Cosmos according to Sikhi
Although not exclusively a study of the Cosmos, the Sikh Scriptures do give important information about some interesting facts about the Universe that we live in; some of this information we can now verify scientifically but when this text was first written during the 1500's and 1600's, these statements must have been revolutionary and difficult to comprehend.
It is ironic that while the Sikh religion in the East was advancing our knowledge about the Cosmos and supporting the view of plurality of inhabited worlds, in the West an Italian philosopher, cosmologist, and a truly brilliant man, Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake by authorities in 1600 for expressing these "radical" views.
Planets, solar systems and galaxies, with no limit, no end
In the 37th verse of Japji Sahib, the first Bani (composition) in the Guru Granth Sahib, the founder master, Guru Nanak tells us that the Lord's creation is vast; it is beyond limits and that there is "no end"; further just to describe this is as "hard as steel". Also, the universe consists of planets, solar systems and galaxies - khand, mandal varbhand; there worlds upon worlds of His creation; limitless beyond comprehension. Here is the relevant part of the 37th verse of Japji:
| ਤਿਥੈ ਖੰਡ ਮੰਡਲ ਵਰਭੰਡ ॥ ਜੇ ਕੋ ਕਥੈ ਤ ਅੰਤ ਨ ਅੰਤ ॥
ਤਿਥੈ ਲੋਅ ਲੋਅ ਆਕਾਰ ॥ ਜਿਵ ਜਿਵ ਹਕਮ ਤਿਵੈ ਤਿਵ ਕਾਰ ॥ ਵੇਖੈ ਵਿਗਸੈ ਕਰਿ ਵੀਚਾਰ ॥ ਨਾਨਕ ਕਥਨਾ ਕਰੜਾ ਸਾਰ ॥੩੭॥ |
| Ŧithai kẖand mandal varbẖand. Je ko kathai ṯa anṯ na anṯ.
Ŧithai lo▫a lo▫a ĝkĝr. Jiv jiv hukam ṯivai ṯiv kĝr. vekẖai vigsai kar vīcẖĝr. Nĝnak kathnĝ karṛĝ sĝr. (37) |
| There are planets, solar systems and galaxies.
If one speaks of them, there is no limit, no end. There are worlds upon worlds of His Creation. As He commands, so they exist. He watches over all, and contemplating the creation, He rejoices. O Nanak, to describe this is as hard as steel! (37) |
See also
This article is part of the series on the "Message of Gurbani"
