BY
SWAMI
RADHAMADHAVANANDA SARASWATI
What is creation?
·
Our
creation consists of Jiva, Jagat and Isvara.
·
Jiva is
the individual soul which takes different embodiments birth after birth by the
force his karmic influences of past lives, known as 'Samskaras'.
·
Jagat is the vast cosmos spread before us. It is the field provided by Isvara in the
form of a suitable environment for the Jiva to experience the fruits of his
past actions.
·
Isvara
is the overall controller and awards the fruits of actions to the Jivas and
also provides a suitable environment for the Jiva to enjoy or suffer, as the
case may be, the fruits of his past actions.
·
The
three entities i.e. Jiva, Jagat and Isvara, are interdependent. If Jiva could
be eliminated, there would be no need of the field of experience (Jagat) and
the controller (Isvara) because there would be no one to experience or be
controlled or supervised.
·
Therefore
the recipe for freedom or salvation (Mukti) is to eliminate the Jivahood by
knowing one's essential nature, which is the Self or the Pure Consciousness.
Once this is done, Jagat and Isvara disappear automatically, leaving behind
Pure Consciousness, one without a second. Hence the saying, "know thyself
and be free."
·
Also in
the Mundak Upanishad the creation (Sristhi) is described as of two types viz.
Isvara Sristhi and Jiva Sristhi. According to this Upanishad, the Jiva Sristhi
can be destroyed through knowledge. When this is done, the Isvara Sristhi
disappears also at the same time simultaneously and thus one is established in
Akshar Brahman i.e. the Self.
·
Object
of creation on the part of Parmatman may be considered to be His free will
because of His unlimited opulence i.e. powers of desiring, knowledge and
action. He creates simply by desiring without effort or purpose just as we
create a dream world in our sleep without any effort or purpose. In fact from
the Absolute standpoint nothing was ever created, as we shall see later.
·
Creation
is described variously in our Hindu scriptures such as Srimad Bhagavad,
Mundak Upanishad and Prashno Upanishad and other Vedantic texts, in great
detail.
·
The
purpose of these descriptions is not to give the status of reality to the
Creation. But on the other hand to put the facts in detail before the Jiva (in
the human embodiment) for him to appreciate the cause of his miserable
existence and give him the clues to the ways and means of getting out of his
misery once for all by providing an opportunity for dispassion towards this
illusory Creation and making him realize the true and blissful nature of his
own being, the Self.
Form of Creation
·
The
form of Creation is illusory in the absolute sense or at best it is a relative
reality in as much as the dream world is a reality to the dreamer. This is
expounded in detail as follows:
Since
time immemorial man's mind has been seized with an intense desire and
inquisitiveness to find the primal cause of this created universe. Human mind
has ever remained anxious to collect information about the super-sensuous
world. Man can know himself and at the same time perceive the extensive
universe spreading before him. It is a natural curiosity to know the
underlying principal of this extensive universe as well as the man. This
thought has intrigued human mind since very ancient time.
The
Hindu philosophers observed that by knowing the nature of clay, one knows the
nature of everything made of clay. This inquiry was likewise extended to
determine that basic material of the universe, by knowing of which everything
in that universe will be known.
Our
scriptures declare that the Supreme Truth alone is the Reality. All else is an
illusion. This Truth is one without a second. There is none like It and none
other than It. Therefore the perceived world or creation is non different from
Reality but is a superimposition upon it. As the dream world disappears upon
waking up, so does this superimposition upon realizing its sub-stratum, the
Reality.
Now we shall
consider the illusory nature of creation from different standpoints and
analogies.
Compared to a computer model simulation
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This
wonderful creation of ours may be compared to a massive multi-dimensional
computer model simulation. The computer employed in this simulation is not an
ordinary computer, but it is made up of pure Consciousness, designed by the
Intelligent Being, the Lord Himself. He made it out of Himself and within
Himself. The input for this computer is also not conventionally known to us
(such as magnetic or voice medium etc.) but is the desire power or 'Ichha
Shakti' of the Lord or in a limited sense his appointed agents specifically
delegated with the powers of creation, maintenance and annihilation. This
super conscious computer has two types of memory i.e. RAM (Random Access
Memory) and BM (Backup Memory similar to the hard drive on our conventional
computers).
