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Shri. Dharampal rightly explained the influence of Kala on the Chitta (manas) or the psyche of people of Bharatavarsha as follows<ref>Dharampal. (2000) ''Dharampal Collected Writings. Volume 5 : Essays on Tradition, Recovery and Freedom.'' Goa : Other India Press</ref><blockquote>''The universe once created passes through a number of cycles of growth and decay, and at the end is drawn back into Brahman. This cycle of creation of the universe from Brahman and its disappearance into Him is repeated again and again according to the predefined flow of time. Within this large cycle, there are a number of shorter cycles, at the end of each of which the universe gets destroyed, and created again at the beginning of the next. Thus the universe keeps on passing through repeated cycles of creation and destruction, and there are series of cycles within cycles.''</blockquote><blockquote>''The terms ‘creation’ and ‘destruction’ are probably not wholly appropriate in this context. Because, at the time of creation, it is not something external to Him that Brahman creates. He only manifests Himself in the varied forms of the universe, and at the end He merely contracts those manifestations into Himself, and thus there is in reality nothing that gets created or destroyed. The universe, in a sense, is a mere play of Brahman, a cosmic game of repeated expansion and contraction of the ultimate essence of the universe. But it is a game that is played according to well defined cycles of time. The universe is play, but the play is not arbitrary. Even Brahman is governed by kala. He manifests and contracts according to a definite flow of time that even He cannot transcend.''</blockquote><blockquote>''Every Indian is probably aware of this Indian view of the universe as the play of Brahman. Every Indian is also aware of the supremacy of kala in this play. Many Indians may not know the very detailed arithmetic of the various cycles of time that is given in the Puranas. But the thought that the universe is a play that had no beginning and will have no end, and that this play of Brahman proceeds according to the inexorable flow of kala, is deeply etched on the chitta of the people of India.''</blockquote>
 
Shri. Dharampal rightly explained the influence of Kala on the Chitta (manas) or the psyche of people of Bharatavarsha as follows<ref>Dharampal. (2000) ''Dharampal Collected Writings. Volume 5 : Essays on Tradition, Recovery and Freedom.'' Goa : Other India Press</ref><blockquote>''The universe once created passes through a number of cycles of growth and decay, and at the end is drawn back into Brahman. This cycle of creation of the universe from Brahman and its disappearance into Him is repeated again and again according to the predefined flow of time. Within this large cycle, there are a number of shorter cycles, at the end of each of which the universe gets destroyed, and created again at the beginning of the next. Thus the universe keeps on passing through repeated cycles of creation and destruction, and there are series of cycles within cycles.''</blockquote><blockquote>''The terms ‘creation’ and ‘destruction’ are probably not wholly appropriate in this context. Because, at the time of creation, it is not something external to Him that Brahman creates. He only manifests Himself in the varied forms of the universe, and at the end He merely contracts those manifestations into Himself, and thus there is in reality nothing that gets created or destroyed. The universe, in a sense, is a mere play of Brahman, a cosmic game of repeated expansion and contraction of the ultimate essence of the universe. But it is a game that is played according to well defined cycles of time. The universe is play, but the play is not arbitrary. Even Brahman is governed by kala. He manifests and contracts according to a definite flow of time that even He cannot transcend.''</blockquote><blockquote>''Every Indian is probably aware of this Indian view of the universe as the play of Brahman. Every Indian is also aware of the supremacy of kala in this play. Many Indians may not know the very detailed arithmetic of the various cycles of time that is given in the Puranas. But the thought that the universe is a play that had no beginning and will have no end, and that this play of Brahman proceeds according to the inexorable flow of kala, is deeply etched on the chitta of the people of India.''</blockquote>
   −
== कालमानम् Kalamanam ==
+
== कालप्रमाणम् Kalapramanam ==
Kalamana or the duration of time and measurements, are variously described in different texts. The calculations are based on nakshatras, suryodaya, chandra (moon), planetary transits for earthly time measurements. Thus we have nakshatramana, sauramana, chandramana etc ways to measure time. Astronomy and Astrology texts such as Surya Siddhanta, deal extensively with the topic of time and its calculations ranging from less than a second to trillions of years. Kala is classified into two according to Surya Siddhanta as follows  <blockquote>लोकानामन्तकृत्कालः कालोन्यः कलनात्मकः । स द्विधा स्थूल सूक्ष्मत्वान्मू्र्त्तश्चामूर्त उच्यते॥ (Sury. Sidd. 1.10) (Page 5 of Book in Reference<ref name=":4">Mahaviraprasad, Shrivastav. (1982 2nd Edition) ''Surya Siddhanta with Vijnana Bhashya, Khanda One.'' Allahabad: Dr. Ratnakumari Svadhyaya Sansthan</ref></blockquote>Summary : Kala is (1) Anadi and Ananta (is continuous and endless) which destroys all animate and inanimate things (2) Kalanatmaka (that which can be known). The later kind of time which is measurable time is again of two kinds. (1) Sthula (2) Sukshma. Sthula time is that which can be measured hence called Murta, while Sukshma is (a small time scale) which cannot be measured (immeasurable due to its smallness) hence called Amurta.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">Pt. Bapu Deva Sastri (1861) ''Translation of the Surya Siddhanta from the Sanskrit.'' Calcutta : Asiatic Society of Bengal</ref>
+
Kalapramana or the duration of time and measurements, are variously described in different texts. The calculations are based on nakshatras, suryodaya, chandra (moon), planetary transits for earthly time measurements. Thus we have nakshatramana, sauramana, chandramana etc ways to measure time. Astronomy and Astrology texts such as Surya Siddhanta, deal extensively with the topic of time and its calculations ranging from less than a second to trillions of years. Kala is classified into two according to Surya Siddhanta as follows  <blockquote>लोकानामन्तकृत्कालः कालोन्यः कलनात्मकः । स द्विधा स्थूल सूक्ष्मत्वान्मू्र्त्तश्चामूर्त उच्यते॥ (Sury. Sidd. 1.10) (Page 5 of Book in Reference<ref name=":4">Mahaviraprasad, Shrivastav. (1982 2nd Edition) ''Surya Siddhanta with Vijnana Bhashya, Khanda One.'' Allahabad: Dr. Ratnakumari Svadhyaya Sansthan</ref></blockquote>Summary : Kala is (1) Anadi and Ananta (is continuous and endless) which destroys all animate and inanimate things (2) Kalanatmaka (that which can be known). The later kind of time which is measurable time is again of two kinds. (1) Sthula (2) Sukshma. Sthula time is that which can be measured hence called Murta, while Sukshma is (a small time scale) which cannot be measured (immeasurable due to its smallness) hence called Amurta.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">Pt. Bapu Deva Sastri (1861) ''Translation of the Surya Siddhanta from the Sanskrit.'' Calcutta : Asiatic Society of Bengal</ref>
    
