Shakuntala Devi

Shakuntala Devi – Life, Career & Famous Quotes

Discover the life, genius, writings, and inspiring quotes of Shakuntala Devi (1929–2013), India’s “Human Computer”—a mathematical prodigy, pioneering author, and cultural icon.

Introduction: Who Was Shakuntala Devi?

Shakuntala Devi (4 November 1929 – 21 April 2013) was an Indian mental calculator, writer, astrologer, and social advocate, widely known by the sobriquet “Human Computer.”

Born in Bangalore, she astonished both laypeople and mathematicians alike with her ability to perform complex arithmetic in her head at incredible speed and accuracy—often beating mechanical computers.

Yet she was not confined to mathematics: she authored books on puzzles, mathematics education, novels, and even addressed social topics—most notably writing The World of Homosexuals, one of India’s earliest studies on homosexuality.

Her life stands at the intersection of genius, cultural courage, and breaking boundaries—both intellectual and social.

Early Life and Family

Shakuntala Devi was born on 4 November 1929 in Bangalore, in what was then the Kingdom of Mysore (British India). Her father, C. V. Sundararaja Rao, was a circus performer—a trapeze artist, lion tamer, tightrope walker, and magician.

The story goes that when she was about three years old, her father taught her a card trick, during which he observed her uncanny ability to memorize numbers. Recognizing this potential, he withdrew from circus life and began touring with young Shakuntala, showcasing her mental arithmetic feats in public demonstrations.

Notably, she did not receive formal schooling in mathematics; her abilities were largely self-developed and revealed through performance rather than formal classroom training.

By age six, she had made a remarkable demonstration at the University of Mysore, performing arithmetic feats publicly despite her lack of formal training.

Career & Achievements

Mental Calculation & Record Feats

Shakuntala’s core claim to international fame was her capacity to perform extremely large calculations mentally—with speed and accuracy surpassing many machines of her time.

• In 1977, at Southern Methodist University, she computed the 23rd root of a 201-digit number in 50 seconds—a feat which outpaced a UNIVAC computer programmed for the same task.

• On 18 June 1980, at Imperial College London, she multiplied two randomly selected 13-digit numbers (7,686,369,774,870 × 2,465,099,745,779) mentally in 28 seconds, producing the correct result (18,947,668,177,995,426,462,773,730).

• Although she performed that feat in 1980, her achievement was recorded in the 1982 edition of the Guinness Book of Records.

She often traveled internationally, giving demonstrations to audiences spanning students, professors, bankers, even those unfamiliar with advanced mathematics.

Her methods—some of which she explained in her book Figuring: The Joy of Numbers (1977)—revealed the logic, shortcuts, and mental techniques that differentiated prodigious calculators from ordinary minds.

Writing, Publishing & Other Fields

Shakuntala Devi was a prolific writer beyond her mathematical displays. Her published works span puzzles, popular mathematics, novels, cookbooks, astrology, and social commentary.

Some of her notable books include:

• Puzzles to Puzzle You (1976)

• More Puzzles to Puzzle You

• Figuring: The Joy of Numbers

• The World of Homosexuals (1977) — a bold and pioneering study on homosexuality in India, advocating for acceptance at a time when the topic was taboo.

• In the Wonderland of Numbers

• Super Memory: It Can Be Yours!

• Astrology for You

She also ventured into fiction—writing murder mysteries, short stories, and works meant to make mathematics appealing to children.

In politics, in 1980, she contested Lok Sabha elections (as an independent) in Mumbai South and Medak (Andhra Pradesh). In Medak, she challenged former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Her electoral performance was modest (1.47% of votes in Medak).

Later in life, she lived in Bangalore and continued her writing, intellectual work, and public legacy.

Recognitions & Legacy

• Though her mental feats were performed much earlier, her multiplication record was included in the Guinness Book of Records (1982).

• Her life was adapted into a biopic film released in 2020, titled Shakuntala Devi, starring Vidya Balan, which dramatized her life, mathematical genius, and personal struggles.

• Her 84th birthday, on 4 November 2013, was celebrated with a Google Doodle in her honor.

• Her work in writing The World of Homosexuals is now considered pioneering in Indian social discourse on sexuality and representation.

Personality & Character

From interviews and recorded remarks, Shakuntala Devi’s character traits emerge as follows:

• Boldness & anti-conformity — She did not shy away from controversial topics (e.g., homosexuality) despite societal pressure.

• Humility & approachability — She is quoted saying she rides auto-rickshaws and does not wish to single herself out above the masses.

• Love for mathematics & education — She often emphasized that everything around us is numbers, and that the brain must be exercised.

• Curiosity & versatility — She ventured into astrology, fiction, cookbooks, puzzles, and also social issues. This breadth indicates a restless intellectual energy.

• Courage in personal life — Her marriage ended in 1979; controversies around her husband’s sexuality and her public stance on homosexuality suggest she confronted difficult personal and societal challenges.

Famous Quotes of Shakuntala Devi

Here are some of her more memorable and inspiring quotes:

• “Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers.”

• “Numbers have life; they’re not just symbols on paper.”

• “Education is not just about going to school and getting a degree. It’s about widening your knowledge and absorbing the truth about life.”

• “If you do not use a muscle or any part of the body, it tends to become atrophic. So is the case with the brain. The more you use it, the better it becomes.”

• “I ride in auto-rickshaws because I like to be a part of the masses. I don’t want to single myself out as someone up and above.”

• “I travelled round the world giving demonstrations of my talents. In every country, I performed for students, professors, teachers, bankers, accountants, and even laymen …”

• “Immorality does not consist in being different. It consists in not allowing others to be so.”

These reflect her deeply held beliefs: the dignity of mathematics, the importance of continuous mental exercise, humility, and a respect for diversity.

Lessons from Shakuntala Devi

From her extraordinary life, we can extract several lessons that resonate beyond mathematics:

1. Talent can flourish outside formal systems
   Shakuntala’s prowess grew without formal mathematical schooling—her curiosity, discipline, and self-driven learning were key.

2. Push the boundaries of your field
   She did not limit herself to calculation; she explored literature, social issues, and public advocacy, challenging conventional roles.

3. Courage to speak truth
   Her willingness to tackle taboo issues like homosexuality in conservative public arenas shows moral and intellectual courage.

4. Keep the mind active
   As she said, the brain is like a muscle—it withers if unused, strengthens with use.

5. Ground greatness in humility
   Despite her achievements, she remained grounded, choosing to stay connected with ordinary people and refusing to elevate herself above them.

6. Legacy is more than fame
   Her mathematical feats made her famous, but the breadth of her writings and social stances ensure her legacy remains multidimensional.

Conclusion

Shakuntala Devi was more than a mathematical marvel—she was a bold thinker, a boundary-breaker, and an advocate for knowledge in all its forms. Her ability to perform lightning-fast calculations earned her global renown, but it is her courage, compassion, and intellectual restlessness that make her a lasting inspiration.