Concept of ‘Time’ in Vedas and How It relates to Quantum Physics
The concept of time has been a dichotomy that has been debated for a very long time in the traditions of Hinduism with seers and sages across history providing a perspective of their own relating to “Kaala”.
Kaala is a measure of time. The first mention of time is recorded in detail in Atharva Veda. I am very curious about the nature of time from Quantum, Mathematical, Philosophical, and Spiritual perspectives and hence explored the verses in the Vedas. Here is an account of what I could surmise.
Remember that translating Sanskrit (the language in which the Vedas are written) and conceptual understanding of what the verses mean is a herculean task.
The Atharva Veda, in its 19th Kanda and Sukthas 53/54, offers profound meditations on the essence of time, crafting a captivating narrative.
Atharva Veda — Kanda 19, Suktha 53
Delving into the aged wisdom of the Vedas, one is drawn into an intricate dance with time — a concept beautifully articulated yet enigmatic in its nature.
19.53.1
Sanskrit Verse: का॒लो अश्वो॑ वहति स॒प्तर॑श्मिः सहस्रा॒क्षो अ॒जरो॒ भूरि॑रेताः। तमा रो॑हन्ति क॒वयो॑ विप॒श्चित॒स्तस्य॑ च॒क्रा भुव॑नानि॒ विश्वा॑ ॥1॥
Transliteration: Kaalo ashvo vahati sapta-rashmih sahasra-aksho ajaro bhuriretaah. Tamaa rohanti kavayo vipashchitas-tasya chakraa bhuvanani vishvaa ॥1॥
Literal Translation: “Kaala, or Time is a horse that carries seven rays, a thousand-eyed, ageless entity brimming with abundant vigor. The wise continually seek to ascend it. Its wheels are the entire cosmos, containing all the worlds.”
My Commentary: The sukta starts with the perpetual nature of time and hints at multiple universes.
Remember that all ancient texts were written as a metaphor and a whole lot of personification. So metaphorically, this verse, when viewed through the lens of Time, paints a remarkable image of its perpetual and omnipresent nature. The “black horse with seven rays” signifies Time’s relentless march, its seven rays representing diverse pathways into potential alternate realities. Time, described as “a thousand-eyed” and “ageless,” is an eternal observer, unbound by the constraints of mortality and ceaselessly proliferating across multiple universes.
“Wise poets” embody the conscious entities navigating through Time’s landscape, striving to comprehend its intricacies. “His wheels all worlds behold” encapsulates the notion that every rotation of Time’s wheels births countless universes, each one a testament to its ceaseless, cyclic motion.
In summary, this verse can be interpreted as a profound testament to Time’s infinite expansiveness, its role in the generation of multiple realities, and our ceaseless quest to decipher its enigmatic nature.
19.53.2
स॒प्त च॒क्रान्व॑हति का॒ल ए॒ष स॒प्तास्य॒ नाभी॑र॒मृतं॒ न्वक्षः॑। स इ॒मा विश्वा॒ भुव॑नान्यञ्जत्का॒लः स ई॑यते प्रथ॒मो नु दे॒वः ॥2॥
Sapta chakrānvahati kaala esha saptaasya naabhih amritam nvakshah. Sa imaa vishvaa bhuvananyanjat kaalah sa eeyate prathamo nu devah. ॥2॥
“Time, carrying the seven wheels, has seven naves and an immortal axle. It has fathered all these different worlds. Time moves forward, considered the first among deities”.
Verse 2 hints at entropy and the arrow of time. In this verse, Time is symbolized as a charioteer, driving seven wheels — potentially representing epochs, dimensions, or universes. Each wheel, anchored to the ‘navel’, alludes to the Hindu concept of the cosmic navel (Nabhi), signifying the birthplace of the universe. This ever-driving force of Time, the primal deity, ceaselessly births diverse worlds from the eternal essence of its cosmic navel, illustrating the infinite, cyclical nature of existence.
