Difference between revisions of "Hindu units of time"
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| − | Hindu religious scriptures such as the Vedas and Purāṇas describe a massive range of units of Kāla measurements, spanning right from Paramāṇu (time length of about 17 microseconds) to the Mahā-Manvantara (311.04 trillion years). According to these texts, the creation and destruction of the universe is a cyclic process, which repeats itself forever. Each cycle starts with the birth and expansion (lifetime) of the universe equaling 311.04 trillion years, followed by its complete annihilation (which also prevails for the same duration) which is done by Lord Shiv(Bholenath) . | + | [[Hindu]] [[religious]] [[scriptures]] such as the [[Vedas]] and [[Purāṇas]] describe a massive range of units of Kāla measurements, spanning right from Paramāṇu ([[time]] length of about 17 microseconds) to the Mahā-Manvantara (311.04 trillion years). According to these texts, the creation and destruction of the [[universe]] is a cyclic process, which repeats itself forever. Each cycle starts with the [[birth]] and expansion ([[lifetime]]) of the [[universe]] equaling 311.04 trillion years, followed by its complete [[annihilation]] (which also prevails for the same [[duration]]) which is [[done]] by [[Lord]] Shiv(Bholenath) . |
==Introduction== | ==Introduction== | ||
| − | Ancient Hindu units of measurement are still prevalent in the Hindus and Jains communities lifestyle. They are indigenously used as a base for doing certain type of astrological calculations, performing religious rituals, following certain practices etc. | + | Ancient [[Hindu]] units of measurement are still prevalent in the [[Hindus]] and {{Wiki|Jains}} communities lifestyle. They are indigenously used as a [[base]] for doing certain type of [[astrological]] calculations, performing [[religious]] [[rituals]], following certain practices etc. |
==Time== | ==Time== | ||
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[[Image:HinduMeasurements.png|thumb|right|250px|Hindu measurements in logarithmic scale (approx.).]] | [[Image:HinduMeasurements.png|thumb|right|250px|Hindu measurements in logarithmic scale (approx.).]] | ||
| − | The Complete Hindu metrics of time (Kāla Vyavahāra) can be summarized as below. | + | The Complete [[Hindu]] metrics of [[time]] (Kāla [[Vyavahāra]]) can be summarized as below. |
{| class=wikitable | {| class=wikitable | ||
|+ Sidereal metrics | |+ Sidereal metrics | ||
| − | !colspan=2| Name !! Definition !! Equivalence !! Remarks | + | !colspan=2| [[Name]] !! Definition !! Equivalence !! Remarks |
|- | |- | ||
| − | ! Prāna || प्राण | + | ! [[Prāna]] || प्राण |
|rowspan=2| ||rowspan=2| ca. 4 s | |rowspan=2| ||rowspan=2| ca. 4 s | ||
|rowspan=2| normal interval of respiration in humans | |rowspan=2| normal interval of respiration in humans | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Vighaṭi || विघटि | ! Vighaṭi || विघटि | ||
| − | |rowspan=3| 6 Prāna ||rowspan=3| ca. 24 s | + | |rowspan=3| 6 [[Prāna]] ||rowspan=3| ca. 24 s |
| − | |rowspan=3|"Burgess, Chapter 1, Verse 11" | + | |rowspan=3|"Burgess, Chapter [[1]], Verse 11" |
|- | |- | ||
! Vinādī || विनाडी | ! Vinādī || विनाडी | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
! Ghaṭi || घटि | ! Ghaṭi || घटि | ||
