CAN WE BELIEVE ALL THAT IS SAID ABOUT TIME AND CREATION?

CAN WE BELIEVE ALL THAT IS SAID ABOUT TIME AND CREATION?

(BY N. R. SRINIVASAN)

 

 

Our scriptures talk about the time when the Pole Star was directly opposite to North Pole. Scriptures say Mount Meru is located on the Northern tip of earth as we state in Sankalpa and directly opposite is Dhruva, Pole Star. The sea water was sweet and not salt (Ksheera saagara). Do these make any sense to-day?

 

Scientists do explain that ages ago the Pole Star existed directly opposite to the north of the earth, North Pole. But later big changes took place and the earth tilted a bit. When the Pole Star was directly opposite to North Pole the seven islands and the seven oceans should have existed. When the rotating earth tilted a bit, there was every likely-hood that these oceans got mixed up and water became salty in the process; seven islands could have become five continents.

 

On the North Pole sun shines for six months and there is darkness for next six months as we have learnt from geography. It means one year of ours is one day for the North Pole. When our scriptures say one human year is one day for the celestials, they mean this. Our scriptures say six months period of Sun-shine on the North Pole as Uttaraayana and similarly six months sun-shine on the South Pole as Dakshinaayana. Our scriptures indicate North Pole is the abode of the Divines (Devas) and South Pole is the abode of Pitrus (deceased ancestors) and also Hell if it exists.

 

The author (Rishi) of Purushsookta says repeatedly "Vedahametam" meaning he knew the Creator personally. By this the sage (Rishi) affirms that all his knowledge of creation is first hand directly being in touch with Purusha that is Brahma the Creator. Our Sankalpa (religious resolve) also connects us to the time of creation. From our astrology we also know the position of Planets (Grahas) at the commencement of the Yuga, as we just learnt about Mahabharata War further confirmed by the research done with the help of Planetarium software by Dr. Narahari of Memphis, described earlier.

 

Some of the calculations with regard to heavenly bodies differ today from the past. If the present day findings differ from the past, it does not conclude that our scriptures were wrong. The scriptures were communicative and operative when the North Pole was directly opposite to the Pole Star. Since then many changes have taken place. Mountains have become oceans, valleys have become mountains etc., due to cataclysmic changes based on the researches of Geologists. Even Ramayana mentions about the mountain Mainaaka which was once above the earth got submerged in the water in its own style of mythology. Astronomers talk about changes in the courses of heavenly bodies. So, it is reasonable to assume certain changes from what scriptures have told from their days stand point, realizing the changes that have taken place. Scientists also say earth is getting warmer. But they have also calculated when the heat of the Sun will be reduced to such low values, when the life will seize to exist. The date on which this will occur agrees with what is given in our scriptures. This is the next Avaantara Pralaya (when Brahma goes to sleep).

 

Sumaria in Geography comes from the word "Sumeru" in Sanskrit. "Sumeru" is the name given to North Pole in our scriptures and "Kumeru" for the South Pole. Our scriptures say "sarveshaamapi varshaanaam Meruruttarah sthitaah". For all the Countries (Varshaah) of the Earth, Meru is in the North. We also say this in Sankalpa whether we are in India or U.S.A. Can this be true in the context of modern knowledge of Geography?

 

If there is a place above the North Pole according to our scriptures it should be Meru Parvata. Earth is a globe, spherical in shape. Imagine a spot on its top. In relation to that spot any other spot will be south. From there you can only go south. You can't go to the east or the west. This is what our scriptures mean by the above statement.

 

Therefore religion and science should be viewed together to support each other and not divert the attention to find fault in them. That's why the world famous scientist Einstein told "Science without religion is lame and religion without science is blind"