The Nasadiya Sukta (Rigveda 10.129): A Philosophical Exploration of Creation and the Limits of Knowledge

The Nasadiya Sukta (Rigveda 10.129) is one of the most profound and philosophically sophisticated hymns of early Vedic literature. Rather than presenting a mythological or theological account of creation, it explores the origin of existence through paradox, inquiry, and reflective doubt. This paper offers a philosophical reading of the hymn, focusing on its exploration of the limits of language, knowledge, and conceptual distinction. By examining key themes such as the interdependence of existence and non-existence, the emergence of differentiation, the role of desire and mind, and the ultimate uncertainty regarding the source of creation, the study highlights the hymn’s enduring relevance to metaphysics and epistemology. The Nasadiya Sukta invites not doctrinal certainty but contemplative openness, presenting creation as an unresolved mystery that transcends conceptual frameworks.