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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 Samskrtika Parampara (भारतीयसांस्कृतिकपरम्परा)|bharatiya knowledge tradition]]. [[Vaidika Vangmaya (वैदिकवाङ्मयम्)|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 (वेदाः)|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 (ऋग्वेदः)|Rigveda]], many rishis like Prajapati, Parmeshthi Narayana and Dirghatamas have described the initial stage of creation.

Rigveda mentions creation of the universe in Nasadiya Sukta and Purusha Sukta. According to the Purusha Sukta, creation of the universe originated from Virat Purusha. Rishi Narayana, describing the creative power and omnipresence of the supreme being, in the Purusha Sukta<ref name=":4" /> says,<blockquote>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>

Rigveda mentions creation of the universe in [[Nasadiya Sukta (नासदीयसूक्तम्)|Nasadiya Sukta]] and [[Purusha Sukta (पुरुषसूक्तम्)|Purusha Sukta]]. According to the Purusha Sukta, creation of the universe originated from Virat Purusha. Rishi Narayana, describing the creative power and omnipresence of the supreme being, in the Purusha Sukta<ref name=":4" /> says,<blockquote>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>

sahasraśīrṣā puruṣaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ sahasrapāt । sa bhūmiṁ viśvato vr̥tvātyatiṣṭhaddaśāṅgulam ॥1॥</blockquote>Here, the Supreme Being is described as one with thousands of heads, thousands of eyes and with thousands of feet, who is present in the whole universe. It states that the Supreme Being, who is the creator of the world, has surrounded the entire nature in all its forms.<ref name=":4" /> And even after encompassing the entire universe from all sides, transcends it by ten angulas.<ref>S.K.Ramachandra Rao (2006), [https://arshakulam.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Purusha-Sukta.pdf Purusha Sukta], Bangalore: Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry Institute of Vedic Culture.</ref>

sahasraśīrṣā puruṣaḥ sahasrākṣaḥ sahasrapāt । sa bhūmiṁ viśvato vr̥tvātyatiṣṭhaddaśāṅgulam ॥1॥</blockquote>Here, the Supreme Being is described as one with thousands of heads, thousands of eyes and with thousands of feet, who is present in the whole universe. It states that the Supreme Being, who is the creator of the world, has surrounded the entire nature in all its forms.<ref name=":4" /> And even after encompassing the entire universe from all sides, transcends it by ten angulas.<ref>S.K.Ramachandra Rao (2006), [https://arshakulam.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Purusha-Sukta.pdf Purusha Sukta], Bangalore: Sri Aurobindo Kapali Sastry Institute of Vedic Culture.</ref>

== त्रैतम् ॥ Triad ==

== त्रैतम् ॥ Triad ==

According to the Atharvaveda, three major elements are mentioned in the creation process<ref name=":4" /> as follows: <blockquote>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>

According to the [[Atharvaveda (अथर्ववेदः)|Atharvaveda]], three major elements are mentioned in the creation process<ref name=":4" /> as follows: <blockquote>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>

bālādekamaṇīyaskamutaikaṁ neva dr̥śyate । tataḥ pariṣvajīyasī devatā sā mama priyā ॥25॥</blockquote>It means that there is an element which is more subtle than the subtle hair and is unique. This a metaphor for an organism. The second element is so subtle that it is irresistible. This is the metaphor for subtle invisible nature. While the third element is the one in which nature is embraced. And that is the omnipotent Supreme Power, the beloved deity.<ref name=":4" />

bālādekamaṇīyaskamutaikaṁ neva dr̥śyate । tataḥ pariṣvajīyasī devatā sā mama priyā ॥25॥</blockquote>It means that there is an element which is more subtle than the subtle hair and is unique. This a metaphor for an organism. The second element is so subtle that it is irresistible. This is the metaphor for subtle invisible nature. While the third element is the one in which nature is embraced. And that is the omnipotent Supreme Power, the beloved deity.<ref name=":4" />

According to Prajapati Parmeshthi in the Nasadiya Sukta of the Rigveda, in the early period of creation, there was a substance in liquid state from which the creation has taken place. It is said that the primordial being breathed due to its own inherent powers. That is, no one had power other than that one.<ref name=":4" /><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> ānīdavātaṁ svadhayā tadekaṁ tasmāddhānyanna paraḥ kiṁ canāsa॥2॥</blockquote>It further states that before the creation of the universe, there was initially just darkness covered with darkness. And there was only that liquid.<ref name=":4" />  <blockquote>तम आसीत्तमसा गूळ्हमग्रेऽप्रकेतं सलिलं सर्वमा इदम् ।<ref name=":1" /> tama āsīttamasā gūlhamagre'praketaṁ salilaṁ sarvamā idam।</blockquote>In conclusion, there is a moving fluid which made creation possible. That primordial substance is akin to an atom. For, atoms behave like a liquid due to being too subtle. And then it transforms in the form of water - salilaṁ sarvamedam.

