CREATION - PLANET EARTH & MOON

                                 

 

Blog No. 4:

The Creation of Planet Earth and the Moon

In Blog No. 3, we explored contemporary thought on the creation of the Universe. Today, let us journey into the origins of our home—Planet Earth.

Scientific Perspective: Birth of Earth and Moon

The Universe began approximately 13.8 billion years ago, emerging from an infinitely dense point—a singularity. Galaxies and planets formed gradually, with Earth appearing around 4.54 billion years ago. At that time, the Moon did not exist; it formed roughly 40 million years later.

Earth’s formation occurred through a process called accretion, where dust and gas from the solar nebula clumped together under gravity. These collisions created a molten proto-Earth, which eventually cooled, developed a crust, and began forming oceans through volcanic outgassing.

Around this time, a Mars-sized protoplanet named Theia collided with the young Earth. The impact was so immense that it:

•    Absorbed part of Theia into Earth, increasing its size

•    Ejected molten debris into orbit, which coalesced to form the Moon

•    Tilted Earth’s axis, giving rise to seasons

Lunar rocks brought back by Apollo missions show a composition nearly identical to Earth’s crust, supporting this theory. The Giant Impact Hypothesis was first proposed in 1946 by Canadian geologist Reginald Daly.

 

Mythological Perspective: Varaha Avatar and Bhumi Devi

In the Bhagavata Purana, the creation of Bhumi Devi (Earth) is told through the divine tale of Varaha Avatar, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Satya Yuga.

The story begins in Vaikuntha, where Vishnu’s gatekeepers, Jaya and Vijaya, deny entry to the four sons of Brahma. Angered, the sages curse them to be born as mortals. Vishnu consoles them, saying the curse will end only when he slays them himself.

Thus, Jaya and Vijaya are born as the demon brothers Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu. Empowered by a boon from Brahma, Hiranyaksha becomes arrogant and drags the Earth into the depths of the cosmic ocean.

To restore balance, Vishnu incarnates as a colossal boar—Varaha—emerging from Brahma’s nostrils. He dives into the ocean, lifts Bhumi Devi on his tusks, and places her safely above. A fierce battle ensues, and as sunset nears, Varaha slays Hiranyaksha, fulfilling the curse and restoring Earth to its rightful place.

                                 

Picture depicting Varaha Avatar lifting Bhumi Devi

on his tusk and bringing her back from the depths of the ocean.

(Custom-made by Copilot)

 

The Varaha Avatar symbolizes cosmic rescue, divine justice, and the triumph of Dharma.

Vedic Time Cycles

In Puranic cosmology, the age of Earth is divided into four Yugas:

•    Satya Yuga

•    Treta Yuga

•    Dvapara Yuga

•    Kali Yuga

One full cycle of these four yugas is called a Maha Yuga (4.32 million years).

1,000 Maha Yugas make up a Kalpa, or one day of Brahma.

After each cycle, the universe undergoes Pralaya (dissolution) before being recreated anew.

 

Moon in Mythology: Chandra and Tara

Chandra, the Moon god, is a fascinating figure in Indian mythology. Born to sage Atri and Anasuya, he is the brother of Dattatreya and Durvasa, and is traditionally married to the 27 daughters of Daksha, who embody the Nakshatras (lunar constellations).

One of the most dramatic episodes in Chandra’s lore involves Tara, the wife of Brihaspati (planet Jupiter in Vedic astrology), guru of the Devas. Tara, drawn to Chandra, chooses to stay with him despite Brihaspati’s pleas. The conflict escalates into a celestial standoff, with Indra threatening war and the Asuras, led by Shukra (Planet Venus in Vedic astrology) preceptor of the Asuras and, siding with Chandra.

                            

The Picture shows Tara eloping with Chandra.

(Custom made picture by Copilot)

 

Eventually, Brahma intervenes, restoring peace and compelling Chandra to return Tara. However, Tara is pregnant, and a dispute arises over the child’s paternity. Upon Brahma’s inquiry, Tara confirms Chandra as the father. The child, Budha, later becomes the deity of intellect and planetary wisdom.

In Conclusion

The creation of Earth and Moon took place approximately 4.5 billion years ago, long before any conscious observer existed. What we understand today are a blend of scientific theories and mythological narratives—each offering a unique lens into the mystery of our origins.

Science continues to evolve. In 1946, the first modern theory of lunar formation was proposed. As knowledge expands, we inch closer to comprehending the vast cosmos that began 13.8 billion years ago.

As Isaac Newton humbly reflected near the end of his life: “I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.”

In the Bhagavad Gita, Shloka 11.8 conveys a similar truth about the limits of human perception:

न तु मां शक्यसे द्रष्टुमनेनैव स्वचक्षुषा ।

दिव्यं ददामि ते चक्षुः पश्य मे योगमैश्वरम् ॥

Which Means:

But you cannot see My cosmic form with these physical eyes of yours. Therefore, I grant you divine vision. Behold My majestic opulence!

Visvarupa form of Krishna

(Custom made by Copilot)

 

 

 

Thereafter, Arjuna beheld the Visvarupa—the universal form of Krishna. This shloka beautifully illustrates that divine reality transcends the limitations of human perception. Only through divine grace can one glimpse the true form of the Supreme.

Yet, human nature is inherently inquisitive. We continue to probe deeper and deeper. In the days to come, new knowledge will emerge, and fresh interpretations of ancient texts will unfold—bridging the timeless wisdom of the past with the evolving insights of the present.

TO BE CONTINUED…

In the next blog, we will dive deeper into the mysteries of the Valmiki Ramayan.