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| Creation of the Universe (Samskrit: सृष्ट्युत्पत्तिः) has been discussed in the bharatiya knowledge tradition. The Vedic literature is quite informative 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.<ref>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. The Vedic literature is quite informative 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.<ref>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> |
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| In our RigVeda, there is mention of creation in Nasadiya Sukta and Purusha Sukta. According to the Purusha Sukta, the creation of the universe has originated from the Virat Purush. In the Purusha Sukta, Narayan Rishi has described the creative power and omnipresence of the supreme power: | | In our RigVeda, there is mention of creation in Nasadiya Sukta and Purusha Sukta. According to the Purusha Sukta, the creation of the universe has originated from the Virat Purush. In the Purusha Sukta, Narayan Rishi has described the creative power and omnipresence of the supreme power: |
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| + | सहस्रशीर्षा पुरुषः सहस्राक्षः सहस्रपात् । स भूमिं विश्वतो वृत्वात्यतिष्ठद्दशाङ्गुलम् ॥१॥<ref>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%AF%E0%A5%A6 Sukta 90]</ref> |
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| '''(Rigveda, 10.90.1)''' | | '''(Rigveda, 10.90.1)''' |
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| The sage Dighatma of the RigVeda, revealing the mystery of the origin of the creation, has said that - | | The sage Dighatma of the RigVeda, revealing the mystery of the origin of the creation, has said that - |
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| + | द्वा सुपर्णा सयुजा सखाया समानं वृक्षं परि षस्वजाते । तयोरन्यः पिप्पलं स्वाद्वत्त्यनश्नन्नन्यो अभि चाकशीति ॥२०॥<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%AC%E0%A5%AA Sukta 164]</ref> |
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| '''(Rigveda1.164.20)''' | | '''(Rigveda1.164.20)''' |
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| It means that the two birds are sitting side by side on the same tree. One of these two birds tastes the fruits of that tree while the other bird is not eating the fruits and doing a subtle inspection of the movements of the first bird eating those fruits. The first bird in it is the metaphor of the person who is doing the deeds while the second one observing the bird is the metaphor of the divine, who is closely observing the movements of that first bird in order to give fruit according to its deeds. From this hymn, it is expressed that there are two major elements in the creation of the universe. | | It means that the two birds are sitting side by side on the same tree. One of these two birds tastes the fruits of that tree while the other bird is not eating the fruits and doing a subtle inspection of the movements of the first bird eating those fruits. The first bird in it is the metaphor of the person who is doing the deeds while the second one observing the bird is the metaphor of the divine, who is closely observing the movements of that first bird in order to give fruit according to its deeds. From this hymn, it is expressed that there are two major elements in the creation of the universe. |
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− | According to the Atharvaveda, three major elements are | + | According to the Atharvaveda, three major elements are mentioned in the creation process - |
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− | mentioned in the creation process -
| + | बालादेकमणीयस्कमुतैकं नेव दृश्यते । ततः परिष्वजीयसी देवता सा मम प्रिया ॥२५॥<ref name=":0">Atharvaveda, Kanda 10, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%82_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%A6/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A6%E0%A5%AE Sukta 8]</ref> |
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| '''(Atharvaveda 10.8.25)''' | | '''(Atharvaveda 10.8.25)''' |
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| It means that there is an element which is more subtle than the subtle hair and is unique. It is the metaphor of an organism. The second element is so subtle that it is irresistible. This is the metaphor of subtle invisible nature. The third element is the one in which nature is embraced. This third element is the omnipotent Supreme Power, my beloved deity. | | It means that there is an element which is more subtle than the subtle hair and is unique. It is the metaphor of an organism. The second element is so subtle that it is irresistible. This is the metaphor of subtle invisible nature. The third element is the one in which nature is embraced. This third element is the omnipotent Supreme Power, my beloved deity. |
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− | According to Prajapati Parmeshthi in the Nasadi Sukta of the Rigveda, in the early period of creation, there was a substance called "Swadha" 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 - |
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| + | 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> |
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| '''(Rigveda 10.129.2)''' | | '''(Rigveda 10.129.2)''' |
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| That is, only by his inherent powers he breathed without dying of life. That is, no one had power other than that one. | | That is, only by his inherent powers he breathed without dying of life. That is, no one had power other than that one. |
