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Home , Atharvaveda, Vimana

Vol. 2 No. 2 October 2018

Descriptions Of Aliens (Extraterrestrial Beings) In Vedic Scriptures

By: I.B. Arya Lawa Manuaba1, I Nyoman Sudirman2 1English Education Department STKIP Suar Bangli, Bali 2Elementary School Teacher Education Department STKIP Suar Bangli E-mail: [email protected]

Received: August 4, 2018 Accepted: September 10, 2018 Published: October 31, 2018

Abstract

Polemics emerge when religion is faced to the fact that there are supposedly visitation of intelligent beings from other planets in many cases from ancient times up to now. Vedic literature as basis of Hindu religious teachings is one of many religious resources which can be used as reference to this inquiry. This descriptive-qualitative study aims to (1) clarify whether Vedic Scriptures mention about extraterrestrial life, or intelligent life outside Planet Earth, and (2) enlist categories of extraterrestrial life as mentioned in the Vedic Scriptures. The methods used are literature study and documentary. Result of the study reveals that Vedic Scriptures, especially the four , and clearly mention about existence of extraterrestrial species (alien beings) and their interactions with humans since the Vedic era. These extraterrestrial beings are of different categories which are more elaborately enlisted in some major Puranic literatures.

Keywords: extraterrestrial, alien, Vedic scriptures.

I. Introduction always connected to vested and ascribed Sometimes there is a big gap between patterns of thought and thus labelled as being science and religion on the basis of liability bias to scientifically explain why something of a phenomenon to be properly proven is believed and conducted. (Thompson, 1995). Science deals with The Vedic system of belief, however, is systematic thought, following certain rules not based on dogmas. The word veda itself and methods to prove and examine. In the means „knowledge‟ (Thakura, 2006) and other hand, religion is mostly imbued with thus Veda is actually a compilation of faith which often leads to unchangeable knowledge, or vidyas. Therefore, Veda does dogmatic perspective. Since then, religion is not exist in the form of a book, but

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collections of revealed knowledge instead. stated in the Vedas truly exist in this According to its objects, there are two universe, but anything which do not exist in categories of knowledge namely para- the Vedas are in fact nonexistent (knowledge about reality beyond sensual (Thompson, 2010: 23). perception and human logic) and apara- One of intriguing scientific issues which vidya (knowledge about material reality) has become major polemic in its relation to (Singh, 2010). Math, chemistry, physics, religion is the existence of extraterrestrial social science, and health science are life, which is broadly known as aliens in included in apara-vidya section, whereas common. Scientific communities have been knowledge on the nature of difference pushed to study about possibility of between material symptoms and spiritual extraterrestrial life since emergence of reality is known as para-vidya. For instance, frequent unexplainable cases of abduction, procedural knowledge of how someone boils cattle mutilation, disorientation and a cup of coffee is apara-vidya, while subtle hallucination in the US during the 40s and science on difference between coffee seeds 80s, or during and after the World War 2. In (which is a living entity) and a piece of order to examine those strange phenomena, abiotic rock is para-vidya. the government of the US established Project Bhagavad-gita, the most prominent and Blue Book in 1952, which successfully well-known Hindu scripture defines collected more than 5,000 cases of alien characters of para-vidya knowledge as sightings, encounters and abductions in the guhya, guhyataram and guhyatamam,— US only (Hidel, 2016). UFO and alien confidential, more confidential and the most observers emerged in the US in the 60s and confidential (Prabhupada, 2009: 190). The after UFO phenomena became worldwide reason why this para-vidya is called issue in 1980s, a lot of UFO researchers confidential is that since it is unobservable started to thrive around the globe. through common sensual perception and Center of UFO Studies in Illinois, US logic only. This level of knowledge is also reported that until 1981 there had been called guhyataram „more confidential‟ and investigations for over 60,000 UFO and alien guhyatamam „the most confidential‟ for it cases from 113 nations worldwide. From can only be fully received if somebody those cases, 2,000 of them are close approaches what is called a knowledge encounters to biological and non-biological authority. In terminology, this entities of extra-earth origin, 200 cases are of authority of knowledge is known as ācārya, alien abductions and the rest are of UFO and „spiritual mentor‟. To attain complete and alien sightings. Further investigations about perfect knowledge, therefore, the Vedic those phenomena were conducted by J. Allen Scriptures themselves offer three methods to Hynek (1910-1986) who proposed five receive knowledge. These three Vedic categories of alien encounters, known methods are known as tri . broadly as CE (Close Encounters). Later, the Since the Vedic Scriptures are CE categories were broaden into 8 kinds by knowledge accepted by either one, two or subsequent UFO researchers as a three pramana methods, all knowledge posthumous tribute to him. present in themselves are not dogmatic, but There are thousands of UFO and alien scientific (Singh, 2010: 23). Therefore, cases falling into each category, starting Vedic Scriptures contain available from 1 to 8 during three decades from 1940s knowledge sufficient for fulfilling human to 1990s. This brought a massive shock to inquiry, ranging from basic inquiry to the both scientific and religious communities. topmost ones (Prabhupada: 2003a), as stated When some prominent UFO and alien in the - by the verse athato researchers came up with study results and jijnasa. In the , Adi- books about alien and UFO phenomena, parva Section it is mentioned that anything there were apparent contradiction and

