CHAPTER 3  
The early state of the Universe    

In the last chapter, we have briefly learnt about some basic questions like- what are the constituents of this cosmos, why is it necessary to have knowledge about the universe etc. which may have come to your mind at some point in time. In this chapter, post the analysis of modern science, we will learn about the early state of the universe and the properties of the matter that formed this universe.

3.1 Analysis of modern science

            Today, the ‘Big-Bang’ theory is popularly considered to be origin of cosmos.^[1] It tries to provide the answer to the question- when and how this universe was formed?

          According to Big Bang theory, approximately 13.8 billion years ago the universe was condensed into a ‘Point’. No one knows what happened then and this universe began expanding, resulting into formation of this universe. As this expansion still continues so the universe is also growing. In the beginning much energy was released and it was so much that the universe is still expanding. Edwin Hubble (1929) is credited to observe this. He said that universe is ever-expanding, implying that at some point in time, it must have been dense and compact. It is Georges Lemaître (1927) who had proposed this theory about the origin of universe, which is known as the ‘Big Bang’ theory. 

            Immediately after the Big Bang at 10^-43 seconds, the gravitational force came into existence and laws of physics began to apply.

            In a fraction of second, the universe expanded 10³⁰ times and super-hot plasma of Quarks, Leptons and Photons was created. At 10^-6 seconds Quarks combined to form Protons and Neutrons and the universe slightly cooled down. Hydrogen, Helium etc. came into existence and other physical substances started developing.

            According to the modern science, at the time of Big Bang

V = 0, M = ∞, ρ = ∞, T = ∞

(Here V, M, ρ and T are respectively Volume, Mass, Density and Temperature of the universe)

            Means, the volume was approximately zero, and the mass, density and the temperature were infinite. Most of the scientists of the world consider the origin of this universe from a ‘Point or Singularity’. Stephen Hawking too, in his book ‘The Brief History of Time’, has considered the point to be of zero radius. Later in July 2010 on Discovery channel, he mentioned the ‘Point’ to be smaller than a molecule.

            Now let us delve if there was any ‘Big-Bang’, and was it possible that the universe was of zero volume then? Doesn’t zero volume mean ‘nil place’? That zero-volume object cannot contain anything, let alone the infinite mass. The mass, density and temperature in a zero-volume object will only be zero. Just think, is space not required for mass and energy?

            In the year 2004, famous Indian astronomer Prof. Abhas Kumar Mitra, in his research paper which was published in the international journals, had concluded that no black hole can have zero volume. If it ever happens then its mass will also become zero. Scientists consider the origin of the universe to have infinite mass, then how the volume can be zero?

            In August 2004, in International Vaidika Science Congress, Bangalore, notable Vaidika scientist Acharya Agnivrat Naishthik, in his paper submission had proved that there is no possibility of infinite mass and energy in zero volume, even miniscule mass and energy is simply not possible. Some prominent scientists including Steven Weinberg too do not believe in ‘Big-Bang’ and also do not approve its beginning from zero. Moreover, they do not consider the process of origin of this creation from elementary stage too. They consider material to be spread out everywhere with a sudden activity in them; while some others consider the expansion of the dense material present in the infinite and the particles therein to be the ‘Big-Bang’. Whatever be the case, there is no scientific theory that can explain the origin and early stages of the universe with certainty.

            During Big-Bang, in which form the energy existed? Why Big-Bang happened? How did space and time originate with the Big-Bang? Blast happened in which thing- In zero? Just like any activity takes time, when there was no time and space then how did the blast take place? These are some questions that scientists are unable to answer.

            Steady State Theory, Bubble Universe, Big Bounce, Mirror Universe etc. are the several popular theories trying to explain the origin of universe. But no theory is able to explain the origin and early state of the universe. Scientists accept that no one knows what was before big-bang. So, the Big-Bang does not explain the origin and early state of universe. Likewise, no branch of modern physics is capable to explain the origin and the early state of universe. 

3.2 The necessity to learn about the early state of the universe

            At first, let us realize that to know an object we need to understand the material composition of that object.

For example, in order to understand the process of construction of a building, we should know about the materials that have been used to construct it, like we need bricks, water, cement, gravel etc. for construction. Next, we should know what existed before at that place.

