What is the Hindu cycle of the universe? | What is the Hindu concept of cosmic order? | Hindu cosmology | How did Brahma create the universe? | What is the Hindu cycle of the universe? | When did Kali Yuga start and end | How old is universe according to Hinduism
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Just before going to “What is the Hindu cycle of the universe? | What is the Hindu concept of cosmic order? | Hindu cosmology | How did Brahma create the universe? | What is the Hindu cycle of the universe? | When did Kali Yuga start and end | How old is universe according to Hinduism“, let us know a brief, basic and very important information.
Bhagavan Lord Sri Maha Vishnu, in his incarnation of Lord Varaha (a boar), had liberated Goddess Prithvi (Mother Earth) from the clutches of the demon King Hiranyaksha, the mighty demon who had abducted her to Rasatala first and then took her to cosmic space.
After being rescued by Lord Varaha, Goddess Prithvi (Mother Earth) heaved a sigh of relief and looked at her savior, who was smiling. She curiously asked Bhagavan Lord Sri Varaha – “How does the process of creation of the universe begin in the beginning of each Kalpa?”
Goddess Prithvi continued – “What is dissolution?” “How do you nurture the whole creation?” “In what order do all the four Yugas occur and how are they calculated?” “Why do you take incarnation in each yuga?” “All these things puzzle me a lot and I request you to enlighten me on all these subjects.”
Goddess Prithvi (Mother Earth) became so frightened by this amazing sight that she started to tremble in fear. Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu Swamy then transformed his appearance and revealed his divine form to Prithvi so that she could become free from her fright.
When Prithvi saw the divine form of Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu, who was in his meditative sleep (Yoga Nidra) taking rest on Lord Adishesha naga (Serpent), all her fear vanished immediately.
Goddess Prithvi was extremely pleased to see the divine appearance of Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu and thanked her good fortune.
Goddess Prithvi, filled with extreme devotion eulogized Bhagavan Lord Sri Maha Vishnu. In the beginning of creation, Ego (ahankar) as well as the five basic elements – akasha (space), jala (water), bhumi (earth), vayu (air) and agni (fire) manifest themselves from the supreme Almighty (Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu).
Subsequently, the great element – mahattatva, nature and collective consciousness manifest themselves. The collective consciousness then combines with each of the three basic qualities that is, satva (pure), rajas (demonic) and tamas (dark) and exits in three different states.
It’s combination with the dark quality results into the manifestation of Mahadbrahma which is also called Prakriti (Prakruti) or nature by the enlightened ones. Kshetragya is considered to be more superior than the Prakriti.
This way the different permutations and combinations of all the three gunas (Satvika, Tamasika and Rajasika) with collective intelligence result into the creation of different “tanmatras” (तन्मात्र) (tanmātra) (subtle form of matters).
From the tanmatras are created the “Indriyas” (इन्द्रिय) (indriya) or sense organs takes place. This is the way how the Universe comes into existence.
I (Bhagavan Sri Maha Vishnu) then create all the living creatures with using five basic elements. Then, I created you (Prithvi / Mother Earth) to provide base to all the living creatures. The combination of earth and water resulted into an “Egg” (anda).
As the egg (anda) grew in size, I manifested myself as Lord Narayana within it. During each Kalpa a lotus (kamala) manifests itself from my (Vishnu) navel (nabhi) upon which is seated will be Lord Sri Brahma Deva.
(Note : We should note that in each Brahma Kalpa, a new Lord Sri Brahma Deva will born from the navel / nabhi of Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu / Narayana. This is happening since unknown timeframe and will continue until the grand infinite timeframe).
[Brahma Kalpa : Brahma Kalpa means full lifespan of Lord Sri Brahma as per his planet, that is, as per Brahma Loka or Satya Loka. Each Brahma Kalpa will be 100 years as per Brahma Loka or Satya loka. In each Brahma Kalpa, a new Brahma is born from the navel of Lord Vishnu.]
I (Vishnu) then instruct Lord Sri Brahma to commence creation. In spite of all his efforts, Lord Sri Brahma Deva does not succeed in commencing his creation. As a result he becomes furious and from his fury manifests a divine child who starts to wail incessantly.
