Quest - The Vedic Answers- Chapter 1

Answer: God is an Eternal, Conscious, Formless and all-pervading entity who is the efficient cause of the Universe and the support of all. The Benevolent Supreme is Self-Existence + All-Intelligence + All Blissful + Infinite personified and Holy, Apprehend, Independent by nature. He is Almighty of all hence Omnipotent. He is Limitless. Countless creations and souls reside in God and God Himself resides in all these things. There is no place left vacant in this Universe where there is non-existence of the Supreme Soul--“Ishaa Vaasyamidam Sarvam” (Yajurveda 40/1) means God resides in this whole Universe.

“Aa Varivarti Bhuvaneshvantah” (Rigveda 1-164-31) He is called God whose attributes, actions, nature and oritological essences are nothing but truth. He is one, without a second. God is Omniscient (All knowledgeable), Omnipresent and Eternal means He is without a beginning or end. By His nature He is Imperishable, Gynostic, Blissful, Pure, Just, Merciful, Unborn, Unchangeable, Incomparable &c.

“Janmadyasyayatah” tUek|L;r% (Vedanta 1-1-2) means He who is Generator, Organizer and Destroyer of the Universe is called "GOD".

"Kleshkarma Vipakashayairaparamrishtah” (Yoga Darshana) means He who is away from Ignorance - Happiness - Unhappiness - Desires - Undesired and mixed actions which bearrr tthe fruits, special from all souls, is called God.

God is Benevolent, and Fearless. His activities include the creation, preservation, and destruction of the marvelous structure of the Universe and the dispensation of reward or punishment commensurate with the virtuous or vicious deeds of all living beings.

Most of the great philosophers have maintained that there exist some sort of absolute, whether it is called God, the Good, the Giest or any other name.

Quest # 2: What is Prakriti and Srishti?

Answer: The condition of matter in which Sattva i.e. the intellect promoting, Rajas i.e. passion exiting and Tamas i.e. stupidity producing qualities are found combined in equal proportions is called "the Prakriti" i.e. the elementary material cause of the Universe. The Prakriti ----the primordial elementary matter, is dead inert matter that is why it can not do any thing by itself. The movement in the Prakriti takes place due to inspiration of the Supreme Soul. From the Prakriti emanated the principle of wisdom (Mahatattva), and from the latter proceeded the principle of Individuality (Ahankara) from which emanated the five subtle entities and ten principles of sensation and action, and the Mind (Manas), i.e. the principle of attention. From the five subtle entities (Panch-Tanmatra) issued forth the five gross entities (Panch-Mahabhoota), such as solids, liquids, etc. All these twenty-three entities are made from Prakriti that is uncreated. The Purusha i.e. the spirit is neither the cause (material) nor the effect of anything.

There is a continuous change in the Universe hence there is destruction after creation and creation after destruction. That is why the Supreme Soul creates and destroys the Universe and in this way the cycle of creation and destruction of the Universe goes on continuously, as there is no beginning hence it will never stop. "Yathapurvamakalpayat” ;FkkiwoZedYi;r~ (Rigveda 1-190-3).

"Bhutasyajatah Patireka Aaseet" HkwrL;tkr% ifrjsd vklhr~ (Rigveda 10-121-1)

Prakriti is the cause and its effort is called Srishti. All possible seen or unseen elements / substances in any form, made from the Prakriti are included in Srishti e.g. Earth, water, fire, air, ether, space, sun, moons, planets, stars, galaxies etc. etc. Prakriti is motionless and calm, and its basic elements----Sattva, Rajas and Tamas are unchangeable. With the influence of the Supreme Soul changes take place in Prakriti and out of which, Srishti is created and there is a continuous change in Srishti. The continuous change in the Universe is an eternal law of the nature.

Quest # 3: Who creates the souls and the Universe?

Answer: (Rigveda 10-82-6) God Himself is the creator of the Universe and no one else creates the souls. The souls are beginning less and endless, so they are eternal and exist forever, hence these souls can never die nor born. The creation and destruction are influenced by the Supreme Soul i.e. God, but the souls are eternal-infinite-everlasting entities.

Quest # 4: If God is Omnipotent, then why can't He create these souls?

