Dakshinamurthy Sthothram – Sloka 2 – Prologue – The Creation Process & Science

The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) is a general-purpose detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). It has a broad physics program ranging from studying the Standard Model (including the Higgs boson) to searching for extra dimensions and particles that could make up dark matter. The CMS detector is built around a huge solenoid magnet. This takes the form of a cylindrical coil of superconducting cable that generates a field of 4 tesla, about 100,000 times the magnetic field of the Earth. The field is confined by a steel “yoke” that forms the bulk of the detector’s 14,000-tonne weight. Credit: CERN

Wondering what has Higgs Boson to do with Dakshinamurthy Stothram !

Let us have a quick overview of the current scientific scenario related to Theory of Creation (Information collated from the public domain)

Big Bang Theory

When the universe began, it was just hot, tiny particles mixed with light and energy. It was nothing like what we see now. As everything expanded and took up more space, it cooled down. The tiny particles grouped together. They formed atoms. Then those atoms grouped together. Over lots of time, atoms came together to form stars and galaxies. The first stars created bigger atoms and groups of atoms. That led to more stars being born. At the same time, galaxies were crashing and grouping together. As new stars were being born and dying, then things like asteroids, comets, planets, and black holes formed! How long did all of this take? Well, we now know that the universe is 13,800,000,000 years old—that’s 13.8 billion. That is a very long time. That’s pretty much how the universe began. Because it got so big and led to such great things, some people call it the “Big Bang.” But maybe a better name would be the “Everywhere Stretch.”

The Multiverse Theory:

What happened before the Big Bang? No one is sure, and some physicists contend that the word “before” has no clear meaning in this context. The universe could have been eternal, or it could have had a beginning — we just don’t know. In recent years, scientists have developed several theoretical models that attempt to describe epochs that preceded the Big Bang. Advances in physics over the past 30 years have led some physicists and cosmologists to the mind-boggling conclusion that the universe we inhabit is just one of many in existence — perhaps an infinite number. If these scientists are right, then all the stars and galaxies we see in the night sky are but a tiny fraction of an incomprehensibly vast assemblage that scientists call the multiverse.

String Theory in support of Multiverse:

One of the arguments put forth for the existence of a multiverse arises is the string theory, which holds that matter is ultimately composed not of particles but of unimaginably small, vibrating strings or loops of energy. String theory’s equations seem to have a staggering number of possible solutions (perhaps as many as 10^500 — that’s a one followed by 500 zeros). Some string theorists argue that each of these solutions describes a different universe, each with its own physical properties.

Higgs Boson – God Particle:

God Particle or the Higgs boson is the fundamental particle associated with the Higgs field, a field that gives mass to other fundamental particles such as electrons and quarks. A particle’s mass determines how much it resists changing its speed or position when it encounters a force. Not all fundamental particles have mass. The photon, which is the particle of light and carries the electromagnetic force, has no mass at all.

Scientists are now studying the characteristic properties of the Higgs boson to determine if it precisely matches the predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics. If the Higgs boson deviates from the model, it may provide clues to new particles that only interact with other Standard Model particles through the Higgs boson and thereby lead to new scientific discoveries.

Back to Basics:

After these overviews on the theory of creation, here is an observation by Alessandro Fedrizzi (Professor of Quantum Physics at Heriot Watt UNiversity) & Massimiliano Proietti, PhD Candidate)

“The scientific method is after all founded on the reliable notions of observation, measurement and repeatability. A fact, as established by a measurement, should be objective, such that all observers can agree with it. But in a paper recently published in Science Advances, we show that, in the micro-world of atoms and particles that is governed by the strange rules of quantum mechanics, two different observers are entitled to their own facts. In other words, according to our best theory of the building blocks of nature itself, facts can actually be subjective. Observers are powerful players in the quantum world. According to the theory, particles can be in several places or states at once – this is called a superposition. But oddly, this is only the case when they aren’t observed. The second you observe a quantum system, it picks a specific location or state – breaking the superposition. The fact that nature behaves this way has been proven multiple times in the lab. (https://theconversation.com/quantum-physics-our-study-suggests-objective-reality-doesnt-exist-126805)”.

