles gave rise to a hierarchical division of Hindu society.
9.3: Once-born and Twice-born
i
Hindu society is divided in four classes (Varna): Brahmana, Ksatriya, Vaisya and Sudra. This division existed in Vedic age, which is evident from the reference to these Varnas in the Purusa hymn. However, Varna system was not based on birth in Vedic age. In post-vedic times, four Varnas became representative of four Gramya animals. Brahmana became representative of cow (Gau), Ksatriya became representative of horse (Asva), Vaisya became representative of sheep (Avi) and Sudra became representative of goat (Aja). This representation, though not unique, is very well accepted in post-vedic literature. Satapatha Brahmana 13.2.2.15 says that horse is Ksatriya. It also says that cow was born from the mouth of Prajapati (12.7.1.4), and the Purusa hymn says that Brahmana was bom from the mouth of Purusa (Rgveda 10.90.12). Thus cow became representative of Brahmana. The Vedas ban the killing of cows. It is for this reason that killing of cow or Brahmana became the greatest sin in post-vedic Hinduism. Once these identifications gained ground, Sudra became once-born and rest of the three Varnas became twicebom. Second birth commenced with the rite of Upanayana and study of the Vedas was taken up only after Upanayana. As Sudras were deprived the rite of Upanayana because now they were not
of the most unfortunate development in Hindu society and Hindus have paid a very heavy price for this institutionalized inequality. If a corrective step is not taken today, this inequality may finish Hinduism altogether.
9.4: The Flying Horse
Avi (sheep) particle is given this name, because this particle closely resembles field. Sheeps are covered with wool, and similarly Avi particles are covered with dense field lines. Soma is repeatedly described as being strained through sheep's wool in the Rgveda, which means the passage of Soma through field lines of Avi particle.
Asva (horse) particle is given this name because of the fast speed of horse. Asva is often described in the Rgveda as travelling faster than thoughts. Gau (cow) particle gets its name because it emits radiation like cow gives milk. These particles could not have meant animals by any stretch of imagination is obvious from even a cursory reading of the Rgveda. I am translating here a full hymn dedicated to Asva particle to show that Asva does not mean horse in the Vedas.
Rgveda 1.163
Sage: Dirghatama Aucathya; Deity: Asva; Metre: Tristupa
1. When you roared springing from sea or land after birth, your