Answer: Oh, No! Never! God may be Omnipotent but He can never ever create or destroy any soul, because the souls are beginning less (Atharva Veda 11-3-30). There is no end for those who have no beginning, because an effect must have its cause. The soul is causeless entity like God and Prakriti. The thing which is uncreated can not be destroyed “Amartyo Martyena Sayonihi” (Rigveda 1-164-30)

God is All-Almighty i.e. Omnipotent that does not mean that He can do anything He wants. Of course He can do anything but He does not do the same because He is Omniscient. The meaning of Omnipotent is, that God does His own work without the help or advice of anyone else. He is All-Almighty so He has the capability to do His work by Himself easily. See the supreme nature and its working!

1: To create the Universe, to make the laws of Nature, to organize everything, and to destroy/dissolve them when the time comes in the end of the creation.

2: To make proper and just arrangements for the souls for the fruits of their deeds and to reward them accordingly.

3: To give true knowledge to all human beings (according to their capacity) at the beginning of the Universe, to remove ignorance and darkness from their lives.

For all these things The Supreme Soul(God) does not take any assistance from anyone.

Quest # 5: How many eternal entities exist and which are they?

Answer: There exists three categories of eternal entities: (1) --God, (2) --the Soul, and (3) --the Prakriti. This eternal trinity is the basic of the creation “Tritiyo Bhrata” Rigveda 1-164-1)

In these God and souls are conscious and Prakriti i.e. the material cause of the universe is dead inert matter. God is One and Support of all and souls are infinite in numbers. Being dead inert matter, the Prakriti cannot do anything, means it cannot move by itself.

God is one without a second. In this vast creation, there are an infinite number of souls all of infinitesimal dimensions. God and souls being conscious entities do not occupy any space.

Quest # 6: Is there any proof in the Vedas that God, souls and the matter are eternal entities?

Answer: We can find clarification of any kind of doubts from the Vedas. For every Quest one can have the correct Answer in the Vedas, hence for any problem in the world, the solution only be found in the Vedas. The Vedas are the scriptures of true knowledge, because the Vedas are the theology of the Supreme God.

"Dwa Suparna Sayuja Sakhaya Samanam Vriksham Pari Shasvajate,

Tayoranyah Pippalam Swadwattyanashnannynyo Abhi Chakshiti.” (Rigveda 1-164-20)

Meaning-- God, souls and Prakriti i.e. the material cause of the Universe are eternal.

[(Rigveda (1-164-44), (Rigveda 1-164-1), (Rigveda 1-50-10), (Rigveda 10-5-7), (Rigveda 6-66-3), (Atharvaveda 5-35)] --Like these there are many mantras in the Vedas that prove that God, souls and the matter i.e. Prakriti are eternal.

Quest # 7: If God creates the Universe, then how great He must be? And how does He create the Universe?

Answer: To begin with the creation of the universe we must first know something about its Creator, then the subject will be easy to understand properly. (No one can understand God completely because God is an Infinite unity where as man is an Infinitesimal unity hence no men can posses All-intelligence to understand God completely or properly.)

As said earlier that God is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent where as we i.e. souls have limited knowledge hence to know Him fully is out of our capability. In the beginning of the creation God has given the true knowledge of the Vedas for all human being. God has mentioned Himself in the Vedas hence every human being must know that knowledge.

The Sage of the present Era "Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati" says: “The Vedas are the scriptures of all true knowledge. It is the paramount duty of all Aryans to read and to teach, to listen and to narrate the Vedas to all fellow beings.” It is said in the Vedas that in this world, all those people who are noble and of good character are called "Aryans”; thus if we think that we are really noble and good cultured, then we must obey God first i.e. to follow the commandments of the Vedas. That is the main "Dharma" of all Aryans. It is beneficial for all human beings.

God is Self-existence, Intelligence and Bliss personified. He is Devoid of any form, Omnipotent, Just, Merciful, Benevolent, Eternal, Infinite, Unchangeable, Beginning less, Incomparable, Support of all, Lord of all, Omnipresent, Omniscient i.e. Controller of all from within, Undecaying, Imperishable, Fearless, Eternal, Holy and Creator, Sustainer and Destructor of the Universe. He is one without a second. To Him alone worship which is always due.

Sattva-Rajas-Tamas when these three qualities (attributes) are found combined in equal proportions is called Prakriti. Being the dead inert matter, there is no consciousness in Prakriti. To make it in a workable condition, the influence of conscious entity is essential.