The colorful
display on the monitor of this massive computer may be compared to our visible
world. At the time of dissolution the records about Jivas' progression or
digression (evolution) i.e. the whole manifestation of names and forms are
converted into subtle un-manifest form and are stored on BM for permanent
storage. The computer is then shut off, when the creator (Brahma) retires for
his night rest. The Lord does this, by withdrawing his three powers (desire,
knowledge and creative). When the creator starts his day again, the computer
is turned on and all the data is brought back from BM to RAM and displayed on
its color monitor in its full glory. In other words the universe is created
again, which starts functioning as it was, before the dissolution.
In
this super conscious computer, the operating software or the operating system
(0.S.) is called 'Maya' which makes things happen. The impossible is made
possible and the illusion is made to look real with such a precision and
perfection, that it is incomprehensible to our BMI (Body, Mind and Intellect)
equipment complex. Just to cite an example: Our mother earth with 71 % of its
surface inundated, spinning about its axis, exerting peripheral centrifugal
forces and yet not a drop of water spills away from the surface! Amazing -
isn't it! This is the trickery of Maya.
Initially
the Lord produced a prototype model from the lump called the egg. He tested
and debugged this prototype using His three powers viz. 'Ichha Shakti', 'Jnana
Shakti' and 'Kriya Shakti'. Then the Lord assumed the role of the Isvara by
invoking His own dormant power of Maya for the management and sustenance of
the production model to be created from the prototype. The task of actual
production is given to Brahma, the Creator.
Brahma was
created and was endowed with the power of creation, to put the prototype into
production. This is still at the un-manifest level and is given the name
'Hiranyagarbha'.
The next
stage in the creation process is called 'Virat', where Jiva and Jagat are
displayed in the computer monitor in the form of animate and inanimate images
(beings and objects).
In spite of
all technological advancements, the conventional computers can never even come
closer to the super conscious computer that is infinite in size and scope.
After the initial set up by the Lord, through His 'Ichha Shakti' the
functioning of this super conscious computer is fully automatic, perfect and
precise, free of any faults whatsoever.
Extent of
the problem dealt by the super conscious computer (SCC) is reviewed as under:
There are 8.4 million species through which the Jiva has to cycle. The
population of human species is close to 6 billion and the total population of
all the Jivas (plant, animal and human) in the 8.4 M. species is estimated to
be approximately 300 B. The SCC has to keep track of each Jiva going through
8.4 M. species and more until the Jiva gets a release from the eternal cycle
of birth and death. It keeps an account of 'Sanchit', 'Agami' and 'Prarabdha'
karma for all the Jivas, birth after birth. Jivas inter-relationship with
others is precisely maintained, so that they are brought together and
separated at appointed times for prescribed duration and purpose. In this
system of creation, each one is entirely unique and no two animations are
alike. The whole system works like a clock and fits like a jigsaw puzzle. In
addition to Jivas' individual record keeping, suitable surroundings have to be
provided and maintained at all times for the Jivas to work out their Karmas.
This is the extent of the problem on the 'Prithivi Loka'. Other thirteen Lokas
are to be catered for as well. The total management structure with suitable
channels of communication is perfectly maintained at all times.
In spite of
this massive activity, between 'Jiva, Jagat and Isvara, taking place
continuously; the SCC is affected in the least. Because the computer
projections are multi-dimensional, its animation is able to think, desire,
act, feel hunger and thirst etc. within the constraints of each species and
thus create bondage or free itself from the pangs of the unending cycles of
birth and death.
From the
above dissertation, it can be seen as to how and why; this ever-changing
phenomenon is working in perfect unison and harmony. How the Lord remains
aloof and detached in spite of being very much in it as the illuminator of His
creation.
