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That is Whole, This is Whole ,
From the Whole the Whole becomes manifest.
From the Whole, when the Whole is negated,
What remains is again the Whole
–  Isa Upanishad

Understanding Cosmogony

Cosmogony means an understanding of the universe, reflection on, and account of it. It should explain the underlying structure or the embodiment and its purpose; how the cosmos came to appearance and an orderly form came up and to what extent.

Cosmological ideas are the basis of cultural thoughts of all religions.  However it has been observed in every religion that no single account, based on scientific, and cosmological approach has been forwarded as to the origin and nature of universe. It has been seen that more often, they have been contradicting in their approaches.

The Hindu View

Hindu Vedic religion, in its account of creation of the universe, has been very positive and scientifically presented. In Indian tradition, two principles have been in consideration regarding the creation. Rta, (Law, Rhythm,) display a clear sense of ordered universe to facilitate any scientific or moral discovery. It gives meaning to human experience and contemplation of the law of nature without and within moral law; combing both for any comprehensive description of the Reality. It describes a well ordered universe where the Rta prevails. Rta means season and seasons are beyond human control but recur with regular process unto itself. It is the Rta that anticipates the Karmic law and preserves the rule of Dharma.

It is rare for a religion to describe scientifically with critical account how the universe came into existence and about its origin and nature. The Vedic religion has been very out spoken. Vedas say that the origin of cosmos cannot be known but the condition of ordered life can be well known. The Indian tradition in all its truthfulness accepts that though the origin of cosmos cannot be ascertained yet through Rta condition of ordered life could be well known. The Hymn of Creation (Nasadiya Sukta of Rg Veda (10-129)) says the truth, Such a confession is rare to find on earth.

Who verily knows and who can here declare it , whence it was
Born and whence came this creation?
The gods are later than this world‘s production. Who knows?
Then whence it first came into being?
He, the first origin of this creation, whether he formed it all
Or did not form it
Whose eyes control this world in highest heaven, he verily
Knows it or perhaps he knows not

Upanishads present no system yet a coherent structure can be built on the foundations.

Rg Veda at some places describes Akshar Purush and Hiranyagarbha (golden Embryo) as the cause of universe. It speaks of the indestructible Purush as vibrating energy from which all life is generated. In 10-12-6-, it speaks of Brahman or Cosmic Egg from which all creation came first. It also describes Viswakarma as creator, the first to come from Brahma. He is the architect of gods.

People generally are confused to understand the different appearing views on cosmos as stated in the scriptures and are led to believe that the views are contrary, whereas they are not at all contradictory, rather they really harmonize. Though there may be some points of logical disagreements, such systems ultimately lead us to the same end although their appeal has different ways.

– Continued

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