How the Universe Was Created | Srimad Bhagavatam Explained

The universe, according to modern astronomy, consists of three types of matter. Normal matter, dark matter and dark energy. It is believed that matter and antimatter originated from an explosion called the Big Bang around 14 billion years ago. However, what does Sanatana Dharma say about the creation of the universe? Do our Puranas align with the modern scientific theories and do they support the idea of a multiverse? You will be surprised to learn that our Puranas not only discuss the creator of the universe, but also describe events before its creation. Sanatana Dharma scriptures mention various planets within our solar system and beyond, encompassing our galaxy, planetary systems and the entire universe. While many are familiar with the Big Bang, how does our religious literature describe the universe's creation? Brahma is said to have created our universe, but how was Brahma himself created? Today we will address these questions, revealing how the universe is depicted in our religious texts. If you are an astronomy enthusiast, this video will offer fascinating insights that may surprise and challenge your understanding. This story of the creation of universe is totally based on the Srimad Bhagavatam, whereas different scriptures in Hinduism suggest different theories. Each Puran provides a different perspective, but they all convey the same awe-inspiring process of creation. According to the Srimad Bhagavatam, there are two distinct regions in creation, the spiritual and the worldly. First, let's discuss the spiritual realm, known by names like Vaikuntha Dham or Goloka. Vaikuntha Dham is not merely a city or kingdom of God, but an entire world, Surrounding this central world are other spiritual planets that revolve around it, much like the planets in our solar system that revolve around the sun. Vaikuntha is home to the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Goddess Lakshmi, and pure souls who have transcended worldly attachments. In one corner of this vast, luminous spiritual world exists the physical world, often compared to a dark cloud in a bright sky. This is where souls like you and us are born and evolve. This physical realm occupies about one-fourth of the spiritual space. Vaikuntha, which we might consider a city, is significantly larger than our world. Three times larger is the entirety of the creation, depicted as lying below a cosmic lotus on the lower right side, symbolizing our earthly world. The earthly realm is for souls desiring independence, but God, through His infinite expanse, continues to guide us. He assumes the form of Shri Mahavishnu for the creation of the earthly world, and from Him, all life originates. Lord Brahma, the creator of this universe, himself emerges from Mahavishnu. According to Satvatantra, there are three distinct forms of Lord Mahavishnu in this world. The first and the most significant form is the Karanodakshai Vishnu, also known as Narayan. He rests on the ocean called the Karanodak, or the cosmic ocean, which emanates from His body. This ocean is the source of our universe. Amazingly, all the billions of universes are born simultaneously from this supreme source, Shri Mahavishnu. With each breath Mahavishnu exhales, universes emerge from every pore of His body, and with this inhalation, these universes merge back into Him. Imagine this, our existence, with all its struggles and complexities, appear minuscule in comparison. Our universe, which is estimated to be around 13.7 billion years old, is born with just one breath of Mahavishnu, and will dissolve with His next breath. This concept aligns with the Big Bang theory, because at the moment each universe emerges from Mahavishnu's body, it marks a cosmic explosion, similar to Big Bang. Each universe then expands to a certain limit, before contracting and returning to the body of Mahavishnu. This also aligns with the scientific theory that often says that our universe is continuously expanding. While we now understand the universe's origin, let's discuss the stages of creation. When Mahavishnu exhales and creates the universe, it remains in an unmanifested state, called Pradhan or Prakriti. At this point, there is no sound, expression, mind or elements. The three qualities, goodness or sattva, passion or rajas and ignorance or tamas are in perfect balance. Mahavishnu is the only living entity in this creation at this stage, and there is no life, intelligence, joy, sorrow, demons or gods, sky or water, earth, air, fire or sun. There are nine stages in the creation of the universe. We know that Lord Brahma creates the universe. But before his role begins, certain stages of creation are completed by Sri Vishnu. The first stage, known as the first sarga, occurs when Mahavishnu's will causes a disturbance in the balance of the three qualities, resulting in the creation of a subtle invisible matter called the Mahat-tattva. This matter, though imperceptible to our senses, gives rise to intellect, ego and mind. In the second stage, the mind generates ten senses, ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose, as well as the organs of action, mouth, hand, legs and the systems of excretion and reproduction. In the third stage, the five elemental qualities, sound, touch, taste, form and smell are created, along with the five great elements, space, air, water, fire and earth. These three stages are collectively called the sarga, as they originate from the natural energy of Mahavishnu. Sri Mahavishnu also assumes a second form, Garbhashai Vishnu, who enters each universe. In this form, he sits on the great serpent and oversees the universe. From Garbhashai Vishnu's navel, a lotus emerges, from which Brahma is born. The lotus stem represents the umbilical cord that connects Brahma to Vishnu, symbolizing the relationship between a parent and a child. Thus, Garbhashai Vishnu is the father of all creation, and Brahma, as the first mortal being, begins the process of creation. After Brahma is born, Lord Garbhashai Vishnu does not immediately reveal himself to him. Surrounded by darkness and uncertainty, Brahma embarks on a long meditation. After a thousand Mahayugas, Mahavishnu appears and provides Brahma with the guidance he needs. Brahma then begins the actual process of creating the universe. Around 155 trillion human years ago, our universe came into existence. Each universe has its own Vishnu and its own Brahma, with billions of Brahmas overseeing their respective creations. Brahma's creation involves several stages, beginning with the formation of planets, lands, mountains and immovable objects, followed by the creation of trees, plants and various other life forms we cannot even imagine. Eventually, advanced species, including the gods, are created, and Brahma's process of creation continues through multiple phases. Thus, the story of the universe's creation, as told in Srimad Bhagavat, offers a profound and intricate explanation of the cosmos, from the origin of matter to the role of divine beings in shaping the existence. Each Purana provides a different perspective, but they all convey the same awe-inspiring process of creation, according to Sanatana Dharma.