“Marteshvagniramrito Ni Dyayi” (Rigveda 10-45-7)

There are two conscious (Intellect) entities i.e. God and an infinite number of souls. Having limited knowledge, the soul is unable to create the Universe, hence the only remaining entity is God. With God’s influence, changes take place in motionless Prakriti. With "Kshobh" i.e. Big Bang, movement takes place in the Prakriti and creation of the Universe starts from here

“Sattvarajastamam Samyavastha Prakritih Prakritermahan MahatohankarohankaratPanchTanmatranyubhaymin-indriyam Tanmatrebhyah Sthulabhutani Purush Iti Panchavinshatirganah”. (Sankhya Darshana 61)

The Matter (Prakriti) i.e. the material cause of the Universe

(Sattva, Rajas, Tamas attributes found combined in equal proportion)

The Principle of Wisdom (Mahatattva)

The Principle of Individuality (Ahankara)

Intellect Promoting Individuality + Passion-exiting Individuality + Stupidity

Producing Individuality

(Sattvik Ahankara) (Rajasik Ahankara) (Tamsik Ahankara)

Principle of Senses Principle of Five Subtle entities

(Panch Tanmatras) External senses + Internal senses Speech-Touch-Vision-Taste-Smell ¬ ----------- ¿ ¯

¯ ¯ The Mind i.e. Principle of Attention

¯ ¯ (Ubhayendriya) i.e. the mind

(Five Gyanendriyas)*+(Five Karmendriyas)**

Five Gross Entities i.e. Great elements

(Panch Maha Bhootas)

Sky-Air-Fire-Water- Earth *Ears--Skin--Eyes--Tongue—Nose

**Hands-Legs-Tongue-and genital organs .

The author of Sankhya Darshana Great Sage Kapil says:

There are twenty-four divisions of dead inert matter, which are as follows ---

Prakriti i.e. the material cause of the universe, Mahatattva i.e. the principle of wisdom or the intellect, Ahankara i.e. the principle of individuality or ego elements, eleven Indriyas i.e. eleven principle of senses which consists of the mind, five Gyanendriyas or five sense organs-- ear, skin, eyes, tongue and nose and five Karmendriyas or five action organs-- hands, feet, tongue, genital organs, Panch-Tanmatras i.e. five principle of subtle entities-- speech, touch, vision, taste and smell and Panch-Mahabhoota i.e. five gross entities or five great elements (ether, air, fire, water and earth).

Twenty-three substances made from the Prakriti are called "Vikaras of the Prakriti " or "Srishti".

God and the soul are called "Purusha" but both are distinct from each other. God is one and infinitesimal souls are infinite in numbers.

In each and every atom, in which there exist three basic substances / energies named as Electron, Proton and Neutron. When more than one atoms unite, molecule or element is created and in the same way when these elements unite together great elements / gross elements are formed, such as ---earth, water, fire, air, ether, space and time are the elements of the creation of the Universe (Vaisheshika Darshana).

God is Immovable because He is Omnipresent hence all-pervading, and all the rest like the stars, suns, moons, planets, satellites etc. have motion and these heavenly bodies are stationed in space due to the magnetize force of Soma i.e. The Supreme Being. There are many mantras in the Vedas in which the creation of the Universe is explained and they are the subjects of science.

Readers who want to gain more knowledge about this subject must refer to these Vedic mantras from the Rigveda--- [(10-149-3), (10-121-1), (10-88-6), (1-131-2)]

The Nebula is the main cause of the material world. The big explosion afterwards results into many suns that spread in all directions. (This expansion is still on). The sound which is the effect of that Big Bang always vibrates in the Universe and that sound is called "Akashvani", "Shabda", "Anhad Naad", etc. in Hindi and "the Sound of Ultimate Reality", "the Word", "the Oracle" etc. in English. The pronunciation of that vibrating everlasting sounds as "OM". Scientists call it "Creative energy" or "Vibrating energy" that creates the Universe. In the Vedic philosophy this creative energy or vibrating energy is nothing but God.

"Trisyah Bhumih Pratimanam" (Rigveda 1-102-8) means there are three kinds of worlds in space. Firstly are those which are self-illuminated are called "Nakshatras or Stars" and the group of these Nakshatras are called "Galaxies" and group of galaxies is called "the Solar System". Secondly there are other Un-illuminated heavenly bodies which rotate in elliptic way on their own Nakshatras and also rotate on their own axis these are called "Graha" or "Planet" e.g. earth, Jupiter etc. and get light from the sun. Thirdly there are those which rotate on their own axis and also rotate in elliptic way on their own Graha, they are called "Upa-Graha", or "Satellite", e.g. moon. They all stay in universe in their spherical form and under the Universal force of Gravitation which is "Soma".

