Misc  FAQs

Does God Exist? The Case for Uncertainty

• The question of whether God exists is one of the most profound and longstanding debates in human history. For millennia, philosophers, theologians, and thinkers from all walks of life have grappled with this fundamental inquiry about the nature of our existence and the cosmos we inhabit. Despite the advances of science and reason, a conclusive answer has remained elusive, sustained by the vast expanse of unknowns that continue to perplex even the most brilliant minds.

• At the core of this debate lies a fundamental tension between faith and empiricism, belief and proof. Those who assert the existence of God point to the ineffable mysteries of creation, the seeming improbability of our finely-tuned universe arising from mere chance, and the profound yearning for meaning and purpose that seems to be woven into the human experience. Conversely, those who reject the notion of a divine being cite the lack of tangible, empirical evidence, the perceived contradictions between religious teachings and scientific discoveries, and the capacity of natural processes to account for the complexity we observe.

• Yet, as our understanding of the universe deepens, a growing body of evidence suggests that the matter may not be as settled as some might believe. In fact, the very frontiers of scientific knowledge often reveal more questions than answers, lending credence to the idea that one cannot definitively rule out the existence of a higher power or intelligent design.

The Limits of Our Knowledge

• Despite the remarkable achievements of science, our comprehension of the universe remains a mere fragment of the greater whole. The observable matter and energy that we can detect and study account for a mere 5% of the total content of the cosmos. The remaining 95% is composed of enigmatic entities known as dark matter and dark energy, whose nature and behavior remain largely inscrutable.

• This vast, unseen expanse of the universe serves as a humbling reminder of the boundaries of our knowledge. How can we claim with certainty that God does not exist when we have yet to unravel the fundamental mysteries that govern the vast majority of existence? It would be akin to proclaiming the impossibility of life on other planets based solely on our limited exploration of our own celestial backyard.

Unexplained Phenomena and Scientific Mysteries

• Even within the realm of our observable universe, there exist numerous phenomena that defy our current understanding of the laws of physics and the natural world. The strange behavior of subatomic particles, governed by the counterintuitive principles of quantum mechanics, has perplexed physicists for over a century.

• Phenomena such as quantum tunneling, where particles seem to bypass impenetrable barriers, and quantum entanglement, where particles can become inextricably linked across vast distances, challenge our notions of causality and determinism. How can we claim with absolute certainty that these "quantum weirdnesses" do not hint at a deeper, more profound reality that transcends our current models and theories?

• Similarly, our understanding of the fundamental forces that govern the universe, such as gravity and the strong nuclear force that binds protons and neutrons together, remains incomplete. We can observe and quantify their effects, but the underlying mechanisms that drive these forces remain shrouded in mystery.

• The spontaneous conversion of mass into energy, as described by Einstein's famous equation E=mc^2, is a process we have harnessed but do not fully comprehend. What sparks this transmutation, and what deeper truths might it reveal about the nature of existence?

• These are but a few examples of the profound unknowns that persist in our scientific understanding of the universe. To assert with unwavering certainty that God does not exist in the face of such profound mysteries would be to discount the vast realms of knowledge yet to be uncovered.

The Argument from Improbability

• One of the most compelling arguments for the existence of a higher power or intelligent design stems from the seemingly improbable nature of our universe and the emergence of life itself. The finely-tuned conditions that have allowed for the formation of stars, planets, and ultimately, the intricate dance of chemistry that gave rise to life, appear to be astonishingly improbable.

• The fundamental constants that govern the behavior of matter, energy, and the forces that shape the cosmos are exquisitely balanced, with even the slightest deviation leading to a universe inhospitable to the formation of complex structures, let alone life as we know it. This "fine-tuning" of the cosmic parameters has led many to question the likelihood of such precise conditions arising purely by chance.

• For instance, the strength of the electromagnetic force, which governs the behavior of charged particles and light, is precisely calibrated to allow for the formation of stable atoms and molecules. A slight variation in this constant would render the universe either a vast, uniform expanse of undifferentiated particles or an ever-expanding cloud of matter, with no possibility for the intricate chemical reactions that sustain life.

• Similarly, the ratio of the masses of protons and neutrons, the fundamental building blocks of atomic nuclei, is tuned to a razor's edge, allowing for the existence of stable elements and the production of heavier elements through stellar nucleosynthesis. A minuscule alteration in this ratio would result in a universe devoid of the rich tapestry of elements that make up the periodic table and the complex chemistry they enable.

• The improbability of these cosmic conditions has led some to argue that the universe appears to be "fine-tuned" for the emergence of life, hinting at the possibility of an intelligent designer or higher power orchestrating the delicate balance required for our existence.

While scientific explanations, such as the multiverse theory, have been proposed to account for this apparent fine-tuning, they remain speculative and do not definitively rule out the possibility of an intelligent design or divine intervention.

The Enigma of Consciousness and the Human Experience

• Beyond the physical mysteries of the universe, the very nature of consciousness itself presents a profound conundrum that has long confounded philosophers, scientists, and thinkers alike. The subjective, first-person experience of awareness and self-reflection that each of us possesses seems to defy purely materialistic explanations.

