Time (Kala) is considered both cyclical and linear, encompassing a vast range from the tiniest units to grand cosmic cycles. Here is a detailed mapping of the various time units as described in Hindu texts such as the Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana, and Manusmriti, from the tiniest to the grandest:
Time Measurements found in Hindu Scriptures
| Unit | Description | Equivalent Time (Approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Paramanu | Smallest unit of time | 1/3,750,000,000 second |
| Anu | Combination of 2 Paramanu | 1/1,875,000,000 second |
| Trasarenu | Combination of 3 Anu | 1/625,000,000 second |
| Truti | Combination of 3 Trasarenu | 1/208,333,333 second |
| Vedha | Combination of 100 Truti | 1/2,083,333 second |
| Lava | Combination of 3 Vedha | 1/694,444 second |
| Nimesha | Combination of 3 Lava | 1/231,481 second |
| Kshana | Combination of 3 Nimesha | 1/77 second |
| Kashtha | Combination of 5 Kshana | 1/15 second |
| Kala | Combination of 30 Kashtha | 2 seconds |
| Muhurta | Combination of 30 Kala | 48 minutes |
| Ahoratra (Day) | Combination of 30 Muhurta | 24 hours |
| Paksha | Combination of 15 days (Ahoratra) | 15 days |
| Masa (Month) | Combination of 2 Paksha (Shukla and Krishna) | 30 days |
| Ritu (Season) | Combination of 2 months | 60 days |
| Ayana | Combination of 3 Ritus (Season) | 6 months |
| Varsha (Year) | Combination of 2 Ayanas (Uttarayana and Dakshinayana) | 12 months |
| Yuga | 4 Yugas (Krita, Treta, Dvapara, Kali) | 4,320,000 years (total for one cycle) |
| Mahayuga | Sum of all 4 Yugas | 4,320,000 years |
| Manvantara | Combination of 71 Mahayugas | 306,720,000 years |
| Kalpa (Day of Brahma) | Combination of 14 Manvantaras + 1,728,000 years (Sandhya) | 4.32 billion years |
| Ahoratra of Brahma | Combination of 2 Kalpas (Day and Night of Brahma) | 8.64 billion years |
| Month of Brahma | Combination of 30 Ahoratras of Brahma | 259.2 billion years |
| Year of Brahma | Combination of 12 months of Brahma | 3.1104 trillion years |
| Maha Kalpa | Lifespan of Brahma (100 years of Brahma) | 311.04 trillion years |
Detailed Description
Smallest Units:
- Paramanu: The smallest measurable unit of time.
- Anu: A combination of 2 Paramanu.
- Trasarenu: A combination of 3 Anu.
- Truti: A combination of 3 Trasarenu.
- Vedha: A combination of 100 Truti.
- Lava: A combination of 3 Vedha.
- Nimesha: A combination of 3 Lava.
- Kshana: A combination of 3 Nimesha.
- Kashtha: A combination of 5 Kshana.
- Kala: A combination of 30 Kashtha.
- Muhurta: A combination of 30 Kala.
Larger Units:
- Ahoratra: A full day consisting of 30 Muhurta.
- Paksha: A fortnight consisting of 15 days.
- Masa: A month consisting of 2 Pakshas.
- Ritu: A season consisting of 2 months.
- Ayana: A half-year consisting of 3 Ritus.
- Varsha: A year consisting of 2 Ayanas.
Yugas:
- Krita Yuga: 1,728,000 years.
- Treta Yuga: 1,296,000 years.
- Dvapara Yuga: 864,000 years.
- Kali Yuga: 432,000 years.
- Mahayuga: The combination of the 4 Yugas, totaling 4,320,000 years.
Grand Cycles:
- Manvantara: Consists of 71 Mahayugas.
- Kalpa: A day of Brahma consisting of 14 Manvantaras plus an additional period known as Sandhya.
- Ahoratra of Brahma: Consists of 2 Kalpas (one day and one night of Brahma).
- Month of Brahma: Consists of 30 Ahoratras of Brahma.
- Year of Brahma: Consists of 12 months of Brahma.
- Maha Kalpa: The lifespan of Brahma, consisting of 100 years of Brahma.
References
- Vishnu Purana: Provides detailed descriptions of the cosmic cycles and units of time.
- Bhagavata Purana: Describes the duration of Yugas and Manvantaras.
- "All About Hinduism" by Swami Sivananda: This book covers various aspects of Hindu philosophy and includes discussions on the concept of time.
Today, July 18, 2024, corresponds to Kali Yuga (5126 years) within the current Mahayuga, part of the 28th Mahayuga of the 7th Manvantara, in the Shvetavaraha Kalpa (day of Brahma), within the early part of month of Brahma, in the first half of his 51st year!!!