The concept of how the universe came into being is one of the central themes addressed by many religions. Christianity and Sikhi both recognize a Creator, yet their explanations of how creation unfolded are significantly different, both in process and perspective.

The Christian explanation

The Bible, specifically in the Book of Genesis (Chapter 1:1–31), outlines a day-by-day chronology of creation. It begins with the statement:
“In the beginning God created heaven and earth…”

The sequence of creation goes as follows:

• Day 1: God creates heaven and earth, and light.

• Day 2: The firmament is created to divide the waters above from the waters below.

• Day 3: Dry land appears; vegetation is created.

• Day 4: The sun, moon, and stars are made.

• Day 5: Marine life and birds are created.

• Day 6: Animals and humans are created.

• Day 7: God rests and sanctifies the day.

One key observation from this account is that days existed before the sun was created, vegetation existed without sunlight, and birds were created before reptiles, which contradicts modern scientific understanding. The Bible presents creation as a linear, day-by-day process carried out over a span of six days, with God resting on the seventh.

The Sikh view of creation

Sikhi does not follow a step-by-step chronological creation story like Genesis. Instead, it emphasizes the instantaneous creation of the universe through God’s divine command (Kavaa’o).

ਕੀਤਾ ਪਸਾਉ ਏਕੋ ਕਵਾਉ ॥
“You created the vast expanse of the Universe with One Word!” (Ang 3)

This verse underlines that creation did not happen in stages over several days, but in a single moment, through the Will of the Almighty. The focus is not on how long it took, but on Who created and how effortlessly He did so.

Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, also mentions the existence of countless universes, moving far beyond the single-earth model of Genesis:

ਕੋਟਿ ਬ੍ਰਹਮੰਡ ਕੋ ਠਾਕੁਰੁ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਸਰਬ ਜੀਆ ਕਾ ਦਾਤਾ ਰੇ ॥
“God is the Lord and Master of millions of universes; He is the Giver of all beings.” (Ang 612)

The Sikhs believe that the world is an efflux from God. It is a manifestation of His creative spirit (ੴ Ek Oankaar) through His creative Will (Kavaao). Before time began to run its course only God existed. Then He willed the creation of the Universe.

ਜਾ ਤਿਸੁ ਭਾਵੈ ਤਾ ਸ੍ਰਿਸਟਿ ਉਪਾਏ ॥ ਆਪਨੈ ਭਾਣੈ ਲਏ ਸਮਾਏ ॥
“When it pleases Him, He creates the world. As He pleases, He absorbs it back into Himself.” (Ang 292)

This creation is not a one-time event. It can happen again and again, as per His Will.

A natural flow, not a fixed calendar

Whereas the Bible gives specific days for each step of creation, Sikhi clearly says no one knows the date or time of when the universe was created:

ਥਿਤਿ ਵਾਰੁ ਨਾ ਜੋਗੀ ਜਾਣੈ ਰੁਤਿ ਮਾਹੁ ਨਾ ਕੋਈ ॥
ਜਾ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਿਰਠੀ ਕਉ ਸਾਜੇ ਆਪੇ ਜਾਣੈ ਸੋਈ ॥
“The day and the date are not known to the Yogis, nor is the month or the season. The Creator who created this creation – only He Himself knows.” (Ang 4)

This reinforces that trying to pinpoint the origin of the universe with human calendars is futile, as time itself is a creation and exists differently across the cosmos. Even on Earth, when one part experiences daylight, the other is in darkness.

A more subtle and scientific approach

Interestingly, Guru Nanak Dev Ji also offers a spiritual explanation that resonates with scientific principles:

ਸਾਚੇ ਤੇ ਪਵਨਾ ਭਇਆ ਪਵਨੈ ਤੇ ਜਲੁ ਹੋਇ ॥
ਜਲ ਤੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਭਵਣੁ ਸਾਜਿਆ ਘਟਿ ਘਟਿ ਜੋਤਿ ਸਮੋਇ ॥
“The True Lord created air (gases); from air came water. From water, the three worlds were created, and the Divine Light pervades all.” (Ang 19)

This aligns metaphorically with modern science – gases forming elements, which combine to form water, which becomes the basis for life. Guru Ji here beautifully explains creation as a chain of natural yet divinely-willed processes, with God’s Light present in every part of it.

Summary of the key differences

In essence, Sikhi focuses less on the mechanics and more on the mystery and majesty of creation, presenting a timeless and formless view of the universe where everything is under the command of the One. It teaches awe, humility, and wonder before the Divine, who not only created all but exists within all.