According to the देवव्रतपञ्चाङ्ग हिन्दुसनतनधर्मस्य (devavratapañcāṅga hindusanatanadharmasya – religious almanac of
the Hindu-eternal-religion), the sacred event
of श्री कृष्ण जयन्ति (śrī kṛṣṇa
Jayanti – birth anniversary of Sri Krishna) is annually celebrated on the श्रवणमास अष्टमी तिथि / ஆவணிமாத அஷ்டமி திதி (śravaṇamāsa aṣṭamī
tithi / āvaṇimāta aṣṭami titi – aug-sep month eighth lunar day) towards the end of the द्वापरयुग (dvāparayuga
– uncertainty epoch). This event
is alternatively called as श्री कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी (śrī kṛṣṇa janmāṣṭamī), गोकुलाष्टमी (gokulāṣṭamī) etc.
भगवान् श्री कृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrī kṛṣṇa paramātman), according to हिन्दुसनतनधर्म (hindusanatanadharma – eternal Hindu religion), is considered to be the नवमक महाविभव अवतार श्री महाविष्णोः (navamaka mahāvibhava avatāra śrī mahāviṣṇoḥ - nineth supreme glorious incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu)
Before moving on let us try to
understand the philosophy underlying the concept of अवतार (avatāra - incarnation). Although, one cannot find much references to the term अवतार (avatāra - incarnation) in the original वेदश्रुतिः (vedaśrutiḥ - vedic revelations) viz. चतुर्वेदसंहिताः (caturvedasaṃhitāḥ - four vedic corpuses) nor even in the प्रस्थानत्रयी वेदान्तदर्शनस्य (prasthānatrayī vedāntadarśanasya – primary
triad of final wisdom philosophy), yet it plays an integral role in the उत्तरमीमांस वेदान्त सम्प्रदायाः (uttaramīmāṃsa
vedānta sampradāyāḥ - posterior inquiry final wisdom traditions) and more specifically in the different sub-schools of वैष्णवमत संप्रदायाः (vaiṣṇavamata
saṃpradāyāḥ - vaishnava theological traditions). The earliest reference of the term can be
traced back to अष्टाध्यायी
(aṣṭādhyāyī), a famous treatise on classical Sanskrit
Grammar written by श्री पाणिनि
महऋषि (śrī pāṇini mahaṛṣi). However, the greatest coverage to
the term occurs in the महापुराण शास्त्राणि (mahāpurāṇa śāstrāṇi – grand puranic
scriptures) and the आगमशास्त्रसंहिताः (āgamaśāstrasaṃhitāḥ
- agamic scriptural corpuses).
The term अवतार (avatāra - incarnation) literally is related to the
term ‘अवतारण (avatāraṇa
- descent)’, as it is
etymologically derived from the Sanskrit roots ‘अव (ava - below)’ & ‘तार् (tār – coming down)’. In spiritual terms, it implies the अवतारण देवत्वस्य (avatāraṇa
devatvasya – descent of divinity), or in other words corresponds to the philosophical doctrine of शक्तिनिपात / शक्तिपात (śaktinipāta / śaktipāta – descent of power).
In philosophical terms of पाञ्चरात्रागमसंहिता (pāñcarātrāgamasaṃhitā
– pancaratra agamic corpus), for instance, Lord श्रिमन् नारायण / महाविष्णु (śriman nārāyaṇa / mahāviṣṇu) could potentially take following types of पञ्चविध वर्गाः अवताराणाम् (pañcavidha
vargāḥ avatārāṇām – fivefold classes of incarnations) viz.
