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Time Measurement in India-1
 See also     Time Measurement in India-2;    Time Measurement in India-3;    Time Measurement in India-4;
Time Measurement in India-5;     Measurement of Time in Puraan;     Measurement of Time in China; 

According to Hindu astrology, there are nine ways to measure time - 

(1) Braahm (related to Brahmaa), 
(2) Daiv (related to Devtaa), 
(3) Maanav (related to human beings), 
(4) Pitrya (related to Pitar), 
(5) Saur (solar) - This measurement helps to know all kinds of speed of all planets.
(6) Saavan - This measurement helps to know the time of rains.

(7) Chaandra (Lunar) - Sanskaar time (Yagyopaveet, Mundan) Tithi (day), Lord of the year, festivals, fasting days are known by this measurement. Whatever time Moon takes to go through all Nakshatra (approximately 29 days), it is called Naakshatra (related to Nakshatra or Lunar) month. From Shukla Pratipadaa (1st day) its 29 days' Lords are (1) Brahmaa, (2) Agni, (3) Viranchi, (4) Vishnu, (5) Gauree, (6) Ganesh, ((7) Yam, (8) Sarp (snake), (9) Chandramaa (Moon), (10) Kaartikeya, (11) Soorya (Sun), (12) Indra, (13) Mahendra, (14) Vaasav, (15) Naag, (16) Durgaa, (17) Dand-dhar, (18) Shiv, (19) Vishnu, (20) Ravi, (21) Hari, (22) Kaam Dev, (23) Shankar, (24) Kalaadhar, (25) Yam, (26) Chandramaa, (27) Vishnu, (28) Kaam Dev, and (29) Shiv.

(8) Naakshatra (related to constellations) - Ghadee, Muhoort etc in a year are known by this measurement.
(9) Baarhaspatya (related to Brihaspati or Jupiter) - This measurement helps to know Prabhav etc years.

Every single measurement has its own different year each of 12 months.

Baarhaspatya Measurement of Time -
By the medium speed of Jupiter, there are 60 Samvatsar (year). Their names are --

     
(1) Prabhav - abundance of Yagya Karm,
(2) Vibhav - people are comfortable,
(3) Shukla - all grains are grown in abundance,
(4) Pramod - all are happy in this year,
(5) Prajaapati - year of growth,
(6) Angiraa - increase in pleasures, (7) Shreemukh - population increases, 
(8) Bhaav - good feelings increase,
(9) Yuvaa - clouds make lots of rains,
(10) Dhaataa - abundance of all herbs,
(11) Eeshwar - people are peaceful and healthy,
(12) Bahudhaanya - abundance of grains,
(13) Pramaathee - this year is medium,
(14) Vikram - abundance of grains,
(15) Vrish - nourishes all the people,
(16) Chitrabhaanu - is wonderful,
(17) Subhaanu - provides welfare and good health,
(18) Taaran - clouds are auspicious in this Samvatsar,
(19) Paarthiv,
(20) A-Vyaya - rains in abundance,

(21) Sarvjit - the best rains, 
(22) Sarvdhaaree - abundance of grains,
(23) Virodhee - shortage of rains,
(24) Vikriti - creates fear,
(25) Khar - introduces bravery in men,
(26) Nandan - people feel good,
(27) Vijaya - kills enemies,
(28) Jaya - cures all diseases,
(29) Manmath - the world suffers with fever, {Dushkar - people do bad Karm}
(30) Durmukh - people speak harshly.
 (31) Hemlamb - people are wealthy,
(32) Vilamb - abundance of food,
(33) Vikaaree - enemies become angry,
(34) Shaarvaree - gives everything,
(35) Plav - creates flood in water bodies,
(36) Shubhkrit - people do good Karm,
(37) Shobhan - people do good Karm,
(38) Krodhee,
(39) Vishwaavasu, 
(40) Paraabhav,

 

 (41) Plavang,
(42) Keelak,
(43) Saumya,
(44) Samaan,
(45) Virodhkrit,
(46) Paribhaavee, 
(47) Pramaadee,
(48) Aanand,
(49) Raakshas - the world becomes un-pitiable,
(50) Anal - produces various grains,
(51) Pingal - good rains at some places,
(52) Kaalayukt - loss of wealth,
(53) Siddhaarth - all actions are fruitful,
(54) Raudra - people do terrible Karm,
(55) Durmati - medium rains,
(56) Dundubhi - auspicious and people get wealth and grains,
(57) Rudhirodgaaree - it drinks blood,
(58) Raktaaksh - it drinks blood,
(59) Krodhan - people give victory in this year,
(60) Kshaya - people's wealth diminishes.