The divine child is none other than Lord Rudra Deva (later he will be called as Lord Shiva) who is requested by Lord Sri Brahma Deva to begin creation, but the child being incapable of doing that decides to acquire power by doing penance and enters into deep water.
[Note : The present Lord Brahma’s original name is Virinchi and Brahma is a padavi / rank and not his name. Lord Shiva is the son of Lord Brahma (Virinchi), instantly emerged out (thus his another name is called as Sadhyojath / सद्योजात / sadyōjāta) from center of Brahma’s eye brows at the time of creation.]
[Soon after His birth Lord Shiva started crying / roaring fiercely and loudly. In Sanskrit Roudra means crying / roaring fiercely and loudly and thus Lord Shiva was earlier called as Rudra (Rodanaat Rudra). Here Rodanaat Rudra means someone who cries / roars fiercely and loudly.]
[Lord Shiva is one of the Trinity Lords (Brahma-Vishnu-Maheshwara) ruling Tamasika Guna (Ahankara Tattva). Lord Shiva is entrusted with the role of dissolution (Layakaraka). In Sanskrit Shiva means mangalakara (very auspicious) and someone who is incredibly and ever auspicious (Sadashiva) that is, pure, sacred and selfless.]
Lord Varaha continues – The manifestation of Prajapati and his consort marks the beginning of copulative creation and thus Swayambhuva Manu is born. This is the way how creation takes place in each Brahma Kalpa.
At the end of the last Brahma Kalpa, when the whole universe was engulfed in darkness, Lord Narayana (Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu) goes into his ‘yoga nidra’ (yogic-sleep – He meditates upon himself, that is, he thinks about his different pastimes in his different avatars).
After waking up, Lord Narayana (Vishnu) found the world devoid of any creature. Lord Narayana, being (Vishnu) the Supreme Almighty-the creator, the nurturer as well as the annihilator, decided to commence creation again.
[Note : During this period Goddess Lakshmi will be in her three forms like ‘Shri’, ‘Bhu’ and ‘Durga’ forms. At this juncture, Goddess Lakshmi prays and requests to Lord Narayana (Vishnu) to start the creation process. With this request and prayers, Lord Narayana starts the process of creation.]
[The term Narayana (नारायण) (nārāyaṇa) means someone who has his abode in the water. Here ‘nara’ means water and ayana means abode. नर (nara) means water, नार (nāra) means someone who sleeps on water and आयन (āyaṇa) means resting or sleeping.]
Lord Varaha continued : First of all five types of “avidya” (false knowledge) manifested from Lord Narayana, that is, tamas (darkness), moha (attachment), mahamoha (absolute attachment), tamisra (jealousy) and andhatamisra (anger).
After the manifestation of these five “avidyas” (अविद्या) (avidyā), came into existence immobile or immovable things like mountains, trees etc. These being the primary creations came to be known as “mukhya sarga” (main creation).
Continuing with his creations, Lord Sri Brahma Deva created species that were superior to the earlier created animals. This particular creation was called “Tiryaksrota” (quadruped). This way Lord Sri Brahma Deva did his creation.
Lord Sri Brahma Deva’s sixth creation was called ‘Satvika Sarga’ which consisted of the deities who were all virtuous by nature. The creation of human beings was seventh in order and was known as “Arvaaksrota Sarga”.
Even human beings were of three types – those who were predominantly virtuous possessed Satvika Guna had radiant personality and never experienced sorrow, but those who possessed Rajasika Guna and Tamas Gunas experienced sorrows as per their earlier Karmas.
The ninth creation of Lord Sri Brahma Deva was called “Kaumara sarga” (creation of adolescent beings). So, these are the nine main types of creation through which Lord Sri Brahma Deva creates the whole universe.
First of all Rudra and other deities manifested themselves and then came into being eternal adolescents like Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanatana, Sanata Kumara etc.
Subsequently, all the ten manasa putras (children born from the mind) of Lord Sri Brahma Deva manifested themselves, that is, Marichi, Angira, Atri, Pulaha, Kratu, Pulasya, Pracheta, Bhrigu, Narada and Vashishtha.
