Brahman is the cosmic spirit that appears as the universe
and everything in it. Brahman is eternal without a beginning or an end
alternating between two phases of the universe created as in its present form
and in a potential form when the present universe apparently ceases to exist.
It may be said that the universe too reincarnates after the previous one is
perished in an endless cycle. The manifested universe is known as ‘Shrishti’
whilst the potential form is ‘Pralaya’ (as a future tree exists in a seed). Such
a seed or egg creating the universe may also be an interpreted description of
‘Hiranyagarbha’ that is another name of Brahman.
Shrishti is also seen as the phase of Purusha ‘self
sacrificing’ as it were whereas the potential form is compared to the night for
Brahman to sleep and rest after exerting as manifestation during the ‘day’
The physical world is created by Brahman through use of its
supreme power called ‘Maya’ which is the inherent energy in Brahman just as
heat is in fire. This ‘Maya’ is constituted of three properties (Gunas) namely
‘satwa’ (pure, rarefied) , ‘rajas’ (excitable) and ‘tamas’ (inert, unchanging). When
these three properties are not in perfect balance then the imbalance leads to
manifestation of ‘Ishwara’, ‘Jiva’ and ‘Jagat’ that is the manifestation of God
with a form due to dominance of the ‘Satwa Guna’, and of living beings and the
physical world due to dominance of the ‘Rajas and Tamas Gunas’.
Jagat (universe)
The physical world (jagat) is ultimately built upon the five
basic elements (Panchamahabhutas) of akasha (continuum like ether), air (vaayu),
fire (agni), water (ap), earth (prithvi). The latter four being physical matter
known as ‘paramanus’ (like ions and electrons but not exactly the same) whereas
akasha is a continuum that pervades every space and exists everywhere. Akasha
is perceived as a fabric of lines (dishah) which serves as the frame for all
physical experiences of the ‘jiva’ or ‘jiva-atma’ at the core of a living
entity.
The bhutas when built up or converted to form the physical
body of a living entity are known as ‘Anna’ (food).
I find this a beautiful way of describing the creation of the universe. ‘Maya’ is the force of ‘Brahman’ (the knowledge of the knower or energy of the consciousness). In Bhagwad Gita and various other scriptures this same relationship is denoted where ‘Purusha’ is stated as the male knower and ‘Prakriti’ (nature) is said to be the female field or energy of Purusha. Shiva is said to be the knower and Shakti the field.
Maya is said to have three Gunas of ‘satwa’, ‘rajas’ and ‘tamas’. Satwa rajas and tamas may be viewed as neutral, positive and negative energy levels respectively. Therefore I understand that when the Gunas are in a certain balance then different elements may be created (assumption of forms to find stable states). This is how I find the link between Sanaatan Dharma and our modern day science.
Wikipedia states
that the ‘Tattwa Kaumudi’ (part of Hindu scriptures) describes how first akasha
(aether) was created which is the most ‘subtle’ of the five elements. Then each
element created in turn is used to create the next element that is air, fire,
water and earth. My understanding is that this creation via the five elements, the Panchamahabhutas can be viewed as different forms of Maya
(energy or force of Brahman). Scientists today are trying to discover how energy converts to matter i.e. they are trying to discover
the secrets of ‘mass’ and the ‘Higgs Boson’ is said to be the particle related
to mass. Perhaps when the energy became unstable and changed form each element
was then created.
