- Creation (Srishti) is the first stage, when the universe is created from the void. This is a time of great potential and excitement, as new worlds and beings are brought into existence.
- Preservation (Sthithi) is the second stage, when the universe is maintained in its current state. This is a time of stability and order, as the laws of nature are in effect and the world continues to function.
- Destruction (Laya) is the third stage, when the universe is destroyed. This is a time of chaos and upheaval, as the world is torn apart and all life is extinguished.
- Recreation is the fourth and final stage, when the universe is recreated. This is a time of hope and renewal, as the cycle begins again with the creation of a new world.
Following a brief interval, the cycle recommences once more. These three fundamental aspects of time are governed by the Divine Trinity—Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva. Hence, It is Time itself that kick-starts the creation of the material world and it is Time that destroys the material world, maybe that's why time is named as Kaal.
Hinduism has a unique concept of time called Kaal. Kaal encompasses both the concept of time and death. Hence, Lord Yamraj is often associated with "Kaal" as he is the god of death. Lord Shiva is also known as Mahakaal as he is the force that brings about the end of each cycle, and he is also the force that will eventually destroy the universe itself.
The Hindu concept of time is superior to the Western concept in several ways.
First, it is more cyclical and less linear. This allows Hindus to see the world as a constantly changing and evolving place, rather than a static and unchanging one. As mentioned in Rig veda 10.190.3-
सूरय्याचन्द्रमसौ धाता यथा पूर्वमकल्पयत् I दिवं च पृथ्वीं च अंतरिक्षमथो स्वः II
The Ordainer created the sun and moon like those of previous cycles. He formed in order universe and Earth, the regions of the air, and light.
Second, it is more holistic. Hindus believe that time is not just a physical phenomenon, but also a spiritual one. This allows them to see the interconnectedness of all things, and to understand that time is not something that can be controlled or manipulated, but rather something that we must all learn to accept.
Third, it is more compassionate. Hindus believe that time is not just a force of destruction, but also a force of renewal. This allows them to see the end of each cycle as a new beginning, and to find hope in the face of death and destruction.
The cosmic time is organized into units known as "Kalpas," each representing a day and night in the temporal and spatial framework of Brahma. A Kalpa is considered equivalent to 8.64 billion years, as described in the Vishnu Purana. (Different Puranas state a slightly different measurement of time).
To further structure the Kalpa, it is divided into 1000 "maha yugas." Each maha yuga is then subdivided into four distinct epochs, known as "yugas." These yugas are named as follows:
1. Krita Yuga or Satyuga- 17,28,000 Years
2. Treta Yuga- 12,96,000 Years
3. Dvapara Yuga- 8,64,000 Years
4. Kali Yuga- 4,32,000
Importantly, the duration of each of these yugas varies, creating a cyclical pattern that shapes the passage of time according to Hindu cosmology.
The initial epoch in the sequence, known as Krita or Sat Yuga, encompasses the lengthiest period, spanning 1.728 million years. In contrast, the final and present epoch, referred to as Kali Yuga, has a significantly shorter duration of only 432,000 years. The lifespan of Brahma, which is equivalent to 100 Brahma years, is termed Maha Kalpa or Parardha, amounting to an astonishing 311.04 trillion human years.
In the realm of gods, a single day corresponds to an entire year on Earth, a fascinating ratio of time. This divine day is further divided into distinct periods: the day is called "uttarayana," and the night is referred to as "dakshinayana." Both uttarayana and dakshinayana last for precisely 180 days each, creating a balanced and cyclical pattern within the divine timescale.
In Hindu tradition, there exists an additional temporal division known as "Manvantara." This period signifies the rule of a specific "Manu," the progenitor of humanity, over the Earth. The term "Man" originates from the Sanskrit word "Manu." According to this tradition, at the onset of each Manvantara, a new Manu emerges to give rise to a fresh lineage of human beings.
Each Manvantara encompasses approximately 71 "mahayugas," translating to roughly 308 million years. Within each Manvantara, in addition to the Manu, seven seers or "Saptrishis" as well as one "Indra" make their appearance. This intricate arrangement signifies the cyclical nature of cosmic time and the recurring emergence of influential figures, ensuring the continuity of life and order within the cosmic framework.