|rowspan=2| 60 Vighaṭis ||rowspan=2| ca. 24 min | |rowspan=2| 60 Vighaṭis ||rowspan=2| ca. 24 min | ||
| − | |rowspan=2|"Burgess, Chapter 1, Verse 11" | + | |rowspan=2|"Burgess, Chapter [[1]], Verse 11" |
|- | |- | ||
! Nādī || नाडी | ! Nādī || नाडी | ||
| Line 43: | Line 43: | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Sāvana Ahorātram || सावन अहोरात्रम् | ! Sāvana Ahorātram || सावन अहोरात्रम् | ||
| − | | || ca. 1 d | + | | || ca. [[1]] d |
| considered to begin from and end at sunrise | | considered to begin from and end at sunrise | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | An alternate system described in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa Time measurement section of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa Book I Chapter III is as follows: | + | An alternate system described in the Viṣṇu [[Purāṇa]] [[Time]] measurement section of the Viṣṇu [[Purāṇa]] [[Book]] I Chapter III is as follows: |
{| class=wikitable | {| class=wikitable | ||
|+ Alternate system | |+ Alternate system | ||
| − | ! Name !! Definition !! Equivalence | + | ! [[Name]] !! Definition !! Equivalence |
|- | |- | ||
! Kāṣṭhās | ! Kāṣṭhās | ||
| − | | 10 blinks of the eye || ca. 4.11 s | + | | 10 blinks of the [[eye]] || ca. 4.11 s |
|- | |- | ||
! Kalā | ! Kalā | ||
| Line 78: | Line 78: | ||
{| class=wikitable | {| class=wikitable | ||
| − | |+ Small units of time used in the Vedas | + | |+ Small units of [[time]] used in the Vedas |
| − | ! Name !! Definition !! Equivalence | + | ! [[Name]] !! Definition !! Equivalence |
|- | |- | ||
! Paramāṇu | ! Paramāṇu | ||
| Line 109: | Line 109: | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Laghu | ! Laghu | ||
| − | | 15 Kāṣṭhā || ca. 1 min<!-- >61 s--> | + | | 15 Kāṣṭhā || ca. [[1]] min<!-- >61 s--> |
|- | |- | ||
! Nāḍika | ! Nāḍika | ||
| Line 128: | Line 128: | ||
|- | |- | ||
! day | ! day | ||
| − | | 1 day(light) + 1 night || | + | | [[1]] day(light) + [[1]] night || |
|} | |} | ||
===Lunar metrics=== | ===Lunar metrics=== | ||
| − | *a tithi or lunar day is defined as the time it takes for the longitudinal angle between the moon and the Sun to increase by 12°. Tithis begin at varying times of day and vary in duration from approximately 19 to approximately 26 hours. | + | *a tithi or lunar day is defined as the [[time]] it takes for the longitudinal angle between the [[moon]] and the {{Wiki|Sun}} to increase by 12°. Tithis begin at varying [[times]] of day and vary in [[duration]] from approximately 19 to approximately 26 hours. |
*a paksa (also Pakṣa) or lunar fortnight consists of 15 tithis | *a paksa (also Pakṣa) or lunar fortnight consists of 15 tithis | ||
| − | *a Māsa or lunar month (approximately 29.5 days) is divided into 2 Pakṣas: the one between new moon and full moon (waxing) is called gaura (bright) or Śukla Pakṣa; the one between full moon and new moon (waning) Kṛṣṇa (dark) paksha | + | *a Māsa or lunar month (approximately 29.5 days) is divided into 2 Pakṣas: the one between [[new moon]] and [[full moon]] (waxing) is called gaura (bright) or Śukla Pakṣa; the one between [[full moon]] and [[new moon]] (waning) Kṛṣṇa (dark) paksha |
*a Ṛtu (or season) is 2 Māsa | *a Ṛtu (or season) is 2 Māsa | ||
*an ayana is 3 Ṛtus | *an ayana is 3 Ṛtus | ||
| Line 142: | Line 142: | ||
===Tropical metrics=== | ===Tropical metrics=== | ||
