myths of creation

myths of creation
   The Hindu myths of creation are many and varied. The VEDAS, the most ancient scriptures, include several striking creation hymns. One hymn sees creation as emerging from a divine person, the PURUSHA, who is sacrificed in order for time to begin; creation results directly from his body and being. Another account, in the RIG VEDA, suggests that no one knows what existed before this world; only the one in the highest heaven knows, and perhaps not even he! Still another hymn speaks of a Golden Embryo that precedes all creation, out of which everything emerges.
   The UPANISHADS, part of the Vedas, contain numerous cosmogonic (creation) stories. Several of them relate that the world was emitted from the supreme Self or ATMAN, which pervaded all reality. Others speak of reality’s emerging from the one BRAHMAN, or ultimate all. Still others speak of the creation’s beginning with PRAJAPATI, a male creator god or principle.
   In the Puranas, written from about 400 C.E. to 1000 C.E., the god BRAHMA is usually said to be responsible for creation. He is depicted emerging from a lotus in the navel of VISHNU, who is sleep-ing on the primordial MILK OCEAN between eras. However, worshippers of either Vishnu or SHIVA often credited their chosen god with creating the entire universe.
   Further reading: Cornelia Dimmitt and J. A. B. van Buitenen, Classical Hindu Mythology: A Reader in the Sanskrit Puranas (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1978); F. B. J. Kuiper, Ancient Indian Cosmogony (New Delhi: Vikas, 1983).

Encyclopedia of Hinduism. . 2007.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • creation myth — or cosmogony Symbolic narrative of the creation and organization of the world as understood in a particular tradition. Not all creation myths include a creator, though a supreme creator deity, existing from before creation, is very common. Myths… …   Universalium

  • Creation myth — The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo illustrates the Genesis creation narrative A creation myth or creation story is a symbolic account of how the world began and how people first came to inhabit it.[1] …   Wikipedia

  • creation myths —    See myths of creation …   Encyclopedia of Hinduism

  • Creation science — or scientific creationism is a movement within creationism which attempts to use scientific means to disprove the accepted scientific theories on the history of the Earth, cosmology and biological evolution and prove the Genesis account of… …   Wikipedia

  • Myths of Ífè — is a book by John Wyndham published in 1921. It contains translations of myths and legends told to the author by the priests of Ífè. The legends are concerned largely with the creation of the world, the creation of humanity, and the history of… …   Wikipedia

  • Myths of the Near Future —   …   Wikipedia

  • Creation — • Like other words of the same ending, the term creation signifies both an action and the object or effect thereof. Thus, in the latter sense, we speak of the kingdoms of creation , the whole creation , and so on Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Creation according to Genesis — refers to the Hebrew narrative of the creation of the heavens and the earth as told in chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis, the first book of the Pentateuch. The text The modern division of the Bible into chapters dates from c.1200 AD, and the division… …   Wikipedia

  • Creation–evolution controversy — A satirical cartoon from 1882, parodying Darwin s theory of evolution, in response to the publication of The Formation of Vegetable Mould Through the Action of Worms. The creation–evolution controversy (also termed the creation vs. evolution… …   Wikipedia

  • Creation Science — Creationism can also refer to creation myths, or to a concept about the origin of the soul. For the movement in Spanish literature, see Creacionismo. Part of a series on Creationism …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”