The Mystical Creation of the Universe by Lord Brahma

From just imagination and dreams, to the vastness of kalpa and vikalpa, the creation brought about by Maya and Jnan vikara, the genesis of our universe is shrouded in mystery. Just by the power of divine illusion, Lord Brahma stepped into the realm of creation, without truly creating the totality of the universe.

Understanding the Creation

The entire universe, known as Brahmanda, is a manifestation of the ultimate reality, Para Brahma. Through a self-expansion process, Lord Brahma brought forth the five main elements—sky, air, fire, water, and earth. These elements, combined, gave rise to all forms of life on Earth, including human beings, falling into four major categories of living creatures: Udbija, Swedaja, Andaja, and Jarayuja.

Compassion and Cosmic Creation

The impetus for this creation was rooted in the unconditional compassion of Lord Brahma, known as karuna-shakti (the power of compassion) or kripa-shakti (the power of grace). A divine power, perceived as Kali, whispered to Brahma while he was asleep, reminding him of the countless souls within him who were in stasis, longing for the experience of bliss.

Awakening from his slumber, Lord Brahma did as he was prompted. He projected the universe from within his own being, a creation made of Maya, a concept that is both one and different from Brahma. Maya, on one hand, is an integral part of Brahma, belonging to him; on the other hand, it is composed of jada or matter, a form of lifelessness. This duality makes Lord Brahma both the efficient and material cause of the universe, a state of being that is simultaneously the creator and the created.

Maya as the Vehicle of Creation

Maya, often likened to the body or inferior power of Brahma, does not share the sapient nature of the supreme divine. However, because of their inherent connection, it is sometimes referred to as one entity. This world, as proclaimed by the great philosopher Ramanujacharya, is seen as the body of Brahma, Vishnu, a reflection of his greater existence.

The Mystic Question

A central and often baffling question arises when we contemplate the nature of this creation: why does this apparently purposeless universe exist? The answer, it seems, lies in the ultimate will of the divine. Just as the complexity and the apparent randomness of things can be attributed to a higher will, so too is this universe a manifestation of Brahma's desire to bring forth all that exists.

Keywords: Brahma, Maya, Creation, Vedanta