          Only then we can understand construction process better. Likewise, if we want to understand the universe, then we have to understand the basic material it is made of and in what form it existed before the creation of cosmos? Modern science has diverse opinions about the early state of universe and therefore has many opposing views regarding the origin of universe and all of them have their own logic and calculations. We have given just one example here. You can yourself assess the importance of the understanding of ‘Upādāna Kāraṇa’ or the basic material of the things used in daily life.

            Now we will try to understand that basic material from which this universe is made. What is it, what are its properties and features and how it existed before the universe? Vaidika science terms it as ‘Prakṛti’. Let us know about it.

3.3 Prakṛti (Basic material cause of cosmos)

       According to Vaidika science or Ved and our Rishis, this universe is created from ‘Jada Padārtha’ or inert/non-living substance and the form of this object is called as ‘Prakṛti.’ Prakṛti is the subtlest, primary and natural form of any elementary substance. Numerous objects in this universe from heaviest stars to the smallest particles, waves, space, etc. all are created from this Prakṛti. They stay in it and will ultimately assimilate in the same.

            The subtlest form of the matter from which the stars, the space, waves and elementary particles etc. are created is known as ‘Prakṛti’.

          In our surrounding whatever we can see and cannot see are made of atoms and molecules at micro level. If we further divide them, we find atoms to be composed of electrons, protons and neutrons. Again, protons and neutrons are considered to be made of much smaller Quark particles. Now the question is, what are these quarks and electrons made of? Modern science has no answer to it as there is no technique which can help us to identify the smaller particles beyond them. Present scientists consider these (unknown) minute particles as made of small ‘Strings’ structures. But they are unable to explain these ‘Strings’. In reality their explanation about this ‘so-called’ theory is limited to mathematical calculations only.

      According to Vaidika science, the form of matter that cannot be further subdivided, is not formed from subsequent smaller particle, is the root for all other elementary particles, waves, space etc. is ‘Prakṛti’.

3.4 Features of Prakṛti

            Let us now understand what are the features of Prakṛti. According to, the forefathers of Vaidika science Maharṣi Brahmā, Mahādeva Śiva etc. following are the properties of Prakṛti–

1. This substance always exists and is never absent. Even after creation of the cosmos, this matter still surrounds us.
2. This substance is never created, neither increases nor does diminishes, never gets old and never gets destroyed. It remains conserved during the formation and the destruction of this cosmos. Weather we can observe or not, all substances in this cosmos except Prakṛti have limited life span. They are created and are destructed, but Prakṛti is stable, constant, infinite and eternal.
3. Before the origin of universe, this substance was uniformly and equally dispersed in the ‘Avakāśa’ (pure emptiness – a form of space). There was no movement (any type of upward or downward motion or is denser or lighter in different places) in that substance. It is calm and stable like ocean and has occupied all places in this universe. But, water in the ocean has motion and there is gap in between the molecules, but, Prakṛti is uniform everywhere.
4. It is the subtlest possible form of the substance. In the universe nothing can be smaller than this. It is neither in the form of a wave nor a particle or space.
5. During the phase of ‘Mahāpralaya’ (universal dissolution- the time when the destruction has been completed i.e. time of calmness) it lies in completely inactive state with no activity or motion.
6. It is not created by conscious entity. However, the conscious entity can activate or deform it, but can never create it. In fact, the entity has no capacity to create it.
7. It is that state of the substance which cannot be known or detected by any technique.
8. In this universe whatever non-living objects existed, are existing and will exist in future and are formed from this non-living root matter (Prakṛti).
9. Entire universe is created within and from this matter only. No activity can occur outside it.
10. It remains in the state of ‘darkness’ and this form of ‘darkness’ does not exist in any other state of matter.
11. Anything that is eligible for destruction is destructed and disintegrated and absorbed into original ‘Kāraṇa–rūpa Prakṛti’.
12. Any type of vibration neither happens nor is possible in this state.
13. There is no motion in this state.
14. This substance is sufficient to form the cosmos or the universe. No other non-living substance is needed.
15. This substance is in the equilibrium state of the three Satva – Rajasa – Tamas ‘Guṇa-s’ (properties) i.e. they exist but are so inactive and inert that they appear like non-existent.
16. This Prakṛti matter holds everything from elementary particles to biggest star and space.

