Eric von Däniken in his book “Chariots of Gods” proposes an imaginary concept about how Gods, as we know them, might have actually been aliens from distant galaxies with advanced technology and superior intellect. They might have been mere astronauts and scientists from the sky who came to civilize us. For example, all the miracles we talk about might be advanced science experiments. And this might be true as in 1962, in his book “Profiles of the Future: An inquiry into the Limits of the Possible”, well-known science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke quotes, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
Well, quotes are all nice to listen but can we rely on them? All over the world, there are instances carved on every stone that signify the existence of some higher being.
The great tale of “Ramayana”, a tale of brotherhood, promises, love, devotion, and the victory of GOOD over BAD. Two whole countries, India and Sri Lanka have proof of the abduction of Maa Sita. The geography between the neighboring countries exhibits the proof of the war in form of the RAMSETU.
So, is this real? Or we are overthinking?
On the other hand, science truly has advanced so much and has become an inseparable part in our lives. And the foremost reason to believe in science is that it proves whatever it states. It develops an inquisitive attitude in us, makes us question everything before believing it. And that promotes a rational attitude. But is science really able to prove every single concept it states?
Science students will understand the pain of memorizing all those exceptions in chemistry. In standard 11th and 12th, when we get to know about “thermodynamics”, some of its concepts differ in physics and chemistry at the time of application. We know that till date a truly perfect model of the atomic structure that satisfies all the theories and postulates does not exist.
Astrophysics that deals with the study of the cosmos, prediction of astrological events and their effect on our lives; is now acknowledged by scientists to be the subset of long practiced astrology in so many countries. Not only Indian or Greek astrologers but also astrologers all around the globe have been doing this since the medieval time without any modern technology, just with their knowledge of their respective holy scriptures. Where science is recently talking about the existence of multiverse, parallel worlds and the continuous creation and destruction of the universe, and scientists are struggling for proofs. Hindu Vedic scriptures already mention it.
An example for the repeated universe cycle is that Hindu scriptures talk about a god named “Kakbhushandi” who looked like a humanoid crow. He is said to be beyond the effect of space and time, meaning as where the nature’s cycle repeats itself. Due to this ability, he is said to have watched the “RAMAYANA” played out eleven times and the “MAHABHARAT” sixteen times and that too with different outcomes each time!
There is a ritual in Hinduism to offer food to crows on the death anniversary of our loved ones. It is believed that God “Kakbhushandi” in the form of crows due to his time travelling ability will deliver our love and affection to our loved ones in their after lives.
Most of the times where the idea of parallel universes disturbs many scientists, it is entirely natural in Indian traditions. In the Bhagwat Gita, Lord Krishna offers a glimpse of multiple cosmic creations and annihilations to his disciple Arjun; different universes are located in different parts of the cosmic body of Krishna.
Also in the Puranas, the multiverse is imagined in this way: There are innumerable universes besides this one, and although they are unlimitedly large, they move about like atoms in You. Therefore, You are called limitless.
Scientists like ‘Erwin Schrödinger’, ‘Werner Heisenberg’, and ‘Nikola Tesla’ admit their inspirations from the Vedas and Upanishads, and even show interest in studying them deeply. Just like the father of the atomic bomb, ‘Julius Robert Oppenheimer’ was influenced by the Bhagwat Gita, Mahabharata and other Indian historical facts. He studied Sanskrit and read the Bhagwat Gita in Sanskrit itself. He said, “Access to the Vedas is the greatest privilege this century may claim over all previous centuries.”
The Danish physicist Niels Bohr, well known for his tremendous contribution in atomic structure and quantum theory, in Stephen Prothero’s book ‘God Is Not One’ (pg. 144), quotes, “I go to the Upanishads to ask questions.”
American astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicist, astrobiologist and philosopher, ‘Carl Sagan’ was a devout Hindu and has quote,
- “The Hindu religion is the only one of the world’s great faiths dedicated to the idea that the Cosmos itself undergoes an immense, indeed an innate, number of deaths and rebirths. It is the only religion in which the time scales correspond, to those of modern scientific cosmology. Its run from our ordinary day and night to a day and night of Brahma, 8.64 billion years long. Longer than the age of the Earth or the Sun and half about the time since the Big Bang. And there are much longer time scales still.” [Carl Sagan, Cosmos]
- “A millennium before Europeans were willing to divest themselves of the Biblical idea that the world was a few thousand years old, the Mayans were thinking of millions and the Hindus billions.” [Carl Sagan, Cosmos, pg. 213-214]
Now, don’t get me wrong. Giving all these instances I’m not promoting everything followed in the myths. Superstitions like child marriage, Sati Pratha, ill omen due to crossing a cat or breaking of glass or restricting women from going to temples during their periods; are all illogical and might be created by mindless fools. “God’s going to get angry if you eat nonveg on Monday or Thursday.” Seriously? Will the creator of the entire universe judge me on what I eat on which day, and not by my deeds or behavior or how I treat my parents? Is he going to forgive all those who do not eat meat but fool millions, give false hopes and murder dozens to silence them?
And restricting low castes and women on periods? Are you in your right mind? If I am a parent and my child does a low paying job. Am I going to restrict him or her from my house or not talk to her? Will any mother in the whole world not touch her daughter in pain just because she is on her periods? Is my team lead going to decide whether I am a good employ on the basis of my vegetarian or nonvegetarian diet and not on the basis of my monthly performances? NO! right? Then how can we believe that the one created and governs the delicate balance of the universe will be that mindless?
Therefore, as mentioned above, ‘Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.’ Instead of arguing on points on both sides that don’t have a head or tail, we should look at concepts that make sense but are little too advanced to be comprehended with present understanding. Both science and mythology have answers to each other’s questions. Both of them complement each other’s statements. So, it will be wiser to study both sides and enrich our knowledge and understanding of the universe leading us to become a much advanced and intelligent civilization.
What do you guys think?