This presentation provides a new perspective on Vedanta as Ved-Ananta (Eternal Knowledge). It also provides a new perspective on Evolution Theory in terms of 'Shunyom Theory of Evolution' that integrates various currently known views about evolution. It also explores implications of Shunyom perspective for social theorizing.

1. Vedanta as Ved-Ananta:
Towards ‘Eternal Wisdom’ Paradigm
of Knowledge Creation*
Subhash Sharma
Indus Business Academy (IBA), Bangalore
* Presentation at International Seminar on Confucianism, Vedanta and Social Theorizing:
Cultivating Planetary Conversations, by Indus Business Academy, Madras Institute of Development
Studies and Vishwaneedam Center for Asian Blossoming, held at Indus Business Academy (IBA),
Bangalore, Feb. 8, 2018
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2. In the Beginning
In the beginning, there was a Bindu,
From the Bindu emerged Sindhu,
From the Sindhu emerged Life,
Life then took shape in various forms,
Rocks, plants, animals, birds and humans,
Were all infused with consciousness of Bindu,
Some humans became Yogis,
They meditated on Bindu,
And understood Bindu and the Sindhu.
(An extended version of the original poem, In the beginning
, there was a Bindu, Shunya Poems, Subhash Sharma, 2010, p. 45)(C) SS_IBA_International_Seminar_Feb. 8, 2018

3. Process of Creation and Evolution
In the beginning there was a Bindu,
From the Bindu emerged Bing Bang,
From Bin Bang emerged Sindhu,
Sindhu went through Thermo-dynamic actions,
Thus, Unfolded many natural interactions, From such a quantum churning,
There were many permutations and combinations,
Of matter, energy, consciousness and its transformations,
From such a quantum churning and dynamics of creation,
Unfolded Bindu’s drama and leela of creation and evolution,
Rest is all history …
(Extension of, In the beginning there was a Bindu…, Subhash Sharma, Shunya Poems, 2010, p. 45)
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4. Creation from Shunya: Shunya and Evolution –
Towards “Shunyom Theory of Evolution”:
Shunya to Om
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Shunya Unfolding
(SU)
Matter (M)
Body (B)
Mind (M)
Heart (H)
Consciousness (C)
Spirit (S)
Cosmos/Cosmonity
Heaven (H)m e
s
t
Shunya Unfolding B H S H Om
STEM Swastika
STEM: Space Time Energy Matter
From Shunya to Om: Shunyom Theory of Evolution

5. Rest is All History…
A look at the creation and evolution
Three Paradigms/ Looks (Drishti) at the Creation and Evolution
I. Prophetic look: Hypothesis - A Creator behind Creation
II. Rishi-Muni look: Dasavatara – Evolution through ‘descent’ and
‘ascent’ of matter-mind-consciousness (Body-Mind-Spirit)
III. Scientist’s look: Darwin – Random mutation and natural selection
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6. Rest is All History Originating from Shunya:
Biology, Theology, Mythology and Cosmonity
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Darwin’s Evolution Theory:
Biology
Creationism: Intelligent Design Hypothesis
Theology
Dasavatara Proposition
‘Mythology’
Shuynom -
Cosmic Realization:
Aham Brahmasmi
Cosmonity
Shunya Unfolding

7. Ultimate Purpose of Human Existence
• What are the implications of Biology, Theology and Mythology for Human
Being?
• Ultimate Purpose of Human Existence: Evolution towards cosmic
realization
• Is Science/ Biology (e.g. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution) helping in this
purpose?
• Is Theology/ Religion helping in this purpose?
• Is Mythology helping in this purpose?
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8. Have You Seen God?
Questions for Various Paradigms
HAVE YOU SEEN?
Rationalists and Atheists always ask:
Have you seen God?
People are always in Defensive state.
Recently somebody asked the Rationalists and Atheists:
Have you seen Monkey or any other life form turning into Man?
Now rationalists and atheists are reacting equally strongly.
Why such a ‘Have You Seen’ Question was not posed in last 150
years?
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9. When A Proposition Becomes Theory?
Theory Building in Science and Social Sciences
Theory Building and Paradigm Shifts:
From ‘Story’ to ‘Theory’:
Stories Provide Clue for Theories
Illustrations: Case Studies
Even in Science, Theories are passed on through Stories e.g. Newton
observing Fall of Apple.
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10. Typology of Knowledge:
Three Types of Knowledge
A Framework for Knowledge Classification
Typology of Knowledge: Shruti Gyan, Smriti Gyan, Riti Gyan
‘Shruti’ ‘Smriti’ ‘Riti’
Eternal/ Beyond Specific to Practices/Traditions/
Place, Time & History Place, Time & History Rituals
‘Eternal Wisdom’ ‘Contextual Knowledge’ ‘Practices’
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11. Sources of Knowledge: God, Nature, Self and Cosmos (GNSC)
God: Faith as Source of Knowledge
Nature: Nature/ Philosophy and Science as Sources of Knowledge
Self: Self/ Spirituality as Source of Knowledge
Cosmos: Cosmic consciousness as Source of Knowledge
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12. Three Types of Knowledge in Different Thought
Systems
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Religion: Shruti, Smriti, Riti
Modernity
Natural Sciences: Shruti, Smriti, Riti
Spirituality: Shruti, Smriti, Riti
Mysticism: Shruti, Smriti, Riti
Social Sciences: Shruti, Smriti, Riti
Cosmonity