At the orders of Lord Sri Brahma, Lord Sri Rudra (Shiva) dismembered his female part resulting into the creation of two distinct forms – one male and the other female, that is, the form of Ardhanarishvara.
Later on, ten more Rudras manifested from the male form and all of them collectively came to be known as ‘Ekadashi Rudras’ / ‘Eleven Rudras’.
Few of the important questions or frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the creation of universe as per Hinduism (Vedas) is as discussed below:
Who was the first woman and man on earth according to Hinduism – There is nothing like that first woman and man as per Hinduism or Vedas or any Hindu Texts. Hinduism is a cyclic process and keeps on repeating again and again. No one knows about the start of the Hinduism expect Lord Sri Vishnu himself.
As per the Puranas which was composed by Lord (Sage) Sri Vedavyasa, we may consider that the modern man and woman is Manu and his wife Shatarupa. But, these two definitely are not the first man and woman as per Hinduism or Vedas or Puranas or any Hindu Texts.
From the Sanskrit name Manu itself all these modern names came into existence : Man (English), Musalman (Islam), human, Mann (German), etc.
Information about Hindu cosmology is as given below:
Oval / Egg: Many of us may know that the whole earth or any planet or solar system or universe is oval / egg shaped and not only this, even most of the living organisms come from the egg itself.
Again not only this, the placenta when the baby is inside the mother’s womb will be in an egg shape. This explanation was given by Europeans some approximately 2000 years back. But we Bharata Vasis (Indians) know these things since ages.
Our universe is called as ‘brahmAnDa or brahmAnD‘ (ब्रह्मांड / ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂಡ / brahmāṇḍa) (read as brahmaanDa) in samskruta / Sanskrit.
How universe (brahmanda) was created as per Hinduism is as given below:
Here brahmanda (ब्रह्मांड / ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂಡ / brahmāṇḍa) means ‘the universe which is oval / egg shaped‘. brahmAnDa = brahma + anDa. Here, Brahma means universe and ‘anDa’ means oval / egg shaped.
According to our Shastras (Hindu Texts / Scriptures), the universe / Brahmanda’s area is fifty koti (fifty crore) yojanas.
There are fourteen lokas inside this universe (brahmanda / brahmand):
Savarna Brahmanda (सावर्ण ब्रह्मांड / ಸಾವರ್ಣ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂಡ / sāvarṇa brahmāṇḍa) – Savarna Brahmanda means the universe which is covered with avarana / avarna / space.
Prithvi tattva is the first enclosure of the universe, which is twice the size of a hundred koti / crore yojana. (Prithvi means the land we see here on our mother earth. The basic tattva which is the basis of our Mother earth).
On top of this, one thousand koti yojana of area expanded which is the jala / water tattva avarana.
On top of this, ten thousand koti yojana of area expanded which is the agni / fire tattva avarana.
On top of this, one lakh koti yojana of area expanded which is the vayu / air tattva avarana.
On top of this, ten lakh koti yojana of area expanded which is the akasha / space tattva avarana.
On top of this, koti koti yojana of area expanded which is the ahankara tattva avarana.
On top of this, ten koti koti yojana of area expanded which is the mahat tattva avarana.
On top of this, hundred koti koti yojana of area expanded which is the gunatrayas’ (satva-rajo-tamo gunas) avarana.
Like this, for Brahmanda there are ten avaranas of pancha bhoota, ahankara tattva, mahat tattva and gunatrayas.
Here, the area of prithvi is only about two times higher than the universe. This is because, since everything from the jala tattva up to gunatrayas it is ten times greater and thus our Shastras (scriptures) says that –
There are nine avaranas other then prithvi tattva (panchata + ahankaara + mahat + three gunas).
Fifty koti yojana of universe’s area expansion means, it is the area of the one single whole universe (Brahmanda). Savarna Brahmanda means, including the above said Brahmanda (Universe). Now we know the real meaning of the Brahmanda (Universe) and the universe relationship.
