Changes

== परिचय || Introduction ==

== परिचय || Introduction ==

During the Vedic period, Purusha concept was one of several theories offered for the

During the Vedic period, Purusha concept was one of several theories offered for the

creation of universe. Purusha, in Rigveda, was described as a

creation of universe. Purusha, in Rigveda, was described as a being, who becomes a sacrificial victim of gods, and whose sacrifice creates all life forms including human beings.

being, who becomes a sacrificial victim of gods, and whose sacrifice creates

all life forms including human beings.

In the

In the Upanishads, the Purusa concept no longer meant a being or cosmic man. The meaning evolved to an abstract essence of Self, Spirit and the Universal Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive'''.'''The Purusa concept is explained with the concept of Prakrti in the Upanishads. The universe is envisioned, in these ancient Sanskrit texts, as a combination of perceivable material reality and non-perceivable, non-material laws and principles of nature. Material reality, or Prakrti, is everything that has changed, can change and is subject to cause and effect. Purusa is the Universal principle that is unchanging, uncaused but is present everywhere and the reason why Prakrti changes, evolves all the time and why there is cause and effect'''.''' Purusa is what connects everything and everyone, according to various schools of Hinduism.

Upanishads, the Purusa concept no longer meant a being or cosmic man. The

meaning evolved to an abstract essence of Self, Spirit and the Universal

Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive'''.'''The Purusa concept is explained with the concept of Prakrti in the

Upanishads. The universe is envisioned, in these ancient Sanskrit texts, as a

combination of perceivable material reality and non-perceivable, non-material

laws and principles of nature. Material reality, or Prakrti, is

everything that has changed, can change and is subject to cause and effect.

Purusa is the Universal principle that is unchanging, uncaused but is present

everywhere and the reason why Prakrti changes, evolves all the time and why

there is cause and effect'''.''' Purusa is what connects everything and

everyone, according to various schools of Hinduism.

There is a

There is a diversity of views within various schools of Hinduism about the definition, scope and nature of Purusa.

diversity of views within various schools of Hinduism about the definition,

scope and nature of Purusa

== Definition ==

== Definition ==

According to

According to

the expository Brahmana books or lexicons, ‘Purusha’ has several meanings such

the expository Brahmana books or lexicons, ‘Purusha’ has several meanings such

as:<blockquote>1. पुरति अग्रे गच्छति || ''purati agre gachchati (''He who goes

as:<blockquote>1. पुरति अग्रे गच्छति || purati agre gachchati (He who goes ahead)</blockquote><blockquote>2. पिपर्ति पूरयति बलम् यः || piparti puurayati balam yah (That which fills all with his strength)</blockquote><blockquote>3. पूर्षु शेते यः || purshu shete yah (He who lies inside a township).</blockquote><blockquote>4. Pur-usha, the dawn in the city; He who is filled with light;</blockquote><blockquote>5. Puru-sha – filled with wisdom and eternal happiness; citizen of Heaven</blockquote>Purusha with

ahead)</blockquote><blockquote>2. पिपर्ति पूरयति बलम् यः || ''piparti'' puurayati balam yah (That which

fills all with his strength'')''</blockquote><blockquote>3. पूर्षु शेते यः || ''purshu shete yah'' (He who lies

inside a township).</blockquote><blockquote>4. Pur-usha,

the dawn in the city; He who is filled with light;</blockquote><blockquote>5. Puru-sha –

filled with wisdom and eternal happiness; citizen of Heaven</blockquote>Purusha with

its three kaleidoscopic syllables, pu-ru-sha, keeps unfolding in a never-ending

its three kaleidoscopic syllables, pu-ru-sha, keeps unfolding in a never-ending

play, the image of the creation like a musical theme developed by a skillful

play, the image of the creation like a musical theme developed by a skillful musician.

musician.

In the

In the Upanishads and later texts of Hindu philosophy, the Purusa concept moved away from the Vedic definition of Purusa and was no longer a person, cosmic man or entity. Instead, the concept flowered into a more complex abstraction'''.'''

Upanishads and later texts of Hindu philosophy, the Purusa concept moved away

from the Vedic definition of Purusa and was no longer a person, cosmic man or

entity. Instead, the concept flowered into a more complex abstraction'''.'''

