Sanatan Dharma has a highly detailed and profound system of time calculation. The concept of time is closely linked with the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the universe, which are governed by Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Preserver), and Mahesh (Destroyer – Shiva). Along with them, gods like Indra, Varuna, Agni, Vayu, and Yama also follow a distinct time cycle.
This article focuses on understanding how long one day of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, and Indra lasts and how their time is calculated.
1. One Day of Indra and Other Gods
Indra, Varuna, Agni, Vayu, Yama, and other deities rule over the Svarga Loka (heaven) and are considered subordinate to the Tridevas (Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh). Their time cycle is called “Divya Time.”
Time Calculation for Indra
- One day of Indra = 1 human year
- One full day and night of Indra (Ahah-ratri) = 2 human years
- One month of Indra = 30 Ahah-ratris = 60 human years
- One year of Indra = 360 Ahah-ratris = 720 human years
- One reign of Indra (One Manvantara) = 71 Mahayugas = 30.67 lakh (3.067 million) years
🔹 We are currently in the 7th Manvantara, called the Vaivasvata Manvantara.
2. One Day of Brahma (Kalpa)
Brahma’s life is divided into four major sections:
- One day of Brahma (Kalpa) = 1,000 Mahayugas
- One night of Brahma = 1,000 Mahayugas
Mahayuga Calculation
A Mahayuga consists of four Yugas:
- Satya Yuga = 1,728,000 human years
- Treta Yuga = 1,296,000 human years
- Dwapara Yuga = 864,000 human years
- Kali Yuga = 432,000 human years
👉 1 Mahayuga = 4,320,000 human years
Since 1 day of Brahma = 1,000 Mahayugas, the calculation is as follows:
1 day of Brahma = 1,000 × 4,320,000
= 4.32 billion human years
Similarly, Brahma’s night is also 4.32 billion human years long.
3. Brahma’s Total Lifespan
Brahma’s 1 year consists of 360 Brahma days, and his lifespan is 100 Brahma years.
👉 One full lifespan of Brahma = 311.04 trillion human years
At the end of Brahma’s life, Maha Pralaya (the great dissolution) occurs, where the entire creation is absorbed back into the cosmic void, and a new cycle begins.
4. One Day of Lord Vishnu
Lord Vishnu is timeless, but for calculation purposes, his time is linked with Brahma’s lifespan.
- 1 lifespan of Brahma = 1 day for Vishnu
- When one Brahma completes his life, one day of Vishnu is completed.
Thus, Vishnu’s 100 divine years are equivalent to 100 lifespans of Brahma.
5. The Time Cycle of Mahesh (Shiva)
Shiva, also known as Mahakal (the Great Time), is beyond time. He is eternal and unaffected by time cycles. When the universe dissolves, he performs Tandava (the cosmic dance of destruction), bringing about Maha Pralaya (total dissolution).
Unlike Brahma and Vishnu, Shiva remains constant through all cycles of creation and destruction.
6. Where Are We in the Current Time Cycle?
Currently, we are in the first phase of Kali Yuga, and this falls within the 51st year of Brahma (Shwetavaraha Kalpa).
Current Time Breakdown
- 50 years of Brahma have passed.
- We are in the first day of his 51st year.
- In this Kalpa, 28 Mahayugas have passed, and we are currently in Kali Yuga.
7. Complete Time Calculation in Tabular Form
8. Conclusion
Sanatan Dharma presents a highly advanced and complex understanding of time. The time scales of Indra and other gods differ significantly from human time, while Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva operate on even larger cosmic scales.
- 1 Day of Indra = 1 Human Year
- 1 Day of Brahma = 4.32 Billion Years
- 1 Lifetime of Brahma = 311.04 Trillion Years
- 1 Day of Vishnu = 1 Lifetime of Brahma
- Shiva is eternal and beyond time calculations
Thus, the universe operates in infinite cycles, with Lord Shiva as the supreme eternal force overseeing creation and destruction.
Did you find this article insightful? If you have any questions or want to learn more about Vedic time cycles, leave a comment!
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