Srishti, or the creation of this world, has been a significant subject of discussion in all six philosophical systems of Hinduism. Though philosophers of the Advaita Vedanta school generally acknowledge the existence of the external world and its creation—since this topic is addressed in the Upanishads—they do not accept it as a permanent reality.
Among the various schools of Advaita Vedanta that emerged in the post-Shankara period, the one developed by Prakashananda (1550-1600 CE) is notable. This school, known as subjective idealism, presents a unique view of creation called Drishti Srishti Vada. According to Drishti Srishti Vada, the creation of the external object occurs simultaneously with its perception by the seer. In other words, a thing exists only when it is perceived and does not exist before or after perception.
For instance, the perception of a blue lotus and the blue lotus itself are one and the same; there is no external object independent of this cognition. The dream state is purely mental and lacks extra-mental objects. Similarly, in the waking state, the so-called external objects are merely mental states, with no true distinction between internal and external realities. The entire world is thus considered a psychic modification and holds no reality outside the mind.
This view closely resembles the idealism of the Yoga Vasishta and is likely derived from it. Additionally, it parallels the Vijnanavada (or Yogacara) school of Buddhism, which posits a similar perspective on the nature of reality and perception.
