Rigveda Nasadiya Sukta
The Nasadiya Sukta, also known as the Hymn of Creation, is one of the most profound and philosophical hymns found in the Rigveda (10.129). This hymn contemplates the origins of the universe and questions the nature of existence, creation, and the unknown mysteries of the cosmos. Unlike many religious texts that provide definitive answers, the Nasadiya Sukta embraces uncertainty, making it one of the earliest recorded expressions of skepticism and speculative thought.
Structure of the Nasadiya Sukta
The Nasadiya Sukta consists of seven verses, each posing deep philosophical questions about creation. It does not provide clear answers but instead invites contemplation.
- Verse 1 – Describes a time before creation when there was neither existence nor non-existence, neither sky nor space.
- Verse 2 – States that there was only water, shrouded in darkness, with no clear distinction between anything.
- Verse 3 – Speaks about a creative force (tapas, or heat) that arose and led to the birth of existence.
- Verse 4 – Suggests that desire (kama) was the first seed of the mind, leading to creation.
- Verse 5 – Discusses how the sages discovered the connection between the manifest and unmanifest reality.
- Verse 6 – Questions who or what actually created the universe—whether it was a divine entity or some other force.
- Verse 7 – Ends with uncertainty, stating that even the gods came after creation, and perhaps no one truly knows how the universe came into being.
Nasadiya Sukta Hymn
Nāsad Āsīn No Sad Āsīt Tadānīṁ Nāsīd Rajo No Vyomā Paro Yat |
Kim Āvarīvaḥ Kuha Kasya Śarmann Ambhaḥ Kim Āsīd Gahanaṁ Gabhīram || 1 ||
Na Mṛtyur Āsīd Amṛtaṁ Na Tarhi Na Rātryā Ahna Āsīt Praketaḥ |
Ānīd Avātaṁ Svadhayā Tad Ekaṁ Tasmād Dhānyan Na Paraḥ Kiṁ Canāsa || 2 ||
Tama Āsīt Tamasā Gūlham Agre ‘praketa ̥ Ṁ Salilaṁ Sarvam Ā Idam |
Tucchyenābhv Apihitaṁ Yad Āsīt Tapasas Tan Mahinājāyataikam || 3 ||
Kāmas Tad Agre Sam Avartatādhi Manaso Retaḥ Prathamaṁ Yad Āsīt |
Sato Bandhum Asati Nir Avindan Hṛdi Pratīṣyā Kavayo Manīṣā || 4 ||
Tiraścīno Vitato Raśmir Eṣām Adhaḥ Svid Āsīd Upari Svid Āsīt |
Retodhā Āsan Mahimāna Āsan Svadhā Avastāt Prayatiḥ Parastāt || 5 ||
Ko Addhā Veda Ka Iha Pra Vocat Kuta Ājātā Kuta Iyaṁ Visṛṣṭiḥ |
Arvāg Devā Asya Visarjanenāthā Ko Veda Yata Ābab || 6 ||
Iyaṁ Visṛṣṭir Yata Ābabhūva Yadi Vā Dadhe Yadi Vā Na |
Yo Asyādhyakṣaḥ Parame Vyoman so Aṅga Veda Yadi Vā Na Veda || 7 ||
Philosophical Interpretation
The Nasadiya Sukta is unique because it does not claim absolute knowledge about creation. Instead, it presents several key ideas:
- The Unknown Nature of Creation – The hymn questions whether even the supreme being or creator knows how the universe was formed.
- The Role of Desire in Creation – The mention of kama (desire) as the first impulse suggests that thought or willpower played a role in the emergence of existence.
- Speculation Over a Supreme Being – The text does not explicitly state whether a god created the universe but rather leaves the question open-ended.
Scientific and Modern Relevance of Rigveda Nasadiya Sukta
The Nasadiya Sukta aligns with modern scientific thought in several ways:
- Big Bang Theory – The hymn describes a time before space, time, and matter, similar to modern cosmological models.
- Quantum Uncertainty – The uncertainty expressed in the hymn resonates with modern physics, where many aspects of the universe remain unknown.
- Philosophy of Science – Like scientific inquiry, the Nasadiya Sukta acknowledges the limits of knowledge and encourages questioning.
Comparison with Other Creation Myths
Unlike many religious creation stories that describe a divine act of creation, the Nasadiya Sukta stands out for its open-ended and skeptical approach.
- Hinduism (Puranas) – Later Hindu texts provide more definitive creation myths involving deities like Brahma.
- Christianity (Genesis) – The Bible states that God created the universe in six days.
- Greek Mythology – Describes Chaos as the first state of existence, similar to the Nasadiya Sukta’s concept of formlessness.
FAQs for Nasadiya Sukta
What is the Rigveda Nasadiya Sukta?
The Nasadiya Sukta is a famous hymn from the Rigveda (10.129) that explores the origins of the universe. It is often called the Hymn of Creation because it questions how the cosmos came into being. Unlike many other creation myths, this hymn does not provide a definitive answer but instead presents a philosophical inquiry into the existence of the universe, gods, and creation itself.
What is the main theme of Nasadiya Sukta?
The central theme of the Nasadiya Sukta is uncertainty about the origin of the universe. The hymn suggests that in the beginning, there was neither existence nor non-existence, neither death nor immortality. It raises profound questions about whether even the gods know how the universe was created or if the ultimate truth remains unknown. This makes the hymn unique among ancient texts, as it embraces doubt and philosophical skepticism.
What does the Nasadiya Sukta say about the existence of gods?
The Nasadiya Sukta questions whether the gods were present at the time of creation. It suggests that the gods came into existence after the world was formed, implying that they could not have been responsible for creating it. The hymn even goes further by stating that perhaps even the highest divine being does not know how creation occurred, emphasizing the mystery surrounding the origins of existence.
Why is the Nasadiya Sukta considered significant in philosophy and religion?
The Nasadiya Sukta is significant because it presents a rational and open-ended approach to the question of creation, rather than imposing a fixed doctrine. It is one of the earliest examples of philosophical inquiry in human history, making it important for Hinduism, comparative religion, and philosophy. The hymn’s approach aligns with agnosticism, as it accepts the possibility that some things may never be known.
How is the Nasadiya Sukta relevant in modern times?
The Nasadiya Sukta remains relevant today as it encourages a scientific and philosophical mindset. Its approach to questioning existence aligns with modern cosmology and theoretical physics, where scientists seek to understand the origins of the universe without claiming absolute certainty. The hymn is also valued in literature and spiritual discussions for its deep, thought-provoking nature, making it timeless in its appeal.