19.53.3
पू॒र्णः कु॒म्भोऽधि॑ का॒ल आहि॑त॒स्तं वै पश्या॑मो बहु॒धा नु सन्तः॑। स इ॒मा विश्वा॒ भुव॑नानि प्र॒त्यङ्का॒लं तमा॒हुः प॑र॒मे वYaमन् ॥3॥
Pūrṇaḥ kumbho’dhi kāla āhitastam vai pashyāmo bahudhā nu santaḥ. Sa imā viśvā bhuvanāni pratyankaalam tamāhuḥ parame vyoman. ॥3॥
“Time is placed in the full pot (cosmos). We observe it from various perspectives. It has produced all these different worlds. Time, they say, is situated in the highest heaven.”
This is the most important verse from the perspective of General Theory of Relativity and Quantum Physics. In this verse, Time is depicted as holding a ‘full pot’ (puurNaH kumbho). The pot does not just empty into the present but is just held as is.
This represents a dynamic block universe (as against the rigid block universe) where time is continuous, and the past, present, and future all coexist simultaneously. This isn’t a rigid, immovable block, but rather a lively, ever-shifting entity, much like a pot filled with swirling water.
Our experience of time, where we perceive the present moment as we live in it, is only one perspective in this dynamic block universe. The past and future, although not directly observable to us, are as real as the present, all coexisting within the ‘full pot’ of Time.
This verse also highlights the relative nature of time across multiple universes, or reference frames. Each universe within the ‘full pot’ may have a unique flow of time, a unique ripple on the surface of this cosmic ocean. Time, in its supreme command, governs these myriad perspectives, maintaining the flow within this dynamic block universe.
In essence, the verse presents a vivid image of a universe where time isn’t a rigid, linear stream but a vibrant, dynamic sea, with past, present, and future all co-existing at once, their interplay shaping the realities of multiple universes.
19.53.4
स ए॒व सं भुव॑ना॒न्याभ॑र॒त्स ए॒व सं भुव॑नानि॒ पर्यै॑त्। पि॒ता सन्न॑भवत्पु॒त्र ए॑षां॒ तस्मा॒द्वै नान्यत्पर॑मस्ति॒ तेजः॑ ॥4॥
Sa eva sam bhuvanaanyabharat sa eva sam bhuvanani paryait. Pita sannabhavatputra esham tasmadvai naanyatparamasti tejaḥ. ॥4॥
“It alone upheld all the worlds, and it alone encircles them. It became the father, yet is the child of these worlds. Therefore, indeed, there is no energy greater than it.”
This verse explores the paradoxical nature of Time as both a creator and a creation, a “father” and a “child” to the universe, underlying the interconnectedness and interdependence of cosmic events. Time is seen as the ultimate power, unrivaled by any other force, emphasizing its crucial role in the structure, function, and very existence of the universe. It invites us to envision Time as a metaphysical concept that surpasses conventional human understanding of past, present, and future.
19.53.5
का॒लोऽमूं दिव॑मजनयत्का॒ल इ॒माः पृ॑थि॒वीरु॒त। का॒ले ह॑ भू॒तं भव्यं॑ चेषि॒तं ह॒ वि ति॑ष्ठते ॥5॥
Kaalo’mum divamajanayat kaala imaah prithiveerut. Kaale ha bhutam bhavyam cheshitam ha vi tishthate. ॥5॥
“Time generated these heavens and this earth. Both what has happened and what is to be, indeed, are established in Time.”
This verse makes it stark that the “full pot” from the previous reference contains past and future are all established. At this juncture this seems like determinism. (But hold onto to your horses yet)
19.53.6
का॒लो भू॒तिम॑सृजत का॒ले तप॑ति॒ सूर्यः॑। का॒ले ह॒ विश्वा॑ भू॒तानि॑ का॒ले चक्षु॒र्वि प॑श्यति ॥ 6॥
Kaalo bhootimasrijat kaale tapati sooryah. Kaale ha vishvaa bhootaani kaale chakshurvi pashyati. ॥6॥
“Time brought forth abundance, in Time the sun radiates heat. Indeed, all beings are born in Time, in Time vision perceives.”
