What is the reason for creation in Advaita Vedanta? Why did Brahman create the Universe?
And the answer in one word is LĪLA - which means sport, play, fun.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
And the answer in one word is LĪLA - which means sport, play, fun.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
Comparative theories help assess value of this cosmogenic proposition.
In monotheistic religions God creates the world for his own glorification, and creates mankind to obey, worship and serve him and to dwell happily with him in heaven for eternity.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
In monotheistic religions God creates the world for his own glorification, and creates mankind to obey, worship and serve him and to dwell happily with him in heaven for eternity.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
This proposition only makes sense from a geocentric point of view where the stars are decorative lights in the canopy of heaven.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
Vedānta rejects this theory on assumption that God is Perfect (pūrṇam adaḥ purṇam idam etc.) A perfect being is self-fulfilled & thus has no “desires” — having desires means we desire those things or experiences which we are lacking in ourselves.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
Even a human being is exhorted to transcend self-centred desires which are described in the Gīta as the enemy to be vanquished and the cause of all suffering.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
So how could a perfect, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent being possibly have any desires whatsoever? Let alone a self-referent desire for His own glorification!
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
When one sees the vastness of the Universe, it becomes even more ludicrous that such a Being would be glorified by a bunch of tiny, puny creatures on this temporary and totally insignificant speck of dust called earth!
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
So the Hindu theory is that Brahman overflowing with immense joy (ānanda) bursts forth like a dancer (naṭarāja) and dances - not for any objective but out of pure exuberance and personal expression.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
Play is engaged in for its own sake and not for achieving goals - like dance and music which are ends in themselves.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
In the Vedas Prajāpati contemplates and says to himself “eko’ham bahusyām” — I am ONE only, let me become many — and so projects the manifold universe into being for the sake of Divine Play - Līla.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
So there is no purpose to life - it just IS. There is no “divine plan” just the dance of life - good and bad, creation and destruction, atoms and planets and galaxies all spinning and alternating in the rhythm of timelessness.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
A Divine “Plan” is conceptualized in a universe which has trajectory and time is linear. A “plan’ conceived on at a point in time and flowing towards a culmination in time.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
The Hindu concept of time is cyclical, like the motion of the planets, the Universe is a pulsating universe, projection (sṛṣthi) and withdrawal (pralaya) - alternating – the eternal Play of the Divine.
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
Source:Kashmir Shaivism, The Secret Supreme.Chapter Fifteen, Kashmir Śaivism and Advaita Vedānta,
revealed by Swami Lakshmanjoo
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
revealed by Swami Lakshmanjoo
#SanatanaDharma #Hinduism
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