Both Samkhya and Yoga schools of Hinduism state that there are two ultimate realities whose

Both Samkhya and Yoga schools of Hinduism state that there are two ultimate realities whose interaction accounts for all experiences and universe - प्रकृति || Prakrti (matter) and पुरुष || Purusa (spirit).  

interaction accounts for all experiences and universe - प्रकृति || Prakrti (matter) and

पुरुष || Purusa (spirit).  

Hinduism refers

Hinduism refers to Purusa as the soul of the universe, the universal spirit present everywhere, in everything and everyone, all the times.  

to Purusa as the soul of the universe, the universal spirit present everywhere,

in everything and everyone, all the times.  

* Purusa is  a Universal Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive.  

* Purusa is  a Universal Principle that is eternal, indestructible, without form and all pervasive.  

* Purusa is in the form of nature’s laws and principles that operate in the background to regulate, guide and direct change, evolution, cause and effect.  

* Purusa is in the form of nature’s laws and principles that operate in the background to regulate, guide and direct change, evolution, cause and effect.  

* It is Purusa or Chaitanya form, in Hindu concept of existence, that breathes life into matter, is the source of all consciousness, one that creates oneness in all life forms, in all of humanity, and the essence of Self.  

* It is Purusa or Chaitanya form, in Hindu concept of existence, that breathes life into matter, is the source of all consciousness, one that creates oneness in all life forms, in all of humanity, and the essence of Self.  

* It is Purusa, the cause in Hinduism, as to why the universe operates, is dynamic and evolves, as against being static.

* It is Purusa, the cause in Hinduism, as to why the universe operates, is dynamic and evolves, as against being static.

Both Samkhya

Both Samkhya and Yoga school holds that the path to मोक्ष || moksha (release, Self-realization) includes the realization of Purusha.

and Yoga school holds that the path to मोक्ष || moksha (release, Self-realization)

includes the realization of Purusha.

== तद् एकम् || Tad Ekam As in नासदीय सूक्तं || Nasadiya Suktam (Rig Veda) ==

== तद् एकम् || Tad Ekam As in नासदीय सूक्तं || Nasadiya Suktam (Rig Veda) ==

Rig veda

Rig veda

clearly talks about the Origin of Creation in the 10th mandala, which is<blockquote>popularly known as the Nasadiya suktam.

 

न मृ॒त्यु: आसीत्

clearly talks about the Origin of Creation in the 10th mandala, which is popularly known as the Nasadiya suktam.

अमृतं॒ न तर्हि॒"

 

"न मृ॒त्यु: आसीत् अमृतं॒ न तर्हि॒ || " (10.129.2)

death existed, nor the immortal" (10.129.2)"</blockquote>आनी॑त् अवा॒तं स्व॒धया॒ तत् एकम्तस्माद्धान्यन्न परः किञ्चनास

 

death existed, nor the immortal" "

 

आनी॑त् अवा॒तं स्व॒धया॒ तत् एकम्तस्माद्धान्यन्न परः किञ्चनास

“'''That One'''

“'''That One'''

The implication

The implication

here is '''“''That One''''' was alive and waiting to happen, despite the

here is '''“That One''' was alive and waiting to happen, despite the

complete absence of the means to exist.

complete absence of the means to exist.

So, prior to

So, prior to

creation, the Creation Sukta does not describe a state of

creation, the Creation Sukta does not describe a state of

"nothingness" but rather '''"तद् एकम् || ''tad ekam (''That One)"''' which is,

"nothingness" but rather '''"तद् एकम् || tad ekam (That One)"''' which is,

"Spaceless, timeless, yet in its own way dynamic and the Sole Force, this

"Spaceless, timeless, yet in its own way dynamic and the Sole Force, this

Absolute.  

Absolute.  

Creation'' unfolded & evolved from “'''''Ekam, That One''''', ''which

Creation unfolded & evolved from “'''Ekam, That One''', which

is,The Ultimate Supreme Reality,'' the Source of ''Supreme

is,The Ultimate Supreme Reality, the Source of Supreme

Consciousness''. '''This “Ekam, That One is the very same “PURUSHA'''  

Consciousness. '''This “Ekam, That One is the very same “PURUSHA'''  

== Purusha - As in मुण्डक उपनिषद् || Mundaka upanishad ==

== Purusha - As in मुण्डक उपनिषद् || Mundaka upanishad ==

Verse 2.1.3

Verse 2.1.3

wonderfully describes that from this great Purusha (एतस्माज्जायते || etasmaajjayate), everything comes.  

wonderfully describes that from this great Purusha (एतस्माज्जायते || etasmaajjayate), everything comes.  

