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Creation of the Universe (Samskrit: सृष्ट्युत्पत्तिः) has been discussed in the bharatiya knowledge tradition. Vedic literature provides information on many things related to the origin of creation. This article explores the vedic explanations on the creation of the universe, hymns related to the same as well as the features of the ultimate reality resposible for the creation of the universe as discussed in the Vedas.<ref name=":4">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-1.pdf Chapter 1]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>

Creation of the Universe (Samskrit: सृष्ट्युत्पत्तिः) has been discussed in the bharatiya knowledge tradition. Vedic literature provides information on many things related to the origin of creation. This article explores the vedic explanations on the creation of the universe, hymns related to the same as well as the features of the ultimate reality resposible for the creation of the universe as discussed in the Vedas.<ref name=":4">Vijnana - Level A ([https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/OBE_indian_knowledge_tradition/Level_A/Vijnana-A_Englishi_OBE/Science-A_E_Ch-1.pdf Chapter 1]), Noida: National Institute of Open Schooling (Open Basic Education Programme).</ref>

== विराट्पुरुषः ॥Primordial Being ==

== विराट्पुरुषः ॥ Primordial Being ==

In the Rigveda, many rishis like Prajapati, Parmeshthi Narayana and Dirghatamas have described the initial stage of creation.

In the Rigveda, many rishis like Prajapati, Parmeshthi Narayana and Dirghatamas have described the initial stage of creation.

== Theory of Creation ==

== Theory of Creation ==

According to Prajapati Parmeshthi in the Nasadiya Sukta of the Rigveda, in the early period of creation, there was a substance called "Svadha" which was in a liquid state from which the creation has taken place -

According to Prajapati Parmeshthi in the Nasadiya Sukta of the Rigveda, in the early period of creation, there was a substance called "Svadha" which was in a liquid state from which the creation has taken place. <blockquote>आनीदवातं स्वधया तदेकं तस्माद्धान्यन्न परः किं चनास॥२॥<ref name=":1">Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AF Sukta 129]</ref>

आनीदवातं स्वधया तदेकं तस्माद्धान्यन्न परः किं चनास॥२॥<ref name=":1">Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A8%E0%A5%AF Sukta 129]</ref>

ānīdavātaṁ svadhayā tadekaṁ tasmāddhānyanna paraḥ kiṁ canāsa॥2॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.129.2)'''

'''(Rigveda 10.129.2)'''

That is, only by his inherent powers he breathed without dying of life. That is, no one had power other than that one.<blockquote>तम आसीत्तमसा गूळ्हमग्रेऽप्रकेतं सलिलं सर्वमा इदम्।<ref name=":1" />

That is, only by his inherent powers he breathed without dying of life. That is, no one had power other than that one.

tama āsīttamasā gūlhamagre'praketaṁ salilaṁ sarvamā idam।</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.129.3)'''

तम आसीत्तमसा गूळ्हमग्रेऽप्रकेतं सलिलं सर्वमा इदम्।<ref name=":1" />

That is, before the creation of the universe, it was initially covered with darkness. Only that was the least liquid. Describing the nature of that fluid moving substance, the sage of the Rigveda says that -<blockquote>यदक्रन्दः प्रथमं जायमान उद्यन्समुद्रादुत वा पुरीषात् । श्येनस्य पक्षा हरिणस्य बाहू उपस्तुत्यं महि जातं ते अर्वन् ॥१॥<ref name=":2">Rigveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%A9 Sukta 163]</ref>

yadakrandaḥ prathamaṁ jāyamāna udyansamudrāduta vā purīṣāt । śyenasya pakṣā hariṇasya bāhū upastutyaṁ mahi jātaṁ te arvan ॥1॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 1.163.1)'''

 

 

यदक्रन्दः प्रथमं जायमान उद्यन्समुद्रादुत वा पुरीषात् । श्येनस्य पक्षा हरिणस्य बाहू उपस्तुत्यं महि जातं ते अर्वन् ॥१॥<ref name=":2">Rigveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AC%E0%A5%A9 Sukta 163]</ref>

 

'''(Rigveda 1.163.1)'''

That is, the element that originated at the beginning of the world, it was making a loud sound, like the sun's light, eagle's spreading it wings and like deer's feet, rising up at great speed and spreading everywhere.

That is, the element that originated at the beginning of the world, it was making a loud sound, like the sun's light, eagle's spreading it wings and like deer's feet, rising up at great speed and spreading everywhere.

It has been said in the Rigveda that the ultimate controlling power by balancing Sattva, Rajas, Tamas, activated the atom by accelerating it.

