Pari's Blog

(please read blog entry – Metaphysics before reading this)

Origin of the Universe

The origin of the universe according to modern physics, in a nutshell:

In the modern physics big bang theory of origin of the universe, everything started with a singularity (a mathematical construct roughly meaning an infinitesimally small point). From this singularity, a powerful explosion rocked and rippled through the fabric of space-time (or rather, the fabric of something which later became space-time), sending forth a 26 dimensional vibration (called superstrings). As time flowed forward these vibrations interacted, coalesced, and condensed, forming denser/grosser elements: forces, fields, quarks, leptons, mesons, hadrons, neutrinos, electrons, protons, neutrons, atoms, molecules, gases, liquids, solids. In addition the big bang theory says everything that exists will collapse back into the singularity as the expanding universe stops expanding and contracts.

The theory of origin of the universe in Hinduism is strikingly similar to modern theory. Note that when modern science speaks of “universe” we just mean the visible universe, and not the the universe that the Hindu sages meant – which includes the visible and invisible universe.

Hinduism considers our current universe as one of many, that stretch through endless cycles of creation and dissolution, into the endless future and into the endless past.

Hindus perceived the universe on such immense time scales that rivals that of modern cosmology. You can see why they invented the zero – there was need for it! In fact the original name for zero is shoonya. In Sanskrit it means “the void”.

Contrast this with Western civilization (heavily influenced by Christian beliefs) which set the date of origin of the universe to be 4102 BC. Not to mention that the Romans were counting on their fingers (well, almost, considering the largest number was M=1000, let alone try to imagine the concept of zero or numbers as large as a trillion).

The beginning of a kalpa, cosmic cycle, of the visible universe (that lasts 4.32 billion years) is marked by a cosmic vibration, pranavam – represented by the symbol/sound Om, that originates in a small point called bindu in the ocean of pralaya (a quiescent state between cosmic cycles). This Cosmic Vibration gets differentiated over time into fundamental vibrations (bija or “seed” vibrations), these subtler vibrations coalesce to grosser vibrations, and so on until the gross elements are formed. Everything that exists came from the bindu and will eventually return back into the bindu.

Hinduism makes the assertion that matter is condensed energy (which several thousands years later was realized by the West, via Einstein), and that energy is condensed Consciousness (which is yet to be realized by the West; but increasing findings in modern physics is pointing in that direction). That is, everything is Pure Consciousness. You are in constant in interaction with the very fabric of this universe (whether you know it or not). For every choice you make, every thought, and action, you are effecting a split and causing a multiverse along your timeline.

Hinduism speaks in more abstract and existential principles than just matter and energy. Namely, nama and rupa, that is, of name and form. Form is that which is given shape to by our conscious vibrations. It is given distinct existence through name. Everything is holistic. For instance, the letters in the Sanskrit alphabet; each letter represents a bija or seed vibration (the very same “sound” vibrations that extends all the way to the Source). Everything contains the Source.

The Cosmic Cycles

A complete cycle of creation and dissolution is called a Mahayuga. A Mahayuga is in turn composed of four periods of time called yugas. The cycle starts with Krta Yuga and ends in Kali Yuga. As the moral and spiritual fabric of universe declines each successive period lasts shorter and shorter, by a power of two. Hence it rapidly declines from the Krta Yuga (the age of perfection) lasting 4800 god-years to Kali Yuga (the age of degeneration) lasting only 1200 god-years. A god-year = 360 human years.

Krta Yuga = 4800 god-years
    = 1.728 million years
Treta Yuga = 3600 god-years
    = 1.296 million years
Dvapara Yuga = 2400 god-years
    = 864,000 years
Kali Yuga = 1200 god-years
    = 432,000 years

The end of the Kali Yuga is said to be apocalyptic. Any system when it reaches a peak threshold of degeneration is bound to collapse upon itself and start over. Figuratively, Vishnu manifests Himself as the tenth avatar, Kalkin, to bring back order to the universe by wiping out all that is in disharmony with cosmic laws that govern the universe.

We are now entering the Kali Yuga of the 28th Mahayuga. Based on some meticulous calculations and regressions the Hindus arrive at the date which corresponds to our modern calendar date of February 18, 3102 BC (Friday, 0hrs) as the date when the current Kali Yuga began.
Each yuga is followed by an equally long period of dawn and dusk, for example:

Krta yuga = 4800 god-years
    = 400 god-years (dawn) + 4000 god-years + 400 god-years (dusk)

1 Mahayuga = Krta yuga + Treta yuga + Dvapara yuga + Kali yuga
    = 12000 god years
    = 4.32 million years

A full cycle of the visible universe is called a Kalpa:

1 Kalpa = One Brahma "day"
    = 1000 x  Mahayugas
    = 1,000 x 12000 god years
    = 4.32 billion years

Each kalpa is also followed by an equally long period of dawn and dusk (pralaya – or abeyance or quiescence).

1 Day in the Life of Brahma (a Complete Brahma Day) = One Brahma “day” + an equally long Brahma “night”

    = 2 x 4.32 billion years
    = 8.64 billion years

Brahma – the aspect/essence of God representing the dimension from which the visible universe is unfolded from and folds into.

The universe will come to a definitive end at the end of Brahma’s life – everything – the entire universe, including God himself are “destroyed”. Then at the start of another cosmic cycles He remanifests.

We are at the midpoint of the Brahma’s life. The current age of the Universe (not just the visible universe, but the visible and the invisible) by Hindu cosmology is approximately 155 trillion years old.

Life of Brahma = 100 years

    = (each year is composed of 360 days of  "night" and "day")
    = 100 * 360 Complete Brahma Days
    = 100 * 360 * 8.64 billion years (=72000 Kalpas)
    = 311.040 trillion years