* The cosmic प्राणो || ''prana'', Hiranyagarbha, emanates from this Supreme Brahman.     

* The cosmic प्राणो || prana, Hiranyagarbha, emanates from this Supreme Brahman.     

* The Virat, which is called here the मनः || ''manas,'' also emanates from that Brahman.     

* The Virat, which is called here the मनः || manas, also emanates from that Brahman.     

* The सर्वेन्द्रियाणि || sarvendriyaani or ''indriyas'' , or all the sense organs, also emanate from That Purusha. They are actually the feeders, the tentacles of consciousness.   

* The सर्वेन्द्रियाणि || sarvendriyaani or indriyas , or all the sense organs, also emanate from That Purusha. They are actually the feeders, the tentacles of consciousness.   

* The five elements खं वायुर्जोतिरापः पृथिवी || kham vayurjotitirapah pruthivi – (earth, water, fire, air and ether); पृथिवी विश्वस्य धारिणी || pruthivi vishvasya dharini (The very Earth that sustains us), the basis of all, emanate from That.  

* The five elements खं वायुर्जोतिरापः पृथिवी || kham vayurjotitirapah pruthivi – (earth, water, fire, air and ether); पृथिवी विश्वस्य धारिणी || pruthivi vishvasya dharini (The very Earth that sustains us), the basis of all, emanate from That.  

* The whole ब्रह्माण्ड || Brahmanda, the fourteen worlds, which are the permutations and combinations, modifications of gross forms or subtle forms, or the real forms of the five elements, all these come from one breath, as it were, of this one Supreme Being, the Purusha.  

* The whole ब्रह्माण्ड || Brahmanda, the fourteen worlds, which are the permutations and combinations, modifications of gross forms or subtle forms, or the real forms of the five elements, all these come from one breath, as it were, of this one Supreme Being, the Purusha.  

non-perceivable, non-material laws and principles of nature.  

non-perceivable, non-material laws and principles of nature.  

* Material  reality, or Prakrti, is everything that has changed, can change and is subject to cause and effect.  

* Material  reality, or Prakrti, is everything that has changed, can change and is subject to cause and effect.  

* Universal principle, or Purusa, is that which is अक्सर || aksara (unchanging)['''2'''] and is uncaused.  

* Universal principle, or Purusa, is that which is अक्सर || aksara (unchanging) and is uncaused.  

The Purusha is

The Purusha is pure consciousness, is itself inactive yet whose presence disrupts the

pure consciousness, is itself inactive yet whose presence disrupts the

equilibrium of the three Gunas in their unmanifest condition. The

equilibrium of the three Gunas in their unmanifest condition. The

disruption triggers the emergence of the manifested condition of empirical

disruption triggers the emergence of the manifested condition of empirical

reality we experience, states the text.  

reality we experience, states the text.  

The first

The first premise of Sankhya philosophy is the universal fact of suffering. Cutting the

premise of Sankhya philosophy is the universal fact of suffering. Cutting the

root of rebirth is the only way to final emancipation from suffering, according to Sankhya. The only way to fight suffering is to leave the circle of संसार || samsara (transmigration between births and deaths) forever. This is the

root of rebirth is the only way to final emancipation from suffering, according

liberation of Purusha, in Sankhya, normally called कैवल्य || kaivalya (isolation). It comes about through loosening of the bond between Purusha and Prakriti. Purusha enters into liberation, forever.  

to Sankhya. The only way to fight suffering is to leave the circle of

संसार || ''samsara'' (transmigration between births and deaths) forever. This is the

liberation of ''Purusha'', in Sankhya, normally called कैवल्य || ''kaivalya''

(isolation). It comes about through loosening of the bond between ''Purusha''

and ''Prakriti''. ''Purusha'' enters into liberation, forever.  

