Zero
In the beginning, there was darkness and out of that darkness came Zero.
This is the story of ‘Zero’.
Zero as you may all know only became known when he was recognized as numeral in number system by the ancient astronomer and a great mathematician Aryabhatta in 7th century AD and by 9th Century AD, Zero got his full recognition in the eyes of mathematicians like Bhaskara, Mahavira etc. This is his story.
In the beginning, there was darkness and out of that darkness came Zero. Zero wandered in the darkness for infinity and when the “Big Bang” happened, zero was released from the clutches of darkness or when GOD said let there be light and there was light (whichever version you prefer). Zero became free. Zero wandered the cosmos and universe and when he searched for meaning he could find none, for no one shall explain him the significance of his existence unless he comes to the lofty banks of Ganges in the land east of river Sindhu where the ancient university of Nalanda was ready to make outstanding discoveries.
From ancient Mayans with their long count calendars to ancient Hispanics of Babylon with their sexagesimal number system, all Zero got was an abstract symbol and verbal gibberish of ‘nihil’ and ‘null’. That was not what Zero wanted, he wanted to matter and when he came across the Sumerian Arabs, zero was united with his family, the numerals from 1 to 9, but the family was not complete, for they never knew their distant cousin Zero even existed. Zero began searching for his the reason of his existence and he came to the conclusion that he must travel to east to continue his search for significance. Zero traveled until he came to the banks of Ganges where an ancient sage was meditating. Zero felt for the first time that he has met his discoverer who will in true sense define him. Zero went to the sage who was known as Brahmagupta and asked;
Zero: O Wise Sage, I have come to you for knowing the significance of my existence. The reason for my existence. Tell me O wise sage who am I?
Brahmagupta: (Opened his eyes and smiled) My Dear Zero, you have come, at last, the earth has waited for you since the time earth was dust in darkness. It took you so very long to reach earth. Alas! my child come I will reveal the reason and significance of your existence to you. Zero think not you are alone for you have brethren 1 to 9, and they shall forever be incomplete without you. They will be whole when you meet them. You are insignificant if you are alone but with other brothers, you will know your value. This universe came from you and you came from this very universe. You are the ultimate symbol of infinity. For none can destroy you but you. When multiplied you raise the values when divided you lessen them to nothing. Still, if you are unsure about your significance, let this example be your guide and solace. The mortals of these earth are based on you, they come from you and in the end, they go to you. They come barehand and go barehand. But you, you have a reason to live, for you were living before darkness and will live after the light. You are infinite yet very finite. Understand, my dear Zero the ultimate aim of your life and what universe expects from you is to give significance to others and together you with them, all will be significant.
(saying thus the wise sage closed his eyes.)
Zero was satisfied for he now knew the reason for his existence and his significance. He went and joined his brethren and the rest is history
We all humans are Zeros, alone we are nothing, without value, but only in the company of other fellow humans do we give ourselves and other some value. When humans multiply in kindness and humanity the world prospers and when Humans divide and hate the world dies. The ultimate aim of humans is also like Zero, to add value to the others. Then and then can be a life called worthy lived.
This is the story of ‘Zero’.
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