Changes

Kalamana (Samskrit: कालमानम्) broadly refers to the measurement of time ([[Kala (कालः)|Kala]]). Bharatiya shastrajnas have explained the various macrocosmic and microcosmic time systems and depending on the needs of particular topics in astronomy, different scales and units of time are used. On the macrocosmic scale, the Yuga system has been described, whereas on the microcosmic scale, a small unit of time Truti (1/33750 of a second) has been mentioned by Bhaskara II. We mention the macrocosmic time scales (Svetavaraha kalpa, Vaivasvata Manvantara etc) only in the samkalpa of our daily puja rituals.<ref name=":2" />

Kalamana (Samskrit: कालमानम्) broadly refers to the measurement of time ([[Kala (कालः)|Kala]]). Bharatiya shastrajnas have explained the various macrocosmic and microcosmic time systems and depending on the needs of particular topics in astronomy, different scales and units of time are used. On the macrocosmic scale, the Yuga system has been described, whereas on the microcosmic scale, a small unit of time Truti (1/33750 of a second) has been mentioned by Bhaskara II. We mention the macrocosmic time scales (Svetavaraha kalpa, Vaivasvata Manvantara etc) only in the samkalpa of our daily puja rituals.<ref name=":2" />

 

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

== परिचयः ॥ Introduction ==

On the day to day basis, however, we use the classic Panchanga (5 elements namely, Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Karana and Yoga) which measures time on a working scale, on a daily basis, to perform any activity of importance in our lives such as to determine Muhurta or auspicious times as well as to determine time for Shraddha and other Pitr karmas. The present article Kalamana discusses the aspects of Suryodaya, Suryastamaya or sunrise and sunset timings, Chandrodaya timings, Tithi, Nakshatra, Paksha (fortnight), Vara (day of the week), Samvatsara (year) and their determination. It may be noted that while some factors such as sunrise and sunset, moon-rise, rashis, sankramanas are common in all parts of India, some calculations such as of the day or a year are set variously by people of different cultures of India.  

On a day to day basis, however, we use the classic [[Panchanga (पञ्चाङ्गम्)]] 5 elements namely, Tithi, Vara, Nakshatra, Karana and Yoga) which measures time on a working scale, to perform any activity of importance in our lives such as to determine Muhurta or auspicious times as well as to determine time for Shraddha and other Pitr karmas. The present article Kalamana discusses the aspects of Suryodaya, Suryastamaya or sunrise and sunset timings, Chandrodaya timings, Tithi, Nakshatra, Paksha (fortnight), Vara (day of the week), Samvatsara (year) and their determination. It may be noted that while some factors such as sunrise and sunset, moon-rise, rashis, sankramanas are common in all parts of India, some calculations such as of the day or a year are set variously by people of different cultures of India.  

Many of these factors are based on simple natural observations, earth, moon and planetary motions and seasons - all of which are pratyaksha pramanas (visible evidence) in the nature around us manifesting the environmental changes. It is common knowledge that it is a day with sunrise, a night with sunset, high and low tides with lunar movements, rashis associated with the movement of moon in nakshatras, formation of new leaves and leaf shedding indicates seasonal change with Vishvat (equinoxes) so on and so forth.  

Many of these factors are based on simple natural observations, earth, moon and planetary motions and seasons - all of which are pratyaksha pramanas (visible evidence) in the nature around us manifesting the environmental changes. It is common knowledge that it is a day with sunrise, a night with sunset, high and low tides with lunar movements, rashis associated with the movement of moon in nakshatras, formation of new leaves and leaf shedding indicates seasonal change with Vishvat (equinoxes) so on and so forth.  

==== सङ्क्रान्तयः ॥ Sankrantis ====

==== सङ्क्रान्तयः ॥ Sankrantis ====

[[File:Names of Sankrantis.PNG|thumb|Names of 12 Sankrantis according to Surya Siddhanta|500.306x500.306px]]

[[File:Names of Sankrantis.PNG|thumb|Names of 12 Sankrantis according to Surya Siddhanta|500x500px]]

The time at which Sun enters into an new rashi is termed Sankranti. <blockquote>भचक्रनाभौ विषुवद्द्वितीयं समसूत्रगम् । अयनद्वितयं चैव चतस्रः प्रथितास्तु ताः॥ bhacakranābhau viṣuvaddvitīyaṁ samasūtragam । ayanadvitayaṁ caiva catasraḥ prathitāstu tāḥ॥(Sury. Siddh. 14.7)</blockquote>In the middle of the nakshatra chakra (sphere of stars) the two equinoxes (Vishuvats in Mesha and Tula rashis) are diametrically opposed and so are the two solistices (Ayanas in Karkataka and Makara) in the ecliptic path.  

