Padma Purana: Sacred Scripture of Hinduism

The Vedic literature, as the foundation of the religious teachings of Hinduism, is one of the many religious sources that serve as a reference in this regard. The Vedic scriptures — in particular the four Vedas, the Puranas and the Itihasas — clearly attest to the existence of extraterrestrial species and their interaction with humans since the Vedic era. These extraterrestrial beings belong to various categories, which are described in detail in a number of scriptures.

There is sometimes a great divide between science and religion, rooted in attachment.

Science is concerned with systematic thinking, employing specific rules and methods to investigate or prove. Religion, by contrast, is mostly permeated by faith, which often leads to a rigid, dogmatic worldview. Religion is always associated with prescribed patterns of thought and is therefore characterised as one-sided when it comes to explaining scientifically why something is believed or done.

The Vedic belief system, however, is not based on dogma. The word Veda itself means knowledge, and thus the Veda is essentially a compendium of knowledge, or Vidyas. Accordingly, the Veda does not exist in the form of a single book, but as a collection of revealed knowledge. According to its objects, there are two categories of knowledge: Para-Vidya (knowledge of the reality beyond sensory perception and human logic) and Apara-Vidya (knowledge of material reality). Mathematics, chemistry, physics, the social sciences and the health sciences fall within the domain of Apara-Vidya, while knowledge of the nature of the difference between material phenomena and spiritual reality is known as Para-Vidya.

One of the fascinating scientific questions is the existence of extraterrestrial life, commonly referred to as aliens. Scientific communities have been prompted to research the possibility of extraterrestrial life since the emergence of frequent inexplicable cases of abductions, cattle mutilations, disorientation, and hallucinations in the USA during the 1940s and 1980s, or during and after World War II. To investigate these strange phenomena, the US government launched Project Blue Book in 1952, which successfully documented more than 5’000 cases of sightings, encounters, and abductions by extraterrestrials in the USA alone.

The Center for UFO Studies in Illinois, USA, reports that by 1981 there were over 60’000 cases of UFOs and extraterrestrial incidents from 113 nations worldwide. Of these cases, 2’000 involve close encounters with biological and non-biological entities of extraterrestrial origin, 200 are cases of alien abductions, and the remainder are UFO and alien sightings.

The existence of life beyond Earth is revealed in many parts of the Vedic scriptures. A notable verse comes from the Padma Purana:

jalajā nava-lakṣāṇi
sthāvarā lakṣa-viṁśati
kṛmayo rudra-saṅkhyakāḥ
pakṣiṇāṁ daśa-lakṣaṇam
triṁśal-lakṣāṇi paśavaḥ
catur-lakṣāṇi mānuṣāḥ

«There are 900’000 different species living in water. There are 2’000’000 immobile species such as trees and plants. There are 1’100’000 species of insects and reptiles, and there are 1’000’000 species of birds. As for four-legged creatures, there are 3’000’000 species, and there are 400’000 humanoid species.»

The yogic scriptures state that there were originally 8’400’000 asanas, representing the 8’400’000 incarnations or life forms that every human being must pass through before being freed from the cycle of birth and death. These asanas point to a progressive evolution from the simplest life form to the highly complex human being, the fully realized human being. Going back to the time of the great Rishis and Yogis, the number of asanas was reduced to today's level of a few hundred. Among other things, through these practices the karmic process can be bypassed and many evolutionary stages can be transcended within a single lifetime.

In the more famous Vedic scriptures such as the Mahabharata and Ramayana, wars between species in the distant past are clearly described.

There are descriptions of wars between demigods (Devas) and demons (Asuras) in various forms and types. In the Mahabharata, it is described how Arjuna fought the Nivata-kavaca demons, who dwelled underwater and flew in advanced spacecraft.

In the Bhagavata Purana, Canto 10, Chapter 76, a war is mentioned between the villainous King Salva and the inhabitants of Dvaraka. Although extraterrestrial beings are not mentioned in the chapter, flying saucers with extraordinary technology and weapons unusual for the human race are described therein.

The Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kanda section, Chapter 8, Verse 6, vividly mentions an extraterrestrial race called Bhutaganas, who controlled Ravana's flying machine.

With reference to the Bhagavad-Gita, Chapter 3, it is stated that the universal manifestation of Brahma was created and all living beings were brought into existence through the energy of the Supreme God by the Prajapatis. Prajapatis are primordial beings created by Lord Brahma to fill the universe with various types of living beings, according to their specific activities and qualities.

Since all living beings were created by the Prajapatis, all living beings are fundamentally interconnected. In other words, all living beings exist within a great cycle of mutual symbiosis, called pravartitam cakram (Bhagavad-gita 3.16). All living beings on various planets, whether demigods or demons, humans or animals, originate from a single spiritual quality.

This spiritual quality is called Atma, or the soul. The Vedic scriptures describe the attributes and characteristics of the soul in vivid and detailed accounts and examples in the Upanishads as well as the Puranas. Since Atma transcends all material conditions, Atma remains untouched by all material influences. Based on this fundamental property of Atma, it is concluded that Atma also exists in the scorching Sun, the cold Moon, the windy Saturn, the high-pressure Venus, and the dark Pluto.

Based on various Gunas and Karmas, every Atma enters different material bodies of varying composition on different planets throughout this material universe. Therefore, the Vedic scriptures describe the Atma as sarva-gatah, or «existing everywhere in the universe». Based on this status, the existence of life on other planets is, according to the Vedic scriptures, indisputable.

Karma and Guna determine the taxonomy of living beings in the universe. With reference to the Padma Purana regarding the number of species in the universe, the taxonomy is clearly defined. Because the quality of Atma is continuous and undiminished by any material disturbances in this universe, the Atma can exist in any material body with any material composition. When Atma resides in the sun, the composition of that material body will consist primarily of hydrogen and helium. When Atmas live on Earth, their material bodies will adapt to the earthly environment. Therefore, according to the Vedic scriptures, the existence of life is determined by the presence of Atmas, and wherever Atmas enter a material body, material life begins.

The classification of the taxonomy of extraterrestrial beings (aliens) is based on the descriptions found in the Padma Purana. The primary classifications of extraterrestrials are based on:

1. the predominant Gunas (whether they are sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic)
2. Physiology and origin
3. Realms (celestial, terrestrial, or subterranean)
4. chemical compounds that form their molecular basis

Classification according to dominant Gunas

Extraterrestrial beings (aliens) are divided into three main types: Suras (benevolent beings), Manusas (mortal humans), and Asuras (malevolent beings). This classification is based on the predominant dispositions that influence their mentality, namely sattva (goodness), rajas (passion), and tamas (ignorance). Animals and plants do not fall specifically into this classification, but other texts, such as Ayurvedic texts, mention plants and animals with sattvic, rajasic, or tamasic orientations. This classification represents a general division of good and evil intelligent life in the universe. The demigods, Siddhas, Caranas, and Vidyadharas are classified as Suras, while demons such as the Bhutas, Pisacas, reptilians, and goblins are Asuras. In between are human beings, who struggle to be free from Asura influences in order to ascend to the celestial realms of Sura qualities.

Classification Based on Physiology and Origin

The lowest forms of living beings are said to depend on water for respiration. This type of being is referred to as Jalajas (aquatic beings and amphibians). On various planets, given suitable intensity of abiotic components, beings can evolve into more intelligent and complex life forms. A reptile on Earth, for example, could develop into a highly intelligent reptile on a more suitable planet with a better atmosphere, solar radiation, soil composition, and oxygen levels. Thus, intelligent extraterrestrial life may indeed exist on other planets, even though it may not evolve at maximum speed on Earth due to unsuitable abiotic conditions.

Krimayasare bacteria, viruses, single-celled organisms, mollusks, larvae, and worms. On other planets, extraterrestrial beings of this kind exist that are capable of thinking like humans. They build cities and traverse space in spacecraft. In the Atharvaveda there is mention of this type of extraterrestrial being falling to Earth and causing unrest. The Krimayas fear high temperatures, and therefore their planets of origin are naturally humid and dark.

