Hinduism and the Age of the Earth
Hinduism, one of the oldest forms of religion still in practice today, has an interesting perspective on the age of the earth. This faith, which is millions of years old, believes that earth is infinite, ever-existing and imperishable. According to the framework of the Hindu cosmic order or cosmology, the universe is indestructible, but immense cycles of creation and destruction occur regularly. Over the billions of years that has come to define the age of the universe, there have been multiple creations and dissolutions.
Behind the idea of a younger age for the earth is the concept of the Maha Yuga, or the great cycle. The Maha Yuga, which is referred to as the ‘ age of Man’ in the Rigveda, is when the universe enters its formative stages, according to some Hindu texts. This is known as the Krita Yuga, or the Golden Age of truth and righteousness, which is followed by the Trtaruga and Dwaparuga, until finally, the Kaliyuga.
The opinion amongst most Hindu scholars is that these four Yugas constitute a single complete unit and that the length of this can be determined by one of two different methods. The first method is as follows: It is said that each Maha Yuga consists of 4.32 million years, with the four yugas combined totaling 43.20 million years. The second method is that 108 Maha Yugas, or a ‘ Chaturyugi’, is called a Day and Night of Brahma, and this is what is used to determine the age of the universe. In this approach, the length of the Brahma Day is calculated to be 8.64 billion years.
There are strong links between the idea of cosmic creation and destruction and the various Hindu gods. In some stories, Brahma is said to have created the universe, while in others Vishnu is believed to have been the one responsible for creation and also sustainment of the world. In Hinduism, Shiva is responsible for destruction and destruction of beings who no longer serve the cosmic order.
In some Hindu texts, creation is described differently. For example, in the Srimad Bhagavatam, Vishnu and Brahma are both seen working together in creating the world and the various regions within it. They both use the power of their Oms and the power of their Pranas to create the existence of the world and the objects within it.
The idea that the earth is not necessarily a set age, but instead an ever-fluctuating one, is also common in Hinduism. This is associated with the concept of ‘maya’, or the illusion of reality. Hindus believe that the world we perceive is completely different from what actually exists; the real world or ‘Prakriti’ lies in a state of flux, and is constantly shifting and changing.
Hinduism and the Universe
In Hinduism, the universe is not seen as being created in one dramatic event, but instead is continually being created in each moment through the power of the gods and cosmic forces. The universe is seen as being a network of energy, formed out of the supreme energy, or the soul of God. The world is a product of this eternal energy, which continuously shapes and forms the universe in an ever-changing cycle.
This concept of an ever-changing universe is echoed in the modern cosmology of Hinduism. In addition to accepting the idea of cosmic cycles, Hindus also accept the possibility of infinite universes, in which new forms of life may exist. This openness to the idea of multiple universes is echoed in the Vedic tradition, which states that the infinite number of universes are all active at the same time.
This view of an ever-evolving universe is an important part of Hinduism, and its acceptance of the idea of eternity gives uniquely Hindu answers to questions regarding time and meanings of life. In this context, the age of the earth cannot be thought of in conventional terms of years and eras. Instead, its age is more accurately measured in terms of its existence in relation to the eternal cycles of the universe.
Hinduism and Time
The timelessness of Hinduism is a result of its acceptance of Karma, the consequence of action. In Hinduism, the consequences or impact of our actions are everlasting, meaning that as long as we continue to live our lives our events, in one form or another, will repeat themselves. Thus, Hinduism does not view time in conventional terms, but in terms of eternal cycles of action and consequence, or ‘Karma’, that are a result of our personal actions.
The concept of Karma is an important one in the Hindu tradition, since it emphasizes the idea that we are individually responsible for our actions and their subsequent consequences. The belief is that through our actions, we are able to shape the world, and thus create better or worse conditions for ourselves and others. In this way, Hindus believe that each of us has the power to influence our own future and the future of the world.
Hinduism also views time in terms of the cyclical nature of the universe. Hindus believe that time, like the universe itself, is always in a state of flux, and thus there is no fixed starting or ending point. Time is instead perceived as a cyclical pattern that is always undergoing change, meaning that an understanding of the present is dependent on an understanding of the past and the future.
Hinduism and the Nature of Existence
A central tenet of Hinduism is that of samsara or rebirth. This belief states that every living creature undergoes a repeating cycle of death and rebirth, or reincarnation, and that the nature of this cycle is determined by an individual’s actions in life. In this way, Hinduism views time and existence as intertwined, such that one’s actions in the present will have an impact on the future, and that each living being must face the consequences of their actions.
This concept of reincarnation is an important theme in Hinduism, since it emphasizes the idea that each being is inextricably connected to the present timelessness other, and must act as if their actions in the present have an effect on their future lives. Hindus believe that time is not linear, but cyclical, and that every being is connected to the cycle of existence and journey from life to life.
Reincarnation, or the idea of cyclically recurring lives, is seen in Hinduism as a way for humans to learn about and accept the impermanence of the world. Hinduism states that in each life a soul is granted, one must strive for a perfect union with the divine by reversing one’s Karma and accepting that life is ever-changing and ultimately finite.
Hinduism and the Nature of Death
The process of reincarnation is thought by Hindus to be both natural and necessary in order to achieve a perfect union with the divine; however, this process is only possible with the understanding of death. According to Hinduism, death is necessary in the process of reincarnation, since without it, souls would be trapped in the cycle of Samsara. Death, in Hinduism, is seen as the gateway to the divine, as it is the only way to transcend the cycle of birth and rebirth, and become one with the divine.
Hinduism also views death in a different manner; in Hinduism, death is not seen as an ending or the cessation of life, but rather as an opportunity for a soul to experience a new type of existence. In Hinduism, it is believed that after death a soul will be transmigrated, or reborn in another form. Death is believed to be a temporary state in which a soul will gain new insight and knowledge in preparation for its next life.
The idea of death as spiritual transformation is explored in the Hindu Upanishads, which states that death is not an end, but rather a doorway to a new beginning. In Hinduism, death is seen as a part of life, and the cycle of death and rebirth is viewed as a necessary part of the soul’s spiritual development. Thus, death is not viewed as the end, but rather as a part of the process of life.
Conclusion
Hinduism provides a unique perspective on the age of the earth and how it relates to our understandings of time and the nature or existence. This faith believes that the earth is infinite and ever-evolving, and that its age is not fixed but rather a reflection of its place within an ongoing cosmic cycle. In Hinduism, the concept of Karma is closely associated with this idea, since it emphasizes the idea that each individual is responsible for their actions and their effects on the present, past and future. Similarly, the concept of death is not viewed in terms of ending, but as a cycle of spiritual development and transformation that allows a soul to travel from one life to the next.
