How Ancient Indians Knew About Black Holes
Riya Kumari | Oct 03, 2025, 16:29 IST
Black hole
( Image credit : Freepik )
Highlight of the story: Long before telescopes pierced the night sky, Indian sages looked inward and outward, sensing the vast mysteries of the universe. Through the timeless wisdom of the Vedas, Puranas, and Shastras, they glimpsed phenomena that modern science would only confirm millennia later. Among these cosmic enigmas lies the black hole, a region where time, space, and matter converge in ways that challenge human understanding.
In the vast tapestry of the cosmos, where stars are born, live, and die, there exists a phenomenon so profound that it bends the very fabric of space and time. This is the black hole, a cosmic enigma that even modern science grapples to fully comprehend. Yet, long before the advent of telescopes and advanced physics, ancient Indian sages, through their profound spiritual insights, seemed to have touched upon the essence of such cosmic mysteries. Their revelations, embedded in the sacred texts of Hinduism, offer a perspective that intertwines the metaphysical with the physical, the spiritual with the scientific.
The Rig Veda, one of the oldest known scriptures, speaks of a primordial state of non-being and darkness before creation. In the Nasadiya Sukta (Rig Veda 10.129), it is described: "Then there was neither non-existence nor existence; there was neither the realm of space nor the sky which is beyond. What stirred? Where? In whose protection? Was there water, bottomless deep?"
This verse encapsulates the concept of a singularity, a point of infinite density and zero volume, akin to the heart of a black hole. The sages, through their meditative insights, perceived this state not just as a void but as a potential for creation, a womb from which the universe could emerge.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna reveals his universal form to Arjuna, showcasing the vastness and the consuming nature of the cosmos. He states: "I am Time, the great destroyer of the world, and I have come here to destroy all people." (Bhagavad Gita 11.32)
This depiction resonates with the nature of black holes, which, through their immense gravitational pull, consume everything in their vicinity, including light. The analogy draws a parallel between the destructive aspect of time and the consuming nature of black holes.
The Shivling, a revered symbol in Hinduism, is often interpreted as a representation of Lord Shiva. However, its form and significance delve deeper. The elongated shape of the Shivling, with its base and apex, mirrors the structure of a black hole, its singularity at the top and the event horizon at the base.
The Atharva Veda (10.7.14) describes the Skambha as "that which has no end," symbolizing the infinite nature of the cosmos, akin to the eternal existence of black holes.
The Puranas, ancient Hindu texts, elaborate on the cyclical nature of the universe, creation, preservation, and dissolution. This cycle mirrors the life cycle of stars, where massive stars end their lives as black holes, leading to the birth of new celestial bodies. The Bhagavata Purana narrates the story of Hiranyaksha, who submerges the Earth into the cosmic ocean, only to be rescued by Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) avatar.
This allegory can be seen as a metaphor for the gravitational collapse leading to the formation of black holes and the subsequent emergence of new worlds.
Lord Shiva's Tandava, a vigorous dance, symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction. This dance can be likened to the dynamic processes occurring in and around black holes, where matter is consumed, compressed, and sometimes expelled, leading to the formation of new stars and galaxies. The rhythmic pulsations observed in some black holes, known as quasi-periodic oscillations, echo the beats of Shiva's cosmic dance.
While ancient Indian texts provide profound insights into the nature of the cosmos, modern science continues to explore and validate these concepts. The parallels between the descriptions in the Vedas and the characteristics of black holes suggest that the sages, through their heightened consciousness and meditative practices, perceived cosmic truths that resonate with contemporary scientific understanding.
The ancient Indian perspective on black holes transcends the realm of mere scientific curiosity. It offers a holistic view that integrates the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual dimensions of existence. The sages, through their deep introspection and spiritual practices, accessed knowledge that not only explains the mysteries of the cosmos but also guides individuals towards understanding their place within it.