| − | * a Yāma (याम) is 7½ Ghaṭis (घटि) | + | * a [[Yāma]] (याम) is 7½ Ghaṭis (घटि) |
| − | * 8 Yāmas 1 half of the day (either day or night) | + | * 8 Yāmas [[1]] half of the day (either day or night) |
* an Ahorātra is a tropical day (Note: A day is considered to begin and end at sunrise, not midnight.) | * an Ahorātra is a tropical day (Note: A day is considered to begin and end at sunrise, not midnight.) | ||
| − | ===Reckoning of time among other entities=== | + | ===Reckoning of [[time]] among other entities=== |
| − | ====Reckoning of time amongst the Pitṛs (''ancestors'')==== | + | ====Reckoning of [[time]] amongst the Pitṛs (''ancestors'')==== |
| − | * 1 human fortnight (14 days) = 1 day of the Pitṛs | + | * [[1]] [[human]] fortnight (14 days) = [[1]] day of the Pitṛs |
| − | * 30 days of the Pitṛs = 1 month of the Pitṛs = (14 × 30 = 420 human days) | + | * 30 days of the Pitṛs = [[1]] month of the Pitṛs = (14 × 30 = 420 [[human]] days) |
| − | * 12 months of the Pitṛs = 1 year of the Pitṛs = (12 months of Pitṛs × 420 human days = 5040 human days) | + | * 12 months of the Pitṛs = [[1]] year of the Pitṛs = (12 months of Pitṛs × 420 [[human]] days = 5040 [[human]] days) |
| − | * The lifespan of the Pitṛs is 100 years of the Pitṛs (= 36,000 Pitṛ days = 504,000 human days) | + | * The lifespan of the Pitṛs is 100 years of the Pitṛs (= 36,000 Pitṛ days = 504,000 [[human]] days) |
| − | ====Reckoning of time amongst the Devas==== | + | ====Reckoning of [[time]] amongst the Devas==== |
| − | The life span of any Hindu demi - god ar a deva, spans nearly (or more than) 4.5 million years. Statistically, we can also look it as … | + | The [[life]] span of any [[Hindu]] demi - [[god]] ar a [[deva]], spans nearly (or more than) 4.5 million years. Statistically, we can also look it as … |
| − | * 100 Deva Years = Life Span of Devas. | + | * 100 [[Deva]] Years = [[Life]] Span of Devas. |
| − | * Life span of Devas = 1 Kalp (or day of Brahma). | + | * [[Life]] span of [[Devas]] = [[1]] Kalp (or day of Brahma). |
| − | The Viṣṇu Purāṇa Time measurement section of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa Book I Chapter III explains the above as follows: | + | The Viṣṇu [[Purāṇa]] [[Time]] measurement section of the Viṣṇu [[Purāṇa]] [[Book]] I Chapter III explains the above as follows: |
| − | * 2 Ayanas (6-month periods, see above) = 1 human year or 1 day of the devas | + | * 2 Ayanas (6-month periods, see above) = [[1]] [[human]] year or [[1]] day of the devas |
| − | * 4,000 + 400 + 400 = 4,800 divine years (= 1,728,000 human years) = 1 Sat Yuga | + | * 4,000 + 400 + 400 = 4,800 [[divine]] years (= 1,728,000 [[human]] years) = [[1]] Sat Yuga |
| − | * 3,000 + 300 + 300 = 3,600 divine years (= 1,296,000 human years) = 1 Tretā Yuga | + | * 3,000 + 300 + 300 = 3,600 [[divine]] years (= 1,296,000 [[human]] years) = [[1]] Tretā Yuga |
| − | * 2,000 + 200 + 200 = 2,400 divine years (= 864,000 human years) = 1 Dvāpara Yuga | + | * 2,000 + 200 + 200 = 2,400 [[divine]] years (= 864,000 [[human]] years) = [[1]] Dvāpara Yuga |
| − | * 1,000 + 100 + 100 = 1,200 divine years (= 432,000 human years) = 1 Kali Yuga | + | * 1,000 + 100 + 100 = 1,200 [[divine]] years (= 432,000 [[human]] years) = [[1]] [[Kali]] Yuga |
