Episode 1488, Western Thinkers, Scientists and the Great Influence of Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagawad Gita

Western Thinkers, Scientists, and the Great Influence of the Vedas and Upanishads

In today's discussion, we turn to a remarkable subject: how some of the greatest thinkers, philosophers, scientists, and writers of the Western world were deeply influenced by the wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads, Vedanta, and the Bhagavad Gita. Along with other personalities, one of the most significant figures in this discussion is Arthur Schopenhauer. Schopenhauer's respect for Indian philosophy, especially the Upanishads and Vedanta, is considered one of the greatest examples of Eastern wisdom influencing the West.

Schopenhauer made one of the most famous statements ever spoken about the Upanishads. He said that the Upanishads were the greatest consolation of his life and would remain his consolation even at the time of death. He had studied the Latin translation of the Upanishads known as Oupnek'hat, which itself had been translated from Persian. He became so deeply impressed by this text that he read it every night before going to sleep. This is an extraordinary statement. Schopenhauer emphasized several key teachings from Vedanta.

He spoke about Brahman and the great Vedantic declaration Tat Tvam Asi — "Thou Art That." Schopenhauer was deeply influenced by this teaching. He believed that at the root of all existence there is only one fundamental reality, and all apparent differences are merely manifestations of Maya.

According to him, there is one underlying essence behind all creation, while distinctions are merely appearances produced by Maya. He adopted the Vedantic concept of Maya into his own philosophy. He argued that the world as it appears to us is not ultimate reality but rather a representation, an appearance.

Again, he emphasized that the world we perceive is not the final reality; it is only a representation.

He also stressed compassion and the unity of all beings. He accepted the Indian teaching that the same Self resides in all living beings. Therefore, compassion toward others becomes the true foundation of morality.

Like both Buddhist and Vedic traditions, he taught that freedom from suffering comes through the renunciation of desires and the denial of blind will.

According to him, if one seeks liberation from suffering, then the abandonment of uncontrolled desires is the path. Schopenhauer even predicted that Indian wisdom and the Upanishads would one day influence the Western world as profoundly as Greek philosophy influenced Europe during the Renaissance.

This was a remarkable prediction.

Other Great Thinkers Who Praised the Vedas and Upanishads

Many great philosophers, scientists, and writers from around the world have praised the Vedas and Upanishads.

1.       Arthur Schopenhauer (Germany)

As discussed earlier, Schopenhauer considered the Upanishads the greatest consolation of his life. The Upanishads teach that you are eternal. You never truly cease to exist. Your existence is everlasting. You are not destined for complete annihilation. The Upanishads give tremendous courage by teaching that your true nature continues eternally. Whether the body remains or not, your essential being remains. You are that Brahman.

2.       Ralph Waldo Emerson (United States)

Emerson, one of the founders of American Transcendentalism, drew inspiration from the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. His poem Brahma was deeply influenced by Vedantic philosophy.

3.       Henry David Thoreau (United States)

Thoreau held the Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads in the highest regard. He remarked that compared to them, much of modern literature appears small and insignificant.

4.       Max Müller and Arthur Macdonell (Germany and England)

Max Müller translated the Vedas and described them as humanity's most ancient scriptures.

5.       Leo Tolstoy (Russia)

The great Russian novelist was deeply influenced by Vedic and Gita teachings.

6.       Aldous Huxley and Romain Rolland

Both praised the profound depth of Vedanta and Indian spirituality.

Scientists Influenced by Vedic Thought

7.       Erwin Schrödinger (Austria)

One of the pioneers of quantum physics, Schrödinger connected Vedantic teachings about unity with his scientific reflections. He openly acknowledged the inspiration he drew from the Upanishads.

8.       Robert Oppenheimer (United States)

The creator of the atomic bomb famously quoted a verse from the Bhagavad Gita after the first nuclear test.

9.       Nikola Tesla

After meeting Swami Vivekananda, Tesla became interested in Vedic concepts such as Akasha and Prana.

10.   Carl Jung (Switzerland)

The renowned psychologist was influenced by Indian philosophy.

11.   Will Durant (United States)

The historian praised Indian civilization and its spiritual knowledge extensively. These individuals came from philosophy, science, literature, and psychology, yet all recognized the depth of Vedic wisdom.

The Most Astonishing Statements About the Upanishads

Among all these figures, some statements stand out as particularly surprising.

12.   Schopenhauer's Extraordinary Declaration

Although he was a Western philosopher, Schopenhauer placed the Upanishads above his own religious traditions. He declared that there is no study in the world more elevating and liberating than the Upanishads. He said they were his comfort in life and would remain his comfort in death. For a European intellectual, this was an extraordinary statement.