It has been said in the Rigveda that the ultimate controlling power by balancing Sattva, Rajas, Tamas, activated the atom by accelerating it.

It means that by equilibrium, the atoms of nature became brighter. In nature's incoherence, the atom is called Vasu. In equilibrium, Vasu becomes energetic and gets activated -

It means that by equilibrium, the atoms of nature became brighter. In nature's incoherence, the atom is called Vasu. In equilibrium, Vasu becomes energetic and gets activated -<blockquote>यमेन दत्तं त्रित एनमायुनगिन्द्र एणं प्रथमो अध्यतिष्ठत् । गन्धर्वो अस्य रशनामगृभ्णात्सूरादश्वं वसवो निरतष्ट ॥२॥<ref name=":2" />

यमेन दत्तं त्रित एनमायुनगिन्द्र एणं प्रथमो अध्यतिष्ठत् । गन्धर्वो अस्य रशनामगृभ्णात्सूरादश्वं वसवो निरतष्ट ॥२॥<ref name=":2" />

yamena dattaṁ trita enamāyunagindra eṇaṁ prathamo adhyatiṣṭhat । gandharvo asya raśanāmagr̥bhṇātsūrādaśvaṁ vasavo nirataṣṭa ॥2॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 1.163.2)'''

 

'''(Rigveda 1.163.2)'''

This means that when equal forces of atoms come face to face, they start pushing each other away and unequal forces attract each other, resulting in the movement of the atoms. This motion is indicated by the name of Vayu in the Vedas. There was a mutual coincidence with the speed in the atom, which led to the formation of the terms. Three types of terms (formation) are mentioned in the Rigveda -

This means that when equal forces of atoms come face to face, they start pushing each other away and unequal forces attract each other, resulting in the movement of the atoms. This motion is indicated by the name of Vayu in the Vedas. There was a mutual coincidence with the speed in the atom, which led to the formation of the terms. Three types of terms (formation) are mentioned in the Rigveda -

(2) Rajoguna Pradhan

(2) Rajoguna Pradhan

(3) Tamoguna Pradhan

(3) Tamoguna Pradhan<blockquote>असि यमो अस्यादित्यो अर्वन्नसि त्रितो गुह्येन व्रतेन । असि सोमेन समया विपृक्त आहुस्ते त्रीणि दिवि बन्धनानि ॥३॥<ref name=":2" />

असि यमो अस्यादित्यो अर्वन्नसि त्रितो गुह्येन व्रतेन । असि सोमेन समया विपृक्त आहुस्ते त्रीणि दिवि बन्धनानि ॥३॥<ref name=":2" />

asi yamo asyādityo arvannasi trito guhyena vratena । asi somena samayā vipr̥kta āhuste trīṇi divi bandhanāni ॥3॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 1.163.3)'''<blockquote>त्रीणि त आहुर्दिवि बन्धनानि त्रीण्यप्सु त्रीण्यन्तः समुद्रे । उतेव मे वरुणश्छन्त्स्यर्वन्यत्रा त आहुः परमं जनित्रम् ॥४॥<ref name=":2" />

trīṇi ta āhurdivi bandhanāni trīṇyapsu trīṇyantaḥ samudre । uteva me varuṇaśchantsyarvanyatrā ta āhuḥ paramaṁ janitram ॥4॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 1.163.4)'''

 

त्रीणि त आहुर्दिवि बन्धनानि त्रीण्यप्सु त्रीण्यन्तः समुद्रे । उतेव मे वरुणश्छन्त्स्यर्वन्यत्रा त आहुः परमं जनित्रम् ॥४॥

 

'''(Rigveda 1.163.4)'''

Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are considered positive, negative and with zero charge respectively. It is mentioned by the name 'app'. Modern science has named 'aap' as 'atomic particle'. In the Vedas, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas have been named Mitra, Varun, Aaryama respectively. Modern science has called Mitra as electron,Varun as proton and Aaryama as neutron.

Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are considered positive, negative and with zero charge respectively. It is mentioned by the name 'app'. Modern science has named 'aap' as 'atomic particle'. In the Vedas, Sattva, Rajas and Tamas have been named Mitra, Varun, Aaryama respectively. Modern science has called Mitra as electron,Varun as proton and Aaryama as neutron.