In this way everything moves in the Universe. Our planet on which we live i.e. our earth is moving at a speed of 66,000 miles per hour around the sun, completing its round in 365.25 days in a year. The laws of nature are unchangeable hence these are called "Ritta", and no one [even God] cannot change or alter these laws, because they are made by all-knowing God.

In the creation everything is changeable, hence what is created must perish i.e. the effect is dissolved in its cause, i.e. the thing changes its form.

Creation after Dissolution and Dissolution after Creation, in this way the system goes on with the influence of the Supreme Being (Rigveda 10-82-6). God is the Creator, Sustainer and Destroyer of the Universe (Atharvaveda 10-8-11). This system is Beginning-less and Endless.

The creation, sustainance, mobilization and governance of so many wonderful striking objects cannot be carried on by anyone except God, who is an intelligent designer, who knows His art, who has the capacity of the accomplishment, and who works with a set of purpose.

Quest # 8: Why does God create the Universe every now and then?

Answer: God creates the world with His capability and dissolves all of them in their subtle forms at the final time of dissolution of the universe. In this material world, the materialistic body is the medium of attaining emancipation of the soul (Atharvaveda 11-3-31).

God creates the Universe for the betterment of the souls with His Omnipotence (Rigveda 8--933-1).

As the soul is an infinitesimal unity so it cannot create the vast universe, moreover the self I.e. the soul can not give or get the reward of its own action with justice.

God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient and Complete, then why wouldn't He create the universe? Why wouldn't He reward the fruits of actions to His eternal children? In this way God's capability is also utilized. God is Blissful personified so where will He spread His bliss? In creation of the Universe utilization of all the three eternal entities are manifested and there can never be any use of these eternal trinity if there is no creation.

Every one knows that the function of the eyes is to see, of course! In the same way of what use would the knowledge, activity, and power of creating the world be in God, other than that of creating? Nothing else! Just as sight is the natural function of the eye, so are the creations of the world, the free gift of all souls and promoting the well being of all the natural attributes of GOD.

With existence of the creation, the self gets its material body. The soul is rewarded fruits of its actions and the creation helps the self to get God’s bliss, hence the greatest achievement of human life is to attain "Emancipation” i.e. to get extreme rid of all the pains, sorrows and miseries, hence the creation of the Universe is a must.

The object of creation is that God’s power may be utilized for the God of souls, who have no other means to enjoy the fruits of their deeds.

Quest # 9: God alone creates and dissolves the Universe! Any proof?

Answer: With His capability, God creates all material world and immerses them in their own subtle entities at the time of final destruction of the Universe.

In the material world, the materialistic body is the means of attaining "Emancipation" or "Salvation" or Liberation i.e. Moksha" of the Soul. (Atharvaveda: 1-31-3).

In Atharva Veda 8-5-9, mantras from 1 to 26 have the same meaning i.e. God alone is the creator of the Universe.

"Wishvasya bhuvanasya rajah" (Rigveda 5-85-3) i.e. God is the Lord of the whole world.

"Sakam suryam janayan dyamushasam" (Rigveda 6-30-5) i.e. God has created the sun, the illuminated world in an instance and He alone is the creator of this Universe. He is one without a second.

"Ya ime dyava prithivi janan" (Rigveda 4-56-3) means that God has created the Universe.

"Prithivimaprathayastadastamna uta dyama" (Rigveda 8-89-5).

(Atharvaveda. 13-2, mantras 1 to 46) all these imply that God alone has created the Universe.

Quest # 10: The Soul, the Spirit, the Self, the living being, Jiva or Jivama are these all-same or different things?

Answer: In the state of emancipation it is called "the Soul" or "the Spirit" and when the soul lives in functional body it is called "the Living Being", "Jiva", "Jivama" or "the Self". All these names are of the same thing but with different names in different states.

The body does not have the quality of consciousness though it appears to have this quality under the influence of the soul.

In other words when the self is in its personified state, it is called the soul or the spirit and when it occupies the body, it is called the self, the living being, Jiva or Jivama till it is liberated from the bondage of birth and death and attains emancipation and experiences the bliss of Ultimate Being.

