Key Concepts
Time as a wheel (Kāla Chakra), representing the endless cycles of creation, preservation, destruction, and renewal.
Symbolism: The infinite nature of time and the continuous flow of life and death.
Cosmic Order: Ṛta (ऋत - Cosmic Order) governs the cycles of creation and destruction, ensuring balance in the universe.
Time is divided into four Yugas, which are part of a larger cycle known as a Mahāyuga. Each Yuga represents a different phase of moral and spiritual decline in the universe.
The Four Yugas:
Duration: 1,728,000 human years
Virtue, righteousness (Dharma), and truth prevail. Human beings live in harmony and enjoy spiritual fulfillment. Average human lifespan: 100,000 years.
Duration: 1,296,000 human years
Virtue starts to decline (three-fourths remains). Spirituality decreases, and materialism begins to rise. Average human lifespan: 10,000 years.
Duration: 864,000 human years
Righteousness continues to decline (half remains), and humans experience suffering and ignorance. Materialism dominates. Average human lifespan: 1,000 years.
Duration: 432,000 human years
Marked by spiritual degradation, conflict, ignorance, and materialism (one-fourth Dharma remains). It is the shortest Yuga. Average human lifespan: 100 years (declining).
- title: Mahāyuga (महायुग) - The Great Cycle
- Total Duration: 4.32 million human years
- Description: One complete cycle of the four Yugas (Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara, Kali). Each Mahāyuga is followed by the next, continuously repeating the cycle.
Key Philosophical Insights
In Hinduism, time is cyclical, with no absolute beginning or end. This contrasts with linear time concepts and emphasizes the eternal, repeating nature of the universe and existence.
Impact: The cyclical nature of time reflects the idea of continuous creation, preservation, and dissolution (Sṛṣṭi, Sthiti, Laya), allowing for renewal, evolution, and spiritual progress through countless lives.
The concept of Karma (action and its consequences) and Reincarnation (Punarjanma) is intricately tied to Cosmic Time. Every action creates impressions (Saṃskāras) that shape an individual's destiny across multiple lifetimes within these vast cosmic cycles.
Impact: The cyclical nature of time and reincarnation encourages individuals to live righteously (Dharmically), understanding that their actions shape future lives and contribute to their journey towards liberation (Moksha).
Each Yuga represents different levels of collective spiritual consciousness and adherence to Dharma. As time progresses from Satya Yuga to Kali Yuga, there is a general decline in spiritual awareness and virtue, though individual effort can always lead to spiritual awakening irrespective of the Yuga.
Conclusion
Cosmic Time in Sanatan Dharma offers a profound and grand vision of time as an eternal, cyclical process. It interweaves the fate of the cosmos with individual spiritual journeys, emphasizing the continuous dance of creation, preservation, and dissolution, and underscoring the significance of Dharma, Karma, and the pursuit of Moksha within this vast cosmic expanse.