Srishti Suktas

Chinmaya International Foundation (CIF) invites you to a webinar on Srishti Suktas – Hymns of Creation in the Vedas – facilitated by Prof Gauri Mahulikar, the Academic Director of CIF.

The Rigveda is one of the oldest and most revered texts in the world, serving as the foundation of Hinduism and a treasure trove of ancient Indian wisdom, and has 1028 suktas. The Rigveda covers a wide range of subjects, including cosmology, philosophy, rituals, social order, and morality. The suktas dedicated to creation are particularly profound and reflective, exploring the origins of the universe, the nature of existence and the divine forces at play. The Atharvaveda discusses a variety of topics, cosmology is one of these.

The Creation Hymns have significantly influenced later Indian philosophical and religious thought. They are foundational texts for understanding early Vedic cosmology and theology. These suktas continue to be studied and revered, not just for their religious significance, but also for their literary and philosophical depth. Some suktas contemplate the origins of the universe and the forces that govern it. These suktas explore concepts of creation, cosmology, and the relationship between the divine and the natural world.

This Webinar will discuss the five unique suktas about the creation of the world. These are:

1. Purusha Suktam (RV 10.90) with 24 mantras, wherein Purisha is the cosmic being.
2. Nasadiya Suktam (RV 10.129) with 7 mantras, explores the mystery and profundity of creation.
3. Hiranyagarbha Suktam (RV 10.121) with 10 mantras, wherein Hiranyagarbha is the cosmic seed.
4. Aditi Suktam (RV 10.72) with 9 mantras, wherein Aditi is the divine mother of all.
5. Skambha Suktam (AV 10.7) with 44 mantras, explores Skambha, the cosmic pillar or support of the universe, and contemplates the intricate connections between the various aspects of creation and the divine.

Webinar Highlights

• Introduction to the Vedic suktas in general and hymns of creation in particular.
• Five unique suktas that explore the concepts of creation and cosmology
• Etymology, word by word meaning, and translations of selected suktas
• Relationship between the divine and the natural world
• Various interpretations of the creation hymns

Webinar format:
The sessions will be streamed on Zoom.
Recordings will be available on dashboard the next day for those who miss either of the sessions.
Recordings will be available for a period of 3 months post the completion of the Webinar.
Dates: 29 July to 3 August 2024
Number of Sessions: 6 + 1 Q&A
Timings: Everyday 7:00 to 8:00 PM IST

Webinar Fees:₹ 2000, US$ 50

Age Group
18 and above

Prerequisite
Availability of a computer with audio-video internet conferencing facility etc. is mandatory.

Reference Text
PDF will be shared with the registered participants.

Facilitator
Prof. Gauri Mahulikar is the Academic Director at CIF.
Dr. Mahulikar was the Gurudev Tagore Chair of Comparative Literature Professor, former Head of Department of Sanskrit at the Mumbai University and the former Dean of Faculty at Chinmaya Vishwa Vidyapeeth.
To know more about Prof. Gauri Mahulikar please click here.

Contact Details
For further information or clarification
Contact: +91 92077 11517
Email: onlinewebinars@chinfo.org