First kind of Kala cannot be imagined as one cannot know its origin and end, it is indivisible and exists as is even though Brahmas and Indras pass, creation and destruction take place, hence Mrtyu is called also called Kala.<ref name=":4" />
 
First kind of Kala cannot be imagined as one cannot know its origin and end, it is indivisible and exists as is even though Brahmas and Indras pass, creation and destruction take place, hence Mrtyu is called also called Kala.<ref name=":4" />
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Bhagavata Purana describes the smallest particles as Paramanus, two of which make up an Anu. Three such anus make up the Trasarenu. It is the smallest particle which is visible. (Bhag. Pura. 3.11.5-8)<ref name=":3" /> Another measure of Kala as mentioned in the Prashastapada Bhashya (chap 5) is also tabularized. After the lapse of a hundred years of Brahma (1 year of Brahma has 360 days of Brahma or Kalpa) there comes the time for the final deliverance of the Brahma of the time.<ref name=":6">Prashastapada Bhashya ([https://archive.org/details/prashastapadabhashya/page/n61 Chapter 5])</ref>
 
Bhagavata Purana describes the smallest particles as Paramanus, two of which make up an Anu. Three such anus make up the Trasarenu. It is the smallest particle which is visible. (Bhag. Pura. 3.11.5-8)<ref name=":3" /> Another measure of Kala as mentioned in the Prashastapada Bhashya (chap 5) is also tabularized. After the lapse of a hundred years of Brahma (1 year of Brahma has 360 days of Brahma or Kalpa) there comes the time for the final deliverance of the Brahma of the time.<ref name=":6">Prashastapada Bhashya ([https://archive.org/details/prashastapadabhashya/page/n61 Chapter 5])</ref>
    +
== Macro and Microcosmic Time Scales ==
 +
Different versions of time scales are given in various texts ranging from Puranas to Siddhantas. A few examples have been compiled in the table below.
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|+Kala in Macro and Microcosmic Scales
 
|+Kala in Macro and Microcosmic Scales
 
!No
 
!No
!Surya Siddhanta<ref name=":5" />
+
!Shiva Purana
 
!Bhagavata Purana<ref name=":3" />
 
!Bhagavata Purana<ref name=":3" />
 
!Vaiseshika Darshana<ref name=":6" />
 
!Vaiseshika Darshana<ref name=":6" />
!Shiva Purana
+
!Vedanga Jyotisha<ref>Kuppanna Sastry, T. S. and Sarma, K. V. (1985) ''Vedanga Jyotisa of Lagadha in its Rk and Yajus Recensions with the translation and notes of Prof. T. S. Kuppanna Sastry.'' New Delhi : Indian National Science Academy</ref>
 +
!Surya Siddhanta<ref name=":5" />
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1
 
|1
|Prana
+
|Kshana
 
|3 Trasarenu = Truti
 
|3 Trasarenu = Truti
 
|1 Nimesha = time taken for twinkling of eyes
 
|1 Nimesha = time taken for twinkling of eyes
|Kshana
+
|5 Gurvaksharas (letters of double maatra) or 10 matras = 1 Kashta
 +
|Prana
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2
 
