Cosmogony
From Hindupedia, the Hindu Encyclopedia
Whereas cosmology focuses on the properties/laws (physics) of the universe, cosmogony or shrishti explores the metaphysical or mythic origins. Within the same Sanatan scripture—Rig Veda—exist multiple stories of how the universe came into being. The scripture itself declares[1] that there the truth is 1 but people describe it in various ways.
There are many stories of the universe's creation across Sanatan texts and oral folk traditions but the fundamental 7 chronicles are found in the RV:
- Ka Sukta
- Vak Sukta
- Nasadiya Sukta
- Aghamarshaṇa Sukta
- Devagana Sukta
- Vishwakarman Suktas
- Purush Suktha
- Table elaborating creation hymns
- See also: Universe as Aparabrahm
| Hymn | Alias(es) | Origin | Principle | Corresponding Upanishadic reference |
Upanishadic principle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ka Sukta[1][2] | Hiranyagarbha Sukta, Parmātma Sukta, Prajapati Sukta |
Golden egg-womb | Brahmānda, the universal 'egg' we are all within | ||
| Vāk Sukta[3][4] | Devi Sukta | Creation through sound (mantra) | |||
| Nāsadiya Sukta[5][6] | Parmātma Sukta | That One | Nārāyan Sukta | Cosmic consciousness | |
| Aghamarshana Sukta[7][8] | Bhavavṛtta Sukta | Creation through cosmic sound (mantra) and order | Cosmic order & desire | Śri Devi | Radiant spark of abundance |
| Devāgāna Sukta[9][10] | Aditi-Daksha Sukta, Devā Sukta, Devānām Jānā Sukta |
Mantra (forged by Brahmaṇaspati) | Material emergence | Bhu Devi | Concrete physical Earth matrix, Aditi-Daksha paradox |
| Vishwakarman Suktas[11][12][13][14] | Dhātar Suktas | Blacksmith's forge | Architectural support | Nila Devi | Spatial scaffold of cosmic stability |
| Purush Sukta[15][16] | Yajna Sukta | Purusha self-sacrifice |
Related articles[edit]
External resources[edit]
- "The Three Forms of God – Viraat, Hiranyagarbha and Avyakrita" (May 31, 1991), Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality in Brindavan, Karnataka
- "Cosmogonies in the Vedic Samhitas" (June 23, 2008)
- "Universally Accepted Concept of Creation in Hinduism: Rig Veda and Upanishads" By Abhilash Rajendran
- "Purusha Suktam: Complete Guide to the Cosmic Hymn from Rig Veda 10.90" (May 28, 2026)
- "The Hymn of Creation: Nasadiya Sukta"
- "Rigveda Nasadiya Sukta (The Hymn Of Creation)"
References[edit]
- ↑ Rig Veda 1.164.46