The study of cosmology has always fascinated humankind, from ancient seers gazing at the heavens to modern scientists launching spacecraft into the vast expanse of the universe. Today, the synergy between ancient Vedic cosmology and modern space exploration presents a compelling narrative that not only bridges millennia but also invites a deep reflection on our place in the cosmos. In particular, the life and voyages of astronauts like Sunita Williams bring a new dimension to these reflections, as their experiences in space parallel the profound truths contained in the Vedas. This blog explores this remarkable intersection, drawing insights from spiritual luminary Swami Mukundananda, whose discourse reveals how Vedic cosmology resonates with and even surpasses contemporary scientific understanding.
Rediscovering the Cosmic Vision of the Vedas
Vedic cosmology, rooted in the ancient scriptures of India, offers a sophisticated understanding of the universe, far beyond the imagination of its time. While Western science only recently concluded that the Earth is spherical, Vedic knowledge from millennia ago referred to our planet as "Bhugol" – "bhu" (earth) and "gol" (round). This foundational truth, embedded in language itself, already highlights how deeply embedded cosmological understanding was in the Vedic tradition.
But beyond simple shapes and sizes, the Vedas provide a profound mapping of the universe. They speak of seven "lokas" (planes of existence), five "mandals" (orbits or systems), and three trilokis (trios of worlds), with each higher or lower level representing more than physical locations – they are realms of consciousness, existence, and energy.
For instance, the Chandramandal or the lunar region is said to revolve around the Bhumandal, or Earth system, which in turn revolves around the Suryamandal (solar system). The Suryamandal orbits the Parameshthi Mandal, associated with Janalok, and so forth, until reaching Brahmalok – the highest plane in this cosmic hierarchy. This structure bears striking parallels with modern scientific models of celestial bodies orbiting each other, although with metaphysical dimensions that science is only beginning to acknowledge.
A Story from the Puranas: Crushing Ego Through Cosmic Truth
Swamiji narrates a captivating tale from the Puranas that illustrates the humility required when confronting the vastness of the universe. Indra, the king of the celestial realms, once commissioned the divine architect Vishwakarma to build an unmatched palace. As Vishwakarma struggled with the task, he prayed to Shree Krishna for help. Shree Krishna appeared and, to humble Indra, he asked “How many Vishwakarma you’re deployed?” This made Indra astonished as he couldn’t understand how more than one Vishwakarma can exists. To his further astonishment, Shree Krishna brought forth ants who were once Indras in their past lives – now reduced to the most inconspicuous of forms.
Indra was startled by this revelation. Shree Krishna further sent a sage named Lomash Rishi, whose long life span was marked by a curious symbol: a circle of hair on his chest from which one hair would fall every time an Indra’s life ended. The sage carried a straw mattress, emphasizing the temporary nature of existence. Indra, seeing the perspective of time and space through the sage’s eyes, Indra’s ego vanished. This allegorical tale impressively mirrors modern notions of impermanence, rebirth, and the transitory nature of all things, including celestial rulers.
The Evolution of Scientific Cosmology
Centuries after the Vedic revelations, Western science slowly pieced together its understanding of the cosmos. Up until a few hundred years ago, most of the world believed the Earth was the center of the universe. The geocentric model placed Earth at the center, with all other celestial bodies revolving around it.
Then came Copernicus, who proposed the heliocentric model where the sun was central. His ideas were considered heretical. Giordano Bruno, who supported Copernicus, was burned at the stake. Galileo improved upon these concepts using a telescope with a convex and concave lens – the Galilean telescope – to provide empirical evidence. Later, Kepler refined the theory, establishing that orbits are elliptical rather than perfectly circular. Eventually, modern astrophysics discovered the Milky Way, galaxies beyond our own, and the fact that even our sun orbits the center of the Milky Way.
Each step of scientific progress has brought it closer to what Vedic cosmology articulated long ago. Where the West saw static and isolated bodies, the Vedas described a dynamic, interwoven cosmos.
Sunita Williams and the Perspective of Space Travel
Astronaut Sunita Williams's voyages into space serve as real-time testimony to the truths of Vedic thought. Floating above the Earth, gazing into the infinite expanse, astronauts often describe a spiritual awakening – a sense of unity, humility, and awe. This experience echoes what yogis and sages have expressed after inner journeys through meditation and contemplation.
