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Hinduism and Big Bang Theory: The Cosmic Event in Upanishads and

other Hindu Scriptures

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There are numerous theories regarding the origin of universe but the

Big Bang model is the broadly accepted theory. But thousands of years

before scientists came up with Big Bang model, did the sages of

Upanishads know about the cosmos wake up. In his long introductory

essay in the book `The Big Bang and the Bhagavad Gita,' R.A.S. Koacha

suggests that the early saints of modern day Hinduism knew about this

cosmic event through mystic insight.

 

 

 

Big Bang Theory postulates that 12 to 14 billion years ago, the

portion of the universe we can see today was only a few millimeters

across. It has since expanded from this hot dense state into the vast

and much cooler cosmos we currently inhabit. (NASA)

 

 

Some of the conclusions from the book – `The Big Bang and the

Bhagavad Gita,' R.A.S. Koacha

 

 

Is Brahman an oblique reference of Big Bang?

 

 

The very name `Brahman' representing the Ultimate Reality in Hindu

religion appears to be nothing but an implicit reference to the `Big

Bang' itself. The word `Brahman' is derived from the Sanskrit

root `brh' which means to `grow big' without limit and can be an

oblique reference to an explosion. Hence it is perhaps also

called `Shabda Brahman' in the scriptures as Brahman manifests itself

as a `Sphota' or explosion.

 

 

But Brahman is before and after Big Bang

 

 

However, Brahman being the one and only Reality, represents

everything, including event the state of singularity before the Big

Bang, as well as the whole manifested universe after it. As the point

of singularity, Brahman is the impersonal absolute of pure timeless

existence.

 

 

Big Bang is represented by Symbol OM

 

 

As all creation emerges from Brahman with the Big Bang, its symbol is

the single syllable `OM' (Shabda Brahman). The `OM' is the only

symbol used as a `Mantra' (Invocation) by the seers of the Upanishads

in meditation to attain oneness with the cosmos. It also represents

the waking, dream and deep-sleep states of all living beings. Hence

it is the appropriate symbol of Brahman in its transcendent as well

as immanent aspects. Representing the primal sound of creation

the `AUM' symbolizes the manifesting sound (or vibration) of the `Big

Bang' which astronomers have detected as the residual cosmic

emanation from that explosion.

 

 

Hindu Samkhya System Negates Creation Out of Nothing

 

 

In the Hindu Samkhya System we have the earliest refutation of the

creation out of nothing (ex nihilo), and the first full-fledged

theory of creation. According to Samkhya the effect preexists in the

cause. There is nothing like a new creation but only a manifestation

of what was already present in the cause in a potential form. Thus

Prakriti or material nature is the primordial matrix or plenum out of

which all material as well as psychic phenomena evolve. Mind and

matter are but manifestations of the same principle. Prakriti is the

homogenous universal field (Quantum field?) at first in a state of

equilibrium, its three constituents the illuminating (Sattvic),

activating (Rajasic) and restricting (Tamasic) being in a balanced

state. When this balance is disturbed by the preponderance of one or

the other of the constituents (Gunas) creation becomes inevitable.

 

 

The evolution of the manifold is succeeded by its involution and

reabsorption back into the unitary state, only to be re-emitted after

a period of potentiality. These processes are governed entirely by

the tension between the forces among themselves and no extraneous

agency is necessary to account for them.

 

 

The concepts of Narayana, Lila, Sankalpa are attempts by Upanishad

Seers to simplify the complex Bing Bang Theory

 

 

The Upanishads are more cryptical in their description of creation.

According to them the ONE (Brahman) wished to be many and creation is

only an expression of its WILL (Sankalpa). Sometimes creation is

depicted as divine play (LILA) of the Supreme Being. But any game

will lose its meaning when the omniscient player knows all, from

beginning to end. The scripture state that the universe originated

from Narayana; Narayana is too difficult to interpret even in

Sanskrit. He is the very Big Bang personified. (Jagat Narayanodbhavam)

 

 

The Bindu (dot) in Shaivism is the Few Millimeter Long Primordial Seed

 

 

The Kashmiri cult of Shaivism is more explicit in its account of

creation. The whole universe was at first concentrated at one point

or dot (Bindu). It is the Primordial Seed of creation. After a period

of germination it undergoes an explosion (Sphota) resulting in the

sound (Nada) of creation (OM). (Sound is used in the scriptures for

all kinds of vibrations.) All creation (Kala) proceeds from this

sound. Thus the doctrine of Nada, Bindu, and Kala is but an implied

reference to the Big Bang theory of creation.

 

 

(Source: Excerpts from The Big Bang and the Bhagavad Gita by R.A.S.

Kocha Published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai)

 

 

Posted by abhilash on 25.4.08

 

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jai shree krishna !