According to the passage on page 225, explains the importance of zero
The Indian invention of the concept of zero is important to understanding the sophistication of Indian education. Though mathematical reasoning was by no means out of the ordinary, the Indians ventured into uncharted mathematical territory. The mathematic principles they came up with served to be very important not only to their society, but also to modern computational sciences. It is for this reason that Indian reasoning remains the integral basis of computational sciences in the contemporary world. The invention of the concept of zero enabled the Indians to adopt a system of place-value notation, in which different symbols with the same number and type of characters could represent different numerals. This significantly improved calculation speed and efficiency, enabling Indians to carry out advanced algebraic calculations and anticipate the invention of calculus. This new, efficient number system with the use of zero spread from India to its neighboring societies, eventually impacting the entire world of mathematics.
How do these reflections on cast duties and detachment in the Bhagavad Gita compare and contrast with the moral and ethical teachings of Zarathustra and Confucius discussed in earlier chapters?
The reflections on cast duties and detachment in the Bhagavad Gita are similar to, yet different than the ethical teachings of Zarathustra, the Persian religion of salvation. One main difference between the the teachings of Zarathustra and the Bhagavad Gita is the way in which each viewed pleasure. According to the Zoroastrianism faith, the teachings of Zarathustra allowed human beings to enjoy the world and it's fruit, including wealth, sexual pleasure, and social prestige. Contrastingly, the Bhagavad Gita explains that the state of mind that consists in firm understanding regarding steady contemplation does not belong to those who are strongly attached to worldly pleasures and power. Another difference between the faiths taught by Zoroaster and the Bhagavad Gita is that the Bhagavad Gita places importance on self righteous behavior, according to social status, even if it means death. In contrast, the teachings of Zoroaster state that one must place decisions on the basis of moral belief, not according to society or social status. Yet another difference between the two is regarding the afterlife. In Zoroastrian faith, people are judged based on their actions upon their death and are placed in heaven or hell. In contrast, the Bhagavad Gita teaches that people are born and reincarnated. One similarity between the two faiths is that both glorified strength and associated weakness with shame. The teachings of Zoroaster state that the ancient Persians glorified strength, and depicted those who were weak as incapable. Similarly according to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, one who does meet obligations and shows weak character has abandoned his duty and fame, "falling down to littleness." In fighting and showing strength, one can gain respect. Therefore, the teachings of Zarathustra and the Bhagavad Gita are similar, yet different in many ways.
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