# |
वर्ग अवतारस्य (varga avatārasya – class
of incarnation) |
1 |
परवासुदेव (paravāsudeva – transcendent universal
being) |
2 |
महव्यूह अवताराः महाविष्णौ (mahavyūha avatārāḥ mahāviṣṇau - grand
divisional incarnations of Maha Vishnu) |
3 |
महाविभव अवताराः महाविष्णौ (mahāvibhava avatārāḥ mahāviṣṇau - grand majestic
incarnations of Maha Vishnu) |
4 |
अन्तर्यामिन् अवतार महाविष्णौः (antaryāmin avatāra mahāviṣṇauḥ
- indweller incarnation of Maha Vishnu) |
5 |
अर्चावतार मूर्तिह् महाविष्णौः (arcāvatāra mūrtih mahāviṣṇauḥ
- iconic incarnations of Maha Vishnu) |
The महाविभव
अवताराः महाविष्णौ (mahāvibhava avatārāḥ mahāviṣṇau - grand majestic
incarnations of Maha Vishnu) can further be sub-classified into six kinds according to scriptures like
the गर्गसंहिता (gargasaṃhitā)
# |
उपवर्ग
महविभव अवताराराणाम् (upavarga mahavibhava avatārārāṇām – sub-class
of supreme majestic incarnation) |
1 |
पूरण अव्ताराः महाविष्णौः (pūraṇa avtārāḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - holistic incarnations of Maha Vishnu) |
2 |
लीला अवताराः महाविष्णौः (līlā avatārāḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - playful incarnations of Maha Vishnu) |
3 |
अंश अवताराः महाविष्णौः (aṃśa avatārāḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - aspective incarnations
of
Maha Vishnu) |
4 |
आवेश अवताराः महाविष्णौः (āveśa avatārāḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - angry incarnations of Maha Vishnu) |
5 |
गुण अवताराः महाविष्णौः (guṇa avatārāḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - quality incarnations of Maha Vishnu) |
6 |
काल अवताराः महाविष्णौः (kāla avatārāḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - temporal incarnations of Maha Vishnu) |
Amongst the various अवताराः श्री महाविष्णोः (avatāraḥ śrī mahāviṣṇoḥ - nineth supreme glorious incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu), the following पूरण अव्ताराः महाविष्णौः (pūraṇa avtārāḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - holistic incarnations of Maha Vishnu) are considered to be the दश महाविभव पूरण अवतारः महाविष्णौः (daśa mahāvibhava pūraṇa avatāraḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - ten supreme glorious holistic incarnations of Maha Vishnu)
The दश महाविभव पूरण अवतारः महाविष्णौः (daśa mahāvibhava pūraṇa avatāraḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - ten supreme glorious holistic incarnations of Maha Vishnu) is very beautifully glorified in the famous दशावतारस्तोत्रम् (daśāvatārastotram – ten incarnations eulogy) composed by श्री वेदान्तदेशिकाचार्य (śrī vedāntadeśikācārya) an important परमाचार्य (paramācārya – supreme preceptor) belonging to the श्री वैष्णवमत संप्रदाय (śrī vaiṣṇavamata saṃpradāya), formally founded by श्री रामानुजाचार्य (śrī rāmānujācārya) to preach the विशिष्टाद्वैतवेदान्तदर्शन (viśiṣṭādvaitavedāntadarśana – qualified non-dualistic final-wisdom philosophy). I shall now quote a few verses from the same
And भगवान् श्री रामचन्द्रमूर्ति (bhagavān śrī rāmacandramūrti) & भगवान् श्री कृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrī kṛṣṇa paramātman) are considered the most important amongst the दश महाविभव पूरण अवतारः महाविष्णौः (daśa mahāvibhava pūraṇa avatāraḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - ten supreme glorious holistic incarnations of Maha Vishnu).
The famous महामन्त्र षोडशकनामानाम् (mahāmantra ṣoḍaśakanāmānām – supreme mantra of sixteen names) originally revealed to श्री नारदमहऋषि (śrī nāradamahaṛṣi) at the end of the द्वापरयुग (dvāparayuga – second epoch) by none other than the Lord श्री ब्रह्मा / हिरण्यगर्भ (śrī brahmā / hiraṇyagarbha) in the कलिसन्तरणोपनिषद् (kalisantaraṇopaniṣad) which belongs to the कृष्णयजुर्वेदसंहिता (kṛṣṇayajurvedasaṃhitā – black Yajurveda corpus) glorifies thus:
In the श्री गौडीय वैष्णवमत संप्रदाय (śrī gauḍīya vaiṣṇavamata saṃpradāya) formally founded by श्रील श्री कृष्ण चैतन्य महाप्रभु (śrīla śrī kṛṣṇa caitanya mahāprabhu) for preaching अचिन्त्यभेदाभेदवेदान्तदर्शन (acintyabhedābhedavedāntadarśana – inconceivable different yet non-different final-wisdom philosophy), the above महामन्त्र षोडशकनामानाम् (mahāmantra ṣoḍaśakanāmānām – supreme mantra of sixteen names) was customized by the order of the two lines and rendered for chanting
