The Nāsadīya Sūkta is a hymn from the Rigveda that explores the origin of the universe and the nature of existence:
- Name: The name comes from the word na-asid, which means "it did not exist".
- Location: It is the 129th hymn in the 10th mandala of the Rigveda.
- Content: The hymn begins with the statement, "Then, there was neither existence, nor non-existence". It contemplates the origins of the universe, but does not provide a definitive answer.
- Significance: The hymn questions whether it is possible to know all the details of the universe's origins. It also discusses skepticism about knowing what existed at the beginning of existence.
- Scholarly attention: The Nāsadīya Sūkta has been the subject of extensive scholarly attention, with many translations and interpretations