According to Prajapati Parmeshthi in the Nasadiya Sukta of the Rigveda, in the early period of creation, there was a substance in liquid state from which the creation has taken place. It is said that the primordial being breathed due to its own inherent powers. That is, no one had power other than that one.<ref name=":4" /><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> ānīdavātaṁ svadhayā tadekaṁ tasmāddhānyanna paraḥ kiṁ canāsa॥2॥</blockquote>It further states that before the creation of the universe, there was initially just darkness covered with darkness. And there was only that liquid.<ref name=":4" />  <blockquote>तम आसीत्तमसा गूळ्हमग्रेऽप्रकेतं सलिलं सर्वमा इदम् ।<ref name=":1" /> tama āsīttamasā gūlhamagre'praketaṁ salilaṁ sarvamā idam।</blockquote>In conclusion, there is a moving fluid which made creation possible. That primordial substance is akin to an atom. For, atoms behave like a liquid due to being too subtle. And then it transforms in the form of water - salilaṁ sarvamedam.

According to Rishi Madhucchanda in the Rigveda, Almighty created the complete space from water. Then appeared time, era and calculation from the space and then the Supreme power created day and night.<ref name=":4" /> After that, the mighty Supreme being created the sun, the moon, the dyuloka, the earth, the space and the Sukhaloka respectively.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_IV/#book/593 Volume 4]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref><blockquote>ततो रात्र्यजायत ततः समुद्रो अर्णवः ॥१॥ समुद्रादर्णवादधि संवत्सरो अजायत । अहोरात्राणि विदधद्विश्वस्य मिषतो वशी ॥२॥  

According to Rishi Madhucchanda in the Rigveda, Almighty created the complete space from water. Then appeared time, era and calculation from the space and then the Supreme power created day and night.<ref name=":4" /> After that, the mighty Supreme being created [[Surya (सूर्यः)|the sun]], the moon, [[Dyurloka (द्यु्र्लोकः)|the dyuloka]], [[Prthvi (पृथ्वी)|the earth]], the space and the Sukhaloka respectively.<ref>Sripad Damodar Satavlekar (1985), Rigveda ka Subodh Bhashya ([https://vedicheritage.gov.in/flipbook/Rigveda_Subodh_Bhasya_Vol_IV/#book/593 Volume 4]), Pardi: Svadhyay Mandal.</ref><blockquote>ततो रात्र्यजायत ततः समुद्रो अर्णवः ॥१॥ समुद्रादर्णवादधि संवत्सरो अजायत । अहोरात्राणि विदधद्विश्वस्य मिषतो वशी ॥२॥  

सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ धाता यथापूर्वमकल्पयत् । दिवं च पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षमथो स्वः ॥३॥<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>

सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ धाता यथापूर्वमकल्पयत् । दिवं च पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षमथो स्वः ॥३॥<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>

sūryācandramasau dhātā yathāpūrvamakalpayat । divaṁ ca pr̥thivīṁ cāntarikṣamatho svaḥ ॥3॥</blockquote>Rishi Kutsa of the Atharvaveda believes that the process of creation of the world keeps on being new and transforming. It keeps going on continuously. However, the power that produces it is permanent and eternal.<ref name=":4" /><blockquote>सनातनमेनमाहुरुताद्य स्यात्पुनर्णवः । अहोरात्रे प्र जायेते अन्यो अन्यस्य रूपयोः ॥२३॥<ref name=":0" /> sanātanamenamāhurutādya syātpunarṇavaḥ । ahorātre pra jāyete anyo anyasya rūpayoḥ ॥23॥</blockquote>

sūryācandramasau dhātā yathāpūrvamakalpayat । divaṁ ca pr̥thivīṁ cāntarikṣamatho svaḥ ॥3॥</blockquote>Rishi Kutsa of the Atharvaveda believes that the process of creation of the world keeps on being new and transforming. It keeps going on continuously. However, the power that produces it is permanent and eternal.<ref name=":4" /><blockquote>सनातनमेनमाहुरुताद्य स्यात्पुनर्णवः । अहोरात्रे प्र जायेते अन्यो अन्यस्य रूपयोः ॥२३॥<ref name=":0" /> sanātanamenamāhurutādya syātpunarṇavaḥ । ahorātre pra jāyete anyo anyasya rūpayoḥ ॥23॥</blockquote>

== References ==

== References ==