The physical body is a useful medium for manifestation of the soul. The soul is a conscious entity which experiences pleasure and pain through the medium of the body which being physical (materialistic) decays and perishes, but the soul being non-physical does not decays or dies. The soul is eternal, ever lasting, endless because it is an unborn entity.

In emancipation the soul lives in its own personified state and experiences the bliss of salvation by its own qualities and attributes.

Quest # 11: What is called "the Soul" and what are it's attributes?

Answer: There are three eternal entities ----God, Souls and the Matter. The sssoooouul is called "Jiva" or "Jivatma" when it resides in the body. The soul has no beginning hence it is infinite, eternal and unchangeable. God is Omniscient when compared to the soul, which has limitation of knowledge. The soul being an infinitesimal unity resides in one place (Atharvaveda 19-68-), whereas God is all pervading, hence there is no place in the Universe, where He does not exist.

A Jiva is a conscious being with limited learning. He is endowed with the attributes like Longing, aversion, striving, happiness, grief and knowledge. A Jiva is eternal.

The soul is recognised by the attributes (Lingas) given bellow: They are -- Pleasure, Sorrow, Desire, Envy, Activity and Consciousness (Nyaaya Darshana 1-1-10).

Besides these there are also Inspiration and expiration, nictitation i.e. closing and opening of the eyes, organic growth, discernment, memory, individuality, movement, regulation of the senses, internal changes and disorder such as hunger and thirst, joy and sorrow, etc., are the attributes of the soul (Vaisheshika Darshana 3-2-4) which distinguish it from God.

The existence of the soul is known only by these attributes as it is neither nor perceptible by the senses. These attributes manifest themselves only so long as the soul is present in the body, but cease to do so as soon as the soul leaves it. It is told in the Vedas that the soul is “Ashnah” (Rigveda 1-164-1) i.e. that pleasure and sorrow are experienced by the soul.

"Aapaang Proreti" (Rigveda 1-64-38) means that the soul acquires the desire for the acquisition of things and envy.

"Sannadho Manasaa Charami" (Rigveda 1-64-27) i.e. it moves with consciousness and it closes and opens eyes and breathes.

“Prachchhaami” (Rigveda 1-164-6) i.e. I am asking that mean the soul has limited knowledge.

As long as the soul remains in the body, these attributes are discernible in the body but when the soul leaves it, they are not found there. This is the way in which we have the knowledge of existence of the soul.

Quest # 12: How many souls are there ? What is their total number?

Answer: The souls are innumerable. Humans cannot count the exact numbers because of limited knowledge. Of course! In God’s Omniscient knowledge, souls are limited. There cannot be increment or decrement of the souls, as the souls are beginning less and endless, hence they are eternal. Even in the state of salvation, a soul cannot count the number of existing souls.

Quest # 13: Is there any proof in the Vedas that the soul is everlasting, imperishable, immortal and eternal?

Answer: For this Quest, there is a popular Shloka in the Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, which says:

“Nainam Chhindanti Shastraani, Nainam Dahati Pavakah, Na Chainam Kledayantyaapo, Na Shoshayati Maarutah” (Geeta 2-23)

The Lord of yoga, Shri Krishna says that: The soul is eternal, hence any weapon cannot cut it, fire cannot burn it, water cannot dissolve it and air cannot dry or evaporate it.

Now refer these Vedic mantras:

"Amartyo Mrityenaa Sayaoneehi" (Rigveda 1-164-30)

Means that the immortal soul exists in the mortal body.

"Marteshvagniramrito Ni Dhaayeehi" (Rigveda 10-45-7)

Means that the soul lives in man.

"Sashchad Devo Devam, Satyamindram Satya Induhu" (Rigveda 2-22-1)

That means: God stays with immortal soul in this body.

“Na Yam Ripavo Na Ripanyavo Garbhe Santam Reshana Reshayanti, Andhah Apashyaa Na Dabhanbhiravya Nityaasa ii Pretari Araksharan” (Rigveda 1-149-5)

The meaning of this mantra is that any enemy cannot harm the soul because it is imperishable, immortal, everlasting and eternal, hence it can never be killed by anyone.

A thing that is created must perish, but the soul is uncreated hence it is imperishable.

“Janmadyasyayatah” tUek|L;r% (Vedanta 1-1-2) means He who is Generator, Organizer and Destroyer of the Universe is called "GOD".