Not the Non-Existent [Summary and Question Answer]

Not the Non-Existent

Not the Non-Existent [Summary]

Nasdiya Sukta is the hymn of Rig Veda talks about the creation of the universe. According to it, before the creation of the universe, there was not any existence of anything. There was no sky, air, death, immortality, heaven, and hell. Due to the lack of sun and moon, there was neither night nor day. There was only a deep dark and unfathomed depth of water.

There is no mention of Brahma as a creator in the poem but we should connect the hymn with Brahma. Later, in the heart of Brahma, there arose a feeling to create the universe. Such desire for the creation of Brahma has been sensed by sages. To make the universe, Brahma throws important and primal seeds everywhere.

Gods were also created after the creation so they do not know before the creation of the universe how and when it was created. At last, in the hymn, there is written that the creator is in the highest heaven from where he controls each and everything in the universe.

Not the On-Existent [Question Answer]

In the beginning what was or was not there?

Ans: In the beginning, there was no sky, heaven air, death, any living, and non-living things but there was only water and dark everywhere.

Why is "chaos" modified by the adjective "indiscriminated"?

 Ans: "Chaos" is modified by the adjective "indiscriminated" because before creation, chaos was not only in part but was everywhere.

How can something be "breathless, breathed by its own nature"?

Ans: Something can be "breathless", breathed by its own nature by the grace of Brahma.

How is desire defined in the poem Not the On-Existent?

Ans: Desire is defined in the poem as the primal seed and germ of spirit.

What does "free action" here refer to in the poem Not the On-Existent?

Ans: "Free action here" may refer to the distribution of the creation of seeds which equally were spread in above, below and everywhere of universe.

Who knows the mystery of creation?

Ans: Brahma or holy sage knows the mystery of creation.

Make a list of paradoxical or contradictory statements in the poem. Also, suggest the function of such statements.

Ans: There are many paradoxical or contradictory statements such as the god is later than this universe's invention so that they even do not know when it is created. Before the creation of the universe, it is void and formless. That one thing, breathless, breathed by its own nature. Paradoxical or contradictory statements of such statements make us aware to find the actual ideas so that we can use our minds and logic whether such ideas are real or false. In such a stage, readers become instrumental judges of the presented ideas.

This primordial deity did breathe, that is to say, it was alive, but it needed no air. How do you explain this phenomenon?

Ans: Being an educated reader, I do not think that there was a deity and God. So, the explanation of whether the deity breathed or not is a really awkward question to me. If there was the existence of a deity, then how they can survive without air.

The hymn deliberately puzzles and challenges by raising unanswerable questions and paradoxes. Discuss.

Ans: The poem is a part of a hymn. Naturally, hymn fuses superstition and religious faith. Religion talks about beyond the reality that we cannot see, touch, and feel. So, the poem is a part of hymn challenges by raising unanswerable questions and paradoxes.

What do you think the poem is: a series of answers or a series of questions? Give reasons.

Ans: Nasadiya Sukta begins with the statement: " Then, there was neither existence nor non-existence. " It ponders when, why, and by whom the universe came into being in a contemplative tone, and provides no definite answers. Rather, it concludes that the gods too may not know because they came after creation. The poem uses a series of answers or a series of questions because the creation of the world is still mysterious. I think that it is just a guess to say that before the universe, there is no air, death but only darkness and water.

How can the universe have sprung into existence, that is, how can something come out of nothing? How can there be a beginning, before which there was nothing?

Ans: According to Rig Bed, before creation, there was nothing, except dark and unfathomable water. Once Brahma got a desire to create but in such creation, there is cause and effect that we do not know. If we talk about science, it tells us that universe was created via the Big Bang theory.

Since the Big Bang, the universe has been expanding. The theory suggests in the early years, everything was made of gas. This gas, mostly hydrogen and helium, later the gas expanded and cooled. Over billions of years, gravity caused gas and dust to form galaxies, stars, planets, and more. The matter that spread out from the Big Bang developed into everything in the universe.

Previous Post Next Post