It’s important to focus on “in time the vision perceives” which suggests that our ability to perceive reality — our sight, in this context — is possible due to the progression of Time (limitation of humans) and also the fact of perception being tied to vision. This could metaphorically imply (combined with the previous verses) that human understanding and wisdom grow only as we move forward in time and we can only manage what we can see/perceive (in the present) even if past and present is real, co-exist all at once and determined.
19.53.7
का॒ले मनः॑ का॒ले प्रा॒णः का॒ले नाम॑ स॒माहि॑तम्। का॒लेन॒ सर्वा॑ नन्द॒न्त्याग॑तेन प्र॒जा इ॒माः ॥7॥
Kaale manah kaale praanh kaale naam samaahitam. Kaalena sarvaa nandantyaagatena prajaa imaa ॥7॥
“Within Time is the mind, within Time is the breath, within Time is all names gathered. By Time, all these beings rejoice as they arrive.”
Our understanding, learning, and intellectual evolution, the cycle of life and death of the multiverse, is governed and contained within Time. All our deeds, both good and bad, are gathered within the fabric of time. This verse is a bit hard to understand for me. I wonder if it states that time governs everything and also contains within it everything it governs? Also does the fabric of time “gathers” the deeds? If so, then we have the “will” to leave a mark in the fabric of time. This breaks determinism. I am not erudite enough to understand this paradox!
19.53.8
का॒ले तपः॑ का॒ले ज्येष्ठं॑ का॒ले ब्रह्म॑ स॒माहि॑तम्। का॒लो ह॒ सर्व॑स्येश्व॒रो यः पि॒तासी॑त्प्र॒जाप॑तेः ॥8॥
Kaale tapah kaale jyeshtham kaale brahma samaahitam. Kaalo ha sarvasyaishvaro yah pitaasitprajaapateh. ॥8॥
“In Time is austerity, in Time is the eldest, in Time is the Brahman gathered. Indeed, Time is the lord of all, the father of Prajapati”
This verse fundamentally asserts Time as the ultimate omnipresent force. It illustrates that Time governs personal growth and wisdom (“In Time is austerity”, “In Time is the eldest”), divine realization (“In Time is the Brahman gathered”), and even transcends the deity of creation (“Time is the lord of all, the father of Prajapati”). In essence, it emphasizes the supreme, boundless, and all-encompassing power of Time.
Again, I am curious about the word “samaahitam” which in this context means gathered or collected (and not contained or composed). There are hints of “divine will” sprinkled over these verses. Does this mean that all paths one can take is already predetermined across all multiverse but with “will” we can influence the paths that will unfold? This is Quantum decoherence right here.
Quantum decoherence is the process where a quantum system loses its quantum properties due to interaction with the environment, leading it to behave more classically. Essentially, it describes how a system’s superposition of states (where all possible paths in time) ‘collapses’ into a single state over time, without specifying the final state. However, decoherence doesn’t fully resolve the mystery of why a system chooses a particular state when observed. In effect, the verse is probably pointing to the exertion of “will” in the “present” that can allow you to influence a state and break the superposition? What a paradox.
19.53.9
तेने॑षि॒तं तेन॑ जा॒तं तदु॒ तस्मि॒न्प्रति॑ष्ठितम्। का॒लो ह॒ ब्रह्म॑ भू॒त्वा बिभ॑र्ति परमे॒ष्ठिन॑म् ॥ 9॥
teneshitam tena jatam tadu tasminpratishthitam. kaalo ha brahma bhutva bibharti parameshthinam. ॥9॥
“By it (Time), it is established, by it, it is born, indeed in that (Time) it is based. Having become Brahman (the ultimate reality), Time maintains the Highest Lord.”
This verse highlights that even the highest divine entities are sustained and regulated by the force of Time. The Sanskrit word “Bibharti” (बिभर्ति) translated as “maintain” is also used as a word for “sustain”. This aligns with the philosophical notion that the physical and metaphysical worlds are bound and determined by Time, highlighting its all-pervading and inescapable nature that even God has to abide by.