[Some of these names are given in Agni Puraan, ch 139, p 298-299 also along with their effects]

They all give fruits according to their name and form. Five years make a Yug. The Lords of the five years are - (1) Agni (Fire), (2) Soorya (Sun), (3) Chandramaa (Moon), (4) Brahmaa, and (5) Shiv.

[Some say that first 20 years are ruled by Brahmaa, the next 20 years are ruled by Vishnu and the last 20 years are ruled by Shiv.]

Thus there are 12 Yug in 60 Samvatsar (years). The Lords of those 12 Yug are like this -- (1) Vishnu, (2) Brihaspati (Jupiter), (3) Indra, (4) Lohit, (5) Twashtaa, (6) Ahirbudhnya, (7) Pitar, (8) Vishwedev, (9) Chandramaa (Moon), (10) Indraagni, (11) Ashwinee Kumaar, and (12) Bhag

Saur (Solar) Measurement of Time
According to Soorya (Sun), in Makar (Capricorn) etc six signs, there is Uttaraayan. This is Devtaa's day, and in Kark etc six signs, there is Dakshinaayan, which is Devtaa's night. Entering the house, marriage ceremonies, Lord's Praan Pratishthaa and Yagyopaveet etc auspicious Karm should be done in Maagh etc months in Uttaraayan time as it is Devtaa's day time. In emergency some extra Poojaa may help.

From Maagh-Phaalgun, Shishir etc six seasons, are there of two months each. Thus according to Soorya, from Makar (Capricorn) sign, the three seasons - Shishir (Winter), Vasant (Spring) and Greeshm (Summer), are in Uttaraayan; and from Kark (Cancer) sign, the other three seasons of two months each are - Varshaa (Rainy season), Sharad (light Winter) and Hemant (Fall or Autumn), in Dakshinaayan.

From the 1st day of the Chandra Maas (Lunar month) to 15th day of the month is called Shukla Paksh (bright fortnight) and then from the 16th day of the Chandra Maas to Amaavasyaa (New Moon day) is called Krishn Paksh.

From Soorya's one Sankraanti to another Sankraanti is called Saur Maas (Solar month - Sun stays in one sign for one month only. The day he transits into another sign is called Sankraanti day.) Thirty days make one Saavan Maas; and whatever days Chandramaa (Moon) takes to go through all the Nakshatra, it is called Naakshatra Maas. Chandra passes one day in one Nakshatra, and Nakshatra are 27, so Chandramaa takes 27 days to pass through all Nakshatra.

Madhu, Maadhav, Shukra, Shuchi, Nabhah, Nabhasya, Ish, Urj, Sahaah, Shasya, Tap and Tapasya are the names of Chaitra, Vaishaakh etc 12 months. On whichever Poornimaa, whatever Nakshtra is there, the same name is of the same month. For example, whichever month's Poornimaa falls in Chitraa Nakshatra, the same month is called Chaitra month; and that Poornimaa is also known with the same name, such as Chaitree Poornimaa, or Vaishaakhee Poornimaa etc.

Every month consists of two fortnights - Dev Paksh and Pitra Paksh. Some other learned people call them Shukla Paksh (bright fortnight) and Krishn Paksh (dark fortnight). These two Paksh are considered while doing any auspicious or inauspicious Karm. (1) Brahmaa, (2) Agni, (3) Viranchi, (4) Vishnu, (5) Gauree, (6) Ganesh, (7) Yam, (8) Sarp (snake), (9) Chandramaa, (10) Kaartikeya, (11) Soorya, (12) Indra, (13) Mahendra, (14) Vaasav, (15) Naag (serpents), (16) Durgaa, (17) Dand-dhar, (18) Shiv (19) Vishnu, (20) Hari, (21) Ravi, (22) Kaam, (23) Shankar, (24) Kalaadhar, (25) Yam, (26) Chandramaa, (27) Vishnu, (28) Kaam, (29) Shiv - these 29 Devtaa are the Lords of 29 Tithi from the 1st Shukla Paksh to the end, the 14th day of Krishn Paksh. Amaavasyaa's Lord are Pitar.
 (Naarad Puraan, p 325-326)

Measurement of Time on Prithvi
 We use only 5 types of time measurements on Prithvi. How minute and how large time can one measure? See here and just imagine how long are Brahmaa's and Vishnu's days or age.