| − | * 12,000 divine year = 4 Yugas (= 4,320,000 human years) = 1 Mahā-Yuga (also is equaled to 1200 Daiva (divine) Yuga) | + | * 12,000 [[divine]] year = 4 [[Yugas]] (= 4,320,000 [[human]] years) = [[1]] Mahā-Yuga (also is equaled to 1200 Daiva ([[divine]]) Yuga) |
| − | *[2*12,000 = 24,000 divine year = One revolution of sun around it's dual] | + | *[2*12,000 = 24,000 [[divine]] year = One revolution of {{Wiki|sun}} around it's dual] |
| − | ====Reckoning of time for Brahma==== | + | ====Reckoning of [[time]] for Brahma==== |
| − | * 1000 Mahā-Yugas = 1 Kalpa = 1 day (day only) of Brahma | + | * 1000 Mahā-Yugas = [[1]] [[Kalpa]] = [[1]] day (day only) of Brahma |
| − | (2 ''Kalpa''s constitute a day and night of Brahma, 8.64 billion human years) | + | (2 ''Kalpa''s constitute a day and night of [[Brahma]], 8.64 billion [[human]] years) |
| − | * 30 days of Brahma = 1 month of Brahma (259.2 billion human years) | + | * 30 days of [[Brahma]] = [[1]] month of [[Brahma]] (259.2 billion [[human]] years) |
| − | * 12 months of Brahma = 1 year of Brahma (3.1104 trillion human years) | + | * 12 months of [[Brahma]] = [[1]] year of [[Brahma]] (3.1104 trillion [[human]] years) |
| − | * 50 years of Brahma = 1 Parārdha | + | * 50 years of [[Brahma]] = [[1]] Parārdha |
| − | * 2 parardhas = 100 years of Brahma = 1 Para = 1 Mahā-Kalpa (the lifespan of Brahma)(311.04 trillion human years) | + | * 2 parardhas = 100 years of [[Brahma]] = [[1]] Para = [[1]] Mahā-Kalpa (the lifespan of Brahma)(311.04 trillion [[human]] years) |
| − | One day of Brahma is divided into 10,000 parts called caraṇas. The caraṇas are divided as follows: | + | One day of [[Brahma]] is divided into 10,000 parts called caraṇas. The caraṇas are divided as follows: |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|+ The Four Yugas | |+ The Four Yugas | ||
| Line 188: | Line 188: | ||
| 2 caraṇas (864,000 solar years) || [[Dvapara Yuga]] | | 2 caraṇas (864,000 solar years) || [[Dvapara Yuga]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | 1 caraṇas (432,000 solar years) || [[Kali Yuga]] | + | | [[1]] caraṇas (432,000 solar years) || [[Kali Yuga]] |
|} | |} | ||
The cycle repeats itself so altogether there are 1,000 cycles of Mahā-Yuga in one day of Brahma. | The cycle repeats itself so altogether there are 1,000 cycles of Mahā-Yuga in one day of Brahma. | ||
| − | * One cycle of the above four Yugas is one Mahā-Yuga (4.32 million solar years) | + | * One cycle of the above four [[Yugas]] is one Mahā-Yuga (4.32 million solar years) |
| − | * as is confirmed by the Gītā Śloka 8.17 (statement) "sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ rātriṁ yuga-sahasrāntāṁ te 'ho-rātra-vido janāḥ", meaning, a day of brahma is of 1000 Mahā-Yuga. Thus a day of Brahma, Kalpa, is of duration: 4.32 billion solar years. Two Kalpas constitute a day and night(Adhi Sandhi) of Brahma | + | * as is confirmed by the Gītā Śloka 8.17 (statement) "sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ rātriṁ yuga-sahasrāntāṁ te 'ho-rātra-vido janāḥ", [[meaning]], a day of [[brahma]] is of 1000 Mahā-Yuga. Thus a day of [[Brahma]], [[Kalpa]], is of [[duration]]: 4.32 billion solar years. Two [[Kalpas]] constitute a day and night(Adhi [[Sandhi]]) of Brahma |
* A Manvatara consists of 71 Mahā-Yuga (306,720,000 solar years). Each Manvatara is ruled by a Manu. | * A Manvatara consists of 71 Mahā-Yuga (306,720,000 solar years). Each Manvatara is ruled by a Manu. | ||
