In a world where science and religion are often portrayed as being at odds, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) offers a perspective that is surprisingly modern. Rather than providing a rigid creation myth, the SGGS outlines a philosophical framework that aligns with—and even anticipates—our current understanding of cosmology and biological evolution.
For a Sikh, the discovery of a scientific law is simply a deeper look into Hukam (the Divine Order). Here is how the ancient wisdom of the Gurus mirrors the modern science of our origins.
1. Before the Big Bang: The State of Nothingness
Modern physics describes the "Singularity"—a point of infinite density before the universe expanded. Thousands of years ago, Guru Nanak Dev Ji described a strikingly similar state called Arbad Narbad Dhundukara.
ਅਰਬਦ ਨਰਬਦ ਧੁੰਧੂਕਾਰਾ ॥ ਧਰਣਿ ਨ ਗਗਨਾ ਹੁਕਮੁ ਅਪਾਰਾ ॥
arbad narbad DhunDhookaaraa. Dharan na gagnaa hukam apaaraa.
"For endless eons, there was utter darkness. There was neither earth nor sky; only the Infinite Command existed." (Guru Nanak in SGGS, 1035)
In this pre-creation state, there was no time, no space, and no form—only the potential for existence held within the Divine Will.
2. The Expansion and Multiverses
The Big Bang theory suggests the universe began as a rapid expansion of energy. The SGGS describes this moment as a singular, powerful vibration or command known as Kava-o.
ਕੀਤਾ ਪਸਾਉ ਏਕੋ ਕਵਾਉ ॥ ਤਿਸ ਤੇ ਹੋਏ ਲਖ ਦਰੀਆਉ ॥
keetaa pasaa-o ayko kavaa-o. tis tay ho-ay lakh daree-aa-o.
"You created the vast expanse of the Universe with one Word! From that, hundreds of thousands of rivers (of creation) began to flow." (Guru Nanak Dev in SGGS, 3)
Furthermore, the Guru’s vision was not limited to a single earth or solar system, predating the modern astronomical discovery of galaxies and the "multiverse" theory.
ਪਾਤਾਲਾ ਪਾਤਾਲ ਲਖ ਆਗਾਸਾ ਆਗਾਸ ॥ ਓੜਕ ਓੜਕ ਭਾਲਿ ਥਕੇ ਵੇਦ ਕਹਨਿ ਇਕ ਵਾਤ ॥
paataalaa paataal lakh aagaasaa aagaas. orhak orhak bhaal thakay vayd kahan ik vaat.
"There are hundreds of thousands of netherworlds and hundreds of thousands of skies. Searching for their limits, people have grown weary..." (Guru Nanak in SGGS, 5)
3. The Evolutionary Ladder and the Elements
The SGGS does not view humans as a separate, instantaneous creation. Instead, it describes a long journey through millions of life forms. This aligns with biological evolution—the idea that complex life arises from simpler ancestors and basic chemical elements.
ਪੰਚ ਤਤੁ ਕਰਿ ਤੁਧੁ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਸਭ ਸਾਜੀ…
panch tat kar tuDh sarisat sabh saajee
"From the five elements (Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Ether), You fashioned the entire creation." (Guru Ram Das in SGGS, Page 736)
As these elements combined and life progressed, the soul traveled through various stages:
ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਭਏ ਕੀਟ ਪਤੰਗਾ ॥ ਕਈ ਜਨਮ ਗਜ ਮੀਨ ਕੁਰੰਗਾ ॥
ka-ee janam bha-ay keet patangaa. ka-ee janam gaj meen kurangaa.
"In so many incarnations, you were a worm and an insect; in so many incarnations, you were an elephant, a fish, and a deer." (Guru Arjan Dev in SGGS, Page 176)
Sri Guru Granth Sahib emphasizes that the human form is the result of a process that took "a very long time" (Chirankaal) to fashion.
4. Water: The Cradle of Life
A fundamental tenet of biology is that life began in water. Guru Nanak Dev Ji explicitly placed water at the center of the creative process:
ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇ ਪਵਨਾ ਭਇਆ ਪਵਨੈ ਤੇ ਜਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥ ਜਲ ਤੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣੁ ਸਾਜਿਆ…
saachay tay pavnaa bha-i-aa pavnai tay jal ho-ay. jal tay taribhavan saaji-aa…
"From the True Lord came the air, and from the air came water. From water, He created the three worlds..." (Guru Nanak in SGGS, 19)
5. Cyclic Creation: The Big Bounce
Interestingly, the SGGS suggests that creation is not a one-time event but a recurring cycle, reflecting theories like the "Big Bounce."
ਕਈ ਬਾਰ ਪਸਰਿਓ ਪਾਸਾਰ ॥ ਸਦਾ ਸਦਾ ਇਕੁ ਏਕੰਕਾਰ ॥
ka-ee baar pasri-o paasaar. sadaa sadaa ik aykankaar.
"So many times, the expanse of the universe has been spread out. But through it all, the One Creator remains forever and ever." (Guru Arjan Dev in SGGS, 276)
The Takeaway
The SGGS doesn't contradict science because it views the laws of physics and biology as the physical manifestation of the Creator’s mind. Science explains the mechanisms (The "How"), while Gurbani explains the essence (The "Why").
In the Sikh worldview, there is no conflict between the lab and the Gurdwara. Both are tools to help us understand the wondrous play of the Infinite.
Thought for the day: If the universe is constantly evolving and expanding, shouldn't our consciousness do the same?