13.   Erwin Schrödinger's Declaration

As a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, Schrödinger stated that all consciousness is fundamentally one. In essence, this reflects the Vedantic insight of Aham Brahmasmi. He linked his scientific conclusions directly with Vedantic teachings. This remains one of the most fascinating examples of science and spirituality meeting.

14.   Robert Oppenheimer

When witnessing the first atomic explosion, the famous verse from the Bhagavad Gita came to his mind: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds." That a scientist would recall the Gita at such a historic moment became a globally discussed event.

15.   Henry David Thoreau

He stated that beside the vast cosmic vision of the Bhagavad Gita, much of modern literature appears trivial.

For an American writer to make such a statement about his own civilization was remarkable.

16.   Max Müller

He called the Vedas the oldest scriptures of humanity and dedicated much of his life to bringing Indian knowledge to Europe. Among all these figures, the observations of Schrödinger and Oppenheimer are often regarded as especially astonishing because they were among the most influential scientists of modern times. Yet they openly acknowledged the value of ancient Indian wisdom.

Modern Scientists and the Vedas

When discussing modern scientists, the topic becomes more complex. Most scientists who openly praised the Vedas and Upanishads belonged to the twentieth century. Examples include Schrödinger and Werner Heisenberg. Living scientists in the twenty-first century generally do not directly proclaim that the Vedas are absolute truth. However, many researchers studying consciousness often arrive at ideas that resemble Vedantic insights. This is an important distinction.

17.   Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr

These pioneers of quantum mechanics found frameworks within Vedantic ideas of unity, consciousness, and interconnectedness that seemed surprisingly compatible with their scientific discoveries.

18.   Fritjof Capra

Author of The Tao of Physics, Capra extensively explored parallels between modern physics and Eastern philosophy.

Consciousness Research Today

Researchers in neuroscience, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence continue to investigate consciousness. These are many of the same questions the Upanishads raised thousands of years ago.

This does not mean all scientists endorse Vedanta. Rather, they are independently exploring questions that often overlap with ancient philosophical inquiries.

19.   Fred Hoyle

Some scientists, such as Fred Hoyle, acknowledged that science has traditionally avoided discussing consciousness, despite the fact that all observation ultimately occurs through consciousness itself. This suggests that the relationship between mind and matter cannot be ignored indefinitely.

What Did Schrödinger, Heisenberg, and Oppenheimer Say About Ultimate Reality?

This is perhaps the most interesting part.

None of these scientists spoke about God in a purely traditional religious sense. Instead, they approached the subject philosophically and spiritually.

Erwin Schrödinger: Consciousness Is One

Schrödinger was perhaps the strongest supporter of Vedantic ideas among them. He argued that there is fundamentally only one mind. He considered consciousness to be timeless and indivisible. According to him, individual minds are expressions of a single universal consciousness. This closely resembles the Vedantic teaching that Atman and Brahman are one.

He believed that the Upanishadic identification of the individual self with the universal Self represented one of humanity's deepest insights. Interestingly, it has been said that Schrödinger named his dog "Atman."

Reports also suggest that his lectures often concluded with reflections on the unity of Atman and Brahman.

He kept Hindu scriptures near his bedside and studied Vedanta, Yoga, and Sankhya philosophy.

His introduction to Indian philosophy reportedly came around 1918 through the writings of Schopenhauer.

Werner Heisenberg: Finding Comfort in Indian Philosophy

Heisenberg did not directly claim that God is described in the Vedas. Instead, he spoke about the intellectual relief he experienced through Indian philosophy. In 1929 he visited India and met Rabindranath Tagore. According to Fritjof Capra, Heisenberg later remarked that ideas which once seemed strange became much easier to understand after his discussions with Tagore. He found that concepts such as relativity, interdependence, and impermanence—ideas difficult for many physicists to grasp—were already central to Indian spiritual traditions.

Regarding God, Heisenberg spoke more about an underlying order within reality. He believed that developments in quantum physics had strengthened rather than weakened the relationship between science and spirituality. An important clarification is necessary here. The uncertainty principle was published by Heisenberg in 1927. His meeting with Tagore occurred in 1929. Therefore, Indian philosophy did not create the scientific theory itself, but it may have provided philosophical support and insight afterward.

Robert Oppenheimer: The Bhagavad Gita as Guidance

Oppenheimer had learned Sanskrit and read the Bhagavad Gita in its original language. This is a remarkable fact. During the first atomic bomb test in 1945, the famous verse from the Gita arose in his mind. He considered the Bhagavad Gita one of the most influential books of his life. For him, it provided guidance regarding duty, action, and consequences.

In summary:

• Schrödinger viewed Vedanta as directly expressing truth.

• Heisenberg regarded Indian philosophy as intellectual support and confirmation.

• Oppenheimer viewed the Gita as a source of ethical and philosophical guidance.