15 Nimesh = 1 Kaashthaa
30 Kaashthaa = 1 Kalaa (8 seconds)
30 Kalaa = 1 Kshan (4 minutes)
6 Kshan = 1 Ghadee (24 minutes)
2 Ghadee = 1 Muhoort = 0.8 hour = 48 minutes
30 Muhoort = 1 Day = 24 hours
30 Days = 1 Month = 2 Paksh
2 Months = 1 Season
3 Season = 1 Ayan (6 months)
2 Ayan = 1 Year or 1 Samvatsar = 1 Divine Day or Devtaa's day and night (Uttaraayan is day, Dakshinaayan is night)

1 Human Month = 1 Pitar Day (That is when Soorya meets Chandra, on Amaavasyaa - the best Pitar time)

360 Divine Days (360 Human Years) = 1 Divine Year
12,000 Divine Years = 1 Divine Yug or One Human Mahaa-yug (360 x 12,000 = 4,320,000 Human Years)
71+ Divine Yug = 1 Manvantar
14 Manvantar = 1,000 Divine Yug = Brahmaa's 1 Day = 1 Human Kalp
14 Manvantar = 1,000 Divine yug = Brahmaa's 1 Night = 1 Human Kalp
2,000 Divine Yug = 1 Human Kalp = Brahmaa's 1 Day and Night

Yug = There are 4 Yug, Sat, Tretaa, Dwaapar, and Kali. They are in the proportion of 4:3:2:1 thousands Divine-years. Thus :
  Sat .......... 4,000 Divine-years + 800 Divine-years of Sandhyaa and Sandhyaansh)
  Tretaa ...... 3,000 Divine-years + 600 Divine-years of Sandhyaa and Sandhyaansh)
  Dwaapar ... 2,000 Divine-years + 400 Divine-years of Sandhyaa and Sandhyaansh)
  Kali .......... 1,000 Divine-years + 200 Divine-years of Sandhyaa and Sandhyaansh)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 10,000 Divine-years + 2,000 Divine-years = 12,000 Divine-years = 12,000 x 360 =  4,320,000 Human-years
                 1 Divine-yug = 12,000 Divine-years or
                 1 Human Mahaa-yug = 4,30,000 Human-years

This period, creation and Pralaya combined, is Brahmaa's 1 Day. This is one Human Kalp too.
At the time of Brahmaa's night, when he sleeps, all three Lok are destroyed. 
Now listen to their measurement according to human years:-

1,000 4-Yug = Brahmaa's 1 Day (4.32 billion Human-years) -
   Actual age of the Sun (estimated age) is 4.59 billion Human-years
1,000 4-Yug = Brahmaa's 1 Night (4.32 billion Human-years)
2,000 4-Yug = Brahmaa's 1 Complete Day (8.64 billion Human-years)
30 Brahmaa's Days = Brahmaa's 1 Month (259.2 billion Human-years)
12 Brahmaa's Month = Brahmaa's 1 Year (3.1104 trillion Human-years)
100 Brahmaa's Years = Brahmaa's Age = 2 Paraardh = 1 Paraa (311.04 trillion Human-years)

2 Paraardh = Brahmaa's Age = Vishnu's 1 Day
2 Paraardh = Brahmaa's Age = Vishnu's Night
4 Paraardh = Brahmaa's Two Lives = Vishnu's Complete Day (Day and Night)
 (Naarad Puraan, p 19)

Time in One Day
 According to our scriptures, 'the time taken to tear apart the softest of the petals of a lotus' is called 'TRUTI'

100 Truti  =  1 Lav
30 Lav   =   1 Nimesh
27 Nimesh   =   1 Guru Akshar
10 Guru Akshar   =   1 Pran
6   Pran Vighatikaa   =   1 Ghatikaa or Dand
60 Ghatee   =   1 day and night

That means, in a day and night, there are 17,496,000,000 Truti altogether. We may just wonder about the genius of our ancient sages and Rishi, because today, in spite of having facilities of modern laboratories and equipments, the modern science could identify only 1 (one) second as the shortest division of the time. Thus, according to Western science, there are 86,400 seconds in a day and night, whereas in Indian science, a day and night consists of 17,496,000,000 (17,496 million) Truti.

