Creation – Projection of the Divine
Whenever there is an act of Creation, there is diversity, multiplication and variation. Moreover, if there is only ONE, there is no relationship; relationship begins when the One becomes Many, and it is enjoyed through their attributes. Educare is to understand that there is an inherent, holistic inter-relationship among all elements of Creation, all domains of human capability, and all aspects of Nature.
For the entire creation, God is the seed. Out of this seed, out of God, qualities have originated. The seed grows into a sapling. The various stages of blossoming – the sapling, the thorns, the leaves, the flowers and fruits – lie in the seed.’
– Sri Sathya Sai (13th January 1992)
Nature exhibits a multiplicity of objects which have their origin in one single Divine Truth. A rainbow originates from a single ray of ‘white light’; yet the spectrum of colours on the backdrop of clouds and the sky is a thing of beauty and a joy forever. A harmonious combination of seven sound notes can produce enchanting music; yet all the notes are mere pressure vibrations in air. Similarly, the entire creation is a Divine Rainbow of the five elements. Diversity is a characteristic of Nature.
‘Divinity resides in Creation in all forms – starting from being more miniscule than the atom to the most colossal ones. It pervades the entire Creation as the eternal witness.’
– Sri Sathya Sai (15th May 2000)
The Creation verses in Rig Veda state:
Totally windless, alone, the One breathed;
Beyond that nothing whatever was.
Darkness was concealed in darkness.
In the beginning, there was but the Absolute Self alone;
Nothing else was.
Brahman willed, ‘Let Me create the worlds’.
From the heart of Aum came Truth,
And all these worlds in their majestic glory.
From this universal ocean came time,
Ordaining nights and days.
Aum is the first primordial Word of God that led to this Creation. The entire cosmos derives the creative impulse from the One Supreme Energy Principle. The dimensions of space and time began with this initial Act of Creation. Baba says, ‘The Lord created the universe (Prakriti) manifold, woven of space, time and attributes.’
Modern science mentions the Big Bang theory according to which a super-atom of infinite density exploded about 15 billion years ago. Due to uniqueness of the situation (called ‘singularity’) science is not able to say anything before the Big Bang took place; thus, with the Big Bang, began the concept of time & space. Splinters of the explosion are still speeding away from one another; thus this cosmos presents a picture of an ‘Expanding Universe’ in space. The initial explosion, the theory states, began with vibrations into nothingness; and the entire universe is filled with a backdrop of the sound of explosion, according to the scientists.
Thus, from the subtlest (Sookshma) Space to the gross (Sthoola) Earth, the universe has evolved, exhibiting the basic Truth of Unity and Divinity in diversity. The five attributes and the five senses were given for experiencing the Creation. Shabda is the only attribute of Space, which is all-pervasive. Earth is the most important of all elements because it provides nourishment to all forms of life it bears upon itself. Thus, from vibration through radiation to materialisation, the creation has sprang out as a witness to Divinity.
‘The whole cosmos is made up of the five basic elements (Panch Bhootas) – Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Sound, touch, form, taste and smell represent their attributes. All these have emerged from Being-Awareness-Bliss (Sat-Chit-Ananda), the Primal Source.’
– Sri Sathya Sai (15th May 2000)
Element (Mahabhoota) | Attribute | Sense Organ |
---|---|---|
Space (Aakasha) | Sound (Shabda) | Ear |
Air (Vayu) | + Touch (Sparsh) | Skin |
Fire (Agni, Tejas) | + Form (Roopa) | Sight (Eyes) |
Water (Aapas, Jala) | + Taste (Rasa) | Tongue |
Earth (Prithvi) | + Smell (Gandha) | Nose |
- Multiplicity is the characteristic of Nature.
- The ONE willed to become the Many.
- The entire Creation is a projection of the Divine.