Yes, it is not so easy to understand and accept this, as this area measurement have been done since ages before. And also there’s a need of great study on this, so that it would be easy for everybody to understand the real meaning.
But one thing is absolutely true, that is, we Bharata vasis (Indians) were very much aware about this: Brahmanda’s / universe’s shape, area and also about the different planets & other particles of the space (of unlimited universes).
Every work done perfectly and selflessly will make me perfect. There is a saying in Hinduism as given below:
ना हं कर्ता, हरी कर्ता | ನಾ ಹಂ ಕರ್ತಾ, ಹರಿ ಕರ್ತಾ | nā haṁ kartā, hari kartā |
This means, “I am not doing anything, it is all done by Lord Sri Hari / Vishnu“. We need to try and try and try… that’s all. The fruits are left to him.
You can refer this also: Lord Sri Krishna tells to Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita as below:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन । मा कर्म फल हेतुर्भुर्माते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥ 2-47 ||
ಕರ್ಮಣ್ಯೇವಾಧಿಕಾರಸ್ತೇ ಮಾ ಫಲೇಷು ಕದಾಚನ | ಮಾ ಕರ್ಮಫಲಹೇತುರ್ಭೂರ್ಮಾ ತೇ ಸಂಗೋஉಸ್ತ್ವಕರ್ಮಣಿ || 2-47 ||
karmaṇyēvādhikārastē mā phalēṣu kadācana | mā karmaphalahēturbhūrmā tē saṅgōustvakarmaṇi || 2-47 ||
Meaning of the above shloka is as given here : Lord Sri Krishna says to Arjuna, “You have a right to perform your prescribed duty. But you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty”. – Bhagavad Gita, Chapter II, Verse 47
Hinduism teaches that the soul has no gender, race, or caste. Today we may have born as male. But in next life we may be born as female. Also in another ‘yoni’, may be as an animal or an insect or a tree or something else. There is no gender, race or caste to us.
As humans doing the right Dharma is the only cure. If we do the right Karma, we may again born as humans. If we do better Karmas, we may get the higher planets like:
List of 14 lokas names in Hinduism are as given below:
1. Satya loka – This is the place of Sri Chatur Mukha Brahma, where each person’s atman is released from the inevitability of rebirth (but still moksha might not yet received).
2. Tapa loka – Ayohnija devadasis live here.
3. Jana loka – The sons of the god Brahma live here.
4. Mahar loka – Enlightened and ‘jnani’ (knowledgeable) people such as Markandeya live here.
5. Svar loka (Svarga Loka) – This is the place between the Sun and the Polar Star, the Heaven (Svarga Loka) of the Sri Indra Deva.
In English it can be called as Heaven or Paradise, where all the 330 million Hindu Devatas / Demigods live here.
6. Bhuvar loka (or Pitru loka) – It is the place between Earth and the Sun. Semi-divine beings live here. Sri Surya Deva also live here.
7. Bhur loka – This is the Mother Earth place.
We the Hindus teach that it is one of billions of inhabited worlds in the universe. This shows the Hindu belief in the multiverses. This is the middle loka of all the 14 lokas.
Similarly if we do Adharma, we may get some other life in our next life, may be an animal or a tree or an insect or we may get to go to lower planets like:
8. Atala loka – Atala is ruled by Bala, who is a son of Maya. Maya possesses mystical powers.
9. Vitala loka – Vitala is ruled by the god Hara-Bhava, who is a form of Lord Shiva.
10. Sutala loka – Sutala is the kingdom of the demon king Bali. After Lord Vamana pushed Bali into deep ground, he was informed to stay in this loka by Lord Vamana.
11. Talatala loka – Talatala is the realm of Maya. Lord Shiva is also here under the protection of Maya.
12. Mahatala loka – Mahatala is where many nagas (sarpas / serpents) live.
13. Rasatala loka – Rasatala is the home of the demons called Danavas and Daityas.
14. Patala loka (or Naga-loka) – This is the lowest realm. It is the region of the nagas, ruled by Vasuki a King serpent. This is the same serpent which is place around the neck of Lord Shiva.
