According to Hindu legends and scriptures, the creation of the universe is a process that originated from a singular, supreme divine essence known as Param Brahma. This power is described as an enduring, self-created, and limitless absolute truth that exists beyond thoughts and words.
The journey from nothingness to the physical world involves several distinct stages:
- The First Sound (OM): The creation began when Param Brahma produced a vibration that resulted in the sound OM, which is a merger of all sounds.
- The Elements and Gunas: From this vibration, the Maha Tattva (elemental component) was shaped. This contained three fundamental qualities or Gunas: Sattva (preservation), Tamas (destruction), and Rajas (action or creation). The interaction between these Gunas gave rise to the Panch Tattva, the five physical elements: Air, water, fire, Earth, and ether.
- Senses and Consciousness: These Gunas also formed the five senses and a brain to regulate them, establishing the basics of sentient life.
The Emergence of Lord Vishnu and the Golden Egg
As the process continued, Param Brahma caused water to flow, yet ensured nothing could submerge. Within this water, a divine power emerged known as Narayana (Lord Vishnu). The name is derived from “Nara” (the entity of water) and “Ayana” (the dwelling place).
Param Brahma then rooted a seed in the water, which was nurtured until it formed a Hiranyagarbha, or a dazzling golden egg that emitted light. Lord Vishnu entered this egg like an embryo, and from his navel, a fourteen-petal lotus blossomed. From this lotus emerged Brahma, the creator, who is also referred to as Nabhija or Padmayoni.
The Structuring of the Universe
Brahma remained within the Hiranyagarbha for nearly a year before dividing the egg into two, creating heaven and Earth, with the sky positioned between them. This act established the physical boundaries of the universe and initiated the cycle of birth and death.
Following the physical creation, Brahma entered a state of deep meditation and brought forth the Four Vedas—the Rig Veda, Sam Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. These holy scriptures were intended to acquaint living beings with the foundation and purpose of their existence.
Analogy for Understanding: To understand this complex cosmology, one can think of the universe like a grand musical symphony. Param Brahma is the silent conductor, while the sound OM is the first note played. The Gunas and Panch Tattva act as the different instruments and rhythms that give the music its structure, and Brahma is the composer who takes these elements to write the specific movements of life, death, and existence that follow.