| − | * After each Manvatara follows one Saṃdhi Kalā of the same duration as a Kṛta Yuga (1,728,000 = 4 Caraṇa). (It is said that during a Saṃdhi Kalā, the entire earth is submerged in water.) | + | * After each Manvatara follows one Saṃdhi [[Kalā]] of the same [[duration]] as a Kṛta [[Yuga]] (1,728,000 = 4 Caraṇa). (It is said that during a Saṃdhi [[Kalā]], the entire [[earth]] is submerged in water.) |
| − | * A Kalpa consists of a period of 4.32 Billion solar years called followed by 14 Manvataras and Saṃdhi Kalas. | + | * A [[Kalpa]] consists of a period of 4.32 Billion solar years called followed by 14 Manvataras and Saṃdhi Kalas. |
| − | * A day of Brahma equals | + | * A day of [[Brahma]] equals |
| − | ::(14 times 71 Mahā-Yuga) + (15 × 4 Caraṇas) | + | ::(14 [[times]] 71 Mahā-Yuga) + (15 × 4 Caraṇas) |
::= 994 Mahā-Yuga + (15 * 4800) | ::= 994 Mahā-Yuga + (15 * 4800) | ||
| − | ::= 994 Mahā-Yuga + (72,000 years)[deva years] / 6 = 12,000[deva years] viz. one maha yuga. | + | ::= 994 Mahā-Yuga + (72,000 years)[[[deva]] years] / 6 = 12,000[[[deva]] years] viz. one [[maha]] yuga. |
::= 994 Mahā-Yuga + 6 Mahā-Yuga | ::= 994 Mahā-Yuga + 6 Mahā-Yuga | ||
::= 1,000 Mahā-Yuga | ::= 1,000 Mahā-Yuga | ||
| − | ===The Surya Siddhanta definition of timescales=== | + | ===The [[Surya]] Siddhanta definition of timescales=== |
| − | The Surya Siddhanta [Chapter 14 Mānādhyāyah (मानाध्यायः)], documents a comprehensive model of nine divisions of time called māna (मान) which span from very small time units (Prāņa [प्राण] - 4 seconds) to very large time scales (Para [पर] - 311.04 Trillion solar years). | + | The [[Surya]] Siddhanta [Chapter 14 Mānādhyāyah (मानाध्यायः)], documents a comprehensive model of nine divisions of [[time]] called [[māna]] (मान) which span from very small [[time]] units (Prāņa [प्राण] - 4 seconds) to very large [[time]] scales (Para [पर] - 311.04 Trillion solar years). |
==The current date== | ==The current date== | ||
| − | Currently, 50 years of Brahma have elapsed and this is the first 'day' of the 51st year. This Brahma's day, Kalpa, is named as ShvetaVaraha Kalpa. Within this Day, six Manvantaras have already elapsed and this is the seventh Manavatara, named as – Vaivasvatha Manvantara (or Sraddhadeva Manavatara). Within the Vaivasvatha Manavantara, 27 Mahayugas (4 Yugas together is a Mahayuga), and the Krita, Treta and Dwapara Yugas of the 28th Mahayuga have elapsed. This Kaliyuga is in the 28th Mahayuga. This Kaliyuga began in the year 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian Calendar. Since 50 years of Brahma have already elapsed, this is the second Parardha, also called as Dvithiya Parardha. | + | Currently, 50 years of [[Brahma]] have elapsed and this is the first 'day' of the 51st year. This Brahma's day, [[Kalpa]], is named as ShvetaVaraha [[Kalpa]]. Within this Day, six [[Manvantaras]] have already elapsed and this is the seventh Manavatara, named as – Vaivasvatha Manvantara (or Sraddhadeva Manavatara). Within the Vaivasvatha Manavantara, 27 Mahayugas (4 [[Yugas]] together is a Mahayuga), and the Krita, Treta and Dwapara [[Yugas]] of the 28th Mahayuga have elapsed. This Kaliyuga is in the 28th Mahayuga. This Kaliyuga began in the year 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian [[Calendar]]. Since 50 years of [[Brahma]] have already elapsed, this is the second Parardha, also called as Dvithiya Parardha. |
