The mysteries of the cosmos have captivated the human mind for millennia. Across cultures and civilizations, different theories and beliefs have emerged to explain the origins and age of the universe. In the realm of Hinduism, the sacred texts known as the Vedas offer profound insights into the nature of time, the cyclical patterns of existence, and the eternal dimensions that govern the universe. These Vedic perspectives present a unique and profound understanding of cosmic time, inviting us to contemplate the grand tapestry of existence and explore the eternal principles that shape the universe.
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Table of Contents
Vedic Perspectives on the Age of the Universe
The Concept of Yugas and Maha Yuga Cycle
At the heart of Vedic cosmology lies the concept of Yugas, which are distinct ages that cyclically unfold in the universe. Each Yuga has its unique characteristics, and together, they follow a precise order, creating a cyclic pattern known as the Maha Yuga cycle.
- Satya Yuga – The Golden Age: This era is characterized by an abundance of virtue, truth, righteousness, and spiritual enlightenment. It is a time of divine harmony and spiritual growth. Satya Yuga lasts for 1.728 million years.
- Treta Yuga – The Silver Age: In Treta Yuga, virtue and righteousness begin to decline, and spirituality becomes less pronounced. It spans 1.296 million years.
- Dwapara Yuga – The Bronze Age: Dwapara Yuga witnesses a further decline in virtue, and spiritual insight diminishes even more. It lasts for 0.864 million years.
- Kali Yuga – The Dark Age: The current age we are living in, Kali Yuga, is characterized by moral degradation, spiritual ignorance, and materialism. It spans 0.432 million years.
The Maha Yuga cycle is formed by adding up the durations of all four Yugas, totaling 4.32 million years. After the completion of one Maha Yuga cycle, the sequence of Yugas repeats itself in an unending cycle.
Brahma’s Day and Night: Cycles of Creation and Dissolution
In the grand cosmic design, the universe is governed by the deity Brahma, the creator. One day of Brahma consists of 1,000 Maha Yuga cycles, spanning 4.32 billion human years. Astonishingly, Brahma’s night is also of the same duration. During Brahma’s day, life flourishes throughout the universe, while his night represents a period of rest and dissolution, where all forms of life cease to exist.
The Age of Brahma: Maha Kalpa
Brahma’s lifespan is symbolically depicted as 100 years. Each year of Brahma consists of 360 days and 360 nights. Therefore, the total age of Brahma, known as a “Maha Kalpa,” is calculated as 100 * 360 * 8.64 billion years, resulting in a staggering 311.04 trillion human years.
The Age of the Universe
According to the Vedic texts, the entire existence of the universe spans one Maha Kalpa, which is equivalent to 311.04 trillion human years. This concept emphasizes the eternal and unending nature of creation and dissolution, where universes continuously emerge and dissolve in an unceasing cycle.
Read also: Spirits of the Cosmos: Discovering the 33 Koti DevtasCalculating the Current Age of the Universe
To determine the current age of the universe from the Vedic perspective, several factors come into play:
- We are currently in the first day of the second half of Brahma’s life, representing 50 Brahma years and 1 Brahma day.
- We are in the seventh Manvantara, a period governed by a specific cosmic progenitor, and each Manvantara consists of 71 Maha Yuga cycles.
The calculation involves considering the total completed cycles, the gaps between Manvantaras, and the current Yuga, which is Kali Yuga.
According to Vedic texts, the present age of Brahma is 50 Brahma years and 1 Brahma day (we are in the first one day of Brahma) and we are in the birth "Manvantara" in the 28th occupation of his 71 yuga cycle. , In this cycle we are at the beginning of Kali Yuga. The era of Kali Yuga is not completely known but it is around 5000-10000 years old. For the sake of calculation, let's assume 8000 human years.
Present age of our universe (in terms of Mahayuga cycles) =
(50 * 720 days 1000) —– 50 years * (360 days + 360 nights) * total number of cycles in day and night
+(6*71)—– 6 Manvantaras in each of 71 Mahayuga cycles
+(7 *0.4) —– Contradiction for 7 junction or 6 manvantara
+(27*1)—– we are in 28th of 71
+(0.4 + 0.3 + 0.2) —– In this cycle, we are in Kali Yuga. Satyuga, Treta Yuga and Dwapara Yuga are 0.4x, 0.3x and 0.2x respectively.
+ About 8000 human years ——— is too short, so it can be ignored.
Thus total age = (36,000,000 + 456.7) x = 36,000,456.7 * 4.32 million = 155,521,972.944 million years = 155.521972944 trillion human years. Now the age of Kali Yuga has increased. Means about 8000 human years.The article concludes that the current age of the universe, in terms of Maha Yuga cycles, is approximately 155.521972944 trillion human years.Eternal Wisdom in Vedic Cosmology
The Vedic perspectives on the age of the universe offer an awe-inspiring vision of timeless cycles and eternal dimensions that shape the cosmos. While modern science provides valuable insights into the universe, the ancient wisdom of the Vedas encourages us to delve into the profound nature of cosmic time and the continuity of creation. The concept of time in Vedic cosmology is not just a linear progression but rather a cyclical and eternal phenomenon that transcends human comprehension. Exploring these Vedic insights enriches our understanding of existence and reminds us of the profound interconnectedness of all life in this vast and mysterious universe.