Vedic Idea of Energy as the Source of the Universe. Dr. K.P. Sinha  Head of the Sanskrit Department, Assam Universiry , Assam.

In the history of the philosophical and scientific speculations of ancient India, we find a number of theories deriving the material world from energy. Energy in Indian thoughts has, however, two phases conscious or spiritual, and non-conscious or material, the latter being an evolved state of the former. Prakruti accepted in Samkhya-Yoga as the source of the world is not matter or mass but material energy. All the systems of Vaisnavism, Saivism and Saktism also derive the material world from prakrti, the material energy, which in the view of these thinkers, is a lower manifestation of the conscious energy. Maya accepted in Advaita Vedanta is also another name of material energy. 

This idea of energy as the source of the universe is found hidden in the myths of the Vedic Samhitas. The three divisions of gods-terrestrial, atmospheric and celestial represent the qualities of tamas, rajas and sattva, respectively. Agni, the common material of all the earthly objects, has its origin in the highest or invisible heaven, and is the son of Aditi. Indra representing the atmospheric gods is the brother of Agni and Surya, and the son of Aditi. Surya,
the soul of the world, is also a son of Aditi and a manifestation of the invisible celestial land lying above. 

This highest invisible heaven is the third invisible stride of Visnu. It may be identified with Aditi, the infinite, who is the mother of all the gods including Sürya, Indra and Agni, and also with Vak, the daughter of Samudra or paramatman of the nature of consciousness. This highest heaven is the synthesis of sattva, rajas and tamas. It is light or energy-conscious and non-conscious.