Difference Between Christian Gravity and Hindu Gravity

Christian Gravity vs Hindu Gravity

The words “Christian gravity” and “Hindu gravity” are two labels for two different but continuing concepts or discussions about the Earth’s gravity.

In terms of history, Hindu gravity is older than Christian gravity. Hindu gravity is a discussion of Hindu contributions to the subject, mostly by Hindu astrologers. Some of these observations are recorded in various Hindu texts which affirm the notion that many people already understood the concept of gravity and have attempted to understand its mystery.

Hindu’s contribution to the subject of gravity began with Varahamihira, a Hindu astronomer who thought of the idea of gravity but did not give it a specific name or meaning.  Varahamihira observed the effect of gravity on heavenly bodies as well as things that are coming back to the Earth.

The second Hindu who commented on gravity was Brahmagupta. He was a Hindu astrologer who commented that gravity, as a concept, is a natural affinity or part of the natural order of the world. He even compared it to elements like water and fire.

The 11th century saw the coming of another Hindu astrologer named Bhaskarachaya. He continued the efforts of Brahmagupta. He also wrote a book that mentioned gravity. This book is entitled “Siddhanta Siromani.”

Another worthy contribution of the Hindus on gravity was by giving it a definite term. The term was in Sanskrit and was called “Gurutvakarshan.”

Years, decades, and centuries passed before the Christian world became interested in gravity as much as the Hindus. The Western Christian world became interested in the sciences after the Renaissance, a period of revival of classical knowledge. Although gravity is not particularly mentioned in classical Greek or Roman texts, some scientists began to rediscover ancient beliefs about the world that led to the rediscovery of gravity.

Christian gravity features many people who are famous and familiar with modern people. These people are better known compared to their Hindu counterparts due to the dominant Western history and traditions in the world.

One of the leading figures is Nicholas Copernicus who proved that the Earth is round rather than a flat surface. This contradicts the thought that a vessel traveling the oceans would fall off the “world’s edge” as once believed. All things on Earth are held down by gravity, even in a spherical shaped body like a planet.

Galileo Galilee followed Copernicus in the 17th century. Galileo was known for his famous experiment of dropping two materials with different weights at the top of a tower. He also contradicted a classical teaching by Aristotle, a leading Greek philosopher.

Meanwhile, the most famous scientist focusing on gravity is Sir Isaac Newton. Newton’s discovery was founded from Robert Hooke’s suggestion that gravity is related to distance and its inverse square. Sir Newton also developed the mathematical formula and established the law of gravity.

Another leading and famous figure is Albert Einstein who founded the Theory of Relativity. Like Newton’s, Einstein’s contributions are considered to be the classic or the dominant teaching when it comes to relativity.

Western Europe’s contribution on gravity ideologies are those taught in schools today. In addition, these Western figures are able to express gravity in a formula (specifically a mathematical one) to make gravity more realistic as opposed to an abstract concept. Gravity is a constant element in our reality, but it is still very abstract since we can only feel or experience it even in everyday life.

Both Christian and Hindu gravity concepts have played an enormous contribution to the understanding of gravity.

Summary:

1. Hindu gravity and Christian gravity are two periods where gravity was discussed and developed. Hindu gravity includes Hindu astrologers while Christian gravity includes Western astrologers, mathematicians, and scientists.
2. Timing and place are also points of difference between the two. Hindu gravity occurred in India and in ancient times. On the other hand, Christian gravity occurred after the Renaissance to the Modern Era. These contributions happened in Europe.
3. Also, Christian gravity has more definite contributions in terms of science.

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