{"id":65,"date":"2018-01-30T12:53:54","date_gmt":"2018-01-30T12:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/?page_id=65"},"modified":"2018-02-12T12:35:51","modified_gmt":"2018-02-12T12:35:51","slug":"kala-time","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/concepts\/key-concepts\/kala-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Kala: Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section  class='av_textblock_section av-av_textblock-2bd894dbf2e4bf2c4acf98ce4fbf94aa '   itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/CreativeWork\" ><div class='avia_textblock'  itemprop=\"text\" ><h3><strong>Kala: Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_753\" style=\"width: 260px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-753\" class=\"size-full wp-image-753\" src=\"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/time1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/time1.jpg 250w, https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/time1-80x80.jpg 80w, https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/time1-36x36.jpg 36w, https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/time1-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/time1-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-753\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The diagram above represents the entire cycle of four ages. As the wheel of time roles along, the ages progress in an anti-clock wise direction. The diagram shows how we have just started Kali-yuga, and are moving towards the next Satya-yuga.<br \/>Satya yuga \u2013 1,728,000 years<br \/>Dvarapa yuga \u2013 1,296,000 years<br \/>Treta yuga \u2013 864, 000 years<br \/>Kali yuga \u2013 432,000 years<br \/>Total cycle (mahayuga) \u2013 4,320,000 years<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The concept of eternal and cyclical time lies at the heart of the Hindu world view and is closely<\/p>\n<p>related to the concept of <em>atman<\/em>. (Hindu sages claim that the individual&#8217;s self-understanding determines his or her perception of the world.) Hindus consider the real self to be ever-existing, not only in the future but also from the past. This notion of two-way eternity, however, is not reserved solely for the realm of spirit (<em>Brahman<\/em>) but extends to this temporal world. Within Hinduism we find no &#8220;year dot,&#8221; nor a final cataclysm. The closing of one door implies the opening of another. Destruction of the cosmos only portends its re-creation. The entire material world is thus subject to everlasting cycles of creation, sustenance and destruction.<\/p>\n<p>This universe is said to exist for a lifetime of Brahma, the creator. His one day is 1,000 maha-yugas (great ages). Each <em>maha-yuga<\/em> consists of four <em>yugas<\/em> (ages), each progressively shorter and more degraded. They are the golden, silver, copper, and iron ages. According to tradition, we have had just over 5,000 years of Kali-yuga and there remain 427,000 years. At the end, the final incarnation of Vishnu, Kalki, is scheduled to appear, heralding the dawn of yet another golden age.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Key Points<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>The Hindu concept of time is cyclical (and eternal and degenerative).<\/li>\n<li>The Western notion of time is linear (and limited and progressive).<\/li>\n<li>There are four ages (<em>yugas<\/em>) that successively become more degenerated:\n<ul>\n<li>Satya (Krita)<\/li>\n<li>Dvapara<\/li>\n<li>Treta<\/li>\n<li>Kali<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>We are now 5,000 years into Kali\u00adyuga (the iron age, or the age of quarrel and hypocrisy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Useful Examples<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The day, week, month, year, and greater cycles (e.g. ice ages) These may be useful in considering how time might be cyclical.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The day is naturally cyclical, based on the Earth&#8217;s rotation.<\/li>\n<li>The Hindu week is seven days, and based on the same seven planets (Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn) as in the West.<\/li>\n<li>The Hindu calendar is based on real months (phases of the moon), as is Easter in the Christian calendar.<\/li>\n<li>The year is based on the cycles of the Earth round the Sun.<\/li>\n<li>Hindu texts mention greater natural cycles of 12 years, 60 years, etc. up to many millions of years. This may be compared to the familiar concept of recurring ice ages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Related Stories<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>The Oldest Man in the World (STO-115)<\/strong><br \/>\nAeons are nothing compared to eternity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Creation \u2013 adapted from the Bhagavat Purana (STO-116)<\/strong><br \/>\nOne of the best books on the subject of creation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Beggar Meets God (STO-117)<\/strong><br \/>\nA humorous way into the subject.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Related Practices<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-754\" src=\"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/time2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"154\" height=\"200\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Scriptures are often not presented chronologically but sequenced so as to be spiritually and educationally benefi\u00adcial to the reader.<\/li>\n<li>Tendency for inclusivity. Since absolute claims of uniqueness or pre-eminence lose credibility in the light of eternity, Hindus are generally happy to venerate figures from other traditions, such as Lord Jesus Christ (see right).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Related Values\/Issues<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The largely accepted linear approach to time, has an impact on a wide range of issues:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Material evolution theory<\/li>\n<li>Scientific creation myths (e.g. Big Bang)<\/li>\n<li>Attitudes towards material progress<\/li>\n<li>Sustainable economic growth (is it possible?)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Personal Reflection<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>What are our thoughts on eternity?<\/li>\n<li>If the world began on a certain date, what happened before that?<\/li>\n<li>Why does time seem to go quicker as we get older? And when we are happier?<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;We never get any younger, you know!&#8221; Why not?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>Common Misunderstandings<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>Widely-held academic views of ancient Indian history are uncontested and undoubtedly true<\/strong><br \/>\nHinduism&#8217;s own version of its history differs from the widely accepted academic view. Traditional accounts speak of a glorious past and descent from highly learned<em> rishis<\/em> (saints), conflicting with Western notions of emergence from a primitive ancestry. Furthermore, the Aryan invasion theory is now widely contested in intellectual circles and is challenging academia to reassess its assumptions about ancient history (see <a href=\"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/tradition\/historical-perspective\/versions-of-hindu-history\/\">Versions of Hindu History<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/tradition\/historical-perspective\/the-traditions-own-version\/\">The Tradition&#8217;s Own Version<\/a>). Whatever the current academic stance, teachers would do well to also represent the tradition&#8217;s own ideas of its history, which suggest a degradation in civilisation rather than a progressive evolution.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The notion of circular time inevitably leads to fatalism and procrastination in both material and spiritual endeavour. The concept of linear time is superior.<\/strong><br \/>\nThis misunderstanding may be closely connected with the simplistic and misleading idea that all of Hinduism can be categorised as &#8220;world-denying.&#8221; There are notions that the temporary becomes meaningful if linked to spiritual goals. Hence endeavours in this world bear lasting results if performed &#8220;in yoga&#8221; (e.g. through a sense of service to God.)<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Scriptural Passages<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>&#8220;By human calculation, a thousand ages taken together form the duration of Brahma&#8217;s one day and such also is the duration of his night.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>Bhagavad-gita<\/em> 8.17<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Brahma lives &#8230; 311 trillion and 40 billion earth years&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>Bhagavad-gita<\/em> 8.17 purport<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Time I am, destroyer of the worlds, and I have come to engage all men.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-gita<\/em> 11.32<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Meaning and Purpose<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>What is time? Why do we fear it so much? What is its real nature? How does it benefit us?<\/p>\n<h4><strong>For More Information<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>See The <a href=\"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/practice\/festivals\/the-hindu-calendar\/\">Hindu Calendar<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/tradition\/historical-perspective\/versions-of-hindu-history\/\">Versions of Hindu History<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/tradition\/historical-perspective\/the-traditions-own-version\/\">The Tradition&#8217;s Own Version<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":753,"parent":10,"menu_order":13,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[52,49,50,54,51,16,53],"class_list":["post-65","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-dvarapa-yuga","tag-kala","tag-kali-yuga","tag-mahayuga","tag-satya-yuga","tag-time","tag-treta-yuga"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/65","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=65"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/65\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1037,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/65\/revisions\/1037"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/10"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/753"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=65"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=65"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}