• How can the electrochemical interactions of neurons and synapses in the brain give rise to the rich tapestry of subjective experience, the sense of "I" that imbues our existence with meaning and purpose? The hard problem of consciousness, as it is known, remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in our understanding of the universe and our place within it.

• For some, the seeming impossibility of deriving the richness of consciousness from mere matter and energy alone lends credence to the notion of a non-material aspect to existence, be it a soul, a divine spark, or some other metaphysical component. While science has made great strides in mapping the neural correlates of consciousness, the underlying mechanisms that generate the subjective experience of awareness remain elusive.

The Longing for Meaning and Purpose

• Perhaps one of the most compelling arguments for the existence of a higher power or divine presence lies not in the realm of scientific evidence but in the deeply ingrained human yearning for meaning and purpose. Across cultures and throughout history, humanity has sought to answer the fundamental questions of our existence: Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? What happens after we die?

• This pervasive search for meaning and purpose, which has manifested itself in the myriad of religious and spiritual traditions that have shaped human civilization, speaks to a profound aspect of the human experience that transcends mere physical existence.

• While some attribute this yearning to evolutionary adaptations or psychological coping mechanisms, others argue that it points to a deeper truth – the existence of a higher purpose or divine plan that imbues our existence with meaning and significance.

• The enduring power of faith, the ability of religious and spiritual beliefs to provide solace, guidance, and a sense of belonging, even in the face of adversity and suffering, is a testament to the profound impact these beliefs have had on the human experience.

• To dismiss the possibility of a higher power or divine presence based solely on a lack of empirical evidence would be to overlook the profound influence such beliefs have had on the trajectory of human civilization and the deeply personal experiences of countless individuals throughout history.

The Humility of Doubt

• In the face of such profound mysteries and unanswered questions, it is perhaps wise to embrace a sense of humility and acknowledge the limitations of our current understanding. Science, for all its remarkable achievements, is a constantly evolving endeavor, with each new discovery leading to a multitude of new inquiries and unexplored frontiers.

• To assert with unwavering certainty that God does not exist would be to discount the vast realms of knowledge yet to be uncovered, the mysteries that continue to elude our grasp, and the profound depths of the human experience that may transcend our current models and theories.

• Instead, it may be more prudent to adopt a posture of open-minded skepticism, acknowledging the profound unknowns that surround us while remaining open to the possibility of a higher power or intelligent design, should compelling evidence emerge.

• After all, throughout history, many once-accepted truths and certainties have been upended by new discoveries and paradig

• The concept of a higher purpose or divine plan: One potential line of reasoning is that the supreme consciousness or God created the universe and life with a specific purpose or plan in mind. This purpose could be to facilitate the growth and evolution of consciousness, to create a realm for the manifestation of divine qualities, or to provide a context for the exploration of existential themes such as love, free will, and the pursuit of meaning.

• The principle of causality: Another perspective is that the supreme consciousness or God, being the ultimate source of existence, necessarily precipitated the creation of the universe and life as a natural consequence of its own being. In this view, the act of creation is an expression of the divine nature itself, rather than being motivated by a specific purpose or goal.

• The idea of self-exploration or self-expression: Some philosophical and spiritual traditions suggest that the supreme consciousness or God created the universe and life as a means of self-exploration or self-expression. By manifesting the diversity of creation, the divine essence can experience and express itself in myriad forms, leading to a deeper understanding and realization of its own nature.

• The concept of love and relationship: Certain religious and philosophical perspectives propose that the supreme consciousness or God created the universe and life out of an inherent desire for love and relationship. By bringing forth conscious beings with the capacity for love, the divine essence seeks to establish a profound connection and exchange of love with its creation.

• The embrace of mystery: While logical reasoning can shed light on this question, it is also important to acknowledge the inherent mystery and ineffability of the divine. The motivations and reasons behind the creation of the universe and life may ultimately transcend human comprehension, and a certain degree of humility and openness to the unknown may be necessary.

Our body has a great need for colours, as these are vital for the well-being of the different parts of our body system. It may surprise many to know that several parts of the human body have different colours. Our nerves are blue, the heart is red, kidneys and pancreas are brownish, the bones are white, and the brain nerves are in rainbow colours. The rays of the sun are white, but when passed through a medium, they get broken into their basic hues. When we offer water or jal in the morning to the rising sun in the prescribed manner, the sheet of water falling on to the ground works as a medium to split the sun’s rays into a spectrum of colours and enters our body to benefit us. If you wish to offer water to the sun, you must do it in the correct and prescribed manner. Stand facing the sun with a vessel full of water. Hold the vessel at a level between the sun and your eyes. Then pour out the water slowly to the ground, allowing the sun’s rays to pass through the sheet of water falling on the ground. The rays of the sun, while passing through the offered water, will break into their basic colours and fall on the face and thus enter the body of the person offering the water to benefit him spiritually as well as physically. However, some people hold the view that the water vessel should be held at chest level. Receiving solar energy in this manner taps a natural source of Mother Nature for our benefit, with no side effects. Hindu scriptures state that the ultraviolet rays of the sun destroy the bacteria of several deadly diseases. Therefore, while offering water, a mantra is uttered: Om Rogiam Vinashaya Dev Jyoti Namaste Besides curing and warding off diseases, one improves ones eyesight too by worshipping the sun god, surya. Astrologically, the sun is symbolic of one’s eyes, soul and father. Therefore, offering water to surya mitigates past life karma, ill deeds done against one’s father, enhances eyesight and elevates one spiritually.

