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.