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confrontation with the religious parties triṁśal-lakṣāṇi paśavaḥ catur-lakṣāṇi especially related to origin of human species mānuṣāḥ || and the existence of intelligent life outside Earth which are contrary to religious “There are 900,000 species living in the dogmas. water. There are also 2,000,000 non-moving Thus, religious communities are even living entities (sthāvara) such as trees and now still being within unclear attitude plants. There are also 1,100,000 species of between belief which is to be strictly insects and reptiles, and there are 1,000,000 followed as well as preserved and undeniable species of birds. As far as quadrupeds are facts. Meanwhile, scientific communities concerned there are 3,000,000 varieties, and have presented scientific probabilities though there are 400,000 humanoid species.” are still skeptical and unable to fully convince people about phenomena Meanwhile, more famous Vedic unmeasurable via available scientific Scriptures as Mahabharata and instruments. If religious parties do not go clearly mention about interspecies wars hand in hand with science in concluding this happening in the far past. There are matter into serious answer and presenting descriptions of wars between demigods itself as knowledge entity parallel to (devas) and demons () of different dogmatic perspective, there will be serious shapes and types. In the Mahabharata, there doubts towards religious principles which are is a description about Arjuna killing Nivata- believed to be revealed from God, the source kavaca demons who resided underwater and of all knowledge. Doubts to religious flied with their advanced space crafts. principles will result in moral degradation In the , Canto 10, and ignorance of the population. Chapter 76, it is mentioned about a war Considering persisting ambiguity in between mischievous King Salva and the either scientific field or religion regarding inhabitants of Dvaraka. Although alien the existence of extraterrestrial beings, entities were not mentioned in the chapter, it serious studies are needed. Besides being does state about flying saucer with fantastic, outstanding and unique, this kind extraordinary technology and weaponry of research can prove the ability and uncommon to human race. reliability of the Vedic Scriptures to fulfill The Ramayana, Sundara Kanda humans‟ needs of knowledge and Section, Chapter 8, Verse 6 vividly mentions enlightenment. In the other side, since the an alien race called the bhutaganas who Vedic Scriptures are a system of knowledge, controlled ‟s flying machine. The then it is certain that Vedic Scriptures can verse is as follows: become a comprehensive resource in both literature studies and historical accounts vahanti yaṁ kuṇḍala-śobhitānanā regarding non-earth originated entities. mahāśanā vyomacarā niśācarāḥ | vivṛtta-vidhvasta-viśāla-locanā II. Theoretical and Empirical Reviews mahājavā bhūtagaṇāḥ sahasraśaḥ || 2.1 Reviews on relevant theories and bibliographies “Those wonderful air crafts roamed Existence of life outside the Earth is the sky with extremely high speed, revealed in many parts of Vedic Scriptures. controlled by thousands of evil creatures One prominent verse is taken from the with big round eyes, with helmets on their Padma Purana: heads.” jalajā nava-lakṣāṇi sthāvarā lakṣa-viṁśati | A lot more evidence are stated in kṛmayo -saṅkhyakāḥ pakṣiṇāṁ daśa- various parts of the Vedic scriptures. Those lakṣaṇam | descriptions suggest an influence of