Samkhya school

Samkhya school

== Purusha - As in पुरुष सूक्तं || Purusha Suktam ==

== Purusha - As in पुरुष सूक्तं || Purusha Suktam ==

The Purusha

The Purusha Suktam is the most popular Sukta among all the Suktas in the four Veda Mantra

Suktam is the most popular Sukta among all the Suktas in the four Veda Mantra

Samhitas. It is found with some variations in all of them.

Samhitas. It is found with some variations in all of them.

# In the Rig Veda Mantra Samhita it is the 90^th Sukta in the 10^th Mandala.  

# In the Rig Veda Mantra Samhita it is the 90^th Sukta in the 10^th Mandala.  

The Supreme

The Supreme

infinite Reality when expressing through Its own “creativeness identifies with

infinite Reality when expressing through Its own “creativeness identifies with

the Total-Causal-Body and becomes the ईश्वर || ''Eswara'' (God); and God, when He

the Total-Causal-Body and becomes the ईश्वर || Eswara (God); and God, when He

expresses with the Total-Subtle-Body, identifying with this “Urge-to-create

expresses with the Total-Subtle-Body, identifying with this “Urge-to-create

becomes the Creator (later identified with ''Brahma, हिरण्यगर्भ || Hiranya''-''garbha''

becomes the Creator (later identified with Brahma, हिरण्यगर्भ || Hiranya-garbha

or प्रजापति || ''Prajapati'') ; and when the Creator projects forth through the

or प्रजापति || Prajapati) ; and when the Creator projects forth through the

Total-Gross-Body, He comes to play as this universe in space and time (''Virat'').

Total-Gross-Body, He comes to play as this universe in space and time (Virat). Cosmic Form of the Lord is विराट पुरुष || Virat Purusha. When the

Cosmic Form of the Lord is विराट पुरुष || ''Virat Purusha''. When the

Creator comes to identify with what He had projected in His Creation, He

Creator comes to identify with what He had projected in His Creation, He

becomes, the जीव || ''Jiva'' (individualized entity).

becomes, the जीव || Jiva (individualized entity).

What are the

What are the

processes and stages through which the Universe had emerged out in this act of

processes and stages through which the Universe had emerged out in this act of Divine यज्ञ || '''Yagna''' (the great sacrifice)?

Divine यज्ञ || '''''Yagna''' (''the great sacrifice)?

These are most

These are most

defined and described as a being who pervades everything conscious and

defined and described as a being who pervades everything conscious and

unconscious universally. He is poetically depicted as सहस्रशीर्षा पुरुषः सहस्राक्षः सहस्रपात् || sahasrashirsha purushah sahasrapat (a being with thousand

unconscious universally. He is poetically depicted as सहस्रशीर्षा पुरुषः सहस्राक्षः सहस्रपात् || sahasrashirsha purushah sahasrapat (a being with thousand

heads, eyes and legs), स भूमिं विश्वतो वृत्वात्यतिष्ठद्दशाङुलम् || sa bhumim vishvato vruttvatyatishthdvshnshdulam (enveloping the earth from all sides) and

heads, eyes and legs),  <blockquote>"स भूमिं विश्वतो वृत्वात्यतिष्ठद्दशाङुलम् || "</blockquote><blockquote>"sa bhumim vishvato vruttvatyatishthdvshnshdulam || "</blockquote>(enveloping the earth from all sides) and

transcending it. He is the Life, the Consciousness, by which everything

transcending it. He is the Life, the Consciousness, by which everything

functions.   

functions.   

पुरुष एवेदं सर्वं यद्भूतं यच्च भव्यम् || purusha evedam sarvam yadvabhatam yachcha bhavyam (All

पुरुष एवेदं सर्वं यद्भूतं यच्च भव्यम् || purusha evedam sarvam yadvabhatam yachcha bhavyam (All

manifestation, in past present and future, is held to be the Purusha alone). एतावानस्य महिमातो ज्यायाँश्च पूरुषः || etavansya mahimaato jyayaanscha purushah (The Total-Universe is the Single Body

manifestation, in past present and future, is held to be the Purusha alone).  

of the One Self, He alone expresses through all ). 

 

एतावानस्य महिमातो ज्यायाँश्च पूरुषः || 

 

etavansya mahimaato jyayaanscha purushah (The Total-Universe is the Single Body of the One Self, He alone expresses through all ). 

Creation is

Creation is