What is Time? Understand From Scriptures

In the scriptures, time has been calculated in the following manner:-

One type of time destroys the world, and the other is calculative, meaning it can be measured. Time is also of two types—gross and subtle. Gross can be measured, so it is called concrete, and subtle cannot be measured, so it is called abstract.

Types of Time 

The first type of time cannot even be imagined, because neither is it known when it started, nor will it be known when it will end. It is unbroken and all-pervasive, but the world ends in its midst or while it is present. Lord Brahma is born, creates and destroys the world, but time remains. That is why it is called the destroyer of the world. That is why death is also called time.

The tiny middle part of time can be known; even then, the small part cannot be measured and is called abstract. The more subtle the measurement, the more abstract the new definition of time will be.

Calculation from Small to Big Units 

All the units of time from Prana to above are called Murt (tangible), and the units from Truti to below Prana are called Amurt (immaterial). 6 Praans make one Vinadi (moment), and 60 Vinadis make one Naadi (clock). 60 Naadis make one Nakshatra Ahoratra (a pair of day and night), and 30 Nakshatra Ahoratra make one Nakshatra month.

Similarly, 30 Sawan days make one Sawan month. Similarly, 30 lunar dates make one lunar month, and the time from one Sankranti to the next Sankranti is called a solar month. Twelve months make one year, which is called a holy day or the day of the Gods. 

If a healthy person is sitting comfortably, the time it takes to inhale and exhale air efficiently (Prana Vayu) is called Prana. This is the smallest unit that could be measured at that time. There was no way to measure less time than this, so it was called intangible.

Now, such watches are made that are easy to measure even the intangible unit. There are 60 ghadis in a Nakshatra day = 60 X 60 pal = 60 X 60 X 60 praan or 21600 praan. Similarly, there are 24 hours a day, which equals 24 × 60 minutes, 24 × 60 × 60 seconds, or 86400 seconds.

Therefore, there are 4 seconds in 1 praan. Everyone knows how easy it is to measure seconds with a watch that has a second hand. There are also watches that can be easily known by one-fifth or one-tenth of a second. But 1/10 of a second is like 1/40 of a praan. Therefore, nowadays, some units below praan can also be called tangible.

Praan is also called asu...

To read thoroughly, click here - Explanation of Time.