The Shiva Purana states that during the Treta Yuga, the second leg of the Hindu Age, the Puranic king Bhagirath prayed to Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva to allow the Ganga to descend to earth to redeem his ancestors. Hindus earnestly believe that bathing in the waters of the Ganga redeems one’s sins. It is also believed that when the ashes of a person are immersed in the Ganga, they soon dissolve in the jala tatwa. Even modern scientists have accepted that bottled Gangajal remains bacteria-free for months together. What is so special about the Ganga that makes it different from other rivers of the country? There are many important rivers in India, like the Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Sindhu and Brahmaputra. Each of these rivers has a natural source and has carved out its own course or path —except the Ganga—which is the only river whose source was pre-decided and developed by man and not by nature. Further, its course too was chartered by man and not by nature. It was King Bhagirath who discovered the source of the Ganga and later chartered its course along certain significantly located cities such as Haridwar, Varanasi, Allahabad and Patna. In the light of these facts, the Ganga cannot be called a natural river —it is much more than that. According to legend, King Bhagirath’s grandfather and father, King Sagar and King Dilip, respectively, started searching for a waterbody that was divine at its source, but in vain. Finally, Bhagirath reached the exact location of the desired waterbody in its frozen state, at Gomukh, in the Gangotri glacier. Here, Bhagirath observed that, thanks to the heavenly radiations from the planet Jupiter, the entire expanse of this frozen block had turned into divine water. In fact, Gomukh is a unique and rare geo-point on earth that receives special rays from Jupiter as it is located at the intersection of a distinct longitude and latitude of the globe. The entire stretch of the frozen area measured nearly 24 sq km and was 300 ft deep. However, due to global warming, this area has now reduced in size. This phenomenon does not occur anywhere else in the world and because of this extraordinary factor, the Ganga is the only river whose waters can redeem one of sins. Additionally, the glacier receives moonbeams—Shiva tatwa—at night, which aids in freezing the water and during the day, it is under the melting rays of the sun—Vishnu tatwa. The process continues unabated day and night, impacting the quality of the water. However, the principal reason behind the divine quality of Gangajal is due to Jupiter. Thus, Ganga’s water is unique, divine, and stays bacteria-free for several months. Moreover, there are some physical factors too that are described later in the book. It is unfortunate that the present state of the Ganga and its waters is so very dismal. Factories in the cities located on its banks pollute the waters with their poisonous discharge that has made it unworthy for human consumption. Its divinity and the past glory all seem to have disappeared due to human intervention. In a serious bid to restore its lost glory, the Government of India has declared the Ganga as the national river, and has devised the Ganga Action Plan to clean its waters. Why Does Bottled Gangajal Remain Bacteria-Free? Hindus regard the Ganga as a redeemer of sins, and hence many Hindu pilgrimage sites are located on the banks of this river. Its water is considered next to nectar and is administered even to a dying man. Scientifically, the Ganga’s waters have certain unique properties that are found in the waters of no other river of the country—maybe even of the world. According to an environmental engineering study conducted by the University of Roorkee, Uttarakhand, the Ganga has a remarkable capacity for self-purification. This amazing characteristic is attributed to the fact that at the very source at Gangotri, its water receives certain divine radiations from the sun, moon and Jupiter, making her water as exceptional as nectar and redeemer of sins.

The ability to destroy bacteria is a quality that probably no other river of the world can claim. In 1947, a German scientist, Kohiman, came to India and took a sample of the Ganga water from Varanasi and conducted experiments. He later authored a paper on his findings, where he mentioned that, ‘The Ganga-waters have a stunning quality of destroying bacteria which I haven’t observed in the water of other rivers of the world.’ The French scientist, Havel, also made a similar observation on Gangajal. He asserted that this water can destroy the germs of many diseases. Therefore, a man who regularly consumes Gangajal will remain disease-free. The findings of the University of Roorkee confirmed that the water of the Ganga is a disinfectant, self-purifying and can kill bacteria that cause cholera. Since Gangajal is a disinfectant, it is sprinkled over places, on people, and on objects while performing a puja. The act of sprinkling Gangajal is called shudhikaran. In modern parlance, it means disinfecting the place, people and objects prior to starting a ritual. Hindus administer Gangajal to a dying man to mitigate his suffering. Interestingly, the Rig Veda maintains that the now non-existent river Saraswati was older than the Ganga—as is river Narmada as well. In fact, the name of Ganga is very rarely mentioned in the scriptures, whereas the names of Saraswati and Narmada are liberally mentioned in the Vedas; yet Ganga is the sacred-most river and a redeemer of sins