Interestingly
according to the esoteric cosmological science defined in the महापुराण्शास्त्राणि (mahāpurāṇśāstrāṇi
– grand puranic scriptures), the actual incarnation of the दश महाविभव पूरण अवतारः महाविष्णौः (daśa mahāvibhava pūraṇa avatāraḥ mahāviṣṇauḥ - ten
supreme glorious holistic incarnations of Maha Vishnu) is, temporally speaking, spread out across
the चतुर्युगाः चक्र
अन्तरेण प्रतिपदमन्वन्तर समग्र कल्पस्य (caturyugāḥ cakra antareṇa
pratipadamanvantara samagra kalpasya – four-epochs cycle within each
patriarchate of every aeon) in the golden ratio of 4:3:2:1
#
उपवर्ग महविभव अवताराराणाम् (upavarga mahavibhava avatārārāṇām – sub-class of supreme majestic incarnation)
युग (yuga –epoch)
Ascending order of evolution
Terrestrial Duration
(in human years)
1
श्री मत्स्य अवतार (śrī matsya avatāra –sacred fish incarnation)
कृत्यायुग (kṛtyāyuga – creation epoch)
1,728,000
2
श्री कूर्म अवतार (śrī kūrma avatāra – sacred tortoise incarnation)
3
श्री वराह अवतार (śrī varāha avatāra – sacred pig incarnation)
4
श्री नरसिंह अवतार (śrī narasiṃha avatāra – sacred man-lion incarnation)
5
श्री वामन / त्रिविक्रम अवतार (śrī vāmana / trivikrama avatāra – sacred dwarf / tri-step incarnation)
त्रेतायुग (tretāyuga – third epoch)
1,296,000
6
श्री परशुराम अवतार (śrī paraśurāma avatāra – sacred axe-elegance incarnation)
7
श्री राम अवतार (śrī rāma avatāra – sacred elegance incarnation)
8
श्री बलराम अवतार (śrī balarāma avatāra – sacred strong-elegance incarnation )
द्वापरयुग (dvāparayuga – second epoch)
8,64,000
9
श्री कृष्ण अवतार (śrī kṛṣṇa avatāra – sacred dark incarnation)
10
श्रि कल्कि अवतार (śrī kalki avatāra – sacred turbid incarnation)
कलियुग (kaliyuga – dark/black epoch)
4,32,000
#
उपवर्ग महविभव अवताराराणाम् (upavarga mahavibhava avatārārāṇām – sub-class of supreme majestic incarnation)
युग (yuga –epoch)
Ascending order of evolution
Terrestrial Duration
(in human years)
1
श्री मत्स्य अवतार (śrī matsya avatāra –sacred fish incarnation)
कृत्यायुग (kṛtyāyuga – creation epoch)
1,728,000
2
श्री कूर्म अवतार (śrī kūrma avatāra – sacred tortoise incarnation)
3
श्री वराह अवतार (śrī varāha avatāra – sacred pig incarnation)
4
श्री नरसिंह अवतार (śrī narasiṃha avatāra – sacred man-lion incarnation)
5
श्री वामन / त्रिविक्रम अवतार (śrī vāmana / trivikrama avatāra – sacred dwarf / tri-step incarnation)
त्रेतायुग (tretāyuga – third epoch)
1,296,000
6
श्री परशुराम अवतार (śrī paraśurāma avatāra – sacred axe-elegance incarnation)
7
श्री राम अवतार (śrī rāma avatāra – sacred elegance incarnation)
8
श्री बलराम अवतार (śrī balarāma avatāra – sacred strong-elegance incarnation )
द्वापरयुग (dvāparayuga – second epoch)
8,64,000
9
श्री कृष्ण अवतार (śrī kṛṣṇa avatāra – sacred dark incarnation)
10
श्रि कल्कि अवतार (śrī kalki avatāra – sacred turbid incarnation)
कलियुग (kaliyuga – dark/black epoch)
4,32,000
Before proceeding further, in order to appreciate these concepts better, we need to get some fundamental brush up of the various time scales discussed here. We have already seen that time is generally expressed in units of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. While such denominations are sufficient for most of our practical life, it may not be enough for measuring higher realms of time, both in the microcosmic and the macrocosmic aspects. Hence, a more comprehensive scale of measurement is required and thanks to the Hindu sages whose foresight has helped in defining very elaborate and well thought through काल विद्या (kāla vidyā - science of time). The following table lists the various काल परिमा (kāla parimā – time measures) defined by Hindu wisdom, as articulated in various sacred scriptures, including विष्णु पुराण (viṣṇu purāṇa), श्रीमद् भागवत पुराण (śrīmad bhāgavata purāṇa), सूर्य सिद्धान्त (sūrya siddhānta) etc.