19.53.10
का॒लः प्र॒जा अ॑सृजत का॒लो अग्रे॑ प्र॒जाप॑तिम्। स्व॑यं॒भूः क॒श्यपः॑ का॒लात्तपः॑ का॒लाद॑जायत ॥10॥
Kaalaha prajaa asrijat kaalo agre prajaapatim. Svayambhooh kashyapaha kaalaattapaha kaalaadaajaayat ||10||
“Time created life, Time was there before the Progenitor. Self-Existent Kashyapa was born from Time, and austerity was born from Time.”
This verse can be interpreted as a philosophical reflection on Time as the ultimate creator and catalyst for life, wisdom, and spiritual progression. It emphasizes the indispensable role of Time in the processes of existence, growth, and enlightenment. It emphasizes that time was there even before Gods. Even before “Kashyapa” which is a metaphor for knowledge and wisdom.
Atharva Veda — Kanda 19, Suktha 54
Suktha 54 continues to talk about time but more in a prayer and meditative sense. Unlike suktha 53 which profoundly explains the concept of time, 54 tends to explain what came after time.
19.54.1
का॒लादापः॒ सम॑भवन्का॒लाद्ब्रह्म॒ तपो॒ दिशः॑। का॒लेनोदे॑ति॒ सूर्यः॑ का॒ले नि वि॑शते॒ पुनः॑ ॥1॥
kaalaadaapah samabhavankaalaadbrahma tapo dishah. kaalenaodeti sooryah kaale ni vishate punah ||1||
“From Time, waters came into being; from Time, Brahma (universal consciousness), austerity (spiritual discipline) and the directions (space). With Time, the sun rises, and in Time, it sets again.”
19.54.2
का॒लेन॒ वातः॑ पवते का॒लेन॑ पृथि॒वी म॒ही। द्यौर्म॒ही का॒ल आहि॑ता ॥2॥
kaalena vaatah pavate kaalena prithivee mahee. dyaurmahi kaala aahitaa ||2||
“By time, the wind blows; by time, the Earth is great. The heavens and the Earth are established in time.”
19.54.3
का॒लो ह॑ भू॒तं भव्यं॑ च पु॒त्रो अ॑जनयत्पु॒रा। का॒लादृचः॒ सम॑भव॒न्यजुः॑ का॒लाद॑जायत ॥3॥
kaalo ha bhootam bhavyam cha putro ajanayatpura. kaalaadrichah samabhavanyajuh kaalaadajaayat ||3||
“Time (Kaala) has indeed given birth to the past and the future. It was time that, earlier, gave birth to the Rigveda. From Time the Yajurveda was born.”
It is important to note how this talks about future in the present sense, where it hints at future already existing in the present. It staes that time has already given birth to the future. This is reference to, and continuation of the verse 19.53.3 where it states that time as a full pot contains the past, present and future all at once and exists all at once.
I wonder if the 3rd sloka in suktha 54 was intentional to hint at the 3rd sloka of 53 or if this is just a coincidence?!
19.54.4
का॒लो य॒ज्ञं समै॑रयद्दे॒वेभ्यो॑ भा॒गमक्षि॑तम्। का॒ले ग॑न्धर्वाप्स॒रसः॑ का॒ले लो॒काः प्रति॑ष्ठिताः ॥4॥
Kaalo yajnam samairayaddevebhyo bhaagamakshitam. Kaale gandharvaapsarasah kaale lokaah pratishthitaah ||4||
“Time (Kaala) has distributed the offering of the Yajna to the Devas, ensuring their portion. In Time, the celestial Gandharvas and Apsaras (celestial nymphs) exist, and in Time, the worlds are established.”
This metaphorical verse could imply that there is a natural harmony in the universe, and every entity, whether celestial or mundane, plays a part in maintaining this balance. It conveys the idea of cosmic justice and fairness, where each being receives what they deserve based on their actions and contributions.
