Vedic Evolution

Evolution in general means a process of change or transformation. Evolution commonly used to refer to biological, genetic or organic evolution. Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generation. History of evolutionary theory refers to Overview, Renaissance, Before Darwin, Darwin, Origin of Species, Before synthesis, Modern synthesis, Molecular evolution, Evo-devo, Current research, History of speciation, History of paleontology, etc. Modern synthesis theory of evolution shed light on population genetics, genetic variation, natural selection, eclipse of Darwinism and non-Darwinian theories of evolution. Malthusian completion and variation lead to Natural selection.Mutation lead to Genetic variation and Mendelian inheritance. All these together ended in Modern synthesis. Vedic evolution refers to the philosophy and science of evolution according to Vedas. Hinduism sheds light of the Origin of life, creation and evolution based on Vedas, Brahmanas and Puranas. The Rigveda mentions the Hiranyagarbha (“golden embryo”) as the source of the Personal and Impersonal Universe, similar to the “world egg” motif found in the creation myths of many other civilizations. Hindus find support for evolution in scriptures. Dashavatara has similarities to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. The Shatapatha Brahmana states that the current human generation descends from Manu, the only man who survived is comparable to the other flood legends, such as the story of the Noah’s Ark mentioned in the Bible and the Quran. Hindu Dharma believes in the evolution and involution of forms of lives according to Karma of individuals. In every form of species exists the soul that stands as eternal witness of thoughts of mind that becomes actions. Author of this book, exhibits his findings of serious research about “Evolution according to Vedas, in relation to that of contemporary modern synthesis theory of evolution, that the origin of man is time immemorial. The end of man is the climax of human evolution i.e., Suddha Prajne, i.e., Pure Consciousness, which is the embodiment of “Sat Chit Ananda i.e,. Eternal Truth – Eternal Knowledge – Eternal Bliss.” The book “Vedic Evolution : Its Philosophy and Science” may become a source book for finding solutions to Global Harmony, Happiness and Peace. Human life lead naturally leads to Pure Consciousness.Vedic Evolution is the evolution of human life from: “Falsity to Truth; from Ignorance to Wisdom; from Death to Immortality.” Vedic message to humanity is: “O Man, you have to live hundred years, evolving healthily-happily and spiritually, until you become one with THAT SUPREME PURE CONSCIOUSNESS WHICH IS ALL PERVASIVE, BOTH IN THE SEEN AND UNSEEN COSMIC EGG OR BRAHMANADA.”

The idea that the universe was created by God often meets hostile opposition from proponents of rationality and science because unlike science that creates empirical laws, religious theories seem to make no verifiable predictions. But in Vedic Creationism, author Ashish K. Dalela shows that a personal theistic account of creation given in the Vedas has radical implications for the study of matter and questions of creation, including new verifiable predictions based upon a different conception of reality. An expansive examination of the meaning of the universe by comparing and contrasting varying philosophical vantages, Vedic Creationism covers the journey from Vedic notions on God's personality and conscious mind to the implication these ideas have for the origins of life and the attainment of quantum gravity. Dalela relates the ideas in Vedic philosophy with the current state of affairs in modern science including the mind-body problem, the unification of quantum and relativity theories, and the question of evolution and origins of life. Presenting new, forward-looking ideas, Vedic Creationism will help put the age-old wisdom of Vedas in a modern light and open new areas of dialogue.

In this book I have given the Vedic theory of Life which incorporates consciousness as the primary characteristic of life. I have given a scientific analysis of what life is and described the characteristics of both Life and Matter and their points of similarity and distinction. I have discussed evolution and then described an alternate theory namely the Vedic theory of evolution of consciousness as opposed to Darwin's theory of evolution of species. The theory of evolution of consciousness is based on creation of various species by God so as to accommodate the varied desires of an infinite number of living beings. The Vedic theory of evolution of consciousness marks the dawning of a new era in which consciousness will come to be incorporated as an essential item in our scientific theories about life and its origin. Topics covered are: * What is Life? - Life vs. Matter * Proof of God's existence * Evolution * Evolution of consciousness * Moral implications What is Life? Is life simply a product of or combination of material elements? How can matter which is devoid of consciousness give rise to life which is conscious? These questions are the basis of a scientific analysis of life and the debate: creation vs. evolution. I have also discussed in this book the moral and spiritual ramifications of these theories. These fundamental theories of life have far reaching moral consequences on the course of development and well being of mankind. The significance of these theories cannot be over estimated as these are fundamental theories of life. The course of mankind depends on its thinking as regards life and thinking of mankind is greatly influenced by what is taught in schools about life and its origin. Hence this discussion: creation vs. evolution is very important. By teaching Darwin's theory of evolution mankind is on the perilous course of a godless society where the moral fabric of society is being eroded.

The Vedic tradition of India is rooted in Sanatana Dharma, the eternal and universal truths that are beneficial to everyone. It includes many avenues of self-development that an increasing number of people from the West are starting to investigate and use, including: Yoga Meditation and spiritual practice Vedic astrology Ayurveda Vedic gemology Vastu or home arrangement Environmental awareness Vegetarianism Social cooperation Global peace And much more Vedic Culture shows the advantages of the Vedic paths of improvement and self-discovery that you can use in your own life to attain personal awareness, happiness, and fulfillment. It also provides a new view of what these avenues have to offer from some of the most prominent writers on Vedic culture in the West, who discovered how it has affected and benefited their own lives. For the benefit of individuals and for social progress, the Vedic system is as relevant today as it was in ancient times. Discover why there is a growing renaissance in what the Vedic tradition has to offer in Vedic Culture.

Providing new insights into the contemporary creationist-evolution debates, this book looks at the Hindu cultural-religious traditions of India, the Hindu Dharma traditions. By focusing on the interaction of religion and science in a Hindu context, it offers a global context for understanding contemporary creationist-evolution conflicts and tensions utilizing a critical analysis of Hindu perspectives on these issues. The cultural and political as well as theological nature of these conflicts is illustrated by drawing attention to parallels with contemporary Islamic and Buddhist responses to modern science and Darwinism. The book explores various ancient and classical Hindu models to explain the origin of the universe encompassing creationist as well as evolutionary—but non-Darwinian—interpretations of how we came to be. Complex schemes of cosmic evolution were developed, alongside creationist proofs for the existence of God utilizing distinctly Hindu versions of the design argument. After examining diverse elements of the Hindu Dharmic traditions that laid the groundwork for an ambivalent response to Darwinism when it first became known in India, the book highlights the significance of the colonial context. Analysing critically the question of compatibility between traditional Dharmic theories of knowledge and the epistemological assumptions underlying contemporary scientific methodology, the book raises broad questions regarding the frequently alleged harmony of Hinduism, the eternal Dharma, with modern science, and with Darwinian evolution in particular.