Giving mythological lessons to defence scientists, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday said the ancient sages of the country were “probably great scientists.” Mr. Parrikar asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists to learn from ’rishis’ the art of being humble and overcoming jealousy and anger.

Underscoring the need for educated people to be humble, he said the ‘rishis’ of yore were “probably great scientists“.

Mr. Parrikar, who was addressing the 39th Directors’ Conference of DRDO here, said he would not like to get into a controversy whether ‘rishis’ were scientists or spiritual.

Giving the example of mythological rishi Dadhichi, Mr. Parrikar said he provided Indra with ‘vajra’(a mythical weapon). He defended the DRDO’s transfer of technology with Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Yogpeeth.