As we stand on the precipice of further cosmic discoveries, it is essential to recognize and honor the wisdom of our ancestors. Their insights, encapsulated in the sacred texts, serve as a beacon, illuminating the path towards a deeper understanding of the universe and our connection to it. The ancient Indian conception of black holes reminds us that the quest for knowledge is not just an intellectual pursuit but a spiritual journey, a journey that leads us to the heart of the cosmos and, ultimately, to the heart of ourselves.
The Cosmic Void: A Prelude to Creation
Black hole
( Image credit : Freepik )
The Rig Veda, one of the oldest known scriptures, speaks of a primordial state of non-being and darkness before creation. In the Nasadiya Sukta (Rig Veda 10.129), it is described: "Then there was neither non-existence nor existence; there was neither the realm of space nor the sky which is beyond. What stirred? Where? In whose protection? Was there water, bottomless deep?"
This verse encapsulates the concept of a singularity, a point of infinite density and zero volume, akin to the heart of a black hole. The sages, through their meditative insights, perceived this state not just as a void but as a potential for creation, a womb from which the universe could emerge.
The Black Hole as a Cosmic Devourer
Universe
( Image credit : Freepik )
In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna reveals his universal form to Arjuna, showcasing the vastness and the consuming nature of the cosmos. He states: "I am Time, the great destroyer of the world, and I have come here to destroy all people." (Bhagavad Gita 11.32)
This depiction resonates with the nature of black holes, which, through their immense gravitational pull, consume everything in their vicinity, including light. The analogy draws a parallel between the destructive aspect of time and the consuming nature of black holes.
The Shivling: A Symbol of Cosmic Convergence
Shiva
( Image credit : Pixabay )
The Shivling, a revered symbol in Hinduism, is often interpreted as a representation of Lord Shiva. However, its form and significance delve deeper. The elongated shape of the Shivling, with its base and apex, mirrors the structure of a black hole, its singularity at the top and the event horizon at the base.
The Atharva Veda (10.7.14) describes the Skambha as "that which has no end," symbolizing the infinite nature of the cosmos, akin to the eternal existence of black holes.
The Eternal Cycle: Birth, Death, and Rebirth
Black hole mystery
( Image credit : Freepik )
The Puranas, ancient Hindu texts, elaborate on the cyclical nature of the universe, creation, preservation, and dissolution. This cycle mirrors the life cycle of stars, where massive stars end their lives as black holes, leading to the birth of new celestial bodies. The Bhagavata Purana narrates the story of Hiranyaksha, who submerges the Earth into the cosmic ocean, only to be rescued by Lord Vishnu in his Varaha (boar) avatar.
This allegory can be seen as a metaphor for the gravitational collapse leading to the formation of black holes and the subsequent emergence of new worlds.
The Cosmic Dance: Shiva's Tandava and the Universe's Rhythm
Shiva tandav
( Image credit : Pixabay )
Lord Shiva's Tandava, a vigorous dance, symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction. This dance can be likened to the dynamic processes occurring in and around black holes, where matter is consumed, compressed, and sometimes expelled, leading to the formation of new stars and galaxies. The rhythmic pulsations observed in some black holes, known as quasi-periodic oscillations, echo the beats of Shiva's cosmic dance.
While ancient Indian texts provide profound insights into the nature of the cosmos, modern science continues to explore and validate these concepts. The parallels between the descriptions in the Vedas and the characteristics of black holes suggest that the sages, through their heightened consciousness and meditative practices, perceived cosmic truths that resonate with contemporary scientific understanding.
A Legacy of Cosmic Wisdom
As we stand on the precipice of further cosmic discoveries, it is essential to recognize and honor the wisdom of our ancestors. Their insights, encapsulated in the sacred texts, serve as a beacon, illuminating the path towards a deeper understanding of the universe and our connection to it. The ancient Indian conception of black holes reminds us that the quest for knowledge is not just an intellectual pursuit but a spiritual journey, a journey that leads us to the heart of the cosmos and, ultimately, to the heart of ourselves.