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extraterrestrial civilization to human according to their specific activities and advancement in the past. features (Prabhupada, 2002b: 56). Since all living entities were created by 2.2 Empirical studies , all living entities were basically Some notable empirical studies about interrelated each other. In the other words, extraterrestrial life forms lay on cases of all living entities sustain in one another in a alien encounters and abductions, research on great circle of mutual symbiosis called supposedly advanced ancient civilizations pravartitam cakram (Bhagavad-gita 3.16). and anomalous artefacts around the world. Thus, all living entities in different planets, Alien encounter and abduction cases range be they demigods or demons, humans or from first to eighth category as per Hynek animals, are originated from one spiritual (1952). Most cases happen in the US and the quality. Meso-America, involving UFO sightings, This spiritual quality is called atma, or seeing non-human UFO crews, abduction, spirit soul. The Vedic scriptures describe surgery without anesthetic procedure, spirit soul‟s attributes and characteristics in revelation of knowledge, mind control, vivid ways through elaborate depictions and brainwashing, taking and sampling of bodily examples in the and Puranas. tissue and fluids, and even sexual intercourse Since atma is superior to all material between human and extraterrestrial being. conditions, atma is unchanged by any Research on ancient advanced civilization material influences. Based on this substantial are conducted for instance by Sitchin (2002) characteristic of an atma, it is concluded that and Daniken (1979), focusing mainly on atmas also exist within the hot sun, cold technology, language and architecture of moon, windy Saturn, high-pressured Venus ancient human civilizations. Those studies and dark Pluto. Those atmas enter a are tightly related to anomalous artefacts particular body of a particular species discovered in ancient sites. Daniken (1979) according to its (activities) and guna defines anomalous artefacts as those cultural (modes of nature which influence the pure artefacts which do not match the mainstream spiritual state of the atma itself). Due to historical timeline. The Dropa stones, different gunas and , each and every discovered in China in 1962, are ones of atma in this material universe enter different many other anomalous artefacts found by material bodies of different compositions in historians that suggest the existence of alien different planets. Therefore, the Vedic influence in human society. Further studies Scriptures describe atma as sarva-gatah, or of the Great Pyramid of Giza also opens new „existing anywhere in the universe‟. Based possibility of advanced anomalous on this status, existence of life in other architectural engineering back to 3,000-5,000 planets is undeniable according to Vedic years before modern machines were Scriptures. invented. Karma and guna determine taxonomy of living entities in the universe. Referring back III. Result and Discussion to Padma Purana [see Section II] about the 3.1 Vedic perspective of extraterrestrial amount of species in the universe, the beings taxonomy is clearly defined. Because atma’s Referring back to Bhagavad-gita, quality is uninterrupted and undiminished by Chapter 3, it is mentioned that the universal any material disturbances in this universe, manifestation was created by Brahma and all atma can enter any particular material bodies living entities were made existent by the with any material compounds. If atmas energy of the Supreme God thorugh the reside in the sun, the composition of their Prajapatis. Prajapatis are primordial living material body will be mainly of hydrogen entities created by Lord Brahma to fill the and helium. If the atmas exist on Earth, their universe with various kinds of living entities material bodies will adjust to the Earthly

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environment. Therefore, according to Vedic on Earth can grow into intelligent reptiles in Scriptures, existence of life is determined by a more suitable planet with more suitable the presence of atmas, and wherever atmas atmosphere, sun rays, soil condition and enter a material body, material life begins. oxygen level. So, intelligent alien life can truly exist on other planets although on Earth 3.2 Major classification of extraterrestrial they may not grow in maximum rate due to beings in Vedic Scriptures unsuitable abiotic conditions. Classification of taxonomy of Krimayas are bacteria, viruses, mono extraterrestrial living entities (aliens) is cellular beings, mollusks, larvae, and worms. based on descriptions in the Padma Purana. In other planets there are alien beings of this Major classifications of aliens are based on type who could think as human beings do. (1) dominant gunas (mode of nature, whether They build cities and roam the space with they are sattvic, rajasic or tamasic), (2) space crafts. In the it is physiology and origin; (3) realms (heavenly, mentioned about this type of extraterrestrial earthly or subterranean); and (4) chemical beings who fall on Earth and create compounds that build their molecular basis. disturbances. The krimayas are afraid of hot temperature, therefore their origin planets are 1. Classification based on dominant gunas naturally damp and dark. Extraterrestrial beings (aliens) are Sarabhas are family of the krimayas, in categorized into three major types, namely the forms of insects and arachnids. They the suras (benevolent beings), manusas thrive in optimal expressions on a planet (mortal human beings) and asuras with a high oxygen level. The more oxygen (malevolent beings). It is based on dominant they get, the bigger and more intelligent they modes that influence their mentality, whether become. The Bhagavata Purana mentions it is sattvika (goodness), (passion) and about ruru species which belongs to tamasika (ignorance). Animals and plants do krimaya. It is mentioned in the Bhagavata not specifically fall into this classification, Purana that rurus do not exist on Earth, but but other texts such as Ayurvedic texts do more ferocious than a snake. mention about plants and animals with Sthavaras, or the plants. Their actual sattvic, rajasic or tamasic. This classification habitat is said to be on the moon. Because is a general divisions among good and bad moon is described as a cooling and fertile intelligent life in the universe. The demigods, place (as per Visnu Purana, Padma Purana siddhas, caranas, and vidyadharas are and Purana), plants naturally grow classified as suras, while demons such as the very well there. Sthavaras can heal any bhutas, pisacas, reptilians, and goblins are disease and are connected tightly to water classified as asuras. In between, the human and carbon. Some plants which produce beings, struggle to be free from medical substances, fruits and edible leaves influences to elevate themselves to heavenly can absorb moon light and turn it into tasty realms with sura qualities. and nutritious compounds. Rudranas, popular as the reptilian 2. Classification based on physiology and species. Reptilians are included in the asura origin clan, often remarked as malevolent to other The lowest kinds of living beings are living entities. Siva Purana, Lingga Purana said to depend on water when they breathe. as well as the Mahabharata frequently This type of living beings is called the mention in many parts about malevolent jalajas (aquatic and amphibians). According activities of the reptilian races throughout to Backster (2003), in different planets with Vedic history. Their clans are known as the suitable intensity of abiotic components, nagas and uragas, and they have interactions living entities can grow into more intelligent with humans in the past. In the Mahabharata, and complex beings. For instance, a reptile it is mentioned that Arjuna married Ulupi, a

