Re: beyond ākāśa ?
Actually there are two kinds of space: vacuity--hollow space, and plenum--filled space. So the concept of expanding universe might indicate expansion of the plenum within the vacuity it is contained in. The corresponding Sanskrit words are AkAsha--vacuity and pUrNa--for plenum.
• Although AkAsha--space is empty of physical matter, it is not dark but A-kAsha--shining (kAsha) all around (A). How can emptiness shine unless it is filled with the light of chaitanya--consciousness of Brahman?
• The visible form of AkAsha is the sky: "AkAshabhavA sarasvatI"--kumAra saMbhavam 4.39.
• AkAsha is one of the nine dravyas recognized in the nyAya-vaisheShika system: pRthivi--earth, ApaH--water, taijaH--fire, vAyuH--air, AkAshaM--AkAsha, kAlaH--time, dik--space, AtmA--Self, and manas--mind.
It is interesting to note that here, space is distinguished from AkAsha. The dik--space of nyAya-vaisheShika indicates the spatial context that distinguishes objects as distinct from one another (plenum perhaps). While direction is the identifer of the spatial context, sound is the identifier of AkAsha.
Another interesting point is that except kAla--time, AkAsha and AtmA which are mahan--large spherical in structure, the other drayvas are atomic--of small spherical in structure.
रत्नाकरधौतपदां हिमालयकिरीटिनीम् ।
ब्रह्मराजर्षिररत्नाढ्यां वन्दे भारतमातरम् ॥
To her whose feet are washed by the ocean, who wears the Himalayas as her crown, and is adorned with the gems of rishis and kings, to Mother India, do I bow down in respect.
--viShNu purANam
Bookmarks