Who is the mother of universe in Hinduism : Goddess Lakshmi is the heading the universe including the nature of the universe. She is the Tatvabhimani (abhimani) Devata, that is, the God (Goddess) who controls universe (Prakriti) (nature).
In Ambhruni (Ambhrini) Sukta, Goddess Lakshmi Devi says that “I have the one who takes care of the whole universe (nature) and I am the one who is Supreme among all. But, my consort (Vishnu) is far Superior than me and I am just a follower of his instructions”.
What is the Hindu cycle of the universe?
1. Kali Yuga (Lord Sri Venkateswara / Balaji – King Vikramaditya) – 4,32,000 years (Iron Age).
2. Dwapara Yuga (Lord Sri Krishna, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna) – 2 * Kali Yuga = 8,64,000 years (Bronze Age).
3. Treta Yuga (Lord Sri Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrugna) – 3 * Kali Yuga = 12,96,000 years (Silver Age).
4. Krita (Satya) Yuga (Lord Sri Narasimha, Prahlada, King Harishchandra) – 4 * Kali Yuga = 17,28,000 years (Golden Age).
All together, that is, Kali Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, Treta Yuga and Krita (Satya) Yuga total is called one Maha Yuga – 4.32 million years.
One Manu rules a Manvantara composed of 71 Maha Yugas. (Current Manu name is Vaivasvata, the son of the Lord Sri Surya Deva – Sun God, Vivasvan).
14 Manvantaras is one day for Lord Sri Brahma Deva and known as Kalpam (Kalpa). Other 14 will be nights for Lord Sri Brahma Deva.
For such 100 years, one Lord Sri Brahma Deva is the shruti-karta (the tuner / creator). Next Lord Sri Brahma Deva is Sri Hanuman and Bali Chakravarti (Mahabali) will be Lord Sri Indra Deva in Savarni Manvantara.
And such trillions and trillions of Lord Sri Brahma Devas have passed, so many, that people no more have count of them.
Imagine how tiny is the life of a human being in this! Yet a human has ahankaram (ego and pride) that surpasses everyone’s.
What are the 4 cycles of Hinduism : In Hinduism there are 4 Yugas, that is, Satya (Krita) Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga and Kali Yuga. All these 4 Yugas together is known as one Mahayuga, that is, a Mahayuga is a cycle of these 4 Yugas.
When did Kali Yuga start : Kali Yuga was started as soon as Duryodhana died. But, Lord Krishna didn’t allowed Kali to spread it’s wings for next 1000 years until the lineage of the Pandavas existed on this earth. Approximately on 18 February 3102 BCE Kali Yuga started. Now it is about 5,100+ years have passed in this present Kali Yuga.
When will Kali Yuga end : Kali Yuga’s timeframe is about 4,32,000 years. As far now, about 5,100+ years have passed in Kali Yuga. At the end of Kali Yuga, Lord Vishnu will take the avatar of Lord Kalki and will destroy all the Adharmis (unrighteous people) and will again re-establish the Dharma on earth.
How old is universe according to Hinduism : 311 trillion 40 billion (311,040,000,000,000) earth years. This is the 100 years of Lord Brahma as per his planet called Brahma Loka or Satya Loka. This 100 years of Lord Brahma is called as a ‘Brahma Kalpa’.
In every Brahma Kalpa a new Brahma takes birth from the navel of Lord Narayana (Vishnu). Infinite number of these types of Lord Brahmas have taken birth from Lord Narayana and this will continue. There is no end of creation, maintenance and annihilation as per Hinduism (Vedas), it is a cycle and keeps on repeating again and again.
Originally Lord Vishnu does this – Creation (srushti / सृष्टि) in his Vasudeva form, sustenance (sthiti / स्थिति) (maintenance) in his Sankarshana form, dissolution (layana / लयन) in his Pradyumna form. And similarly he does the Dharma Pravachana (promulgation) in his Aniruddha form.
How many years is a Kalpa : One Brahma Kalpa is about 311 trillion 40 billion (311,040,000,000,000) earth years. This is 100 years as per Lord Brahma’s planet, that is, as per Brahma Loka or Satya Loka.
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