Union Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar today said that the ancient sages of the country were "probably great scientists.
Giving mythological lessons to defence scientists, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said that the ancient sages of the country were "probably great scientists." He also asked the scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to learn from 'rishis', the art of being humble and overcoming jealousy and anger.
He gave the example of sage Dadhichi, who provided Lord Indra with an indestructible weapon known as 'vajra', according to mythology.
Mr Parrikar said, "They say that he made it out of his bone but I think he would have probably done some scientific research to develop a metal which provided that kind of superior technology. So you can classify him into a scientist. But the major difference that I find in those days and today is that rishis had control over ego, control over anger. These are very important for an educated person."
Earlier, the minister advocated the cause of humility, saying it should not be taken in a wrong sense. "I always believe that power enhances with restraint and education enhances with humility... For an educated person, to have humility is one of the most important virtues. I think the scientist community should choose to make it part of their overall behaviour and set up."
Mr Parrikar was speaking at the the 39th Directors' Conference of DRDO.