Cosmology
In Hinduism, cosmologyIn Hinduism, the beliefs Hindus have about the universe. refers to the ideas Hindus have about the universe and how it works. Hindus believe that there is a difference between the spiritual and material worlds.
Hindu beliefs about the universe are shown through an important text called the Rig VedaThe oldest and most sacred Hindu scripture.. This text suggests that the universe is very old but that it is not entirely clear where it came from or when it began. Hindus believe that there are many universes floating around in space, but there are many different ideas about how the world was created.
Hindus have other important beliefs about the universe and how it works. They believe that time goes around in a cycle and that it is continually destroyed and recreated. Each cycle of time is known as a yugaA cycle of time..
Hindus also believe that there is spirit and matter, which are different realities. Spirit is known as pursusha and matter is known as prakritiThe Hindu word for matter, or things that are tangible..
The following quote from the Rig Veda shows humanity is curious about the nature of creation:
Who verily knows and who can here declare it, whence it was born and whence comes this creation? The Gods are later than this world’s production. Who knows then whence it first came into being? He, the first origin of this creation, whether he formed it all or did not form it, Whose eye controls this world in highest heaven, he verily knows it, or perhaps he knows not.
The cycle of the four ages
Hindus believe that time goes in cycles and that each time period is a long one. Each cycle is called a yuga and there are four different yugas, each of which lasts for a different amount of time. At the end of each yuga, time is destroyed and then a new yuga begins. Hindus are currently in the age of Iron, and when it ends a new Gold age will begin.
| Yuga | Length |
| Gold | 1,728,000 years |
| Silver | 1,296,000 years |
| Copper | 864,000 years |
| Iron | 432,000 years |
| Yuga | Gold |
|---|---|
| Length | 1,728,000 years |
| Yuga | Silver |
|---|---|
| Length | 1,296,000 years |
| Yuga | Copper |
|---|---|
| Length | 864,000 years |
| Yuga | Iron |
|---|---|
| Length | 432,000 years |
Beliefs about matter
Hindus believe that the world is made up of two things: spirit and matter. Spirit is things that cannot be seen or touched whereas matter is things that can. Hindus believe that spirit is more important than matter because matter can be destroyed and spirit cannot.
mayaAn illusion. means that the world is an illusion. Hindus believe that Maya is a veil that stops people from seeing the truth of everything around them. Hindus strive to reach enlightenmentThe realisation of the truth about life. In Buddhism it releases a person from the cycle of rebirth. so that they can clear their minds of concern with material and temporary things.
Hindus believe that all matter will go through different stages, known as the Tri-gunaAccording to Hindus, the different stages matter goes through.. This is the idea that everything is created, remains in existence and then is destroyed. This links to the Trimurti, as Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the preserver and Shiva is the destroyer.
