science and spirituality - Mundaka Upanishad

Science and spirituality, traditionally went hand in hand and complimented each other. That was how they were meant to co-exist. To illustrate this with an example we shall take a look at the Karnavedha (ear-piercing) Sanskaar – in which the ear-lobes of a child were pierced just before the child started formal education.

Memorisation and retention of what is taught is an essential part of education. More so in the earlier days – when knowledge transfer was done by recitation – using the verbal medium. This is why titles of 'Ekpathi', 'Dvipathi', 'Tripathi' (एकपाठी, द्विपाठी, त्रिपाठी) and so on, came about -meaning those who learnt on hearing once, twice, thrice respectively.
A certain point in the ear-lobe which is pierced and kept with a slight pressure applied to it – is known to improve memory and retention power. Today we see a Youtube video of how holding of the ear-lobes and doing sit-ups calms the mind and improves memory !
The scriptures simultaneously invoked powers of retention with prayers which the Teacher and students chanted together at the beginning of a study session. One such prayer – the peace invocation at the beginning of the Mundaka Upanishad is shared below to illustrate how science and spirituality went hand in hand.ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः श्रुणुयाम देवा भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः।
 स्थिरैरङ्गैस्तुष्टुवाग्ं सस्तनूभिः व्यशेम देवहितं यदायुः॥स्वस्ति न इन्द्रो वृद्धश्रवाः स्वस्ति नः पूषा विश्ववेदाः।स्वस्ति नस्तार्क्ष्यो अरिष्टनेमिः स्वस्ति नो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु। ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥ [- शान्तिः मन्त्र - अथर्व वेद]om bhadraṁ karṇebhiḥ śruṇuyāma devā bhadraṁ paśyemākṣabhiryajatrāḥ, sthirairaṅgaistuṣṭuvāgṁ sastanūbhiḥ vyaśema devahitaṁ yadāyuḥ.svasti na indro vṛddhaśravāḥ svasti naḥ pūṣā viśvavedāḥ,svasti nastārkṣyo ariṣṭanemiḥ svasti no bṛhaspatirdadhātu.om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ. [- Śāntiḥ mantra - Atharva Veda]
Oh Gods, may we hear with ur ears (always) what is auspicious; O worshipful Ones, may we with our eyes see (always) what is auspicious. May we live the entire length of our allotted life hale and hearty offering our praises (unto Thee). May Indra, the ancient and famous, Pushan (Sun) the all-knowing, the Lord of swift motion (Vayu) who saves us from all harms and Brihaspati who protects the spiritual wealth in us – bless us (with the intellectual strength to understand the scriptures and the heroic heart to follow the teachings). Om Peace ! Peace !! Peace !!!
- https://www.facebook.com/UpanishadGanga/posts/429386273847468