Ancient Wisdom on a Constantly Changing Universe

Explore the profound wisdom of ancient philosophies that address the ever-changing nature of our universe

Some Philosophers say  the world is an illusion. Others claim the world is real but constantly changing. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Different Views on the World

1. World is an Illusion

Some believe everything is an illusion. They compare it to seeing a snake in a rope. At night, a person might mistake a rope for a snake. But, in daylight, they see it’s just a rope. 

Imagine you’re in a desert. You see water far away. You walk towards it, feeling hope. But when you get there, it’s just sand. The water wasn’t real. This is how some see the world: appearing real but actually an illusion.

1. World is Real but Changes

Others say the world is real but constantly changing. This change is subtle and continuous. They argue that everything in the world changes every moment.

A baby grows into an adult. This change happens slowly. Every day, the child changes a little. One day, the baby is a toddler. Then, a teenager. Finally, an adult. The change is constant but not always visible.

1. God Exists

Some believe in the existence of God, the soul, and the world. They see these three as true and interdependent. This view holds that God is the unchanging base for the changing world.

Think of a tree. The tree changes with seasons. Leaves grow, fall, and grow again. But the roots remain the same. God is like the roots, unchanging. The world is like the leaves, always changing.

1. Only God is True

Another belief is that only God (Brahman) is true, and the world is false. They argue that everything else is like a snake in a rope: an illusion.

Consider a dream. While dreaming, it feels real. You experience joy, fear, and sadness. But when you wake up, you realize it was just a dream. This is how some see the world compared to God: the world is the dream, and God is the reality.

Ancient Beliefs

In ancient Vedic times, there were ten main beliefs about the world’s origin:

1. From Existence and Non-existence
2. From Dust
3. From Light
4. From Water
5. From Death and Immortality
6. From Day and Night
7. From Gods

These views reflect various ways of understanding the world’s creation.

Unified Philosophy

Brahma, an ancient sage, unified these beliefs. He said all are true and false. If you believe in Brahman (God), all theories are true. If not, all are false. He said:

‘Before creation, there was no existence or non-existence, no realm of air, and no heaven.’

Perpetual Change

Everything constantly changes. This change is continuous and subtle. 

Imagine a piece of wood. Over years, it rots and turns into soil. The wood is no longer visible, but it has transformed into something new. This change is unending and natural.

This change is continuous and unseen. For example, a child grows into an adult. Water can turn into foam, which then turns into other substances like sugar or iron.

When water boils, it turns into steam. The steam then condenses back into water. This process is continuous and natural. The water changes form but remains water in essence.

Universe’s Unchanging Aspect

Despite constant change, the world itself remains. 

The Ganges River is a symbol of constancy. People have bathed in it for thousands of years. The water changes every moment, but the river remains the same. It’s always the Ganges.

Conclusion

The world and everything in it changes every moment. But, the essence of the universe stays the same. There are two aspects:

1. Ever-changing: Everything constantly changes.
2. Permanent: The essence remains unchanged.

In summary, the world is a blend of constant change and permanence. Both aspects coexist, giving us the world we experience.

Knowledge Bank

How big is a kalpa?

The duration of one kalpa is 4.32 billion human years.

Ashwini Nakshatra God

Ashwini Kumaras.