Darwin's theory etc

From the Bhakti List Archives

• May 13, 1999


Dear BhAgavatOttamAs

In SrI BhAshya Swami EmberumAnAr says quoting the
ParamAchArya, . All observable facts and all the
Physical Laws are to be taken as correct.But it does
not mean that all the "theories" of Scientists are to
be taken as true.It doesn't happen like that in the world
of Scientists itself.If A gives out a theory and B comes out
with its opposite (as happens frequently),the latter does
not automatically invalidate the former as one would
logically expect to happen.By an unwritten   Code of
Conduct,both the theories mentioned side by side and
the reader is allowed to make his own choice.

Are such "theories" comparable to the intuitive "sights" of our
ancient Rshis? Incidentally when the Rshis reached a
certain point in their meditation they ALL saw the same
things.One should agree that when even the most intelligent
scientists draws certain conclusions from facts he has
observed ,and those conclusions pertain to an area which 
is beyond the normal human range,then his conclusions
remain mere speculations.

Darwin happened to observe certain species in certain islands 
and drew certain conclusions.He did not observe ALL the
species in the entire universe.And even if he had done
so it would only have given him the actual position as
it exists today.Any theory he developed regarding what
could have happened millions of year ago,is still just
a theory.On the other hand we have the words of those to whom 
the Lord actually showed what really happened then.We have
His own words in the Gita,we have Sri EmberumAnAr's words
in his works.Which of these would one consider as the
 ?

As was observed in one of the letters,accepting Darwin's
theory is tantamount to treating all SRuti-Smriti-PurANa
accounts of creation as myths.As I had mentioned earlier
these accounts do not consider creation as occuring in
various time-slots,each slot featuring only one type of
creature.In the beginning of creation ALL creatures are
created  simultaneously for a very important reason: 
Creation is the only method by which
 the soul can reap the fruit of its past Karma and
also move up or down the scale.In such a situation if only
fish existed for a million years and then only birds etc
what will be the fate of the Karma-system and the statements
of Bhattar  
etc.Our AchAryas repeat endlessly that creation is the
means through which the mercy of the Lord is shown,to
give the bound souls a means to reach Him.

Hence I feel Darwin's theory is clearly contrary to the
ViSishTAdwaita philosophy.

SwAmi EmberumAnAr TiruvaDigaLE Saranam!
adiyEn
Bharat