Unit of Measure
Details
1 त्रसरेण (trasareṇu)
The lowest unit of combination of 3 hexatoms
1 तृटि (tṛṭi)
The time taken to integration of 3 त्रसरेणवः (trasareṇavaḥ) = (approx) 8/13,500th of a क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second) = 1/6787.5th of a क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second)
1 वेधः (vedhaḥ)
100 तृट्यः (tṛṭyaḥ)s = 8/135th of a क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second)
1 लव (lava)
3 वेधाः (vedhāḥ)s = 8/45th of a क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second)
1 निमिष (nimiṣa- moment)
3 लवाः (lavāḥ)s = 8/15th of a क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second). Etymologically the term निमिष (nimiṣa) means “blinking of the eye”
1 विकला (vikalā)
1 क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second)
1 क्षण (kṣaṇa) or 1 परमाणु (paramāṇu)
3 निमिषाः (nimiṣāḥ - moments) - Average time taken by a human to blink his eyes once. - 8/5 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds)
1 मात्र (mātra)
8 निमिषाः (nimiṣāḥ - moments)
1 गुरु (guru)
2 मात्र (mātra)
1 प्राण (prāṇa- breath)
10 गुरवः (guravaḥ) = 4 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds)
1 काष्टा (kāṣṭā)
51 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds) = (approx) 8 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds)
1 पल (pala) or विघटि (vighaṭi) or विनाडी (vināḍī)
6 प्राणाः (prāṇāḥ - breaths) = 60 विपलानि (vipalāni) = 6 परमाणवः (paramāṇavaḥ - micro particles) =3 काष्ठाः (kāṣṭhāḥ) = (approx) 24 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds)
1 निमेष (nimeṣa - minute)
60 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds)
1 लघु (laghu)
15 काष्ठाः (kāṣṭhāḥ) = approx 2 निमेषौ (nimeṣau = minutes)
1 घटी / नाडी / ¿¡Æ¢¨¸ / दन्दा (ghaṭī / nāḍī / naazhigai / dandā)
60 पलानि (palāni) = 15 लघवः (laghavaḥ) = (approx) 24 निमेषाः (nimeṣāḥ - minutes)
1 कला (kalā)
2 लघु (laghu) = 30 काष्ठाः (kāṣṭhāḥ) = 60 विकला (vikalā) = 1 निमेष (nimeṣa - minute)
1 क्शन (kśana)
30 कला (kalā)s
1 मुहूर्त (muhūrta)
2 घटी (ghaṭī) = 12 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds) s = approx 48 minutes
1 यमः (yamaḥ)
6 मुहूर्ताः (muhūrtāḥ) = (approx) 1/4th of a day
1 करनः (karanaḥ)
2.5 यमाः (yamāḥ) = 15 मुहूर्ताः (muhūrtāḥ) = ½ तिथि (tithi)
1 तिथि / मनुष्य अहोरात्र (titi/ manuṣya ahorātra – lunar/sidereal day)
60 घट्यः (ghaṭyaḥ) = 2 करणौ (karaṇau) = 5 यमाः (yamāḥ) = 30 मुहूर्ताः (muhūrtāḥ) = 24 hours (approx).