| − | The time elapsed since the current Brahma has taken over the task of creation can be calculated as | + | The [[time]] elapsed since the current [[Brahma]] has taken over the task of creation can be calculated as |
| − | 432000 × 10 × 1000 × 2 = 8.64 billion years (2 Kalpa (day and night) )<br /> | + | 432000 × 10 × 1000 × 2 = 8.64 billion years (2 [[Kalpa]] (day and night) )<br /> |
| − | 8.64 × 10<sup>9</sup> × 30 × 12 = 3.1104 Trillion Years (1 year of Brahma)<br /> | + | 8.64 × 10<sup>9</sup> × 30 × 12 = 3.1104 Trillion Years ([[1]] year of [[Brahma]])<br /> |
3.1104 × 10<sup>12</sup> × 50 = '''155.52 Trillion Years''' (50 years of Brahma) | 3.1104 × 10<sup>12</sup> × 50 = '''155.52 Trillion Years''' (50 years of Brahma) | ||
(6 × 71 × 4320000 ) + 7 × 1.728 × 10^6 | (6 × 71 × 4320000 ) + 7 × 1.728 × 10^6 | ||
= 1852416000 | = 1852416000 | ||
| − | years elapsed in first six Manvataras, and Sandhi Kalas in the current Kalpa | + | years elapsed in first six Manvataras, and [[Sandhi]] Kalas in the current Kalpa |
27 × 4320000 | 27 × 4320000 | ||
| Line 233: | Line 233: | ||
3102 + 2013 = 5115 years elapsed in current Kaliyuga. | 3102 + 2013 = 5115 years elapsed in current Kaliyuga. | ||
| − | So the total time elapsed since current Brahma is | + | So the total [[time]] elapsed since current [[Brahma]] is |
155520000000000 +1852416000 +116640000 +3888000 +5115 | 155520000000000 +1852416000 +116640000 +3888000 +5115 | ||
| Line 239: | Line 239: | ||
< as of 2013 AD > | < as of 2013 AD > | ||
| − | The current Kali Yuga began at midnight 17 February / 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar. As per the information above about Yuga periods, only 5,115 years are passed out of 432,000 years of current Kali Yuga, and hence another 426,985 years are left to complete this 28th Kali Yuga of Vaivaswatha Manvantara. | + | The current [[Kali]] [[Yuga]] began at midnight 17 February / 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian [[calendar]]. As per the [[information]] above about [[Yuga]] periods, only 5,115 years are passed out of 432,000 years of current [[Kali]] [[Yuga]], and hence another 426,985 years are left to complete this 28th [[Kali]] [[Yuga]] of Vaivaswatha Manvantara. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
Revision as of 09:39, 9 September 2013
Hindu religious scriptures such as the Vedas and Purāṇas describe a massive range of units of Kāla measurements, spanning right from Paramāṇu (time length of about 17 microseconds) to the Mahā-Manvantara (311.04 trillion years). According to these texts, the creation and destruction of the universe is a cyclic process, which repeats itself forever. Each cycle starts with the birth and expansion (lifetime) of the universe equaling 311.04 trillion years, followed by its complete annihilation (which also prevails for the same duration) which is done by Lord Shiv(Bholenath) .
Introduction
Ancient Hindu units of measurement are still prevalent in the Hindus and Jains communities lifestyle. They are indigenously used as a base for doing certain type of astrological calculations, performing religious rituals, following certain practices etc.
Time
The Complete Hindu metrics of time (Kāla Vyavahāra) can be summarized as below.