|2
|6 Pranas = Pala
+
|Truti
 
|100 Trutis = Vedha
 
|100 Trutis = Vedha
 
|5 Nimesha = 1 Kashtha
 
|5 Nimesha = 1 Kashtha
|Truti
+
|31 Kashtas = 1 Pada
 +
|6 Pranas = Pala
 
|-
 
|-
 
|3
 
|3
 +
|Lava
 +
|3 Vedhas = Lava
 +
|30 Kashthas = 1 Kalaa
 +
|4 Padas (124 Kashtas) = 1 Kalaa
 
|60 Palas = Nadika or Nadi or Ghatika
 
|60 Palas = Nadika or Nadi or Ghatika
|3 Vedhas = Lava
  −
|30 Kashthas = 1 Kala
  −
|Lava
   
|-
 
|-
 
|4
 
|4
 +
|Nimesha
 +
|3 Lavas = Nimesha
 +
|15 Kalaas = 1 Nadika
 +
|10 and 1/20 Kalaas = 1 Nadika
 
|60 Ghatikas = Nakahsatra Ahoratra
 
|60 Ghatikas = Nakahsatra Ahoratra
|3 Lavas = Nimesha
  −
|15 Kalas = 1 Nadika
  −
|Nimesha
   
|-
 
|-
 
|5
 
|5
|30 Nakshatra Ahoratras = Nakshatra Masa
+
|Kashta
 
|3 Nimeshas = Kshana
 
|3 Nimeshas = Kshana
 
|30 Kalas = 1 Muhurta
 
|30 Kalas = 1 Muhurta
|Kashta
+
|2 Nadikas = 1 Muhurtha
 +
|30 Nakshatra Ahoratras = Nakshatra Masa
 
|-
 
|-
 
|6
 
|6
|30 Savana (terrestrial) = Savana Month
+
|Muhurta
 
|5 Kshanas = Kashta
 
|5 Kshanas = Kashta
 
|30 Muhurtas = 1 Ahoratra (day and night)
 
|30 Muhurtas = 1 Ahoratra (day and night)
|Muhurta
+
|30 Muhurthas = 1 Day (i.e., the civil day)
 +
|30 Savana (terrestrial) = Savana Month
 
|-
 
|-
 
|7
 
|7
|
+
|Ahoratram
 
|15 Kashtas = Laghu
 
|15 Kashtas = Laghu
 
|15 Ahoratras = 1 Paksha (fort-night)
 
|15 Ahoratras = 1 Paksha (fort-night)
|Ahoratra
+
|366 Days = 12 Solar months or 6 Rtus, or 2 Ayanas, or 1 Solar year
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|8
 
|8
|
+
|Paksha
 
|15 Laghus = Nadika or Ghatika
 
|15 Laghus = Nadika or Ghatika
 
|2 Pakshas = 1 Masa (Month)
 
|2 Pakshas = 1 Masa (Month)
|Paksha
+
|5 Solar Years = 1 Yuga
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|9
 
|9
|
+
|Masa
 
|2 Nadikas = Muhurta
 
|2 Nadikas = Muhurta
 
|2 Masas = 1 Rtu (Season)
 
|2 Masas = 1 Rtu (Season)
|Masa
+
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|10
 
|10
|
+
|Abda (year)
 
|6 or 7 nadikas = Prahara/Yama
 
|6 or 7 nadikas = Prahara/Yama
 
|3 Rtus or 6 Masas = 1 Ayana (Uttarayana = 1 Day of Devatas, Dakshinayana = 1 Night of Devatas)
 
|3 Rtus or 6 Masas = 1 Ayana (Uttarayana = 1 Day of Devatas, Dakshinayana = 1 Night of Devatas)
|Abda
+
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|11
 
|11
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|4 Yamas = Day and Night (Ahahoratri)
 
|4 Yamas = Day and Night (Ahahoratri)
 
|6 Rtus or 12 Masas = 1 Samvatsara (Earth Year)
 
|6 Rtus or 12 Masas = 1 Samvatsara (Earth Year)
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
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|15 Days = Paksha
 
|15 Days = Paksha
 
|360 Samvatsaras(Earth years) = 1 Divyavarsha (1 Year of Devatas)
 
|360 Samvatsaras(Earth years) = 1 Divyavarsha (1 Year of Devatas)
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
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|2 Pakshas = 1 Masa
 
|2 Pakshas = 1 Masa
 
|1200 Divyavarshas = The Four Yugas
 
|1200 Divyavarshas = The Four Yugas
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
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|2 Masas = Rtu
 
|2 Masas = Rtu
 
|1000 Four yugas = 1 Day of Brahma
 
|1000 Four yugas = 1 Day of Brahma
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
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|
 
|
 
|6 Masas = Ayana
 
|6 Masas = Ayana
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
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|
 
|
 
|2 Ayanas = Samvatsara
 
|2 Ayanas = Samvatsara
 +
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|

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