Born in India in 1884, Tirthaji Maharaja was a voracious student. At the age of only 20, Tirthaji had studied at several universities around the world and completed seven masters degrees, including English, Philosophy, Sanskrit, Mathematics, History and Science. He would be described as having a unique combination of insight and mathematical acumen that eventually became Vedic Math.

It was around 1911 that Tirthaji decided to decipher several sections of the Atharva-veda, the sacred text of Hinduidm, that had dismissed as nonsensical by previous scholars. It was in these sections that Tirthaji would discover the basis for Vedic mathematics in the form of 16 sutras, or aphorisms. A few of the sections themselves are titled mathematical formulae, but don’t obviously discuss any branch of math. It took Tirthaji eight years of seclusion in Sringeri, Karnataka is finalize the sutras.

It took eight years of solitary meditation and study., but Tirthaji emerged from Sringeri claiming he’d deciphered 16 fundamental mathematical sutras, or aphorisms. Each one can be applied to multiple branches of mathematics, from simple arithmetic to more complicated differential calculus. Tirthaji claimed there was no area of mathematics incompatible with Vedic math. With his studies finished, Tirthaji began traveling around India, teaching Vedic mathematics wherever her went. He even traveled to the United States and England in 1958 to lecture on the subject.

They were, unfortunately, irretrievably lost, forcing Tirthaji to begin again. He managed to completely re-write the first volume before eventually passing away in 1960. Vedic Mathematics, the first volume, was not published until five years after Tirthaji’s death. The tome has become that basis for the entire field.

Tirthaji believed that Vedic mathematics held wisdom for all branches of mathematics, from multiplication to calculus. Some believe, however, that this type of math is outdated. Much of the information, some mathematicians believe, has become irrelevant thanks to the introduction of calculators and computers.This is not the only controversy, either. Many members of the Hindu community question Tirthaji’s findings, as much of the texts he used to decipher the sutras do not refer specifically to any form of mathematics.

Vedic mathematics is also subject to controversy in the Hindu community. Many Hindu scholars believe Tirthaji’s discoveries to be apocryphal, as the texts he translated make no specific mention of mathematics in any form.

This form of mathematics can help students speed up their calculation. It’s also been find an easier learning experience for some students than traditional mathematics. Schools that have used this type of math curriculum, like the Maharashi School Lancashire, England have experienced great success through the technique. They often describe greater enjoyment and participations, as well as improved academic performance.

This shows Vedic mathematics has the potential to not only increase calculation speed, but also provide a new and enjoyable way to learn mathematics. It can help students understand that inner workings of mathematics, improving their general understanding of all branches of math.

Though it may appear outdated, Tirthaji succeeded in created a distinct mathematical triumph. While some of sutras laid out by Tirthaji might seem irrelevant now, their discovery is no less impressive. With further study, Vedic mathematics may yet reveal even more mathematical secrets.

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