The Hymn of Creation in Hindu Cosmology

This section explains the Hymn of Creation in Hindu Cosmology. Hindu cosmology, which explores the origins and structure of the universe, is vividly illustrated in the Rig Veda, one of the oldest and most significant texts in Hinduism. The Rig Veda is a revered source of wisdom and authority, offering profound insights into the nature of creation and the cosmos. In particular, the Hymn of Creation, also known as Nasadiya Sukta (Rig Veda 10.129), provides an enigmatic and philosophical account of how the universe came into being. The hymn reflects the mystery of creation, posing questions that suggest creation is infinite and beyond human comprehension.

The verses in this hymn express the view that creation did not emerge from a simple beginning but rather from an ungraspable, boundless state. The hymn contemplates the nature of existence, the origin of the cosmos, and the role of divine power in creation. It presents an image of a primordial void, where neither existence nor non-existence were present, and where all distinctions, such as day and night, were absent.

Key Passages from the Hymn of Creation

The Nasadiya Sukta begins with the following lines:

“In the beginning there was neither existence nor non-existence; there was no atmosphere, no sky, and no realm beyond the sky. What power was there? Where was that power? Who was that power? Was it finite or infinite?”
— Rig Veda 10:129.1

These opening verses evoke a state of pure potentiality, where nothing existed in any distinguishable form. This absence of distinction between being and non-being suggests that in the beginning, there was only an undifferentiated cosmic state, before creation took shape. The hymn poses deep philosophical questions, asking about the nature of the power that could have created the universe. Was this power finite, or was it boundless and infinite? The ambiguity in the text reflects the mystery surrounding the origins of the cosmos and the elusive nature of the divine.

The next verses describe the conditions in this primordial state:

“There was neither death nor immortality. There was nothing to distinguish night from day. There was no wind or breath. God alone breathed by his own energy. Other than God there was nothing.”
— Rig Veda 10:129.2

Here, the hymn underscores the absence of fundamental opposites—such as life and death, day and night—and presents God as the sole entity in existence. God is described as breathing life into the cosmos, with his energy being the only source of movement and transformation. This portrayal suggests that creation itself is an extension of God's will and energy, and that everything that exists is rooted in the divine.

The hymn continues:

“In the beginning darkness was swathed in darkness. All was liquid and formless. God was clothed in emptiness.”
— Rig Veda 10:129.3

This imagery of darkness and formlessness paints a picture of the universe before creation, emphasising the void and the absence of structure. It conveys the idea that creation emerged from this chaos and emptiness, much like light emerging from darkness. It reflects a deep spiritual truth that the universe is born out of divine energy, and everything in existence is interconnected with the divine essence.

The hymn then describes the awakening of creation:

“Then fire arose within God; and in the fire arose love. This was the seed of the soul. Sages have found this seed within their hearts; they have discovered that it is the bond between existence and non-existence.”
— Rig Veda 10:129.4

Here, the Nasadiya Sukta introduces the concept of agni (fire), a central element in Hindu thought. The fire is symbolic of divine energy and transformative power, and within this fire arises love, which is identified as the seed of the soul. This divine love is understood as the force that binds existence to non-existence, allowing the creation of the universe. The sages, or spiritual seekers, have discovered this divine seed within their own hearts, signifying that the essence of creation is not only an external phenomenon but also something deeply embedded within every individual.

The hymn concludes with a reflection on the unknowability of creation:

“Who really knows what happened? Who can describe it? How were things produced? Where was creation born? When the universe was created, the one became many. Who knows how this occurred?”
— Rig Veda 10:129.5

The hymn acknowledges the limitations of human understanding. Despite all attempts to describe the origin of the universe, the true nature of creation remains elusive. The question of how the one (the divine) became the many (the universe) is presented as a mystery that even the gods may not fully comprehend. This uncertainty highlights the profound mystery of creation, suggesting that it is a divine act beyond human understanding.

The final verses offer a further reflection on the divine:

“Did creation happen at God’s command, or did it happen without his command? He looks down upon creation from the highest heaven. Only he knows the answer—or perhaps he does not know.”
— Rig Veda 10:129.7

In these verses, the hymn raises the question of whether creation was intentional or spontaneous. It suggests that even the highest divine being may not know the answer, or perhaps, it is beyond knowing. This uncertainty points to the ineffable nature of the divine and creation itself, reinforcing the idea that the origins of the universe are ultimately a mystery that cannot be fully grasped by human intellect.

Significance of the Hymn

The Hymn of Creation in the Rig Veda offers a profound and philosophical account of the creation of the universe. It portrays creation as a mysterious and infinite process, beginning in a state of nothingness and evolving into the diverse and complex world we experience. The hymn presents God as both immanent and transcendent—at once formless and present in everything. Through the imagery of darkness, fire, and love, it conveys that creation is both a physical and spiritual reality, rooted in the divine essence.

For Hindus, this hymn is a powerful reminder of the mystery of existence and the interconnectedness of all things. It encourages reflection on the nature of the universe, the divine, and the relationship between creation and the Creator. Ultimately, it teaches that the origins of the universe are beyond human comprehension, and that the divine presence pervades all aspects of creation, from the smallest atom to the vastness of the cosmos.