13. Full Spectrum Approach to Knowledge:
River Metaphor for Ved-Ananta
From END to END:
Two Banks of River Ganga and the Quantum Bridge
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Source for Laxman Jhula: Google Images
END
Eternity
Nirvana
Divinity
END
Einstein
Newton
Darwin

14. From Science to Spirituality:
END to END Illustrations
Science and Spirituality
Gravity Gurutva
Gravitation Gurutvakarshan
Big Bang Brahman
Evolution Enlightenment
e = mc2 (Einstein) e = mcn (Quantum Rope, 1999)
e: energy, m: matter, c: consciousness,
n = 1, 2, 3, …
c: consciousness is connecting link/rope
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15. Application to Shift in Human Thinking:
From Commandments to New Consciousness
Commandments Codes Conscience Consciousness
Religion Philosophy & Science Conscience Consciousness
“Ved-Ananta”
(Eternal Wisdom)
“Pragyanam Brahm”
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16. Application in Social Theorizing
Story and Theory:
Social Theorizing is based on -
Conflict model Celebration model Consciousness model
‘Jungle is dangal’ ‘Jungle is mangal’ ‘Jungle is leela of Shunya’
Darwin Divinity
Expressions of Shunya
consciousness
(Isha vasyam sarvam idam...)
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17. Questions for Confucianism, Vedanta and
Social Theorizing
• In Confucianism, what is the extent of Shruti gyan, smriti gyan and riti
gyan?
• In Vedanta, what is the extent of Shruti gyan, smriti gyan and riti gyan?
• In Science, what is the extent of Shruti gyan, smriti gyan and riti gyan?
• In Social Theorizing, what is the extent of Shruti gyan, smriti gyan and riti
gyan?
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18. Methods for Knowledge Creation:
Science, Vigyan, Gyan, Pragyan
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Reality
Head
Heart
Consciousness
Cosmic Mind:
Cosmic Eye e.g. Krishna in Gita
Science: END
Art
Spirituality
Mysticism: END

19. Approaches to Knowledge Creation:
Shunya to Shunyom – Essence of “Ved-Ananta”
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Western Windows (WW)
Eastern Doors (ED)
Consciousness Corridors (CC)
Gate to Eternal Knowledge/
Eternal Wisdom:
Ved-Ananta – Pragyanam Brahm-
Shunyom
Shunya

20. Exploration-Knowledge Matrix of Ved-Ananta
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Divinity/
Cosmic Oneness
Consciousness
Mind
Matter
Explorer/
Exploration
Eternal Contextual Practices/Traditions
‘Shruti’ ‘Smriti’ ‘Riti’
Type of Knowledge
Muni/ Mystic
Rishi
Yogi
Scientist
Nature’s
Laws
Principles of
Mind
Principles of
Consciousness
Principles of
Divine
Expressions
Ved-Ananta/
Eternal Wisdom/
Sanatan Pragyan

21. Ved-Ananta (Eternal Wisdom) from Modern India
Modern Socio-Spiritual Thinkers of Ved-Ananta from Modern India
Thinker Concept of Ved-Ananta with Eternal Relevance for Humanity
Gandhi Non-violence
Aurobindo Evolution of Consciousness
Ramanmahrshi Who Am I?
Vivekananda Vedanta
Implications for Society, Nations and the World:
Social and Spiritual Transformation based on ‘Ved-Ananta’ (Eternal Wisdom)
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22. Further Readings
• Subhash Sharma, Management in New Age: Western Windows Eastern
Doors, New Age International Publishers, New Delhi, 1996, 2006, 2017
• Subhash Sharma, Quantum Rope: Science, Mysticism & Management, New
Age International Publishers, New Delhi, 1999
• Subhash Sharma, Arrows of Time: From the Black holes to Nirvana Point,
New Age International Publishers, New Delhi, 2001
• Subhash Sharma & Michael Zirkler (eds.), From the Edge of Chaos:
Dialogues Amongst Social Theory and Practice, IBA Publications, Bangalore,
2016
• Subhash Sharma, Creation from Shunya, Silver Jubilee Edition, IBA
Publications, Bangalore, 2018
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