Here is an interesting observation, which I read in one of the news reports recently :

Whether or not there is a “God particle,” we know this about Christ: “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible . . . all things were created by him and for him” (Colossians 1:16).

Sounds familiar – We are trying to find out the cause of Infinity (“Purnam”) and trying our best to define it within the gamut of time and space; well, these scientific work backed up by extremely complex mathematical equations and powerfully equipped astronomy can continue without end. Let us recollect the Shanthi Sloka of Isavasya Upanishad:

पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पूर्णमुदच्यते

पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते

शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः

Isavasyam idham sarvam” ! Isn’t it? This is exactly what Vedas, Upanishads, Saints and Philosophers from Hinduism had told centuries ago through their “darshanas” (perspectives), “vaadaas” (deliberations), commentaries and Slokas.

Sloka No 2 focusses on “Creator and the process”. Let us see “HIM/HER”, the Creator and HIS/HER process for creation in the subsequent blogs.

Author: prabhusponder

A novice venturing out to explore the meaning of life

4 thoughts on “Dakshinamurthy Sthothram – Sloka 2 – Prologue – The Creation Process & Science”

  1. That our ancient sages thought and attempted to explain the mystery of creation is a great feeling when the western world could establish (?) the big bang theory only recently. You have very beautifully explained the two sides in a short space.

  2. Soundar, 
    Wow ! It is great !For supposedly a spiritual starter with a baby crawl as you claim yourself to be, the width and depth of exploration of the study you have depicted in the blog is stupendous. Congratulations. In fact, I am sure such knowledge that you have been able to gain so early in your venture must be the inflow from your previous birth!  The analysis and the narration from different angles in this blog is superior to descriptions given by many Swamijis and Acharyas that I have been able to listen to or read, on similar topics in my own experimentation with spirituality. So, I am tempted to address you as Swami Soundaryanandaji in future if you don’t have any objection. I await your confirmation before addressing you thus. For this response, however, you are still Soundar to me as I have addressed.

    With regard to my own take on the topic of Science vs. Spirituality, I have the following to share with you:
    Both Science & Spirituality, in my opinion, start with the same intention of gaining and discovery of Knowledge with the purpose of improving the quality of life to bring higher peace and happiness to mankind. Towards this end, Science has chosen the external world and environment as the object of study whereas Spirituality has chosen the inner world of Man. Thus, Science questions ‘What is the world?’ while Spirituality enquires ‘Who is Man?’ Thus, scientific knowledge is more about ‘Information on Life’ and spiritual knowledge is all about ‘Transformation in Life’, both trying to find answers for ‘How to deal with Life?’
    Accordingly, scientific knowledge gives us lifestyle and spirituality advocates life of contentment and control. In order to seek such comfort, peace and happiness, Science necessarily has to pursue with gross Body and material objects to explore this world while Spirituality focuses on human Mind of emotions and feelings and the Intellect of ideas and thoughts to assess the right reactions that man has to come up with, in various situations in life. Both these attempts of Science dealing with Body, and Spirituality dealing with Mind & Intellect are with the common purpose of bringing peace & happiness in man’s life! Thus, Science looks at grosser elements and tries to improve them and Spirituality reviews inner subtle elements to derive its goal. 
    Spirituality, in my opinion, claims that human life or ‘Jeeva’ consists of ‘Atma’ & ‘Anatma’ and it tends to focus on ‘Atma’ which is deep inside in human beings to derive its goal. By deduction, at least according to Spirituality, Science supposedly deals with ‘Anatma’. The claim of Spirituality is, ‘Anatma’ is temporary and hence why bother about it, whereas, ‘Atma’ is permanent and let us focus on permanent peace & happiness rather than temporary peace and happiness. 
    Whether both are right or not is not for me to judge!

    Sorry for the long sermon. Have a good day!

    Naresh

    1. Thank you Naresh for two things:
      1. For pulling my leg. I am still Soundar to you and the same old crawling baby in spirituality despite the fact that this BMI complex came earlier than yours to this earth.
      2. For the lucid, crisp and to the point appreciation of both the S (Science and Spirituality).
      God Bless

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