In another words ----

1 Krati = 34,000th of a second
1 Truti = 300th of a second
2 Truti = 1 Lav
2 Lav = 1 Kshan
30 Kshana = 1 Vipal
60 Vipal = 1 Pal
60 Pal = 1 Ghadee (= 24 Minutes)
2.5 Ghadee = 1 Horaa (= 1 Hour)
24 Horaa (6 Ghadee) = 1 Divas (1 Day and Night)
7 Divas = 1 Saptaah (1 Week)
4 Saptaah = 1 Maas (1 Month)
2 Maas = 1 Ritu (1 Season)
6 Ritu = 1 Varsh (1 Year)

100 Varsh = 1 Shataabd or Shataabdee (1 Century)
10 Shataabd = 1 Sahasraabd (1,000 years)
432 Sahasraabd = 1 Yug (Kali Yug)
2 Yug = 1 Dwaapar Yug
3 Yug = 1 Tretaa Yug
4 Yug = Krit Yug (Sat Yug)
10 Yug = 1 Mahaa Yug (4,320,000)
1000 Mahaa Yug = 1 Kalp
1 Kalp = 4.32 Billion Years, or Brahamaa's one day
2 Kalp = 8.64 Billion Years or Brahmaas one day and night
720 Kalp = Brahmaa's one year
100 Years = Brahmaa's age (720 x 100 = 720,000 Kalp = 311,040,000,000,000 = 311.04 zillion years)

Brahmaa's age of his 100 year is called a Mahaa Kalp. At the end of this Mahaa Kalp, the whole Universe is dissolved. The ancient texts call it "Cosmic Dissolution". All the levels of the manifest universe disappear. After a great cosmic rest cycle, another creative cycle begins as a new Brahmaa emerges out of the navel of Naaraayan and a new Universe is created. Another item of importance is that one who has achieved the highest level of conscious realization is said to realize and become one with Brahm. At this point, all individuality as we know it disappears. The individual Jeev, Soul or Aatmaa returns to its source from which it will not return of its own volition. However, for reasons known only to itself, certain souls may return for reasons understood only by Naaraayan.

Therefore, the lowest time measurement was 34,000th of a second known as Krati and the highest of the measurement of the Time was known as Kalp, which equaled to 4.32 billion years. Is it not amazing? Are you not feeling proud to be a Hindu descendent? Swami Vivekananda, the modern sage of Bharat, stated in his famous sermons compiled in his Rousing Call to the Hindu Nation, "Take pride in Hinduism; pronounce yourselves as a descendant of a Hindu. Boast to be a Hindu and give a clarion call to rouse the Hindu nation from its lethargy and slumber."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to another system, the division of time has been made as follows :

60 Tatpar   =   1 Paras
60 Paras    =    1 Vilipt
60 Vilipt  =   1 Lipt
60 Lipt    =   1 Ghatikaa (Dand) = 24 minutes
60 Ghatikaa  =  1 Day and Night

Therefore, it is clear that there are 46,656,000,000 Tatpar in a day and night. This shows that our system can go how far in dividing time, while in the western system the smallest unit of measurement of time is second.

(Mahaabhaarat, Aadi 0/7) 
Bal = 1 Minute
4 minutes = 1 Kshan

(Geetaa, 8:17)
"sahastra-yug paryantam ahar-yad brahmano viduh", meaning, a day of Brahmaa is of 1000 Mahaa-Yug.
Thus a day of Brahmaa, or a Kalp, is of duration: 4.32 billion solar years. One Mahaa Yug is of 4.32 million years.
Two Kalp constitute a day and night of Brahmaa.
A Manvantar consists of 71+ Mahaa-Yug (306,720,000 solar years). So there are 14 Manvantar.
Each Manvantar is ruled by a Manu. And so there are 14 Manu in each Kalp.
see also this measurement of Time-2

Kaaldarsh Varsh
 There is more than one Hindu calendar. The most popular Hindu calendar is Vikram Samvat. Its days and months are based on the Moon, while the Gregorian year is based on the Sun. Since the year of the Sun consists of 365. 25 days; and the year of the Moon takes only 354 days to revolve the Earth, there arose a need to come up with the leap month every so often to take 29.5 days of a Lunar month. Therefore 32.4 lunar months would equal to 31.4 Gregorian calendar months. It means that every 31.4 lunar months, a lunar leap month is to be added in order to catch up with the solar year. This is what Hindu calendar does in the form of Adhik Maas (Extra month)
[Aangiras, p 104]

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 3/15/06
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on 04/11/13