“Harnessing Shakti through India’s Fusion of Metaphysical Wisdom and Indigenous Nuclear Science” : “भारत की दार्शनिक ज्ञान परंपरा और स्वदेशी नाभिकीय विज्ञान के समन्वय से शक्ति का दोहन”

Recently, I had an opportunity to speak on this topic at the International Conference on Indian Knowledge Systems: Physics and Metaphysics, with a focus on the deep connections between India's metaphysical wisdom and its indigenous nuclear science. It was an enriching discourse that reaffirmed how ancient philosophical insights can illuminate the path for modern technological advancement.

India’s journey through science has never been a linear one. It has always been a magnificent blend, a dance, of the ancient and the modern, the seen and the unseen, the physical and the metaphysical. Today, as the world searches for sustainable energy and ethical progress, India is rediscovering its own roots, where deep philosophical insights intertwine with cutting-edge nuclear technology.

Left side an ancient manuscript or Vedic symbols, right side a glowing modern nuclear reactor

Vedic philosophy speaks of Brahman, the eternal, infinite cosmic reality. It is spaceless, formless, timeless. Today’s physicists call it the universal field or quantum vacuum. Everything begins from it and dissolves into it. Prakriti, on the other hand, is the vibrant dance of matter and energy, governed by three forces (Gunas): Sattva (Harmony), Rajas (Activity), and Tamas (inertia).

An artistic illustration of Brahman (cosmic web), Prakriti (interacting fields), and Ṛṭa (celestial balance)

It's like the modern concept of thermodynamic systems in flux. And then there’s Ṛṭa, the sacred order of the universe. It anticipates Newton’s laws, orbital dynamics, and even ecological harmony. Long before Europe’s scientific revolution, India had Aryabhata, who described the Earth’s rotation and worked with trigonometry to calculate planetary motions. He laid the foundation for astronomy and timekeeping. And Sushruta, the legendary surgeon, spoke of anatomy, antiseptics, and even cosmetic surgeries. His texts reflect an empirical, observation-driven approach, deeply rooted in compassion.

Aryabhata with globe and stars

Today’s quantum physics puzzles over particles that are both waves and matter, over fields that respond to observers.

Sushruta with surgical tools in ancient-style drawing

But Indian metaphysics has long held that consciousness is central to reality. Concepts like Akasha (space) and Prana (energy) mirror field theory and vacuum energy. This is not mysticism, it is metaphysical insight born out of experiential knowledge.

Artistic view of quantum wave-particle duality vs. meditating figure with energy radiating from heart

India’s modern tryst with nuclear science began with Dr. Homi Bhabha and our three-stage nuclear programme. Stage 1 involves PHWRs using natural uranium. Stage 2 involves Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) producing plutonium. Stage 3 envisions thorium-based reactors, clean, sustainable, and abundant in India.

Thorium, found in monazite sands along India’s coastlines, is our gift from nature. Unlike uranium, it's cleaner, more efficient, and perfectly aligned with the Indian Knowledge System’s wisdom of “Yatha Desha, Tatha Dravya”—use what the land gives you. BARC's Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWRs) make thorium viable and safe, proving our tech meets tradition.

FBRs, like the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, convert waste into wealth. They exemplify non-wastefulness (Aparigraha), a deep Indian value, and mirror the cyclic nature of existence in Samsara. Nothing is lost; it is transformed.

A Typical infographic showing fuel cycle from 238U to plutonium to energy (closed loop)

Accelerator Driven Systems (ADS) use proton beams to control nuclear reactions safely. They can even reduce nuclear waste. Their precision and control echo the metaphysical restraint in handling cosmic energy—Shakti—with responsibility. Nuclear energy isn’t just about power, it is about healing and helping. Nuclear medicine aids in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Agriculture benefits through mutation breeding and food preservation. Space missions use mini-reactors for propulsion and power. This embodies Sarva Bhutahitam, welfare of all living beings.

A typical collage representation of, PET scan, irradiated fruits, and space reactor module

From BARC to IITs and AMU, India is nurturing a new generation of nuclear scientists. This mentorship echoes the Gurukul system—where knowledge (Vidya Daan) is shared with purpose. The nuclear sector today generates jobs, stimulates regional economies, and strengthens sovereignty—fulfilling our dream of Rashtra Nirman.

India’s collaboration with the USA, Russia, France, and IAEA shows how science can be a bridge of peace. This global leadership reflects the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world as one family. Our safe, transparent practices are ensured by AERB and digital tools like eLORA, embodying Ahimsa in energy.

The UN atomic symbol blended with Indian map or diplomats shaking hands over reactor model

By 2047, India envisions itself as a global leader in clean energy, charting a path that balances innovation with introspection. Central to this vision are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), compact and efficient units that bring flexibility, safety, and scalability to energy production. These are not just engineering marvels but a strategic response to the energy needs of rural and urban India alike. Equally pivotal is thorium-based technology, a domain where India holds both natural abundance and a visionary edge. Rooted in our monazite-rich sands and aligned with ancient ecological wisdom, thorium reactors symbolize a future that is not only energy-secure but also environmentally sustainable. And on the horizon lies the pursuit of controlled nuclear fusion, an endeavour that seeks to emulate the Sun’s process of creation, reflecting the profound Vedic idea of tapping into the universal life force.

But India's energy journey is not merely about scientific breakthroughs or technological milestones. What truly distinguishes it is the spiritual and ethical consciousness that runs through it like a sacred thread. Inspired by the Indian Knowledge Systems, we do not view energy as just a commodity but as Shakti, a force to be respected, restrained, and harmonized. Guided by principles such as Ṛta (cosmic order), Aparigraha (non-hoarding), and Sarva Bhutahitam (welfare of all beings), our clean energy roadmap aspires to reflect not just power but purpose.

India’s story is not just of megawatts and particles. It is a profound narrative of synthesis, where the spiritual depth of the Upanishads meets the scientific rigor of uranium enrichment, where the metaphysical vastness of Brahman coexists with the technological sophistication of Breeder Reactors, and where the moral compass provided by Ṛṭa steers the course of regulatory frameworks. This integration is not accidental; it is intentional, purposeful, and deeply rooted in the Indian worldview that sees no dichotomy between science and spirituality. As we move into a future shaped by advanced reactors, clean energy, and global collaborations, let us do so with confidence that comes from ancient wisdom, with courage kindled by innovation, and with compassion inspired by a commitment to collective well-being. Let us harness Shakti not merely as a source of energy, but as a force for peace, inclusive development, and a joyful, sustainable world.

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