07 Oct 2022
[Shri Anil asked: Padanamaskaram Swami: Regarding the unimaginable boundary of universe, a person replied in the following way. Swami please give a response to it. At Your Lotus Divine Feet-anil
If the "universe" means 'everything there is', then there is nothing beyond it. The boundary of the universe is the line beyond which there is nothing. This must surely follow from the universe being everything that is; everything that exists? "Universe" = "Everything". Therefore, 'outside' the universe there is nothing. This isn't so much a scientific claim as an etymological one, that abides by the meaning that we have assigned to the word "universe".
I can only answer about the natural numbers, i.e. the countable numbers, and not about the universe itself. According to the continuum hypothesis, there is a massive empty gap after the last natural number. If you manage to bridge that gap, you will find the smallest set of uncountable numbers. Then, there is another gap, and the whole thing repeats with a larger set of uncountable numbers. Ad nauseam. It's a never ending story. The universe of true propositions about this multiverse becomes increasingly chaotic, the deeper you explore it, and the larger the transfinite numbers that you reach.
If the theory of the universe contains a copy of Robinson's fragment Q of arithmetic theory - which is almost surely the case - then our universe is a member of a multiverse. Just like the natural numbers, the multiverse will have a large gap in between each member universe (according to the continuum hypothesis). In that case our universe is merely the standard or intended interpretation of its theory, while there will additionally be numerous nonstandard interpretations (universes). In other words, our universe may indeed be surrounded by a massive empty gap (nothing), but after that gap, a new universe starts. Furthermore, our universe does not need to be actually infinite - which it is not - but only potentially infinite - which it is, as long as it keeps expanding.]
Swami replied:- The word ‘nothing’ is not clearly specified. Obviously, nothing means space. We are telling about the boundary line of space or universe because space is a component of the universe. If ‘nothing’ does not exist beyond the boundary of the universe or space, then, what is that something that exists? The extreme sense of nothing is only space as per the view of this person. Hence, we used the word universe or space. Space is perceived by our eyes and must be something. It is subtle energy and even science supports this view. The exercise done by him using the numbers is also mentioning the same basic view of nothing or repetition of infinite chain of some things, which are subtle, more subtle and most subtle. This is only expressing the inability of the solution. These scientists speak of only whatever they have learnt. They must have open minds with a very broad outlook in such a fundamental subject.
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