Deep dive into the terms and concepts mentioned in Chapter 10
Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) was an American psychologist best known for creating a hierarchy of needs that outlines a five-tier model of human motivation. The five levels of needs, from lowest to highest, are physiological, safety, love and belongingness, esteem, and self-actualisation. Maslow’s ideas emphasised the importance of developing a healthy personality and stressed the value of self-actualisation, which he described as becoming the most one can be. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEyvOoFCqYc)
Atheist is someone who does not believe in the existence of deities or gods. Atheism can range from a lack of belief in any gods to a more philosophical stance that actively denies the existence of these entities. Atheists may find meaning and purpose outside religion, often through humanism, science, or personal experiences. Many notable individuals throughout history and in contemporary society have identified as atheists or have expressed atheistic views. Albert Einstein, Carl Sagan, Richard Dawkins, and Stephen Hawking have contributed to discussions on atheism, science, philosophy, and ethics from various perspectives.
Digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, system, or process. It is created using real-time data collected from sensors or other sources and can simulate, predict, and optimise the performance of its physical counterpart. Digital twins are commonly used in various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, smart cities, and automotive, to improve monitoring, efficiency, and decision-making. Sensors and IoT devices gather data from the physical object or system. A detailed mathematical or computational model represents the object’s behaviour and characteristics. The digital twin can simulate scenarios to predict outcomes based on different variables and conditions. Continuous data feeds ensure the digital twin accurately reflects its physical counterpart, allowing for real-time insights and adjustments. Organisations can analyse the physical asset’s performance and identify improvement opportunities. By leveraging digital twins, companies can enhance maintenance strategies, reduce downtime, optimise operations, and support innovation.
Hanuman is a symbol of strength, devotion, and loyalty and is revered by Hindus as a god. In
Ramayana, he plays a critical role as a devoted follower of Lord Rama. Hanuman can fly with
immense strength and the capacity to change his size. In addition to physical strength,
Hanuman is also depicted as wise and knowledgeable. In his childhood, Hanuman displayed
various supernatural abilities. Hanuman is the son of Anjana, a celestial nymph, and Kesari,
the king of the monkeys (Vanaras). He is blessed by the wind god (Vayu), who attributes his
incredible strength and ability to fly to him. He mistook the sun for fruit in his infant form
and attempted to swallow it. Hanuman is blessed to be an immortal being (Chiranjeevi). He
is believed to continue to exist in the world, aiding those who chant his name or seek his
help, manifesting himself in various forms and providing assistance in times of trouble.
Humanoids are beings that have characteristics resembling humans. Humanoid robots are designed to mimic the human body in form and function. They often have a head, torso, arms, and legs and can be programmed to perform tasks, interact with people, or replicate human movements. Examples include ASIMO by Honda and Sophia by Hanson Robotics. Humanoid creatures in literature and film can include aliens or artificial beings resembling humans. Characters in science fiction often explore themes of identity, consciousness, and the nature of humanity. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIxSON5l9Ec)
IIT BHU is one of the prestigious institutions of higher education in India. It was established in the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, in 1919 as the Banaras Engineering College (BENCO). The next stage of development saw the establishment of the College of Technology (TECHNO) and the College of Mining & Metallurgy (MINMET). In 1968, the erstwhile engineering colleges of BHU, namely BENCO, MINMET, and TECHNO, were merged to form the Institute of Technology (IT-BHU). IT-BHU has admitted students through the JEE conducted by the IITs since 1972. The erstwhile IT-BHU was ranked consistently amongst the top engineering institutions in the country. It became an IIT in 2012. (https://iitbhu.ac.in).
Jambavan is a prominent figure in Hindu mythology. He is depicted as a wise and powerful
bear king known for his strength and intelligence. He is one of the oldest beings in the
Ramayana. Jambavan encourages Hanuman to realise his full potential and leap across the
ocean to reach Lanka. In the Dwapara Yuga, Jambavan encounters Lord Krishna while
questing for the divine gem, Syamantaka. Jambavan had possession of the gem, and Krishna
sought it to resolve the misunderstanding surrounding the gem’s theft and to clear his name
regarding accusations related to it. Jambavan married his daughter with Shri Krishna and
they had a son named Sambha.
