CREATION TO CREMATION
by Swami Brahmadeo ( Brahmavairaagy ) of Kashi , India
'Creation to Cremation' was the theme of the three day discourse of Swami Brahmavairaagyji of Kashi, India at the Gasparillo Hindu Mandir on 15 th , 16 th and 17 th November 2007. This academic discourse was organized by the Gasparillo Hindu Group.
Swami Brahmavairaagyji presented his thoughts on this unique theme in the light of modern science and Sanatan Hindu Philosophy. He explained the structure of the vast cosmos in the light of quantum theory with astronomy, cosmology and astrology.
Vedic philosophy sheds more light on the creation along with the Vedas, Gita, and Shrimad Bhagwat Puranam and so many other books. In the Vedas, "Hiranyagarbha" (the golden womb) is the cause of creation with three qualities; that is 'Vishwa' (world), 'Tejas' (effulgence) and 'Praagya' (creative intelligence). These divine factors (Sanghita) are the base of the appearance of creation.
Swamiji said that in Vedic philosophy, creation is not coming from 'nothingness' because 'nothingness' isn't giving everything, so the seed of creation is always present before creation. That is 'Hiranyagarbha' (divine womb). In Hinduism various philosophies explain the process of creation. The 'First Theory' explicates that before creation only light existed and that this light is the origin of creation. The 'Second Thought' accepts that before creation there was darkness. Through this darkness this creation appeared. The 'Third Thought' explains that water is the cause of creation which was present in the beginning.
Swamiji further explained that modern science has many theories, hypotheses and principles with various inventions and discoveries to explain the creation i.e. that is Einstein's theory of general relativity, Quantum Mechanics or the "big bang" theory and Darwinian evolution.
Some scientists believe that the universe came into existence 15 billion years ago but astronomers do not agree on these exact figures. Hindu science's calculations are the same. Swamiji, with the help of visual slides and other presentations showed the complete structure of this universe into the different layers of galaxies in the sky. When he presented the evolution of human beings from Amoeba to Homo sapiens, the entire audience presented lots of questions and displayed keen interest to know more about this subject.
Macrocosm vs Microcosm
At last he characterized the creation into three parts: 'Physical Creation' which denotes from earth to galaxy and the Milky Way as in astronomy and cosmology. The 'Metaphysical Creation', which explains the DNA to the neuron of the brain as in the Vedas. The 'Divine Creation' (Conscious World) which deals with human consciousness to cosmic consciousness through the cosmic energy.
Swamiji presented a DVD in the temple hall that clearly explained the third type of creation - Divine Creation. That was an amazing moment for the audience when he presented slides of various sections of the brain - the vertical and longitudinal section - where the section of the brain resembles the solar system of the universe. Through the message of the great scientist, Albert Einstein, he emphasized comprehensive knowledge and some factors which are necessary such as length, width, depth, time, space and consciousness, because Einstein explained that one year of the earth is like one day of another planet. All these factors are necessary to achieve complete knowledge of the creation. Thus macrocosms (cosmic body) and microcosms (human body) are equal and same - 'Yat Brahmandey tat Pindey'.
What about Cremation?
On the topic of cremation, Swamiji explained that life is not between birth and death but that it is on beyond both. Life exists before birth and life exists after death. He cited the three types of death: Natural, Accidental and Divine death. Reincarnation is not necessary for 'divine death'. In accidental death, more time is necessary to take birth again. In natural death, with the fruit of our good deeds (punya), we go to the abode of God and come back on planet earth for new birth.
The human body is a unique creation. This body has three layers; 'physical', 'mental' and 'astral'. Death means the physical layer becomes a corpse but the mental and astral layer come out. These two bodies move in space and search for another good opportunity to take new birth. Swamiji displayed an audio-visual presentation which described the astral body and showed life after life and 'nirvana'. The audience was spellbound by this presentation.
Swamiji explained that we are not doing rituals for only the corpse (Biological body) but all the rituals that are performed are to inspire and strengthen the mental and astral bodies which are going to take birth again. The mental and astral bodies are attached to the ten sense organs so we carry out ten days rituals to remove attachment from the physical body.
The mental and astral bodies have pure consciousness and total dynamic intelligence with Sanskars (impressions). These are helpful to accelerate new birth.
In 'quantum science', the last part of matter is atom. Atoms are divided into electron, proton, positron and quark, etc. These parts are electro magnetic energy. In 'Vedic Hindu Science', the last part of nature is Consciousness and in the material world the last part of matter is energy. Thus the whole world is energy. In a solid form they have diversity but basically they have the same energy. This energy is known as the 'unified basis of life'. So we perform all rites for the consciousness of both bodies which are searching for good parents and a good chance to take new birth. Therefore Cremation is for promoting the consciousness of the mental and astral bodies.
Following this Swamiji presented an astral travel video on screen. He demonstrated how the astral body travels in the whole creation. Thus he explained there were three worlds: classical or the material world, quantum world of energy and the world of cosmic consciousness.
After death, various types of rituals are in the tradition of Hinduism because Hinduism believes that death is not the end and it is not that you are finished but you are transported to another physical body. Life and death is like a wheel. He presented many living stories of rebirth that are present now. He then elaborated 'Bardo' rituals of Tibet . These two bodies (mental and astral) are the cause of reincarnation so all rituals are set up for the training of the bodies with our traditional rituals.
On the third day many people expressed their own opinion and requested that this type of lecture to be organized again in this country. The president of the temple, Sri Bob Ramroop gave thanks to all. On behalf of Brahma Vidya Peetham, General Secretary Anandaji, thanked Shivam and Karuna for assisting in the audio-visual presentations and welcomed and informed the audience about the other academic discourses in the coming month.
Please contact Brahma Vidya Peetham at 687-5774 for further information. |
