Hindu cosmology

 Hindu cosmology is a comprehensive framework that encompasses the universe's description, its states of matter, temporal cycles, and its impact on living entities, as outlined in Hindu texts. This cosmological perspective is intricately connected with the concept of a creator who facilitates the existence and formation of the world.

Matter:

According to Hindu cosmology, all matter is rooted in three inert gunas or qualities - sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (darkness). These gunas manifest in three states: pradhana (root matter), prakriti (primal matter), and mahat-tattva (universal womb). Pradhana is in an unmixed and unmanifested equilibrium, prakriti is in a mixed and unmanifested state, and mahat-tattva is in a mixed and manifested state. The creation process begins when Pradhana, lacking consciousness, is stirred by a primal desire to create.

Manifested Elements:

The material elements, ranging from subtle to physical, cover individual spiritual entities called jiva-atmas. These include ahamkara (ego), buddhi (intelligence), citta/manas (mind), and the five gross elements - space/ether, air, fire, water, and earth - along with their associated senses and sense organs.

Time:

Hindu cosmology perceives time as infinite and cyclical. The universe undergoes a series of cycles involving creation and destruction. Time, represented by eternal kala, guides the various states of matter through cycles ranging from a moment to the lifespan of the universe.

The concept of Yugas and Kalpas defines these cosmic cycles. Each kalpa, a day of Brahma, lasts for 4.32 billion years, divided into four yugas: Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga. The universe remains manifested for a kalpa, followed by a pralaya (dissolution) of equal length.

Life:

Jiva-atma, the individual spiritual essence, is eternal and distinct from created unconscious matter. The interaction between jivas and material sense objects, facilitated by the manifest gunas, leads to the identification of the temporary material body as the true self. This identification creates the cycle of samsara (reincarnation) until liberation or moksha is achieved through self-realization.

Maya, described as the measurable and impermanent nature of creation, influences jivas to perceive the material world as real. Striving for moksha involves developing awareness of one's true identity, understanding the illusory nature of maya, and practicing dharma (righteousness).

Creation and Structure:

Hindu cosmology presents diverse viewpoints on creation, reflecting the dynamic diversity within Hinduism. Various texts, including the Rigveda, describe different cosmological theories. The Purusha Sukta discusses the creation arising from the dismemberment of the cosmic being Purusha. The Nasadiya Sukta takes an agnostic stance on the universe's creation, emphasizing the mystery of its origin.

The Brahmanas detail creation stories, with Prajapati or Brahma performing tapas to reproduce and create the universe. Upanishads, such as Aitareya and Brihadaranyaka, explore the primacy of the Atman and the process of creation.

The Puranas offer multiple creation narratives, associating Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva with the roles of creator, preserver, and destroyer, respectively. The Bhagavata Purana presents a geocentric model of the universe, with Mount Meru as a central reference.

Overall, Hindu cosmology provides a rich tapestry of perspectives on the origin, structure, and purpose of the universe, reflecting the diverse philosophical and intellectual traditions within Hinduism.