The Concept of Time in Hindu Scriptures: Insights from the Bhagavad Gita
Time is a concept that has fascinated humanity for centuries. In Hinduism, the understanding of time is deeply ingrained in the religion’s philosophy, cosmology, and spirituality. From the cycles of creation and destruction to the eternal nature of the soul, Hindu scriptures offer profound insights into the nature of time. In this blog, we’ll delve into the concept of time as presented in various Hindu texts, with a particular focus on the Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse scripture that is part of the Mahabharata, one of the most important and revered texts in Hinduism. The Gita, a conversation between Prince Arjuna and Lord Krishna, touches on several aspects of time and its spiritual significance:
Eternal Nature of the Soul: In Chapter 2, Verse 20, Lord Krishna imparts the timeless wisdom that the soul is eternal and transcends the boundaries of time. It neither takes birth nor dies, existing beyond the confines of time.
Importance of the Present Moment: Throughout the Gita, Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to focus on performing his duty in the present moment. He emphasizes the idea of living in the now and carrying out one’s responsibilities without attachment to the outcomes.
Kala, the Time Principle: In Chapter 11, Verse 32, Lord Krishna reveals himself as Time (Kala), underscoring that time is a powerful force that governs the universe. He says, “I am Time, the great destroyer of the world.”
Time as an Ally and an Enemy: Time is described as both an ally and an enemy in the Gita. It can assist individuals in fulfilling their duties and advancing spiritually, or it can become an enemy when they procrastinate or lose focus.
In the Chapter 8, Verse 17 of the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna explains the concept of time in the cosmic scale, with the day and night of Lord Brahma, the creator deity in Hinduism, lasting for immense periods beyond human comprehension.
“Sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmano viduh Ratrim yuga-sahasrantam te ‘ho-ratra-vido janah”
This verse in Sanskrit can be translated as:
“By human calculation, a thousand ages taken together form the duration of Brahma’s one day. And such also is the duration of his night.”
In order to understand the verse, we need to know about the ages called Yuga’s.
The Yugas:
In Hindu cosmology, a “Yuga” is an age or epoch, and it represents a specific era or cycle of time in the grand cosmic order. The Yugas are often depicted as a cycle of four ages, and each Yuga is characterized by a unique set of attributes, moral qualities, and societal conditions. These four Yugas are:
1. Satya Yuga (or Krita Yuga): This is the age of truth and righteousness. It is considered the most virtuous and pure of all the Yugas. People in the Satya Yuga are highly virtuous, spiritually enlightened, and free from moral and ethical flaws. The Yuga lasts for 1,728,000 years.
2. Treta Yuga: In this age, truth and virtue start to decline, and rituals and sacrifices become important. People are still relatively virtuous, but moral and spiritual decline begins. The Treta Yuga lasts for 1,296,000 years.
3. Dvapara Yuga: In this age, the decline in righteousness and morality continues. People become more materialistic, and there is a focus on rituals, sacrifices, and religious ceremonies. The Dvapara Yuga lasts for 864,000 years.
4. Kali Yuga: Kali Yuga is the age we are currently believed to be in, characterized by a significant decline in morality and righteousness. It is an age of strife, vice, and spiritual ignorance. This Yuga is said to last for 432,000 years, making it the shortest in the cycle.
After the completion of the Kali Yuga, the cycle of Yugas begins anew with the Satya Yuga. This cycle is thought to repeat itself endlessly, reflecting the cyclical nature of time and the rise and fall of human values and virtues.
All the four Yugas constitute a ‘Maha Yuga’, lasting 4.32 million years
The Kalpa: A Kalpa is a colossal unit of time and is considered as one day at Brahma Loka (Sathya Loka).
Hence, Brahma’s one day lasts a 1000 Maha Yuga’s (4.32 billion years) and Brahma’s one night lasts another 4.32 billion years.
It is said that the lifespan of Brahma is a 100 years, with each year comprising of 360 days. In total, the lifespan comes to 72 million Maha Yuga’s or 311.04 trillion human years! Mind boggling indeed.
After this immense period, a new Brahma is said to take over the creative duties, and the cycle continues. It’s important to note that these numbers are symbolic and meant to convey the vastness of time in Hindu cosmology rather than literal measurements.
The Eternal Dharma: Hinduism teaches that time-bound duties (Dharma) must be fulfilled. Each individual has a unique duty that is not confined by time and remains relevant throughout their life.
The Cycle of Birth and Death: Time is closely linked with the cycle of birth and death (Samsara), and individuals continue to reincarnate until they achieve liberation (Moksha) from this time-bound existence.
Worship of Time: Time is personified as Kala in Hindu rituals, symbolizing the impermanence of all things. It is both revered and feared.
The Importance of Self-Realization: The overarching theme in these scriptures is the importance of self-realization and understanding one’s eternal nature beyond the constraints of time and the physical body. By realizing the Atman (the inner self), individuals can transcend the cycle of birth and death.
In conclusion, the concept of time in Hinduism is multifaceted and profound. It is interwoven with the religion’s philosophy, spirituality, and cosmology, and it encourages individuals to focus on the present moment, fulfill their duties, and seek self-realization to transcend the limitations of time and the material world. Time is not just a linear progression but a cyclical and eternal process in the rich tapestry of Hindu thought.
Acknowledgements:
- Audio series on the Gita, episode 113, by sssmediacenter.org. Narration by brother Prem.
- ChatGPT and Hotpot.AI for assistance with this manuscript