The Concept of Evolution in Hinduism
Swami Navananma
Jnana Tapaswi
The riddle
behind the origin of universe, its sustenance and transformation has always
vexed human intelligence and imagination. Nevertheless, the vigor of man’s
search to discover the unknown has never weakened. That there is an Invisible Idea behind Creation is
fundamental in spirituality. This fundamental plan or idea is behind the origin
of life-energy (soul or jeeva), its manifestation and transformation through a
physical medium. Indian spiritual thought is related to this perception
regarding the successive evolvement of soul and body.
The soul in its
infinitesimal form should evolve to its Absolute nature, which necessitates an
evolutionary scheme. Nature has an
inherent character to evolve the jeeva
to its Absolute status through a series of evolutionary incarnations. There is
the process of molding the physical setting according to the nature and quality
of evolution presupposing an inter-relationship between spirit’s evolutionary
status and physical attributes. There exists, also a divine intervention that
creates or directs this rhythmic evolution.
The uniqueness
of Indian spirituality is this idea of a divine Intervention in the form of a
spiritual embodiment, i.e. Guru Incarnation in the evolutionary process of soul
and body. In the practical plane, this concept existed in India in the form of
Guru-Disciple spirituality in the scheme of Sanatana Dharma. Since the
evolutionary process is successive, the manifestation of Guru is also
successive in terms of humanity’s spiritual progression. This process has been
ordained in a manner of karma and dharma
according to the age, which is termed as Yuga
Dharma.
Yuga Dharma is
the dharmic orientation of life in accordance with the evolving cycles of time
for the soul and body to evolve from its imperfect state to its Absolute status
or from the state of nescience to absolute enlightenment. Indian spirituality
considers the relationship between an enlightened Guru - who is the embodiment
of absolute realization- and the souls who are struggling to attain freedom
from the chains of imperfection as the fundamental dharma for the evolvement
and fulfillment of all living beings.
There is a
revelatory knowledge, which gives the information about such Guru Incarnations
who help the imperfect souls to reach the path of perfection. We were not able
to comprehend the history of revelations about such great souls and about the
prophesies made by them about the incarnations that are to come in succession.
We should realize that beyond the miraculous feats and occult performances,
there is this path of spiritual evolvement for the soul and body in accordance
with a perennial law in nature. There should be a correction to our ignorance on
this subject, as it is not good to wait yet.
There is a
spiritual order in the universe, which is uniform and binding to all peoples in
the world. The seers had discovered this truth, but the institutions built up
in their names have been spiritually incapable to perceive this universal
truth, dogma and superstitions blocking their real progress. For the devotees
of God, a rational understanding of spirituality is essential for evolving
higher.
