“Hiranya” means gold and “garbha” means womb. The Rig Veda says, “Hiranyagarbha,” the initial source of cosmic creation, looks like an illuminated womb within which dwells the entire cosmos.” Over time our scholars refined the subtle nuances of cosmic creation so that we manavas could make sense of things which are beyond our comprehension and imagination. Different scholars interpreted these concepts differently based on their beliefs and perspectives. And we can learn quite a bit from a few of these interpretations.
Hiranyagarbha: Meaning
Our scholars say, “We have selected the name Hiranyagarbha with great care. In the material plane, gold represents the highest state a metal can possess. When base metals slowly evolve to gold, they contain all the characteristics of all the metals from which they evolved. But once they transform into gold, they will exist through various cycles of existence without being affected by their previous inherent characteristics.
Like gold, which symbolises eternity, we manavas should shed all our inherent negative traits. And slowly evolve to the state of gold during our spiritual journey.”
Hiranyagarbha: Interpretation 1
Some scholars say, “Hiranyagarbha” is a deeply blissful state of complete pure knowledge. When we are in this state – we can connect with the cosmic consciousness (Brahman) that pervades the cosmos. And when we are constantly in this state, we generate a golden aura around ourselves called “Hiranyagarbha.”
Hiranyagarbha: Interpretation 2
Other scholars say, “Only when we delve deeper into the complex nature of Brahman, can we understand the essence of Hiranyagarbha.
Brahman evolves in four stages. And since Brahman dwells within us too, we experience all these four stages of Brahman in our lives every day.”
The first state: Turya
Turya is the unmanifest abstract nature of Brahman whose nature is beyond our comprehension. Some call this state of Brahman as “Hiranygarbha” because, like a seed, the Turya form of Brahman has the potential of creating the entire cosmos.
The Mandukya Upanishad says, “The Turya state symbolises Brahman’s infinite pure attributes and complete knowledge. We manavas can experience this highly subtle form of consciousness known as the Turya state only when we shed our material bodies. And that too only if we are blessed with divine grace. Therefore, we cannot explain the Turya state of consciousness (which is a state beyond our deep sleep state) to anyone.”
The second state: Pragnya
Pragnya depicts the calm state of complete pure knowledge. Our scholars say “We can understand the state of Pragnya symbolically when we visualize Lord Vishnu lying in sublime Ananda on the Kshirasagara.”
We experience this subtle state of consciousness, called the Sushupti in our deep sleep state (which lies beyond our dream state) every day.
The third state: Taijasa
We call the power that starts the process of creation in the cosmos as Taijasa. And believe that Taijasa first emerges from the golden seed, called “Hiranyagarbha” which symbolises the potential of creation. Some scholars call Taijasa as Ishwara or Atma.
We experience this state of consciousness in our Swapna state (which is completely different from our waking state) when we dream every night. So, yes, our Atma remains awake when we dream.
The fourth stage: Vaishvanara
We call the fourth stage of Brahman as Vaishvanara. Taijasa manifests its powers fully to become Vaishvanara. Vaishvanara then creates all the creatures in the cosmos and also the material world that we call Prakriti.
We, manavas can make sense of the material world through our sense organs. And we can experience this Vaishvanara aspect of Brahman when we are fully awake.
Hiranyagarbha: Interpretation 3
Some scholars synthesized this concept further and said, “Only one aspect of Brahman creates the material universe which we call Prakriti. Another contrasting aspect of Brahman is the cosmic intellect that designs things so very precisely in the cosmos. So, we give this cosmic intellect a proper form and identity and call him Vishwakarman.
Vishwakarman is the creator, father and knower of the cosmos. He creates everything – the golden seed, cosmic womb and cosmic intellect, powers that he infuses into his creations and the Vedic forces that form the basis of cosmic order.”
But other scholars gave each aspect of creation a specific name and role so that we can understand the nuances of such complex matters easily.
Hiranyagarbha the golden seed
And as a creator, Vishwakarman first creates Hiranyagarbha, a subtle golden seed from an undefined shapeless jelly-like material of indiscriminate mass which exists at the beginning of creation.
Like a seed, Hiranyagarbha lies dormant constantly. Hiranyagarbha contains the potential forms of everything in creation. And also the astral powers to create dynamic Vedic forces like Brahman.
Brahmaanda the cosmic womb
The golden seed, Hiranyagarbha lies within Vishwakarman’s navel. And from his navel, a golden egg, the cosmic womb called Brahmaanda within which lies the cosmos now emerges. Vishwakarman now starts the process of all cosmic creation within Brahmaanda.
Vishwakarman first creates the cosmic waters (Kshirasagara), darkness, light, a multidimensional universe, the sun and the moon et al. The entire golden cosmic egg Brahmaanda now floats on Kshirasagara.
Since the other dimensions of the cosmos lie beyond the material world that we live in, they seem intangible to us.
Vishwakarman then presides over the movements of the Kshirasagara. This gives rise to the divisions of time and also the occurrence of day and night in the material realm.
Purusha the cosmic intellect
Some scholars preferred to call Vishwakarman by a different specific name at this stage. when he creates the myriad beings and infuses powers and life into them all.
They said, “ Within Brahmaanda lies an entity called Purusha who is an aspect of Brahman and pervades through the cosmos. Purusha represents pure metaphysical awareness. And He observes/ witnesses and presides over the entire process of creation. Like Vaishvanara in interpretation 2, when the golden seed Hiranyagarbha starts manifesting its powers, Purusha comes into existence.
Purusha creates different kinds of beings that live in other dimensions that we call lokas. He creates an entity like Indra, the lord of Swarga loka, the other beings of light, the Suras (Devas) and the power-seeking Asuras.
Then Purusha creates the material basis so that all kinds of creatures can thrive in the material world. Each creature then evolves according to its inherent nature (Svadha).
Purusha now breathes life into the other dynamic Vedic forces and creatures. And gives each force a specific name in one contemplation.
Prakriti our material world
Scholars say, “ We call the material aspect of Brahman as Prakriti. Prakriti refers to matter and nature. And also includes the cognitive, moral, psychological, emotional, sensory and physical aspects of our personality and the material reality.
Prakriti’s inherent gunas –Rajas, Tamas and Sattvic- manifest in different proportions in all sentient beings based on their karma. And when the three gunas reach a state of equilibrium Prakriti, the material aspect of Brahman is in complete alignment with Purusha, who symbolises cosmic intellect.
And when Prakriti and Purusha are in complete harmony eternal Vedic concepts like Dharma prevail in the cosmos.
Therefore Hiranyagarbha, Kshirasagara, Brahmaanda, Purusha and Prakriti all share an intimate relationship with one another.
Yes, I, know I don’t have enough knowledge about such complex metaphysical nuances. I may have misinterpreted several aspects of such wondrous concepts like Hiranyagarbha and cosmic evolution. But at a fundamental level, this blog post on Hiranyagarbha made some sense to me. And I hope it made some sense to you too. Together let’s do our best to reach the exalted state of “Hiranyagarbha”…..
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