Space (concept of) in Hinduism
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
In search of space
The Times of India, Jul 30 2015
K M Gupta
The most intimate secret of the universe
Until Einstein, space had not been conceptualised. Science, religion and philosophy counted in only what occupies space, not space per se. No one ever asked the question what is space or how it happens except the Upanishads where Brahmn is space. So in Vedanta, God is space! This is evident in the Rig Veda, Brihadaranyaka, Chhandogya and Taittiriya Upanishads and in the Brahmasutras.
In the beginning, there was a point.The point exploded and expanded into space. The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad has an interesting story about it.
Yajnavalkya decided to retire to the forest for tapas. Before leaving, he had to arrange maintenance for his two wives Maitreyi and Katyayani. He asked them to specify the amount of alimony . “Happiness, which money cannot buy ,“ said Maitreyi. She was imparted Self-knowledge. “A chest full of gold and a shed full of cows,“ demanded Katyayani. As Yajnavalkya was thinking about how to procure such fabulous wealth, news came that King Janaka was conducting a grand yagna. He had arranged a quiz contest and the winner could take home a thousand cows with 10 gold coins tied to the horns of each more than enough to satisfy Katyayani. Yajnavalkya left for Janaka's place. Even before entering the contest, he asked his disciples to drive home the cows with gold coins tied to their horns. The other scholars assembled objected, but Yajnavalkya fielded all questions. When all the male scholars accepted defeat, Gargi rose, challenging Yajnavalkya.“Yajnavalkya, i ask you just two questions. Answer them and take the cows.“ Her second and final question was: “What is it that extends as space?“ Yajnavalkya answered: “Akshara.“ Now Gargi told the assembled scholars, “You had better save your honour by letting Yajnavalkya take the cows.“
Gargi's question and Yajnavalkya's answer represented the summit of all knowledge. Akshara means a letter, the constant. What expands as space is the most fundamental constant of the universe, the worldstuff, Brahmn, represented by a letter. Akshara is the virya-samb hruti (condensed energy) of the universe, and space is its dyu-vyapti (radiation).
If you ask which letter represents the condensed energy of the universe, and what it reads, it is a `forbid den fruit'. Before answering her final question Yajnavalkya had warned her: “Gargi, if you don't want to r head hung (in shame), don't get your head hung (in shame), don't ask too much.“ Gargi understood.That is why she didn't ask the next question as to what that letter is and its meaning. That is why she asked the scholars to save their honour by letting Yajnavalkya take the cows.The Letter is to be found and shared in silence, not to be shared in public, for it is the most intimate secret of the universe which it guards so closely .Bandying it about is insult to the worldstuff, Brahmn, and to the Self.
How to share it in silence is illustrated in another story . Someone found the answer to Gargi's unasked questions in the silence of one's heart and went to a guru for confirmation. Unable to verbalise his question, he just looked at the guru quizzically . The guru gave a slight nod. The disciple left clear in mind. “The guru explained with silence, and the disciple understood in silence“ gurostu mounam vyakhyanam shishyastu chhinnasamshayah.
