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The Purpose Of Creation Is To Give Individual Souls One More Chance Of Redemption - Aitareya Upanishad

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The purpose of creation, as explained in the Aitareya Upanishad, is to offer the unredeemed jivas (individual souls) another opportunity for redemption. This perspective underscores the cyclical nature of existence and the continual chance for spiritual growth and liberation. To facilitate this, each jiva is endowed with a suitable body and an appropriate sphere of activity. These spheres of activity are provided by the various lokas (worlds or planes of existence), which cater to different levels of consciousness and spiritual evolution.

The Viratpurusha, or the Cosmic Person, serves as the template from which these bodies are fashioned. This Cosmic Person is an embodiment of the entire universe and its diverse functions, illustrating the interconnectedness of all creation. Within this framework, the creation of physical bodies includes not only the tangible, material form but also the sense organs and the mind. These components are crucial as they form the basis of all activity and experience.

In this grand cosmic scheme, deities like Agni (fire) and Aditya (sun) play pivotal roles. These deities are known as lokapalas, or 'protectors of the worlds.' They are endowed with the responsibility of maintaining cosmic order and ensuring the proper functioning of the universe. Each deity symbolizes a particular aspect of creation and its sustaining power.

At the cosmic level, these deities represent the totality or essence of specific principles. For example:

  • Agni symbolizes the fire principle, embodying the transformative and illuminating power of fire.
  • Aditya (Surya) represents the sun, symbolizing the source of light and energy essential for life.

At the individual level, these cosmic principles manifest as controlling powers of specific faculties within the body:

  • Agni, on the individual level, corresponds to the power of speech, which is seen as illuminating the unknown areas of knowledge.
  • Aditya influences vision and perception, providing clarity and insight.

This dual representation highlights the microcosm-macrocosm relationship, where the individual reflects the universal principles on a smaller scale. The sense organs and the mind are therefore not just physical entities but are imbued with divine qualities that link the individual to the cosmos.

Additionally, the Aitareya Upanishad discusses the process of creation in a metaphysical sense. It describes how the Supreme Being, desiring to become many, manifested as the universe. This process of manifestation involves stages of creation where different elements and entities come into existence, each serving a specific purpose in the grand design. This cosmology provides a framework for understanding the universe as a dynamic interplay of forces, each with its role in supporting the journey of the jiva towards redemption.

In summary, the Aitareya Upanishad presents a profound vision of creation as a purposeful act aimed at offering jivas a chance for redemption. It integrates the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual dimensions, highlighting the interconnectedness of all aspects of existence and the role of divine powers in maintaining cosmic harmony.