The way modern science believes that nuclear were first made and atoms have led to the creation of other things, in the same way in Vedic literature, it is also believed that the circle of nature is formed by Mitra, Varun and Aaryama -

The way modern science believes that nuclear were first made and atoms have led to the creation of other things, in the same way in Vedic literature, it is also believed that the circle of nature is formed by Mitra, Varun and Aaryama -<blockquote>द्युक्षं मित्रस्य सादनमर्यम्णो वरुणस्य च । अथा दधाते बृहदुक्थ्यं वय उपस्तुत्यं बृहद्वयः ॥२॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%AC Sukta 136]</ref>

 

द्युक्षं मित्रस्य सादनमर्यम्णो वरुणस्य च । अथा दधाते बृहदुक्थ्यं वय उपस्तुत्यं बृहद्वयः ॥२॥<ref>Rigveda, Mandala 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A9%E0%A5%AC Sukta 136]</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

 

ततो रात्र्यजायत ततः समुद्रो अर्णवः ॥१॥<ref name=":3">Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 190]</ref>

'''(Rigveda 10.190.1)'''

dyukṣaṁ mitrasya sādanamaryamṇo varuṇasya ca । athā dadhāte br̥hadukthyaṁ vaya upastutyaṁ br̥hadvayaḥ ॥2॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 1.136.2)'''

Time, era and calculation appeared from the space containing atoms. The Sun, day, night and vital world held on to the Supreme Power

This ultimate power of the universe is considered Hiranyamaya in the Rigveda, which led to the emergence of the five great elements -<blockquote>रेतोधा आसन्महिमान आसन्त्स्वधा अवस्तात्प्रयतिः परस्तात्॥५॥<ref name=":1" />

समुद्रादर्णवादधि संवत्सरो अजायत । अहोरात्राणि विदधद्विश्वस्य मिषतो वशी ॥२॥<ref name=":3" />

retodhā āsanmahimāna āsantsvadhā avastātprayatiḥ parastāt॥5॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.129.5)'''

'''(Rigveda 10.190.2)'''

According to Rigveda, Rishi Madhuchanda, the Almighty created the complete space from water which was filled with atoms -<blockquote>ततो रात्र्यजायत ततः समुद्रो अर्णवः ॥१॥<ref name=":3">Rigveda, Mandala 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%8B%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6.%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AF%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 190]</ref> tato rātryajāyata tataḥ samudro arṇavaḥ ॥1॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.190.1)'''

After this, the mighty Supreme God created the sun, the moon, the dhuloka, the earth, the space and the heaven respectively.

Time, era and calculation appeared from the space containing atoms. The Sun, day, night and vital world held on to the Supreme Power<blockquote>समुद्रादर्णवादधि संवत्सरो अजायत । अहोरात्राणि विदधद्विश्वस्य मिषतो वशी ॥२॥<ref name=":3" />

सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ धाता यथापूर्वमकल्पयत् । दिवं च पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षमथो स्वः ॥३॥<ref name=":3" />

samudrādarṇavādadhi saṁvatsaro ajāyata । ahorātrāṇi vidadhadviśvasya miṣato vaśī ॥2॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.190.2)'''

'''(Rigveda 10.190.3)'''

After this, the mighty Supreme God created the sun, the moon, the dhuloka, the earth, the space and the heaven respectively.<blockquote>सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ धाता यथापूर्वमकल्पयत् । दिवं च पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षमथो स्वः ॥३॥<ref name=":3" />

The sage Kutsa of the Atharvaveda believes that this process of creation of the world keeps on being new and transforming. It keeps going on continuously. The power that it produces is permanent and eternal.

sūryācandramasau dhātā yathāpūrvamakalpayat । divaṁ ca pr̥thivīṁ cāntarikṣamatho svaḥ ॥3॥</blockquote>'''(Rigveda 10.190.3)'''

सनातनमेनमाहुरुताद्य स्यात्पुनर्णवः । अहोरात्रे प्र जायेते अन्यो अन्यस्य रूपयोः ॥२३॥<ref name=":0" />

The sage Kutsa of the Atharvaveda believes that this process of creation of the world keeps on being new and transforming. It keeps going on continuously. The power that it produces is permanent and eternal.<blockquote>सनातनमेनमाहुरुताद्य स्यात्पुनर्णवः । अहोरात्रे प्र जायेते अन्यो अन्यस्य रूपयोः ॥२३॥<ref name=":0" />

'''(Atharvaveda 10.8.23)'''

sanātanamenamāhurutādya syātpunarṇavaḥ । ahorātre pra jāyete anyo anyasya rūpayoḥ ॥23॥</blockquote>'''(Atharvaveda 10.8.23)'''

ORIGIN OF CREATION

ORIGIN OF CREATION