The origin of life has long been a topic of debate, with various theories and beliefs across cultures. Some people believe that God created the heavens, the Earth, and all living and non-living things. Others, such as certain cultures, claim that the Earth was born from an egg. These ideas often coexisted with the notion that the Earth was flat and that the edges were surrounded by water—ideas that were once common, yet later debunked. The Christian faith, for example, maintains that the Earth is less than 10,000 years old. In fact, Archbishop James Ussher of Ireland famously proclaimed that the Earth was created on October 22nd, 4004 BC. This would mean that older religious beliefs, such as Hinduism and the ancient Egyptian worldview, would be rendered irrelevant or non-existent if we adhere strictly to this timeline.
The argument between religion and science could go on for centuries. However, after researching various religious and cultural perspectives, it seems that Hinduism offers the most expansive and thoroughly researched understanding of time and the universe, albeit with some variation in numbers.
To provide some context, let’s first discuss the concept of Hindu Science. It's important to note that we refer to it as "Hindu Science" because, in ancient times, the region that we now know as India was not recognized as India in the modern sense. The geographical boundaries were much larger, but that’s a topic for another day. Hindu philosophy and science are deeply intertwined, and over time, the two became so complex that they were often difficult to separate. For centuries, this complexity made it hard for the average person to distinguish science from mythology. However, with our current understanding, it’s possible to separate the two—science from myth, as it were.
The most widely studied texts from the ancient Hindus are the four Vedas: the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. These texts were compiled during the reign of Lord Krishna and were originally written in Sanskrit, a language that itself was a monumental achievement. Sanskrit is incredibly intricate, and the ancient Hindus applied it to document an astounding breadth of knowledge, ranging from mathematics and medicine to shipbuilding and fine arts. You can explore more about these topics through resources such as Wikipedia.
At the time, explaining complex scientific ideas to the general population, particularly farmers, would have been a challenge. To make these concepts more relatable, the Hindu scientists of 5,000 years ago conveyed their ideas through stories and characters. These narratives were accessible to the masses and helped translate difficult scientific principles into terms that could be understood by people whose worldviews were limited to their immediate surroundings.
One such example is the Hindu explanation of the origin of life and the concept of time. According to Hindu philosophy, Brahma, the Creator, is responsible for the creation of the universe. Now, this is a god-like figure that people can relate to, making the following explanation a bit easier to grasp. Yet, the details are still quite complex, so it’s important to focus on the key facts rather than the allegorical elements of the story.
In Hindu cosmology, one day of Brahma is equivalent to 1,000 Mahayugas (also known as "Great Ages"), and one night of Brahma is also 1,000 Mahayugas. A Mahayuga represents a "cosmic age," similar to the periods we know in Earth’s history, such as the Jurassic period. To put this in perspective, one day of Brahma lasts about 4.32 billion years, which is also called a "Kalpa." Brahma's life span is described as 100 years, and this equals approximately 311.04 trillion human years.
Each Mahayuga is subdivided into four Yugas or epochs, each representing a different era of life on Earth. These are:
1. **Satya Yuga (also known as Krta Yuga)**: This "Golden Age" lasts for 1,728,000 years.
2. **Treta Yuga**: The "Silver Age," which lasts for 1,296,000 years.
3. **Dvapara Yuga**: The "Bronze Age," lasting for 864,000 years.
4. **Kali Yuga**: The "Iron Age," which we are currently in, and it will last for 432,000 years. The current Kali Yuga began in 3102 BC.
When you add up the durations of all four Yugas, the total age of the current Mahayuga comes to approximately 1.97 billion years. This time frame closely aligns with the scientific estimates regarding the age of the Earth and the universe, making Hindu cosmology remarkably congruent with modern scientific conclusions.
The Hindu concept of time is cyclical, which means that it is eternal and constantly repeating. This concept stands in stark contrast to the linear time depicted in some religious doctrines. As you can see, the Hindu concept of time is vast and complex, offering a more nuanced understanding of the universe's history that might appear surprisingly similar to modern scientific interpretations of time and cosmology.
But how did the ancient Hindus acquire such advanced knowledge of science and technology, considering they had no computers or internet? This is a question that often crosses my mind. It’s almost inconceivable how people 5,000 years ago could possess such vast knowledge. It makes me wonder whether some form of external intervention might have played a role. It’s possible that advanced beings from other planets or realms visited Earth, imparting knowledge in the form of divine literature or through direct contact. These beings might have eventually integrated into human society, passing down their wisdom through generations. Whatever the case, the age of human civilization is likely much older than we currently believe, and science will eventually come to acknowledge this fact, albeit slowly as more evidence is uncovered with the advancement of technology.
In a future article, I will delve into the subject of interstellar travel and how advanced races may have contacted humanity in the past. But before diving into that, it’s important to understand the nature of age and time.
For a moment, think about the popular *Lord of the Rings* movie. In the end, when the Elves leave Middle Earth because "the Age of Men is Coming," it mirrors the concept of Kali Yuga in Hindu philosophy. Each period in time has a specific role to play, and Kali Yuga is described as the Age of Men. Astrologically speaking, it is a time of great challenge, one where magic and wizardry are absent. In this era, humanity is left to evolve on its own, and it is considered an inauspicious time for otherworldly beings to visit Earth.
The nature of time, its cyclical flow, and the role humanity plays in it offer profound insights not only into Hindu philosophy but also into the broader understanding of the universe’s existence and our place within it. While these concepts may seem alien to many, they resonate deeply with certain scientific conclusions and have the potential to reshape our understanding of the cosmos.
There's yet another thought. Why have all the ancient Gods inscribed vividly in ancient structures and scriptures suddenly disappeared? There is this thought that as Earth cycles through each age, the time to travel to other planetary systems and galaxies becomes increasingly difficult due to the vast distances involved. Just before the beginning of Kali Yuga is the optimum time to leave our solar system, as only then does a large enough wormhole open up for ships to travel through to other parts of the Universe, or perhaps even to their home planets. The next chance will come only at the end of Kali Yuga, and until then, we are on our own.
This perspective suggests that the ancient Gods and advanced civilizations may have known about these cosmic cycles and timed their departures accordingly, using celestial gateways that only open at certain intervals. As the timeline of our current age progresses, the possibilities of interstellar travel and the connection with these civilizations become all the more intriguing. Could there be hidden knowledge left behind for humanity to discover as we reach the critical point of transition, when we, too, might finally unlock the secrets of the cosmos? The journey of humankind seems to be deeply intertwined with the mysteries of the universe, and perhaps, as we move through time, we will come to understand the grander design of our existence.
By Retnesh Raj
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