19.54.5
का॒लेऽयमङ्गि॑रा दे॒वोऽथ॑र्वा॒ चाधि॑ तिष्ठतः। इ॒मं च॑ लो॒कं प॑र॒मं च॑ लो॒कं पुण्यां॑श्च लो॒कान्विधृ॑तीश्च॒ पुण्याः॑। सर्वां॑ल्लो॒कान॑भि॒जित्य॒ ब्रह्म॑णा का॒लः स ई॑यते पर॒मो नु दे॒वः ॥5॥
kaale’yamaṅgirā devo’atharvā chādhi tiṣṭhatah. imaṁ cha lokaṁ paramaṁ cha lokaṁ puṇyāṁścha lokaan vidhṛtīśhcha puṇyāḥ. sarvāṁllokaanabhititya brahmaṇā kaalaḥ sa īyate paramo nu devaḥ ||5||
“In Time, the divine Angiras and Atharva stand with their authority. Time controls both this world and the transcendent world, as well as the virtuous realms. By knowing all the worlds and being victorious over them, Time, through Brahman, reaches the highest divine state.”
From a philosophical perspective, this verse conveys the idea that Time is not just a linear progression but a transcendent and all-encompassing principle. It suggests that Time, as an eternal and omnipresent entity, has the power to govern all aspects of existence, including the physical, spiritual, and metaphysical realms. Additionally, the reference to Brahman implies that Time is intimately connected to the ultimate reality or cosmic consciousness.
This is it. Thats the end of suktha 53 and 54 of Atharva Veda which details time.
What did Krishna Say about Time in Bhagavad Gita?
Chapter 11 verse 32, Lord Krishna says:
श्रीभगवानुवाच |
कालोऽस्मि लोकक्षयकृत्प्रवृद्धो
लोकान्समाहर्तुमिह प्रवृत्त: |
ऋतेऽपि त्वां न भविष्यन्ति सर्वे
येऽवस्थिता: प्रत्यनीकेषु योधा: || 32||
śhrī-bhagavān uvācha
kālo ’smi loka-kṣhaya-kṛit pravṛiddho
lokān samāhartum iha pravṛittaḥ
ṛite ’pi tvāṁ na bhaviṣhyanti sarve
ye ’vasthitāḥ pratyanīkeṣhu yodhāḥ
“The Supreme Lord said: I am time, the great destroyer of worlds, and I have come here to engage all people. With the exception of you [the Pandavas], all the soldiers here on both sides will be slain.”
Metaphorically: Metaphorically, Lord Krishna’s identification with Time symbolizes the inevitable and impartial nature of time in the universe. Just as time marches on relentlessly, regardless of human actions or desires, the events in the world unfold according to the divine plan, beyond the control of mortals.
Philosophically: From a philosophical standpoint, this verse highlights the eternal principle of Time as a cosmic force. Time is depicted as an agent of change and transformation, responsible for the cycles of creation, preservation, and destruction. It represents the impermanence and transitory nature of worldly existence and the inevitability of change.
The Essence of Vedas relating to Time
The verses of Atharva Veda delves into the enigmatic and profound nature of Time, depicting it as an omnipresent force that pervades and governs the vast expanse of the universe. It offers hints at the existence of multiple universes, suggesting a complex and interconnected web of realities beyond our comprehension.
In this vision, Time transcends the linear constraints of human perception, painting a picture of something like a block universe, where past, present, and future exist simultaneously in a timeless dance, but not quite as one can exert their “will” to decoherence the present to change the flow.
The imagery of Time as a “full pot” conveys a sense of completeness and abundance. It symbolizes Time as an inexhaustible reservoir that holds within it all the moments and experiences of existence. Just as a full pot contains everything it can hold, Time is seen as containing the entirety of creation within its embrace.
This portrayal of Time challenges our conventional understanding of past, present, and future as distinct and separate entities. Instead, it beckons us to contemplate the intricate interplay of these temporal dimensions, where each moment is woven into the fabric of eternity, forming a grand tapestry of cosmic events.
In contemplating Time as a full pot, we are invited to recognize the eternal flow of creation and dissolution, where every experience, every life, and every possibility merge seamlessly into the continuum of existence. It is a humbling reminder of the vastness and mystery of the universe, urging us to embrace the timeless essence of being and surrender to the ever-unfolding rhythm of Time.
