Ancient Hindu Time Measurement
Journey Through Cosmic Time – From Nimesh to Brahma’s Lifespan
Basic Time Units
⏱️
Nimesh (निमेष)
The smallest unit – a blink of an eye
🕐
Kashtha (काष्ठा)
15 Nimesh = 1 Kashtha
⏰
Kala (कला)
30 Kashtha = 1 Kala
⌚
Muhurta (मुहूर्त)
30 Kala = 1 Muhurta (approximately 48 minutes)
🌅
Human Day (मनुष्य दिवस)
30 Muhurta = 1 Day & Night (24 hours)
📅
Month (मास)
30 Days = 1 Month
(2 Paksha: Shukla & Krishna)
(2 Paksha: Shukla & Krishna)
☀️
Ayana (अयन)
6 Months = 1 Ayana
• Dakshinayana (Gods’ Night) 🌙
• Uttarayana (Gods’ Day) ☀️
• Dakshinayana (Gods’ Night) 🌙
• Uttarayana (Gods’ Day) ☀️
🗓️
Year (वर्ष)
2 Ayana = 1 Human Year
The Four Yugas (चतुर्युगी)
Measured in Divine Years (12,000 divine years for Gods)
Satya Yuga (सत्ययुग)
4,000 divine years
+ 400 Sandhya
+ 400 Sandhyamsha
= 4,800 divine years
The Golden Age of Truth
+ 400 Sandhya
+ 400 Sandhyamsha
= 4,800 divine years
The Golden Age of Truth
Treta Yuga (त्रेता)
3,000 divine years
+ 300 Sandhya
+ 300 Sandhyamsha
= 3,600 divine years
The Silver Age
+ 300 Sandhya
+ 300 Sandhyamsha
= 3,600 divine years
The Silver Age
Dwapara Yuga (द्वापर)
2,000 divine years
+ 200 Sandhya
+ 200 Sandhyamsha
= 2,400 divine years
The Bronze Age
+ 200 Sandhya
+ 200 Sandhyamsha
= 2,400 divine years
The Bronze Age
Kali Yuga (कलियुग)
1,000 divine years
+ 100 Sandhya
+ 100 Sandhyamsha
= 1,200 divine years
The Iron Age (Current Era)
+ 100 Sandhya
+ 100 Sandhyamsha
= 1,200 divine years
The Iron Age (Current Era)
12,000
Total Divine Years in One Chaturyugi (4 Yugas)
One Day of Brahma (ब्रह्मा का एक दिवस)
🔄
Chaturyugi
One complete cycle of 4 Yugas = 12,000 divine years
🌍
Brahma’s Day
1,000 Chaturyugi = 1 Day of Brahma
= 12,000,000 divine years
= 12,000,000 divine years
🔥
Naimittika Pralaya
At the end of Brahma’s day, partial dissolution occurs
The three worlds (Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka, Swarloka) are destroyed
Beings from Maharloka move to Janaloka
The three worlds (Bhuloka, Bhuvarloka, Swarloka) are destroyed
Beings from Maharloka move to Janaloka
🌙
Brahma’s Night
Equal to Brahma’s Day = 1,000 Chaturyugi
After the night, creation begins anew
After the night, creation begins anew
14 Manus
Rule during one day of Brahma
Manvantara (मन्वन्तर)
👑
What is a Manvantara?
The reign period of one Manu (cosmic administrator)
During this time: Saptarishi, Devas, Indra, Manu and his sons are born together and dissolve together
During this time: Saptarishi, Devas, Indra, Manu and his sons are born together and dissolve together
📊
Duration
71 Chaturyugi + extra period
= 852,000 divine years
= 306,720,000 human years
= 852,000 divine years
= 306,720,000 human years
🔢
Brahma’s Day
14 Manvantaras = 1 Day of Brahma
Current Manu
Vaivasvata Manu
(7th Manu of current Kalpa)
(7th Manu of current Kalpa)
Seven Sages
Saptarishi guide humanity in each Manvantara
The Complete Cosmic Cycle
Brahma’s Year
360 days + 360 nights of Brahma
Calculated through months and fortnights
Calculated through months and fortnights
Brahma’s Lifespan
100 Brahma years
This is the complete lifespan of the creator
This is the complete lifespan of the creator
Current Position
We are currently in:
• 7th Manvantara
• 28th Chaturyugi
• Kali Yuga
• 7th Manvantara
• 28th Chaturyugi
• Kali Yuga
Maha Pralaya
After 100 Brahma years, complete dissolution of universe occurs
Then a new Brahma is born
Then a new Brahma is born
311,040,000,000,000
Human years in Brahma’s lifespan
(311 Trillion+ years!)
(311 Trillion+ years!)