FAQs: creation,desruction,heaven
The Hindu view on the beginning and the end of the universe.
The cyclic Creation and destruction of the universe in philosophical and mythological terms as described in the Vedas and Puranas.
How was the world created?
According to Hindu philosophy, the world was not created in the Biblical sense, because God and the universe are essentially the same. For Creation by God, God has to be distinct from the universe. Hence Hindu philosophy advocates that at the time of Creation God manifested Himself as the universe.
Hindu mythology, on the other hand depicts Creation in anthropomorphic terms and there are various versions of Creation in the various Puranas. The most common version is that at the time of Creation Vishnu wakes up and a lotus emerges from his navel on which Brahma is seated. Brahma then creates the universe.
How will the world end?
After every 4.5 million years there is a deluge and the Destruction of the world takes place. Then for the next 4.5 million years there is nothingness. During this period God exists without any form or characteristic. After that the world is created again. This cycle continues forever. This is a simplified version of the actual cycles of time.
Is there a heaven?
There are many views regarding this. In the mythological view heaven is the abode of the demi-Gods. It has nothing to do with the Christian concept of Heaven and Hell. However there is a popular belief that if one is good one gets to spend a time in this heaven before one is reborn. However the theologically correct version of rebirth is the one described under the law of karma.
What are the rituals associated with death?
Hindus cremate the bodies of the dead. They do not bury them.
Why is there such a divergence between philosophy and mythology in Hinduism?
Philosophy is based on reasoning. It deals in abstract ideas that are beyond the perception of the common people. It takes years of learning to be able to understand the philosophy of religion and to develop it further. Not everyone has the ability or the time to put in the amount of learning and training required. However it is not fair that this section of society be deprived from the pursuit of religion. Hence for this section the abstract concepts are presented in a format that would be easily understood. It is natural that this format be anthropomorphic in nature. This is done through mythology.
Hence there is no basic divergence between the philosophy and the mythology. Mythology is the representation of the philosophy in a symbolic and more palatable form.
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Please check my articles on Mythology from India