In
the foregoing analogy this illusory creation was compared to a sophisticated 'real time' computer model simulation. In the
following presentation we shall try to show the illusory nature of our created
world, from other considerations.
Game of maze
The creation
is like an unending game of maze, but unfortunately the subjects are not even
aware that they are caught up in this eternal game. This is because, while
they eternally suffer, there are merry-go-rounds provided for their pleasure,
so as to keep them deluded. But there are some lucky one's, who after long
suffering over many, many thousands of births, come to realize that they are
trapped in the play of Maya. Such individuals are shown the way out or are
guided out of this game of maze by the ever-merciful Lord.
Product of Maya
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This wonderful creation of ours, is said to be a product of
Maya, and it works endlessly like clockwork to the pinpoint precision, which
is possible only in an illusion. The term Maya is often used in the scriptures
and therefore, it would be worthwhile to understand what it is?
Maya
is the non-existent illusory power of Parmatman and is said to be 'Anirvachaniya' meaning indescribable. No satisfactory logical answer can be
given. It is posited to un-ravel the mystery of creation. It is like an
un-known variable 'x' brought in, into arithmetic problems to find out the
answer. Like the Maya, this variable 'X' neither appears in the question, the
cause, nor will it appear in the answer, the effect. Appearing in the middle,
it helps to solve the problem and obtain the correct answer and then
disappears. Even so, say the scriptures, this inscrutable Maya, which is not
in the Parmatman, helps the individual Jiva to solve the mystery of life, and
also helps him to get out of this wheel of 'Samsara'. Ultimately the illusory
Maya also disappears root and branch, along with its effects, i.e. the Jiva,
Jagat
and Isvara, leaving behind its sub-stratum, the Pure Consciousness.
What
this nonexistent Maya does, is beautifully described by the great Acharya
Shankara and the same is summarized below:
a)
Maya
is extremely clever and reconciles the presence of Jiva-Jagat-Isvara as three
different entities in one non-dual Brahman, eternal without parts etc.
b)
Maya
is wonderful and makes the apparently impossible seem possible. It is able to
lure the highly learned with the bait of wealth and sense objects and hurl
them down to the level of beasts.
c)
Maya,
very cleverly, is able to affect an apparent union of the non-dual, Absolute -
knowledge - Bliss, with the ephemeral BMI (body-mind-intellect) etc.
d)
Maya
is able to make the unreal appear as real and create multiplicity in the one
non-dual Knowledge-Bliss-Absolute and is able to create attachment to son,
wife, house and the like and thus creating complete delusion beyond
description.
e)
The
marvel called the Maya is dexterous in making the false appear as true. Having
created the false appearance of Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva in the non-dual,
homogeneous Brahman embarrasses even the highly learned and makes them roam
about deluded, with the idea of differences among the Trinities.
f)
The
wonder of all wonders called the Maya, in spite of its magical powers
will take to its heels, if only we start inquiring about the Truth.
This
wonderful creation of ours is an illusion beyond doubt. It is like an illusion
created by a magician. This creation has come out of nothing, by any standard,
whether it is the 'big bang theory' or the detailed descriptions of creation
given in the 'Sastras'. Only nothing can come out of nothing. A magician can
create an illusion of producing pigeons and rabbits, looking real, from his
empty magical hat. Likewise, the Master Magician Bhagvan Krishna has produced
this apparently real looking world from His 'empty hat' called the Maya, using
His flute as the magic wand. The Lord created it for fun and kept the illusion
at an arms length, keeping Himself untouched by this illusory creation. But we
in turn take this illusion to be real and thus suffer ever after.