| Name | Definition | Equivalence | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prāna | प्राण | ca. 4 s | normal interval of respiration in humans | |
| Vipala | विपल | |||
| Vighaṭi | विघटि | 6 Prāna | ca. 24 s | "Burgess, Chapter 1, Verse 11" |
| Vinādī | विनाडी | |||
| Pala | पल | |||
| Ghaṭi | घटि | 60 Vighaṭis | ca. 24 min | "Burgess, Chapter 1, Verse 11" |
| Nādī | नाडी | |||
| Muhūrta | मुहूर्त | 2 Ghaṭīkā | ca. 48 min | |
| Nakṣatra Ahorātram | नक्षत्र अहोरात्रम् | 30 Muhūrta | ca. 24 h | sidereal day |
| Sāvana Ahorātram | सावन अहोरात्रम् | ca. 1 d | considered to begin from and end at sunrise | |
An alternate system described in the Viṣṇu Purāṇa Time measurement section of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa Book I Chapter III is as follows:
| Name | Definition | Equivalence |
|---|---|---|
| Kāṣṭhās | 10 blinks of the eye | ca. 4.11 s |
| Kalā | 35 Kāṣṭhās | 144 s, 2.4 min |
| Muhūrta | 20 Kalās | 48 min |
| day | 30 Muhūrtas | 24 h |
| month | 30 days | |
| Ayana | 6 months | |
| year | 2 Ayanas | 360 days |
| day (day + night) of the gods | ||
| Name | Definition | Equivalence |
|---|---|---|
| Paramāṇu | ca. 16.8 µs | |
| Aṇu | 2 Paramāṇu | ca. 33.7 µs |
| Trasareṇu | 3 Aṇu | ca. 101 µs |
| Truṭi | 3 Trasareṇu | ca. 1/3290 s = ca. 304 µs |
| Vedha | 100 Truṭi | ca. 30 ms |
| Lava | 3 Vedha | ca. 91 ms |
| Nimeṣa (blink) | 3 Lava | ca. 0.273 s |
| Kṣaṇas | 3 Nimeṣa | 0.82 s |
| Kāṣṭhās | 5 Kṣaṇa | ca. 4.1 s |
| Laghu | 15 Kāṣṭhā | ca. 1 min |
| Nāḍika | 15 Laghu | ca. 15.3 min |
| Daṇḍa | ||
| Muhūrta | 2 Daṇḍa | ca. 30.7 min |
| Yāma | 6 or 7 Muhūrta | |
| day(light) | 4 praharas or 4 yamas | |
| night | ||
| day | 1 day(light) + 1 night |
Lunar metrics
- a tithi or lunar day is defined as the time it takes for the longitudinal angle between the moon and the Sun to increase by 12°. Tithis begin at varying times of day and vary in duration from approximately 19 to approximately 26 hours.
- a paksa (also Pakṣa) or lunar fortnight consists of 15 tithis
- a Māsa or lunar month (approximately 29.5 days) is divided into 2 Pakṣas: the one between new moon and full moon (waxing) is called gaura (bright) or Śukla Pakṣa; the one between full moon and new moon (waning) Kṛṣṇa (dark) paksha
- a Ṛtu (or season) is 2 Māsa
- an ayana is 3 Ṛtus
- a year is 2 Ayanas
Tropical metrics
- a Yāma (याम) is 7½ Ghaṭis (घटि)
- 8 Yāmas 1 half of the day (either day or night)
- an Ahorātra is a tropical day (Note: A day is considered to begin and end at sunrise, not midnight.)
Reckoning of time among other entities
Reckoning of time amongst the Pitṛs (ancestors)
- 1 human fortnight (14 days) = 1 day of the Pitṛs
- 30 days of the Pitṛs = 1 month of the Pitṛs = (14 × 30 = 420 human days)
- 12 months of the Pitṛs = 1 year of the Pitṛs = (12 months of Pitṛs × 420 human days = 5040 human days)
- The lifespan of the Pitṛs is 100 years of the Pitṛs (= 36,000 Pitṛ days = 504,000 human days)
Reckoning of time amongst the Devas
The life span of any Hindu demi - god ar a deva, spans nearly (or more than) 4.5 million years. Statistically, we can also look it as …
The Viṣṇu Purāṇa Time measurement section of the Viṣṇu Purāṇa Book I Chapter III explains the above as follows:
- 2 Ayanas (6-month periods, see above) = 1 human year or 1 day of the devas
- 4,000 + 400 + 400 = 4,800 divine years (= 1,728,000 human years) = 1 Sat Yuga
- 3,000 + 300 + 300 = 3,600 divine years (= 1,296,000 human years) = 1 Tretā Yuga
- 2,000 + 200 + 200 = 2,400 divine years (= 864,000 human years) = 1 Dvāpara Yuga
- 1,000 + 100 + 100 = 1,200 divine years (= 432,000 human years) = 1 Kali Yuga
- 12,000 divine year = 4 Yugas (= 4,320,000 human years) = 1 Mahā-Yuga (also is equaled to 1200 Daiva (divine) Yuga)
- [2*12,000 = 24,000 divine year = One revolution of sun around it's dual]
Reckoning of time for Brahma
(2 Kalpas constitute a day and night of Brahma, 8.64 billion human years)
- 30 days of Brahma = 1 month of Brahma (259.2 billion human years)
- 12 months of Brahma = 1 year of Brahma (3.1104 trillion human years)
- 50 years of Brahma = 1 Parārdha
- 2 parardhas = 100 years of Brahma = 1 Para = 1 Mahā-Kalpa (the lifespan of Brahma)(311.04 trillion human years)
One day of Brahma is divided into 10,000 parts called caraṇas. The caraṇas are divided as follows:
| 4 caraṇas (1,728,000 solar years) | Satya Yuga |
| 3 caraṇas (1,296,000 solar years) | Treta Yuga |
| 2 caraṇas (864,000 solar years) | Dvapara Yuga |
| 1 caraṇas (432,000 solar years) | Kali Yuga |
The cycle repeats itself so altogether there are 1,000 cycles of Mahā-Yuga in one day of Brahma.