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naga prince. Then, the Siva Purana mentions element(s) in the cells. For example, a about naga species who resided beneath mammal in a particular planet may be Hindian Ocean and abducted humans for composed of different element from sustenance. One day they kidnapped a mammals on Earth. Such element might not . This brahmana appealed for help be carbon (as dominant in Earth mammals‟ to Lord Siva. Lord Siva then destroyed all cells) but could be silicon, silver or copper. the evil nagas and thus he is known as This anomaly is found in chemical Nagesvara. compound of some Earth mollusks such as Pasunas, or mammals. Some pasuna shrimp, whose blood contain copper element species are in the form of half lion or half rather than iron, which thus makes their cow. Meanwhile, paksinas, or avian species. blood bluish. They reside on a planetary cluster called In the Mahabharata, as well as the Kinnaraloka in the Bhuvarloka section of the it is stated that Garuda‟s feather is universe. They have wings and feather, but made of special compound that could they also can think and speak as humans do. neutralize thunderbolt effect. Some Vedic Paksina species depend on sun rays and a lot Scriptures name it as suvarnapaksa, or of oxygen. „golden-winged bird‟. It could be concluded Manusah, or humanoids. Among the that Garuda‟s basic cellular element is gold humanoids are human beings, devas, asuras, (aurum) and calcium compound, unlike kinnaras (half human and half beast), Earth birds, although they physiologically kimpurusas (ape-like creatures), belong to the same avian species. (heavenly musicians), (angels), vidyadharas (winged angels), siddhas (super IV. Conclusion humans), and so on. The Padma Purana Descriptions and lists of extraterrestrial mentions there are 400,000 humanoid beings in the Vedic Scriptures certainly species in the entire universe. reveals outstanding fact about depth, Bhutas, or ethereal beings. This includes vastness and honesty of the Vedic ghosts, bhutaganas (known as grey aliens in knowledge. Their existence and interactions the western culture), pisacas (child-eating with human beings as recorded in the Vedic demon, as Pennywise), goblins, and so forth. literature especially the Puranas and Itihasas prove that their existence is undeniable in the 3. Classification based on realms of Vedic civilization. existence This classification is found in the References Bhagavata Purana, Canto 3 and 5. Heavenly Anonymous 2008. Sri Brahma , with realms are planets where devas, siddhas, the Commentary Dig-Darsani-Tika of caranas, vidyadharas, kinnaras and all good Sri Jiva Gosvami. Mumbay: beings reside. Then, subterranean planets or Bhaktivedanta Book Trust the bila- are planets where asuras, International. krimayas, reptilians and bhutas live. In Anonymous. 2010. Padma Purana [Veda, between is the Earthly plane, or the online], http://www.sacred- Bhurloka, where spirits take birth and do texts.com/hin/, accessed on 18th of particular activities for further entanglement October 2017. in material existence or go back to Godhead. Anonymous. 2010. Purana [Veda, online], http://www.sacred- texts.com/hin/, accessed on 18th of 4. Classification based on chemical October 2017. compounds and molecular basis. Anonymous. 2017. Rigveda Samhita This kind of classification is a [online]. Sacred text, 6th of December combination between physiology and basic 2017, 20:15 UTC [dikutip 10

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