Because
this cosmos is a creation of Maya, we see wondrous feats around us, which are
virtually impossible to attain in practice. When we need to build a high-rise
building or a bridge across a river or send a satellite into space, imagine
how much time, effort and resources are required to realize a successful
project. For the Maya, to hang up the planets like the moon, the earth, the
sun, mars, Jupiter and so on, weighing billions and trillions of tons, in the
middle of nowhere, seems to be a child's play. Not only these massive objects
are floating in space, without any supports, they are in constant motion at
tremendous speeds. The earth goes about its own axis, the moon revolves around
the earth, the moon and the earth, while maintaining their relative motion, go
round the sun. Again the whole solar system, along with its satellites, is in
constant motion at very high speeds and yet in a predictable fashion. The
whole cosmos seems to be topsy-turvy or in a state of flux. In an illusory
creation, nothing is impossible, yet there is a perfect method in this seeming
madness.
Illusion
but methodical, is the buzzword for Maya. Maya puts a proper hierarchy in
place, for this illusory creation to function effectively and the whole thing
is explicable to the minutest detail. First of all Maya creates its own boss
called Isvara, then comes 'Hiranyagarbha' where all the 24 categories (such as
five great elements, organs of action and perception etc.) are created in
subtle seed form. To give form to these formless elements, Brahma is
evolved. Then come Jiva and Jagat along with their total package of Karma,
Upasana, Yoga, Bhakti, and Knowledge etc. Every stage of creation is explained
to the minutest detail in a whole library of Vedic scriptures, which is
mind-boggling. The whole purpose of this elucidation in the scriptures, is to
bring home to us the reality of this eternal dream/sleep state, to the level
of our own essential nature - SAT - CHIT - ANANDA.
Creation viewed with respect to the Absolute
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An
illusion seen from a relative standpoint looks very real. How would it be
viewed from that of the Absolute? To examine this we shall look at some aspects of the life span of Brahma, the creator, in relation to the created.
Brahma
lives for 100 long years, which is equivalent to 311.04 trillion earth years.
1 year of Brahma consists of 360 days.
1
day of Brahma consists of 1 day +
1 night, each of 12 hour duration.
1 day
(12 hours) =
1000 Chatur Yuga cycles.
=
4.32 billon earth years.
This
translates into one second of Brahma
=
100,000 earth years.
Chatur
Yuga cycle consists of:
Kali Yuga
=
432,000
earth years
Dvapara Yuga
=
864,000
earth years
Treta Yuga =
1,296,000 earth years
Satya Yuga =
1,728,000 earth years
1
Chatur Yuga cycle =
4,320,000 earth years
1
day of celestials
=
1
human year
1
year of celestial
=
360 human years
12000
celestial years =
4.320,000 human years,
Which is the same as one Chatur Yuga cycle.
From the above, it is obvious that a human being cycles
(from birth to death etc.) 1000 times per second (of Brahma), assuming for
simplicity, the human life span being 100 years. But there are 8.4 million
life forms (Jivas) with varying life spans from few hours to a few hundred
years. Therefore, the speed at which Jiva goes through the life cycle will
depend upon the species, it belongs to.
For
a human Jiva to revolve around the cycle of birth and death, at a speed of
1000 cycles per second, is mind
boggling and is possible only in a dream state of the creator, who himself is
a creation of Maya. Such is the clever trickery of Maya and there is nothing
impossible for it. This is how the created is viewed from the standpoint of
the creator. How about from the perspective of the Absolute? The illusory
creation exists not, when viewed from the absolute standpoint because a new
Brahma will be born every few seconds, with respect to the Absolute's time
scale. So where is the question of the created world existing at all.
Compression
of time
Compression
of time in a dream as stated above, is conceivable because we experience
similar situation daily during the dream state. The longest dream is said to
last between 3-4 minutes, which can
possibly compress the whole life span and more, of the dreamer and his dream
experiences, in such a short duration of a few minutes. From this analogy we
may be able to appreciate Brahma's predicament. The creation and destruction
of Jivas at 1000 cycles per second, is like forming and bursting of the
bubbles in water constantly. Even the air bubbles seem to last longer than
1/1,000th of a second.
