Dr Vishal Sharma
Shiva united with Shakti becomes able to manifest, if otherwise, this god knows not even how to pulsate. – Soundarya Lahari
In the cosmic dance of creation and destruction, the Hindu’s description of ‘Shiva’ and ‘Shakti’ has long symbolized the dynamic forces that govern the Universe. Now, in a remarkable convergence of science and spirituality, astronomers have uncovered fascinating insights into the origins of our own Milky Way galaxy, tracing its lineage back to these ancient cosmic ancestors.
A galaxy is a massive system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, dark matter, and other celestial bodies bound together by gravity. Galaxies vary greatly in size, shape, and composition. They can contain millions to trillions of stars, and they come in various forms such as spiral, elliptical, and irregular. The Milky Way, which contains our solar system, is an example of a spiral galaxy. Galaxies are the building blocks of the universe, and they can be found throughout the cosmos, ranging from small dwarf galaxies to immense galaxy clusters.
For millennia, humans have gazed up at the night sky, marveling at the vast expanse of stars and galaxies. Among these celestial wonders, the Milky Way has held a special place in human imagination, its spiral arms stretching across the heavens like a cosmic river of stars. But how did our galaxy come into being? What forces shaped its evolution over billions of years? Recent astronomical discoveries, combined with insights from Hindu cosmology, are shedding new light on these age-old questions. At the heart of this cosmic saga are two primordial forces: Shiva, the destroyer, and Shakti, the creative energy.
Shiva and Shakti, two iconic divine figures deeply rooted in Hinduism, have long been revered as deities embodying profound symbolism. They hold the revered status of being the ultimate father and mother of the universe, representing the pinnacle of cosmic consciousness. Shiva, the supreme consciousness, provides the space for creation, while Shakti, the divine energy, infuses life into that space. Their interplay sustains the cosmic balance, allowing for the continuous cycle of birth, growth, decay, and transformation. Exploring the depths of Shiva and Shakti consciousness allows us to comprehend the profound interplay between the masculine and feminine aspects of divinity and their role as the ultimate architects of cosmos.
In the realm of modern astrophysics, scientists have long sought to understand the origin and evolution of the Universe. Among their pursuits is unraveling the mysteries surrounding the formation and growth of massive galaxies like our Milky Way. Recently, two scientists, Khyati Malhan and Hans-Walter Rix from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg Germany, proposed a fascinating theory in their research paper published in The Astrophysical Journal on March 21, 2024. Their study suggests that Shiva and Shakti may represent the remnants of two ancient galaxies that merged with an early version of the Milky Way between 12 and 13 billion years ago, contributing to our galaxy’s initial growth. These remnants are categorized as the ancient “building blocks” of our Milky Way and offer valuable insights into its formation and evolution of our galaxy.
The European Space Agency’s GAIA (Global Astrometric Interferometer for Astrophysics) space telescope has played a pivotal role in unraveling the history of our galaxy. By studying the orbits and chemical compositions of stars, GAIA detected two previously unseen streams of stars that formed and merged more than 12 billion years ago. The green dots in the figure indicate ‘Shiva’ stars and pink dots for ‘Shakti’. Remarkably, these streams have been named after the Hindu deities Shiva and Shakti, symbolizing their role in the formation of the early Milky Way. Despite significant changes in the Milky Way over billions of years, GAIA’s unprecedented data analysis enabled scientists to clearly differentiate between these ancient structures.
It is truly remarkable that modern scientific techniques make it possible for the scientists to detect these ancient structures very clearly. Despite significant changes in the Milky Way over billions of years, GAIA’s unprecedented data analysis enabled scientists to clearly differentiate between these ancient structures. The Shiva and Shakti streams, each equivalent to roughly 10 million Suns in mass, exhibit similar orbits and compositions, suggesting they merged with the Milky Way early in its existence. Interestingly, the Shiva and Shakti streams display subtle differences in their orbits, with Shiva stars revolving closer to the galaxy’s center and Shakti stars orbiting more circularly. These distinctions align with the philosophical concept of Shiva and Shakti’s interplay, where they come together to form the universe.
In conclusion, astronomers continue to unravel the mysteries of galactic evolution using powerful telescopes and advanced simulations. By studying the movements of stars, the distribution of dark matter, and the dynamics of galactic collisions, they hope to piece together the full story of our cosmic origins. Their endeavors not only deepen our understanding of the cosmos but also highlight the harmonious relationship between science and spirituality. As we delve deeper into the cosmos, guided by reason and ancient wisdom, we recognize the interconnectedness of all things, bridging the gap between the material and the divine.
(The author is Head of Electronics & IT, GCW Udhampur Fulbright Climate Fellow USA, Commonwealth Fellow UK)
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