The multiverse (or meta-universe)
is a hypothetical set
of various possible universes including the universe which humans live in. Together,
these universes comprise everything that exists: the entirety of space, time, matter, energy, the physical
laws and the constants that describe them. The miscellaneous distinct
universes within the multiverse are called the "parallel universes",
"other universes" or "alternative universes".
The concept
of multiverses is mentioned many times in Hindu Puranic literature,
such as in the Bhagavata Purana;
Every
universe is covered by seven layers — earth, water, fire, air, sky, the total
energy and false ego — each ten times greater than the previous one. There
are innumerable universes besides this one, and although they
are unlimitedly large, they move about like atoms in You. Therefore You are
called unlimited (Bhagavata Purana 6.16.37)
Analogies to describe multiple
universes also exist in the Puranic literature:
Because
You are unlimited, neither the lords of heaven nor even You Yourself can ever
reach the end of Your glories. The countless universes, each
enveloped in its shell, are compelled by the wheel of time to wander within
You, like particles of dust blowing about in the sky. The śrutis, following
their method of eliminating everything separate from the Supreme, become
successful by revealing You as their final conclusion (Bhagavata
Purana 10.87.41).
The
layers or elements covering the universes are each ten times
thicker than the one before, and all the universes clustered together appear
like atoms in a huge combination (Bhagavata Purana 3.11.41)
And
who will search through the wide infinities of space to count the universes side
by side, each containing its Brahma, its Vishnu, its Shiva? Who can count the
Indras in them all--those Indras side by side, who reign at once in all
the innumerable worlds; those others who passed away before them;
or even the Indras who succeed each other in any given line, ascending to godly
kingship, one by one, and, one by one, passing away (Brahma
Vaivarta Purana).
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