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756 – 1791) is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in Western music history. Mozart composed in many musical forms, including symphonies, concertos, operas, chamber music, piano sonatas, and religious choral music. Mozart’s notable works include “The Marriage of Figaro,” “Don Giovanni,” and “The Magic Flute” operas. He wrote 41 symphonies, with Symphony No. 40 in G minor being particularly famous. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sGqkMU-mGQ). His 27 piano concertos are notable for their innovation and emotional depth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8BRnjahses). Mozart’s music is characterised by clarity, balance, and transparency, often employing intricate melodies and harmonies. His ability to blend emotional intensity with formal structure is a hallmark of his work. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hQnUoBmKA4).
Sambhal is a city 100 miles east of New Delhi in Uttar Pradesh. It is a trade centre for agricultural produce. Its industries include sugar refining, hand-loom weaving, and calico printing. Hindus consider the city significant as the prophesized birthplace of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Vishnu.
Srinivas Ramanujan (1887-1920) was an Indian mathematician who contributed significantly to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions. Despite having little formal training in mathematics, his intuition and innovative methods led to groundbreaking discoveries, many of which were later proved true. He famously collaborated with the British mathematician G. H. Hardy, who recognised Ramanujan’s talent and brought him to Cambridge University. Ramanujan’s legacy continues to influence various areas of mathematics, and he is regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians in history. His life and contributions have been the subject of numerous books and films, exploring both his genius and the challenges he faced. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP0lUqNAw3k)
Stith Pragya is a Sanskrit term mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita for an individual who is steady in wisdom. Lord Krishna describes the characteristics of a Stith Pragya, explaining that such a person maintains a balanced mind amidst the ups and downs of life. (https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/2/55/). A sense of inner peace is the hallmark of a Stith Pragya (https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/2/56/). The concept encourages individuals to cultivate mental stability and clarity, whether in personal challenges or the pursuit of spiritual growth – not to hanker after pleasures, gratefully accept whatever comes his/her way, without excitement or complaint. It does not mean that one should not try to get what is due. One must fight for one’s rights without attachment and with a calm and equanimous mind.
Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions. It emphasises rationality, virtue, and the natural order of the universe. Stoicism was founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BCE. Important later figures include Seneca, Epictetus, and the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Stoic practices include reflection, mindfulness, and examining one’s thoughts and actions to align them with Stoic virtues. Popular techniques include negative visualisation (imagining worst-case scenarios to appreciate what one has) and daily journaling. Stoicism shares several parallels with Indian philosophical traditions, notably Detachment (Aparigraha), Self-Control (Samyama), Equanimity (Samatva) and Mindfulness and Awareness (Dhyana. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSWs71QPMh8)
Van Gogh, Vincent Willem (1853 –1890) was a Dutch painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In just over a decade, he created approximately 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings and 43 self-portraits in the last two years of his life. Van Gogh’s works are among the world’s most expensive paintings. Those sold for over US$100 million (today’s equivalent) include Portrait of Dr Gachet (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_Dr._Gachet#/media/File:Portrait_of_Dr._Gachet.jpg), Portrait of Joseph Roulin (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vincent_van_Gogh_-_Portrait_of_Joseph_Roulin.jpg) and Irises (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irises_(painting)#/media/File:Irises-Vincent_van_Gogh.jpg). Wheat Field with Cypresses was sold in 1993 for US$57 million (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheat_Field_with_Cypresses#/media/File:Wheat-Field-with-Cypresses-(1889)-Vincent-van-Gogh-Met.jpg). L’Allée des Alyscamps was sold for US$66.3 million. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Alyscamps#/media/File:Van_gogh_lallee_des_alyscamps.jpg)