1 वार (vāra - week)
7 Solar Day of the week
1 पक्ष (pakṣa - fortnight)
15 तिथ्यः (tithyaḥ – lunar days)
1 मास (māsa - month)
2 पक्षौ (pakṣau) = 30 तिथ्यः (tithyaḥ – lunar days) (approx)
lunar month measured in lunar days
solar month measured in solar days
1 ऋतु (ṛtu – season)
2 मासौ (māsau - months)
1 आयनम् (āyanam - solistice)
3 ऋत्वः (ṛtvaḥ -seasons) = 6 मासाः (māsāḥ - months)
1 मनुष्य वत्सर (manuśya vatsara - human year)
2 आयनम् (āyanam)s = 12 मासाः (māsāḥ - months) (360 मनुष्य दिनाः (manuṣya dināḥ - human days) approx, 4.5 days rounded of for calculations)
1 पितृ दिन (pitṛ dina – ancestral day)
15 मनुष्य दिनाः (manuṣya dināḥ - human days)
1 पितृ रात्रि (pitṛ rātri – ancestral night)
15 मनुष्य रात्र्यः (manuṣya rātrayaḥ - 15 human nights)
1 पितृ अहोरात्र (pita ahorātra – ancestral daynight)
30 मनुष्य अहोरात्र (manuṣya ahorātra – day + night) = 1 पितृ दिन (pitṛ dina – ancestral day) + 1 पितृ रात्रि (pitṛ rātri – ancestral night)
1 देव अहोरात्र (deva ahorātra – divine daynight)
1 मनुष्य वत्सर (manuśya vatsara - human year) = 360 मनुष्य दिनाः (manuṣya dināḥ - human days)
1 देव वत्सर (deva vatsara – divine year)
360 देव अहोरात्र्यः (deva ahorātrayaḥ - divine daynights) = 1,29,600 मनुष्य अहोरात्र्यः (manuṣya ahorātrayaḥ - divine daynights)
1 कलियुग (kali yuga – dark era)
1200 देव वत्सराः (deva vatsarāḥ – divine years) = 4,32,000 मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years)
1 द्वापर युग (dvāpara yuga)
2400 देव वत्सराः (deva vatsarāḥ – divine years) = 8,64,000 मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) =2 कलियुगे (kaliyuge – dark eras)
1 त्रेत युग (treta yuga)
3600 देव वत्सराः (deva vatsarāḥ – divine years) = 1,296,000 मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) = 3 कलियुगानि (kaliyugāni – dark epochs)
1 सत्य युग (satya yuga)
4800 देव वत्सराः (deva vatsarāḥ – divine years) = 1,728,000 मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) =4 कलियुगानि (kaliyugāni – dark epochs)
1 चतुर् युग (catur yuga) or 1 महायुग (mahāyuga)
12000 देव वत्सराः (deva vatsarāḥ – divine years) = 4,320,000 (4.3 million) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years)
1 चतुर्युग (caturyuga) =
1 कलियुग (kali yuga – dark era) +
1 द्वापर युग (dvāpara yuga) +
1 त्रेत युग (treta yuga) +
1 सत्य युग (satya yuga)
1 मन्वन्तर (manvantara - patriarchate)
71.43 1 महायुगानि (mahāyugāni) = 308,571,428.6 (308.5 million) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years)
1 कल्प (kalpa - aeon)
1000 1 महायुगानि (mahāyugāni) = 4,320,000,000 (4.32 billion) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) Or 14 मन्वन्तराणि (manvantarāṇi - patriarchates)
1 सूर्यकल्प (suryakalpa – solar aeon)
7 कल्पाः (kalpāḥ - aeons) = 30,240,000,000 (30.24 billion) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years)
1 ब्रह्म दिन (brahma dina – brahma day)
2 कल्पौ (kalpau - aeons) = 1 ब्रह्म अहोरात्र (brahma ahorātra – divine daynight) = 8,640,000,000 (8.64 billion) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years)
1 ब्रह्म वत्सर (brahma vatsara – brahma year)
360 ब्रह्म दिनाः (brahma dināḥ - divine years) = 3,110,400,000,000 (3.1 trillion) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years).
ब्रह्म आयुस् (brahma āyus – brahma’s lifespan)
100 ब्रह्म वत्सराः (brahma vatsarāḥ – brahma years) = 311,040,000,000,000 (311 trillion) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years)
Of course, an important point to remember is that there are slight variations on these time scales across different scriptures which are in turn based on the specific time-cycle model they follow. For example, the revered परमाचार्य श्री अभिनवगुप्त (paramācārya śrī abhinavagupta) in his magnum opus masterpiece श्री तन्त्रालोकः (śrī tantrālokaḥ) summarizes thus on the time-scale with a deeper anthropocentric yogic model, while discussing about the essence of time.
Before proceeding further, in order to appreciate these concepts better, we need to get some fundamental brush up of the various time scales discussed here. We have already seen that time is generally expressed in units of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. While such denominations are sufficient for most of our practical life, it may not be enough for measuring higher realms of time, both in the microcosmic and the macrocosmic aspects. Hence, a more comprehensive scale of measurement is required and thanks to the Hindu sages whose foresight has helped in defining very elaborate and well thought through काल विद्या (kāla vidyā - science of time). The following table lists the various काल परिमा (kāla parimā – time measures) defined by Hindu wisdom, as articulated in various sacred scriptures, including विष्णु पुराण (viṣṇu purāṇa), श्रीमद् भागवत पुराण (śrīmad bhāgavata purāṇa), सूर्य सिद्धान्त (sūrya siddhānta) etc.
