Essay name: The concept of Creation in the Major Upanisads
Author:
C. Poulose
Affiliation: Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit / Department of Sanskrit Vedanta
This study deals with the Concept of Creation according to the Major Upanishads—ancient Indian scriptures that form a crucial part of Vedic literature and Indian philosophy. The present research investigates the Upanisadic philosophy in general as well as the school of Advaita Vedanta and other Indian philosophical traditions that incorporate Upanishadic teachings.
Chapter 4 - Concept of Creation in the Major Upanishads
2 (of 52)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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The Ch.Up. says 'I shall do this; may I become many; may I grow forth, Let me be effectively born. In the Ait.Up. ,2 आत्म� वा इद� एक एवाग्र आसीत्, नान्यत� किञ्चनमिषत�, � ऐक्ष� लोकान्नु सृ� इत� � [ātmā vā ida� eka evāgra āsīt, nānyat kiñcanamiṣat, sa aikṣata lokānnu sṛja iti | ] 3 The implication of this statement, according to Sankara, is
that prior to the creation the universe devoid of differentiation of
names and forms remained unmanifest, being ātman only. It
thought, 'Let me create the worlds'.
4 In Tait.Up. 'From this Brahman arose ether; from ether air;
from air fire; from fire water; from water earth; from earth herbs;
from herbs food; from food the puruṣa."
Subtle Elements
,5
According to the Upanisads Iśvara created the five subtle
elements called sūkṣmabhūtas. These are ether, air, fire, water and
earth. From these subtle elements of nature the last to evolve five
varieties of tanmātras which are matter less. The five tanmātras are
sound, touch, form, taste, and smell.
According to the Upanisads Isvara, who is the reflection of
6 the spiritual energy in māyā, created the manifest universe. Māyā
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