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| + | तम आसीत्तमसा गूळ्हमग्रेऽप्रकेतं सलिलं सर्वमा इदम्।<ref name=":1" /> |
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| '''(Rigveda 10.129.3)''' | | '''(Rigveda 10.129.3)''' |
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| 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 - | | 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 - |
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| + | 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> |
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| '''(Rigveda 1.163.1)''' | | '''(Rigveda 1.163.1)''' |
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| 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. |
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− | In conclusion, there is a moving fluid called 'Swadha' which made creation possible. 'Swadha' is a kind of an atom. Atoms behave like a liquid due to being too subtle. 'Swadha' transforms in the form of water - सलिलं सर्वमेदम् | + | In conclusion, there is a moving fluid called 'Svadha' which made creation possible. 'Svadha' is a kind of an atom. Atoms behave like a liquid due to being too subtle. 'Svadha' transforms in the form of water - सलिलं सर्वमेदम् |
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| 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. |
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| 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 - |
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| + | यमेन दत्तं त्रित एनमायुनगिन्द्र एणं प्रथमो अध्यतिष्ठत् । गन्धर्वो अस्य रशनामगृभ्णात्सूरादश्वं वसवो निरतष्ट ॥२॥<ref name=":2" /> |
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| '''(Rigveda 1.163.2)''' | | '''(Rigveda 1.163.2)''' |
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| (3) Tamoguna Pradhan | | (3) Tamoguna Pradhan |
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| + | असि यमो अस्यादित्यो अर्वन्नसि त्रितो गुह्येन व्रतेन । असि सोमेन समया विपृक्त आहुस्ते त्रीणि दिवि बन्धनानि ॥३॥<ref name=":2" /> |
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| '''(Rigveda 1.163.3)''' | | '''(Rigveda 1.163.3)''' |
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| + | त्रीणि त आहुर्दिवि बन्धनानि त्रीण्यप्सु त्रीण्यन्तः समुद्रे । उतेव मे वरुणश्छन्त्स्यर्वन्यत्रा त आहुः परमं जनित्रम् ॥४॥ |
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| '''(Rigveda 1.163.4)''' | | '''(Rigveda 1.163.4)''' |
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| 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 - |
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| + | 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> |
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| '''(Rigveda 1.136.2)''' | | '''(Rigveda 1.136.2)''' |
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| This ultimate power of the universe is considered Hiranyamaya in the Rigveda, which led to the emergence of the five great elements - | | This ultimate power of the universe is considered Hiranyamaya in the Rigveda, which led to the emergence of the five great elements - |
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| + | रेतोधा आसन्महिमान आसन्त्स्वधा अवस्तात्प्रयतिः परस्तात्॥५॥<ref name=":1" /> |
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| '''(Rigveda 10.129.5)''' | | '''(Rigveda 10.129.5)''' |
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| According to Rigveda, Rishi Madhuchanda, the Almighty created the complete space from water which was filled with atoms - | | According to Rigveda, Rishi Madhuchanda, the Almighty created the complete space from water which was filled with atoms - |
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| + | 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> |
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| '''(Rigveda 10.190.1)''' | | '''(Rigveda 10.190.1)''' |
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| Time, era and calculation appeared from the space containing atoms. The Sun, day, night and vital world held on to the Supreme Power | | Time, era and calculation appeared from the space containing atoms. The Sun, day, night and vital world held on to the Supreme Power |
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| + | समुद्रादर्णवादधि संवत्सरो अजायत । अहोरात्राणि विदधद्विश्वस्य मिषतो वशी ॥२॥<ref name=":3" /> |
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| '''(Rigveda 10.190.2)''' | | '''(Rigveda 10.190.2)''' |
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| After this, the mighty Supreme God created the sun, the moon, the dhuloka, the earth, the space and the heaven respectively. | | After this, the mighty Supreme God created the sun, the moon, the dhuloka, the earth, the space and the heaven respectively. |
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| + | सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ धाता यथापूर्वमकल्पयत् । दिवं च पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षमथो स्वः ॥३॥<ref name=":3" /> |
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| '''(Rigveda 10.190.3)''' | | '''(Rigveda 10.190.3)''' |
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| 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. | | 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. |
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| + | सनातनमेनमाहुरुताद्य स्यात्पुनर्णवः । अहोरात्रे प्र जायेते अन्यो अन्यस्य रूपयोः ॥२३॥<ref name=":0" /> |
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| '''(Atharvaveda 10.8.23)''' | | '''(Atharvaveda 10.8.23)''' |
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| + | == References == |