The Universe is defined as everything that physically exists: the entirety of space and time, all forms of matter, energy and momentum, and the physical laws and constants that govern them. Astronomers believe the universe is 13.7 billion years old. Most scientist believe the universe was created in one big explosion called the big bang. In the first few seconds after the big bang, the universe doubled its size by billions. This is called cosmic inflation. We are not sure what happened before the big bang but many scientists think we should use the special theory of relativity: E=MC2 . This theory states that mass multiplied by the speed of light to the power of 2 is equal to energy produced if the mass was compressed. But wait!!! This theory can be played backwards. This means that energy can be converted into mass and light. So, scientists think there was only energy clumped together before the big bang. They are trying to define it and find the source of it by performing mind boggling experiments. The latest promise of hope is the newly commissioned Large Hadron Collider (LHD) at CERN,
Being an amateur astro-enthusiast, I was asking my elders to help me look into our ancient literature for references and I was successful in finding some clues:
- The theory of the big bounce states that the universe cycles between expansion and total collapse. The theory of multiverses states that there are countless Universes. Some Universes expand and collapse while others expand forever. Was this the explanation given to the energy source before the big bang?
- One of the sources for the origin of the word ‘Brahman’ is said to be the Sanskrit word ‘brh’ which means to ‘grow big’ without limit and can it be an oblique reference to an explosion. Can this be related to the big bang?
- “Mahaste Sato Vi Charantyarchayo Divi Sprishanti Mahavaha” - this line from Rigveda means “Your flames are spreading, which are great and are like embodiments of truth.” Does this tell us that the universe is expanding?
- Bagavath Gita says -“As one in the plurality of forms” tells us that ancient Indians understood that there were 5 forms-liquid, solid, gas, fire and vacuum.
- “Even if a thousand suns at once rose on the horizon, yet the light would not compare to that glory which Arjuna's spirit-eye beheld.” This tells us that Indians could have observed countless supernovas. Historians trace the Mahabharata war to about 5000 years! Lo and Behold, Astronomers tell us a supernova seen few years back did take place during 3000 BC. Is it pure coincidence or a scientific record? Supernovas are explosions of massive stars at the end of their lives.
- The line- “With no beginning, middle, or end”, tells us about the theories of the Big Crunch and Multiverses.
- To sum up the Bhagavath Gita tells us the universe is infinitely heterogeneous. This proves the existence of dark matter and dark energy. It also tells us that the earth is not unique. Now scientists are debating if we are alone!
Astronomical literature in
Many of the clues Astronomers are looking into, to explain the origin and the existence of the Universe, are found and described in our ancient scriptures! Are the scientists searching for at the wrong place?
Albert Einstein said, "Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind." No wonder our ancestors hid all their scientific discoveries and inventions into our vedas and religious text! This way they were able to not only leave their findings for all future generations, but also making it common place! People read about it and followed without even reasoning!
I am more than convinced that our ancient scriptures were nothing but loads of scientific observations! I wish Scientists look into them to understand the theories of science! I would like to research into them and make them known to the masses!
“Divi surya sahasrasya bhave dyuga padutthitayadi bhah sadrsi sa syadbhasastasya mahatmanah” - The Gita
If by chance one thousand suns adore the sky with their shine, then that great being's light would be some what equal to it.