Practical Lessons We Can Apply in Daily Life

The final and most important question is: What teachings from the Vedas and Upanishads can we apply in everyday life?

1. See the Same Essence in Everyone

Schrödinger and Schopenhauer both emphasized that all consciousness is fundamentally one. When we understand that the same essence exists in others as exists within ourselves, jealousy, hatred, and discrimination naturally decrease. We begin to feel the suffering of others as our own. Schopenhauer therefore considered compassion the foundation of true morality.

2. Cultivate Compassion and Service

When we understand that all beings are connected, compassion arises naturally. Helping others selflessly, without expectation of reward, becomes a practical expression of this insight.

3. Practice Humility

Heisenberg accepted uncertainty. The Upanishads speak of Neti, Neti — "Not this, not this." Both point toward the same truth: human knowledge is limited. Recognizing that we do not know everything opens the door to humility and learning. Even the greatest scientists understand that they do not possess all answers. They formulate probabilities, conduct experiments, and acknowledge their limitations. An honest scientist admits the limits of knowledge.

4. Understand the Limits of Knowledge

Even after studying the Vedas, Upanishads, Gita, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, one eventually realizes that the universe has a Creator.

Creation, preservation, dissolution, liberation, and cosmic cycles unfold according to a higher order.

Countless universes have arisen and disappeared.

Humans become divine, divine beings become human, and the journey toward liberation continues.

The greatest wisdom ultimately lies in realizing one's true Self and recognizing the Supreme Truth.

The highest teaching is that after death, one should attain the Supreme Truth and Supreme Peace.

5. Control Desires

Schopenhauer learned from both Buddhist and Vedic teachings that uncontrolled desires are the root of suffering.

Instead of chasing every desire, one should cultivate contentment.

The Upanishads teach that true happiness lies within rather than in external objects.

6. Live in the Present Moment

Schrödinger suggested that consciousness always exists in the eternal present.

Therefore, one should release regrets about the past and anxieties about the future.

Being fully present is the essence of meditation.

7. Perform Action Without Attachment

Oppenheimer's appreciation of the Gita centered on duty. Perform your responsibilities sincerely and leave the results to God and nature. Work honestly and do not allow success or failure to disturb your peace. This is one of the most practical formulas for freedom from stress and anxiety.

8. Ask the Fundamental Question: Who Am I?

The central question of the Upanishads remains:

Who am I?

Self-inquiry and meditation help awaken inner awareness. One should devote time daily to self-reflection and strive to recognize one's true nature beyond external achievements.

A Single Formula Summarizing All These Teachings

All these teachings can be condensed into one simple formula: See the One in all. Live with compassion. Control desires. Perform action without attachment to results. Recognize the truth within. It is fascinating that many great scientists and philosophers, following different paths, arrived at conclusions resembling truths expressed in the Upanishads thousands of years ago.

Why Did Even Great Scientists Take the Vedas and Upanishads Seriously?

Even the greatest scientist knows that one day death will come. Naturally, questions arise: What happens after death? What was the purpose of all this effort? Where do we go afterward? The Vedas answer by declaring that the Self is immortal. This brings profound comfort. The doctrine of Karma offers another source of confidence. No effort is ever wasted. No sincere action disappears without consequence.

Every action eventually bears fruit. This life, another life, this world, or another realm—results inevitably follow causes. The Vedas and Upanishads provide human beings with tremendous confidence by teaching that sincere effort never truly fails. A thought, a resolve, or an action does not vanish without effect. The universe remembers. We may work collectively for world peace, for higher consciousness, and for the spread of supreme peace. For thousands of years, the Vedas and Upanishads have taught these principles.

Scientists may become exhausted by endless experiments and failures, yet they also wonder about mortality, meaning, and destiny. The Vedic teachings address these concerns directly. They explain that countless bodies have been taken and left behind, yet the soul continues. When loved ones die, people naturally ask: Where have they gone? What is their condition? What happens next? Spiritual traditions attempt to answer such questions by describing different states and realms of existence. Many people around the world continue searching for these answers. Some discover them in this life; others may continue the search in future lives. Our role is simply to share knowledge.

Whether others benefit from it depends upon time, effort, destiny, and their own spiritual journey.

If a soul genuinely seeks the Supreme Truth, eventually that soul will move toward higher worlds and deeper realization. Knowledge spreads across vast distances. Even if souls do not meet in the physical world, they may meet through subtler dimensions of existence.

Many search sincerely but are unable to find what they seek due to circumstances and timing. Therefore, the best approach is simple: Do your duty. Offer your worries, stress, and anxiety to the Divine. This world belongs to the Supreme. We are merely instruments. When we truly understand this, peace naturally arises. That was the essence of today's discussion. Please reflect upon it and share your thoughts.