In India, we hold a great fascination for our ancient past, known as purana kalam, and our puranas. It is often discussed how our puranas describe modern airplanes as pushpak viman and how the Western world has supposedly drawn inspiration from our ancient scientific knowledge to create advancements in science. Adding to the glory of our puranas, we can now draw parallels between the Metaverse and the parallel world created by the sage Vishwamitra for Trishanku, known as Trishanku swargam/lokam.
It is human nature for individuals of various religions to connect everything they encounter to their own faith. Christians often relate events to the Bible, while Muslims interpret things through the lens of their Islamic beliefs, and Hindus do the same. This mentality is not exclusive to any particular religion but rather a universal aspect of human behavior.
Now, let us explore the technical aspects of the Metaverse, which is a non-material virtual world that mimics our physical reality, which is very similar to the parallel world Vishwamitra crafted for Trishanku.
The concept of the metaverse refers to a virtual reality space or a collective virtual universe where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users in real-time. It's often described as a digital parallel to the physical world, where people can engage in various activities, socialize, work, learn, and even conduct business.
The metaverse combines elements of augmented reality, virtual reality, and the internet to create immersive and interactive experiences. It goes beyond simple video games or virtual environments by enabling a persistent and interconnected virtual world that can be accessed from different devices and platforms.
In the metaverse, users can customize their virtual avatars, explore virtual landscapes, participate in events, create and sell virtual goods, attend virtual meetings and conferences, and much more. It has the potential to redefine the way we socialize, work, and consume content in a digital space.
Although the vision of a fully realized metaverse is still evolving, various companies and projects are actively working towards its development. The metaverse has gained significant attention due to its potential to revolutionize various industries, including entertainment, gaming, education, art, and commerce.
While some elements of the metaverse already exist, it is an ongoing process that requires advancements in technology, infrastructure, and user adoption. The future of the metaverse holds great potential for new and immersive digital experiences, but it also raises important questions around privacy, ethics, inclusivity, and ownership within this evolving virtual landscape.