Analogy with the dream world
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This
universe may be compared to the dream world projected by the mind, during the
dream state, the latter being a dream within a cosmic dream. The dreamer, the
dream world and the dream experiences, all the three are projected by the
mind, from the mind and onto the mind. During the dream state, mind behaves
like Maya and during the waking state it acts as a tool of Maya with all the
three Gunas of Prakriti viz. Sattva, Rajas and Tamas, in full swing. When we
are kicked out of the dream state by an incident of the dream experience, only
then we come to realize that the dream was an illusion. Likewise, the 'waker',
the 'waking world' and the 'waking experiences', all the three are also an
illusion. It may seem difficult to accept this theory; likewise a dreamer
would never accept that he was dreaming, if he was reminded of this fact while
dreaming, if it was at all possible to communicate to him during the dream.
The saints and sages and also the Hindu scriptures have always declared, that
this waking world is nothing but an illusion like the dream world, but we are
not prepared to believe them, out of our ignorance.
Movie
projection on a screen
Another
way to look at this illusory world is, like a movie projected on to a screen,
where the screen is compared to the Truth, the substratum, onto which the
illusory world is projected from a projector, we may call it Maya. If the
projected objects on the screen, consider themselves to be real and then
suffer the consequences, it will be their own fault. Similar to this projected
movie, our world is also projected by Maya on to the substratum, call it
Consciousness, Truth or Reality, and we take it to be real and consequently
suffer as a result.
Projection
of a snake on the rope
Our
creation may be considered to be a mental projection on to the Consciousness
as its sub-stratum as in the classic Vedantic example of "illusory snake
on the rope", wherein the projected object has the opposing qualities
compared to the base on to which it is projected. This illusory snake appears
to be shining and attractive to look at, but poisonous and dangerous in
actuality, and it is superimposed on to an innocent and rather harmless rope.
Similarly, our world though appears to be wonderful and full of fun, is
infatuated with all sorts of perils and misery at every step. Like the
harmless rope is the support for the snake, the Self, whose nature is Bliss,
supports this illusory world. Therefore, there is a contrary perception in
both cases. The rope is harmless, the snake is dangerous, similarly the Self
is of the nature of Bliss but the projected world is full of misery and
strife.
Life span of creation
What is the life span of this illusory world? Very short,
like the 'Ashvatha' tree, shall be the answer. It disappears very quickly for
any pretext. When we go to sleep or dose off or even when we sit on the seat
of meditation with the eyes closed, the world folds up. Also if we can eliminate any one pair of opposites (e.g. Birth and
death, i.e. if there is no birth, no death, there is no world), the world
disappears. It is as simple as that.
The
world is an illusion beyond doubt; scriptures declare it and the
wise
agree unanimously. This conclusion is summed
up as follows:
1. World is a projection of Maya, perceived through the instrument of the mind.
2. World is real only in a relative sense. Its existence is dependent upon the duality or pairs of opposites.
3. World is as real to a waker, as the dream is to a dreamer.
4. Reality of the world is limited to the reality of the body consciousness. When the body consciousness is denied, JIVA-JAGAT-ISVARA, all the three disappear and the truth alone remains.
5. The world is very real so long as the notion, that "l am the body", is real. Therefore, for a vast majority of people, the world is a solid reality.
6. Reality of the world is conditioned by 'time and space'. Time and space is a trick of the mind. Therefore, beyond the mind, there is no time and space and no world.
7. If the world is real, the cycle of birth and death is permanent and eternal. If that is so, it will not be possible to get out of the cycle of 'Samsara'. This is contrary to the concept of 'Jivanmukti'.
8. The concept, 'this is mine and that is not mine', in relation to the body, makes up the world. If the body is not real - because it is subjected to death and birth - how can the world be real?
9. Scriptures tell us that the Reality or the Truth is one without a second. If the world was also real, it will infer two 'Realities' existing simultaneously, which is contrary to the scriptural declarations.
Last but not the least, it must be borne in mind, regardless of the perception of the world we might have, that while we live and function in this world, we must assume that the world is a reality and treat it as such. We must follow the norms of the society we live in and be compassionate towards the other living beings.
SWAMI
RADHAMADHAVANANDA SARASWATI