Sarabhas are a family of Krimayas, in the form of insects and arachnids. They thrive under optimal conditions on a planet with a high oxygen content. The more oxygen they receive, the larger and more intelligent they become. The Bhagavata Purana mentions the Ruru species, which belong to the Krimaya. It is stated in the Bhagavata Purana that Rurus do not exist on Earth, but are wilder than a snake.

Sthavaras, or the plants. Their natural habitat is said to be on the moon. As the moon is described as a cooling and fertile place (according to the Visnu Purana, Padma Purana, and Garuda Purana), plants grow there optimally. Sthavaras can cure any disease and are closely connected to water and carbon. Some plants that produce medicinal substances, fruits, and edible leaves are able to absorb moonlight and convert it into flavorful and nutritious compounds.

Rudranas, known as the reptilian species. Reptiles belong to the clan of the Asuras, who are often described as malevolent toward other living beings. The Siva Purana, the Lingga Purana, and also the Mahabharata mention in many sections the malevolent activities of the reptilian races throughout Vedic history. Their clans are known as the Nagas and Uragas. They have interacted with humans in the past. In the Mahabharata, it is mentioned that Arjuna married Ulupi, a Naga princess. The Siva Purana then reports on Naga species that lived beneath the Hindu ocean and abducted humans for sustenance. One day they abducted a Brahmin. This Brahmin implored Lord Siva for help. Lord Siva thereupon destroyed all the evil Nagas and is therefore known as Nagesvara.

Pasunas, or mammals. Some Pasuna species have the form of half lion or half cow. Meanwhile, there are also Paksinas, or half-bird species. They live on a cluster of planets called Kinnaraloka in the Bhuvarloka section of the universe. They have wings and feathers, but they can also think and speak like humans. Paksina species are dependent on sunlight and abundant oxygen.

Manusah, or humanoids. Among the humanoids are humans, Devas, Asuras, Kinnaras (half human and half animal), Kimpurusas (ape-like beings), Gandharvas (celestial musicians), Apsaras (angels), Vidyadharas (winged angels), Siddhas (superhumans), and so forth. The Padma Purana mentions that there are 400’000 humanoid species throughout the entire universe.

Bhutas, or ethereal beings. These include ghosts, Bhutaganas (known as grey aliens in Western culture), Pisacas (child-devouring demons, like Pennywise), goblins, and so forth.

Classification Based on Realms of Existence

This classification is found in the Bhagavata Purana, Canto 3 and 5. The celestial realms are planets inhabited by Devas, Siddhas, Caranas, Vidyadharas, Kinnaras, and all benevolent beings. The underworlds or Bila-Svargas are planets where Asuras, Krimayas, reptilians, and Bhutas reside. In between lies the earthly plane, or Bhurloka, where spirits are born and engage in certain activities to become further entangled in material existence or to return to the divine.

Classification Based on Chemical Compounds and Molecular Basis

This type of classification is a combination of physiology and base elements within cells. For example, a mammal on a particular planet may be composed of different elements than mammals on Earth. This element could be carbon (as in the cells of Earth's mammals), but instead silicon, silver, or copper. This anomaly can be found in the chemical composition of certain mollusks on Earth, such as shrimp, whose blood contains the element copper rather than iron, which gives it a bluish color.

Both the Mahabharata and the Rigveda state that the feather of the Garuda is made of a special compound that neutralizes the effect of thunderbolts. Some Vedic scriptures refer to it as Suvarnapaksa, or «the bird with golden wings». One might therefore conclude that the Garuda's cellular base element is gold (aurum) and calcium, in contrast to Earth's birds, even though they belong physiologically to the same avian species.

Conclusion

The descriptions and enumerations of extraterrestrial beings in the Vedic scriptures reveal a remarkable fact about the depth, breadth, and honesty of Vedic knowledge. Their existence and interactions with human beings, as recorded in Vedic literature — particularly the Puranas and Itihasas — demonstrate that their existence is indisputable.