- One cycle of the above four Yugas is one Mahā-Yuga (4.32 million solar years)
- as is confirmed by the Gītā Śloka 8.17 (statement) "sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ rātriṁ yuga-sahasrāntāṁ te 'ho-rātra-vido janāḥ", meaning, a day of brahma is of 1000 Mahā-Yuga. Thus a day of Brahma, Kalpa, is of duration: 4.32 billion solar years. Two Kalpas constitute a day and night(Adhi Sandhi) of Brahma
- A Manvatara consists of 71 Mahā-Yuga (306,720,000 solar years). Each Manvatara is ruled by a Manu.
- After each Manvatara follows one Saṃdhi Kalā of the same duration as a Kṛta Yuga (1,728,000 = 4 Caraṇa). (It is said that during a Saṃdhi Kalā, the entire earth is submerged in water.)
- A Kalpa consists of a period of 4.32 Billion solar years called followed by 14 Manvataras and Saṃdhi Kalas.
- A day of Brahma equals
The Surya Siddhanta definition of timescales
The Surya Siddhanta [Chapter 14 Mānādhyāyah (मानाध्यायः)], documents a comprehensive model of nine divisions of time called māna (मान) which span from very small time units (Prāņa [प्राण] - 4 seconds) to very large time scales (Para [पर] - 311.04 Trillion solar years).
The current date
Currently, 50 years of Brahma have elapsed and this is the first 'day' of the 51st year. This Brahma's day, Kalpa, is named as ShvetaVaraha Kalpa. Within this Day, six Manvantaras have already elapsed and this is the seventh Manavatara, named as – Vaivasvatha Manvantara (or Sraddhadeva Manavatara). Within the Vaivasvatha Manavantara, 27 Mahayugas (4 Yugas together is a Mahayuga), and the Krita, Treta and Dwapara Yugas of the 28th Mahayuga have elapsed. This Kaliyuga is in the 28th Mahayuga. This Kaliyuga began in the year 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian Calendar. Since 50 years of Brahma have already elapsed, this is the second Parardha, also called as Dvithiya Parardha.
The time elapsed since the current Brahma has taken over the task of creation can be calculated as
432000 × 10 × 1000 × 2 = 8.64 billion years (2 Kalpa (day and night) )
8.64 × 109 × 30 × 12 = 3.1104 Trillion Years (1 year of Brahma)
3.1104 × 1012 × 50 = 155.52 Trillion Years (50 years of Brahma)
(6 × 71 × 4320000 ) + 7 × 1.728 × 10^6 = 1852416000 years elapsed in first six Manvataras, and Sandhi Kalas in the current Kalpa
27 × 4320000 = 116640000 years elapsed in first 27 Mahayugas of the current Manvantara
1.728 × 10^6 + 1.296 × 10^6 + 864000 = 3888000 years elapsed in current Mahayuga
3102 + 2013 = 5115 years elapsed in current Kaliyuga.
So the total time elapsed since current Brahma is
155520000000000 +1852416000 +116640000 +3888000 +5115 = 155,521,972,949,115 years < as of 2013 AD >
The current Kali Yuga began at midnight 17 February / 18 February in 3102 BC in the proleptic Julian calendar. As per the information above about Yuga periods, only 5,115 years are passed out of 432,000 years of current Kali Yuga, and hence another 426,985 years are left to complete this 28th Kali Yuga of Vaivaswatha Manvantara.