From space, Earth appears as a tiny, fragile ball suspended in darkness, highlighting its interconnectedness and the illusion of boundaries. This is a realization reflected in the Vedas' message of unity among all beings and the insignificance of the individual ego in the vast cosmic order. Sunita's reflections parallel the spiritual insights found in the Gita, the Upanishads, and other Vedic scriptures.
The Infinite Multiverse: Vedas and Modern Theories
One of the most extraordinary alignments between Vedic cosmology and modern science lies in the concept of multiple universes. The story of Brahma visiting Shree Krishna in Dwarka provides a stunning depiction. When Brahma arrives, Shree Krishna asks, "Which Brahma are you?" – implying that there are others.
To Brahma’s astonishment, Shree Krishna calls upon countless Brahmas from different universes. Some have 100 heads, others 1,000, 10,000, up to millions of heads, symbolizing the magnitude of the cosmos they govern. Our four-headed Brahma, feeling overwhelmed, falls at Shree Krishna's feet in surrender. This vision closely resembles the modern multiverse theory, which suggests that infinite universes exist simultaneously, each with its own laws, dimensions, and even timeframes.
Vedic literature has long stated that each universe has its own trinity: one Brahma (creator), one Vishnu (sustainer), and one Shiv (destroyer). This triadic model governs the cyclical nature of birth, preservation, and dissolution across infinite realms.
Time: The Vastest Dimension
Modern science continues to grapple with the concept of time – its relativity, its origin, and its end. Vedic cosmology presents a breathtaking scale of time. The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 8, Verse 17) explains:
"One day of Brahma, a Kalp, lasts a thousand cycles of the four ages (Chatur Yugas). And his night is also the same length."
Breaking this down:
- Kali Yuga: 432,000 years
- Dwapar Yuga: 864,000 years
- Treta Yuga: 1,296,000 years
- Satya Yuga: 1,728,000 years
All four combined form one Mahayuga of 4.32 million years. Seventy-one such Mahayugas make one Manvantar, and fourteen Manvantars form a single day of Brahma – a Kalp. Thus, one Kalp = 4.32 billion years. Brahma lives for 100 such years, totaling 311 trillion and 40 billion years.
This mind-bending concept dwarfs modern timelines. Even the age of our universe, estimated at 13.8 billion years, seems minuscule by comparison. And at the end of Brahma's day, the universe dissolves partially (pralaya). At the end of his life, everything returns to its source in a grand cosmic reset (maha-pralaya).
The Lower and Higher Realms: The Full Cosmic Map
Vedic cosmology doesn’t just map the upper celestial regions. It also describes the lower realms, known as the "nithar" regions : Tal, Atal, Vital, Sutal, Mahatal, Talatal, Rasatal & Patal.
These realms, situated below Bhulok (Earth), are said to be abodes of various beings and experiences. Unlike the purely physical focus of modern astronomy, Vedic cosmology blends the material, the subtle, and the divine in its model.
Humility in the Face of Cosmic Grandeur
Ultimately, the Vedic view of the cosmos serves not just to inform but to transform. Realizing the grandeur of creation, the countless stars, galaxies, universes, and beings, we are reminded of our own smallness. In the words of Swamiji:
"Within that one universe, within that one galaxy, within that one solar system and within that one Earth planet, in that one country, one state, one district, one city, one colony, one house and one tiny soul. How insignificant we are in front of the splendorous glory of God."
This perspective cultivates humility, awe, and devotion. It dissolves ego and encourages us to align our lives with higher truths. The study of Vedic cosmology thus becomes not merely an intellectual pursuit but a spiritual one.
Conclusion: Uniting Science and Spirituality
As science ventures deeper into the cosmos and explores the frontiers of time, space, and consciousness, it begins to echo the insights of ancient Vedic wisdom. From the spherical Earth to the heliocentric model, from galaxies to multiverses, and from the perception of time to the illusion of the ego – all these concepts find resonance in both modern and ancient thought.
Figures like Sunita Williams, who bridge the worlds of science and spirituality, remind us that exploration is not only external but also internal. The Vedic scriptures, far from being mythological, offer a sophisticated understanding of the universe that continues to inspire and guide.
In this grand cosmic dance, let us remain humble, curious, and connected to the eternal truths that the Vedas so beautifully reveal.