Now, before going further you need to understand that like West, we don’t consider time as a linear concept, we consider it as a cyclic concept as mentioned in Rig veda 10.190.3-
सूरय्याचन्द्रमसौ धाता यथा पूर्वमकल्पयत् I
दिवं च पृथ्वीं च अंतरिक्षमथो स्वः II
"The Ordainer created the sun and moon like those of previous cycles. He formed in order universe and Earth, the regions of the air, and light."
Other concepts that are mentioned in our scriptures related to time-
1. Space-time-
पूर्ण कुम्भोदिः काल आहितस्तं वै पश्यामो बहुदा नु सन्तः । [AtharvaVeda 19.53.3]
"A full pot has been placed in Time and it is that which we see manifoldly."
Also, in the Dakshinamurty stotram composed by Adi Shankara he states:
बीजस्याऽन्तरिवाङ्कुरो जगदिदं प्राङ्गनिर्विकल्पं पुनः
मायाकल्पितदेशकालकलना वैचित्र्यचित्रीकृतम् ।
"This World is Like a Sprout of a Seed Within which transforms what is a Changeless state Before, appears Again as Space and Time, and endless Varieties of Pictures over it; all due to the Creation of Maya."
2. Time relativity and the twin paradox are exemplified by the renowned tale of Kakudami and his daughter Revati. As they dwell in Brahma Loka for a mere 20 minutes, an astonishing passage of millions of years unfolds on Earth. This story vividly illustrates the concept of time dilation, wherein the perception of time can markedly differ based on the observer's frame of reference. It parallels the modern physics notion of the twin paradox, where one twin undergoing high-speed travel experiences a significantly shorter time span compared to the stationary twin on Earth, leading to a remarkable age difference between them. The Kakudami-Revati narrative serves as an intriguing precursor, offering an early glimpse into the principles of time relativity.
1 paramanu= 60,750th of a sec
1 truţi = 29.6296 microsec
1 nimesha= 88.889 milliseconds (a blink of an eyelid
18 nimesha= 1 kaashthaa
30 kaashthaa=1 Kaal
2 Paksha= 1 Month
12 Months = 1 Year (this period is equal to a single day + a Single night of Devas, which Means a Whole day for Devas)
Then there are six seasons in one year, such that each season lasts for two months.
1 Satya Yuga : 17,28,000 years of a human
1 Treta Yuga : 12,96,000 years of human
1 Dvapara Yuga : 8,64,000 years of human
1 Kali Yuga : 4,32,000 years of human
1 MahaYuga= 1 cycle of above four Yugas= 43,20,000 years.
12,000 Deva years (divine Years) = 1 Mahayuga (which is one yuga of Devas. For Devas, there is no distinction of Satya, Treta, etc in yugas)
71 Mahayugas = 1 Manvantara which is equal to 30,67,20,000 Human Years.
1000 Mahayugas= 1 Kalpa Which is equal to 4,32,00,00,000 Human Years and it is equal to one day of Brahma.
100 Brahma years= 1 Maha Kalpa
After this Mahapralaya happens. But, there is something called pralaya as well, which is of 4 types:
Nitya Pralaya: It represents the state of eternal rest, akin to sleep, and can be extended to signify Death.
Naimittika Pralaya: It occurs at the culmination of a single day in Brahma's existence, leading to the dissolution of the three worlds: Bhuh, Bhuvaha, and Suvaha.
Maha Pralaya: It also known as the great deluge, emerges at the conclusion of a Brahma's age, spanning 100 Brahmic Years.
Aatyantika Pralaya: It marks the ultimate liberation or attainment of Moksha by a Jiva (individual soul), after which the Jivan is forever free from the clutches of Karma and the binding shackles of Samsara (cycle of birth and death). The time span for this kind of Pralaya varies, dependent on the practice of different Yogas or Prapatti.
Source:https://twitter.com/hathyogi31/status/1690743016376410113