            From Vaidika science perspective, the features of the Prakṛti in above points highlight the state of the root substance at the time of ‘Mahāpralaya’ and before the creation of the universe. The root matter is continuous everywhere and has infinite volume. This way the root causal matter remains dispersed or spread homogeneously everywhere in infinite volume, like it does not exist in present cosmos. An infinite darkness surrounds the entire matter. That matter has zero mass, zero density and has no energy, means at that time, energy, light, temperature, mass, motion, force, space, sound or any subtle vibrations – nothing exists.

            The entire universe is supposedly assimilated in that latent or unexpressed deep dark ‘Prakṛti’. The matter does exist but there is no indication that it exists. It neither exists in wave form nor in particle form. At that time, the ‘Ākāśa’ or what we call as ‘space’ also does not exist as the matter existing then is even smaller than these and nothing subtle can exist ever. This form of matter is called as ‘Prakṛti’ and as it has 3 ‘Guṇa’ (properties) so the ‘Prakṛti’ is also called as ‘Triguṇa’. In Mahābhārata, 30 adjectives have been used to describe it.

3.5 The ‘Guṇa’ (properties) of Prakṛti

            Prakṛti has three properties- Satva – Rajasa – Tamas (SRT). Their mutual equilibrium is called as Prakṛti. Also, it implies that when these are in inert or non-active state they remain in equilibrium. Let us now learn about them-

1. Satva – Satva is that property, that creates light and attractive forces and makes the creatures feel happy and at peace.
2. Rajasa – This gives rise to repulsive – projectile forces and initiates motion; implies that the cause of these is Rajoguṇa. Mobility, versatility, love-hate etc. in creatures are due to Rajoguṇa.
3. Tamas – Darkness, idleness, inactivity, mass, heaviness etc. are due to Tamoguṇa. This gives rise to stupidity, fascination, excessive sensuality, laziness and anger in the creatures.

            In Mahābhārata, as per Maharṣi Brahmā these exist in pairs, are mutually dependent and supportive, follow each other and stay combined. Tamoguṇa pairs with Satva, Satva pairs with Rajasa, Rajasa pairs with Satva and Satva goes with Tamas.

            In the language of modern physics, it can be understood as where there is mass, there is force, even if it is a force of gravity. Where there is force, there will certainly be an activity. Where there is activity there will be a force behind; like no force exist without field and field cannot exist without activity. Likewise, where there is force, there will be mass too. In this entire discussion, only ‘Kāla’ (time) is the exception and it is because, the force is of the conscious entity, hence the rule is not applied as it is. Controlling (restricting) Tamoguṇa will increase Rajoguṇa and controlling the Rajoguṇa will increase the Satvaguṇa.

            Let us try to understand it in different way. If we restrict the inertness (Jadatva) of an object, its self-activity increases viz. in nuclear fusion the mass (Jadatva) transforms in to energy (motion); and if the motion of the particle is restricted, it releases energy and light, just like a meteor shines while entering the atmosphere and restricting the movement of an electron releases heat and light (Bremsstrahlung). 

            As per Maharṣi Brahmā, till the time Satvaguṇa exists, the Rajoguṇa will surely be present. Also, till the time Tamoguṇa exists, the Satvaguṇa and Rajoguṇa will certainly be present.

            Here it is clear that Satva and Rajasa can stay without Tamas, but for Tamoguṇa both Satvaguṇa and Rajoguṇa are to be present. In Kāla Tattva (time), the two Satva and Rajasa are present and the Tamoguṇa is in complete inactive state.

Let us understand it –

            In this universe, objects that have attributes like illumination and force, have mobility, activity and very less inertness, mass etc. Light, which is always in motion also has some mass. Hence, the light has all the three attributes (SRT Guṇa-s). On the other hand, if we consider elementary particles, they have mass and motion but very less illumination, hence they too have all the three attributes (SRT Guṇa-s).

       In this chapter we have learnt about the causal root matter of universe i.e. Prakṛti and its attributes which remain inert and inactive in that state.