The time at which Sun enters into an new rashi is termed Sankranti. <blockquote>भचक्रनाभौ विषुवद्द्वितीयं समसूत्रगम् । अयनद्वितयं चैव चतस्रः प्रथितास्तु ताः॥ bhacakranābhau viṣuvaddvitīyaṁ samasūtragam । ayanadvitayaṁ caiva catasraḥ prathitāstu tāḥ॥(Sury. Siddh. 14.7)</blockquote>In the middle of the nakshatra chakra (sphere of stars) the two equinoxes (Vishuvats in Mesha and Tula rashis) are diametrically opposed and so are the two solistices (Ayanas in Karkataka and Makara) in the ecliptic path.  

The Sun passing the three signs starting from equinox day in Aries, followed by Taurus, and Gemini completes the first half of the day of the Devatas. When sun is passing through the signs Cancer, Leo and Virgo completes the second half of the day. The Sun passing through the signs Libra to Pisces completes the first and second halves of the day of the Asuras. Thus their day and night are mutually reverse and one revolution of Sun completes one ahoratra (day and night) for them (Reference page 734 to 736 of <ref name=":1" />).<blockquote>सुरासुराणामन्योन्यम् अहोरात्रं विपर्ययात् । यत्प्रोक्तं तद्भवेद्दिव्यम् भानोर्भगणपूरणात् ॥ surāsurāṇāmanyōnyam ahōrātraṁ viparyayāt । yatprōktaṁ tadbhavēddivyam bhānōrbhagaṇapūraṇāt ॥(Sury. Siddh. 14.20)</blockquote>The ahoratra (day and the night) of devatas (suras) and asuras are said to be mutually reverse and called Divyamana. It is equivalent to the time taken for one revolution of the Sun (365 Solar Days).<ref name=":4" />

The Sun passing the three signs starting from equinox day in Aries, followed by Taurus, and Gemini completes the first half of the day of the Devatas. When sun is passing through the signs Cancer, Leo and Virgo completes the second half of the day. The Sun passing through the signs Libra to Pisces completes the first and second halves of the day of the Asuras. Thus their day and night are mutually reverse and one revolution of Sun completes one ahoratra (day and night) for them (Reference page 734 to 736 of <ref name=":1" />).<blockquote>सुरासुराणामन्योन्यम् अहोरात्रं विपर्ययात् । यत्प्रोक्तं तद्भवेद्दिव्यम् भानोर्भगणपूरणात् ॥ surāsurāṇāmanyōnyam ahōrātraṁ viparyayāt । yatprōktaṁ tadbhavēddivyam bhānōrbhagaṇapūraṇāt ॥(Sury. Siddh. 14.20)</blockquote>The ahoratra (day and the night) of devatas (suras) and asuras are said to be mutually reverse and called Divyamana. It is equivalent to the time taken for one revolution of the Sun (365 Solar Days).<ref name=":4" />

== प्राजापत्यमानं ब्राह्ममानं च॥ Prajapatya Mana and Brahma Mana ==

=== प्राजापत्यमानं ब्राह्ममानं च॥ Prajapatya Mana and Brahma Mana ===

<blockquote>मन्वन्तरव्यवस्था च प्राजापत्यमुदाहृतम् । न तत्र द्युनिशोर्भेदो ब्राह्मं कल्पं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ manvantaravyavasthā ca prājāpatyamudāhr̥tam । na tatra dyuniśōrbhēdō brāhmaṁ kalpaṁ prakīrtitam ॥ (Sury. Siddh. 14.21)</blockquote>The duration of Manu (71 Yugas) is called Prajapatya Mana (or the Mana of Prajapati who was the father of Manus). There is no distinction of the day and night in this Mana. Kalpa (See [[Kala (कालः)|Kala]]) is said to be the Brahma Mana.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />

<blockquote>मन्वन्तरव्यवस्था च प्राजापत्यमुदाहृतम् । न तत्र द्युनिशोर्भेदो ब्राह्मं कल्पं प्रकीर्तितम् ॥ manvantaravyavasthā ca prājāpatyamudāhr̥tam । na tatra dyuniśōrbhēdō brāhmaṁ kalpaṁ prakīrtitam ॥ (Sury. Siddh. 14.21)</blockquote>The duration of Manu (71 Yugas) is called Prajapatya Mana (or the Mana of Prajapati who was the father of Manus). There is no distinction of the day and night in this Mana. Kalpa (See [[Kala (कालः)|Kala]]) is said to be the Brahma Mana.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4" />