Three Pillars of Existence: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva

Sadhguru talks about Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva and how they signify the different aspects of existence. Sadhguru explains that Brahma is about the genesis, Vishnu is about the organization of the creation, and Shiva is oblivion.

Distilled essence of Sadhguru’s talk via ChatGPT

Three Fundamental Forces of Creation

The universe operates through three fundamental forces or dimensions: creation, maintenance, and destruction.

• Brahma represents creation.
• Vishnu represents maintenance.
• Shiva represents destruction or dissolution.

These three forces are not separate entities but manifestations of the same underlying reality. On the surface, they appear distinct, but deep down, they are one.

The trishul (trident) is a symbol of this unity of the three forces, not a literal weapon. It represents the understanding that creation, maintenance, and destruction function seamlessly as a singular reality.

Microcosm and Macrocosm: The Same Principles

The same three forces are present at every level of existence:

• From proton, neutron, and electron in an atom to the entire cosmos.
• Within the human body, cells are created, maintained, and destroyed continuously, mirroring the cosmic cycle.
• When all three forces function as one, they represent Mahadeva (the great god). Shiva, as the destroyer, symbolizes the foundation upon which creation and maintenance occur.

Shiva as the Boundless Nothingness

Shiva means “that which is not” — a representation of emptiness or oblivion, the vast, limitless space that allows creation to happen.

Creation and destruction occur in the “lap of Shiva,” the infinite, boundless nothingness that underlies all existence.

The largest element in the universe is the empty darkness of space, not the stars or galaxies. This “darkness” is Shiva, often called the “Dark One.”

Modern science parallels this understanding with concepts like dark energy and dark matter, which hold the cosmos together despite being imperceptible and mysterious.

Science and the Limits of Understanding

Modern science is discovering the limits of its explanatory power. For example:

• Gravity, which science cannot yet fully explain, is hypothesized to involve a “dark force” akin to Shiva’s nature.
• Concepts like quantum mechanics and the vastness of space reflect the idea that the foundation of reality is something intangible and beyond conventional understanding.

Recognizing the Source in Everything

Sadhguru emphasizes that the source of creation is present in every aspect of existence, from atoms to living beings.

Acknowledging this source is a personal act of reverence, expressed symbolically by treating everything — whether a person, animal, or object — with the same respect as a deity.

This perspective stems from the dialectical worldview of Indian culture, which sees the cosmos as seamless and interconnected, without boundaries or divisions.

Key Takeaways

1. The universe is governed by three fundamental forces: creation, maintenance, and destruction, which are ultimately one.
2. Shiva represents the vast, limitless void (darkness) in which creation occurs and dissolves.
3. The microcosm (atoms) and macrocosm (cosmos) follow the same principles.
4. Modern science, through discoveries like dark energy, is aligning with ancient insights about the foundation of reality.
5. Reverence for all forms of existence stems from the recognition of the same source of creation in everything.