The Eternal Cycle of Creation According to Hindu Scriptures

According to Hindu scriptures, particularly the Vedas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, and others, the concept of creation is complex and often cyclical rather than a one-time event. This divine cycle of creation and dissolution is philosophically grounded and resonates with the principles of Vedantism.

Conceptions of Brahma and Shiva

Theologically, Brahma is often considered the creator, whereas Shiva is the destroyer. However, from a philosophical standpoint, these roles are more nuanced. The universe, it is believed, is not subject to a first cause but is seen as an eternal process.

The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text, elucidates this perspective with verses such as Gita 8.18 and 8.19, which explain the recurring nature of the universe:

‘O son of Prtha! This vast collectivity of beings comes inexorably into manifestation again and again dissolving at the commencement of night and again coming forth at the dawn of day.’ – Gita 8.18

'This collectivity of personalities is born and vanishes again and again, with the sun (of Time) and the moon (of Night). It is born again and again, as the year (of Time) and the season (of Night) revolve, and so is its destruction. – Gita 8.19'

Swami Tapasyananda, in his commentary, explains that denying the first creation is significant in Vedantism. He notes, 'The principal feature of Vedantism and its first tenet is the cyclic view of time and man's involvement in it... This state is called Samsara, the repetitive process of life and death. There is no beginning for it as its framework of Time is cyclic in movement.' This view acknowledges eternal entities such as matter (Prakriti) and souls (Jiva) as dependent existences or as the body of the Supreme Being.

The Nature of Creation and Dissolution

The Gita further clarifies that the universe has no beginning and no end, manifesting and then dissolving cyclically. This concept is rooted in the cosmic cycles of Brahma's day and night, symbolizing the perpetual cycle of creation and dissolution. Swami Tapasyananda elaborates, 'Matter and souls are not created at any moment of Time but are eternally present as dependent existences or as the body of the Supreme Being. They come into manifestation at the beginning of a cycle of Time and at the end dissolve in Him, remaining in their causal conditions only to come into manifestation again when the new cycle of Time starts after the earlier dissolution.'

In Samsara, the spirit undergoes numerous embodiments, each influenced by Karma (action). This cycle is meant to reveal the inherent divinity of the soul and bring it to higher states of perfection. The accumulation of good and bad deeds (merit and demerit) forms the Karma potential that regulates future lives. This theory justifies a righteous and just God, as all suffering and evil are consequences of past actions, not the result of a first creation.

Scriptural Evidence for Eternal Cycles

The eternal nature of the universe is also supported by scriptural evidence. For instance, the Chandogya Upanishad (VI.iii.2) speaks of the embodied soul (Jiva-atma) as a living entity at the beginning of creation. This text uses the term 'jiva,' meaning 'living one,' which comes from the process of supporting life. Similarly, the Rig Veda (X.90) mentions that the universe had previous cycles of creation.

‘The Ordainer created the sun and moon like those of the previous cycles.’ – Rig Veda X.90.114

Furthermore, the Bhagavad Gita (XV.3) and various Puranas assert that the past and future cycles of creation are countless.

‘Its form is not here perceived as such neither its end nor its origin nor its continuance.’ – Bhagavad Gita XV.3

The Brahma Sutras, a key text in Vedanta philosophy, also support this cyclical view. The commentary by Sri Sankaracharya explains that creation has no beginning, as indicated by verses such as II.i.35 and II.i.36. These verses argue that if creation were to have a beginning, it would create inconsistencies and logical fallacies, such as the rebirth of liberated souls or the unexplained disparities in happiness and misery.

These scriptures provide a comprehensive and intricate understanding of the eternal cycle of creation and dissolution, affirming a timeless and cyclical process that lies at the heart of Hindu cosmology.