Unit of Measure | Details |
1 त्रसरेण (trasareṇu) | The lowest unit of combination of 3 hexatoms |
1 तृटि (tṛṭi) | The time taken to integration of 3 त्रसरेणवः (trasareṇavaḥ) = (approx) 8/13,500th of a क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second) = 1/6787.5th of a क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second) |
1 वेधः (vedhaḥ) | 100 तृट्यः (tṛṭyaḥ)s = 8/135th of a क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second) |
1 लव (lava) | 3 वेधाः (vedhāḥ)s = 8/45th of a क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second) |
1 निमिष (nimiṣa- moment) | 3 लवाः (lavāḥ)s = 8/15th of a क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second). Etymologically the term निमिष (nimiṣa) means “blinking of the eye” |
1 विकला (vikalā) | 1 क्षणाः (kṣaṇa - second) |
1 क्षण (kṣaṇa) or 1 परमाणु (paramāṇu) | 3 निमिषाः (nimiṣāḥ - moments) - Average time taken by a human to blink his eyes once. - 8/5 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds) |
1 मात्र (mātra) | 8 निमिषाः (nimiṣāḥ - moments) |
1 गुरु (guru) | 2 मात्र (mātra) |
1 प्राण (prāṇa- breath) | 10 गुरवः (guravaḥ) = 4 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds) |
1 काष्टा (kāṣṭā) | 51 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds) = (approx) 8 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds) |
1 पल (pala) or विघटि (vighaṭi) or विनाडी (vināḍī)
| 6 प्राणाः (prāṇāḥ - breaths) = 60 विपलानि (vipalāni) = 6 परमाणवः (paramāṇavaḥ - micro particles) =3 काष्ठाः (kāṣṭhāḥ) = (approx) 24 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds) |
1 निमेष (nimeṣa - minute) | 60 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds) |
1 लघु (laghu) | 15 काष्ठाः (kāṣṭhāḥ) = approx 2 निमेषौ (nimeṣau = minutes) |
1 घटी / नाडी / ¿¡Æ¢¨¸ / दन्दा (ghaṭī / nāḍī / naazhigai / dandā) | 60 पलानि (palāni) = 15 लघवः (laghavaḥ) = (approx) 24 निमेषाः (nimeṣāḥ - minutes) |
1 कला (kalā) | 2 लघु (laghu) = 30 काष्ठाः (kāṣṭhāḥ) = 60 विकला (vikalā) = 1 निमेष (nimeṣa - minute) |
1 क्शन (kśana) | 30 कला (kalā)s |
1 मुहूर्त (muhūrta) | 2 घटी (ghaṭī) = 12 क्षणाः (kṣaṇāḥ - seconds) s = approx 48 minutes |
1 यमः (yamaḥ) | 6 मुहूर्ताः (muhūrtāḥ) = (approx) 1/4th of a day |
1 करनः (karanaḥ) | 2.5 यमाः (yamāḥ) = 15 मुहूर्ताः (muhūrtāḥ) = ½ तिथि (tithi) |
1 तिथि / मनुष्य अहोरात्र (titi/ manuṣya ahorātra – lunar/sidereal day) | 60 घट्यः (ghaṭyaḥ) = 2 करणौ (karaṇau) = 5 यमाः (yamāḥ) = 30 मुहूर्ताः (muhūrtāḥ) = 24 hours (approx). |
1 वार (vāra - week) | 7 Solar Day of the week |
1 पक्ष (pakṣa - fortnight) | 15 तिथ्यः (tithyaḥ – lunar days) |
1 मास (māsa - month) | 2 पक्षौ (pakṣau) = 30 तिथ्यः (tithyaḥ – lunar days) (approx) lunar month measured in lunar days solar month measured in solar days |
1 ऋतु (ṛtu – season) | 2 मासौ (māsau - months) |
1 आयनम् (āyanam - solistice) | 3 ऋत्वः (ṛtvaḥ -seasons) = 6 मासाः (māsāḥ - months) |
1 मनुष्य वत्सर (manuśya vatsara - human year) | 2 आयनम् (āyanam)s = 12 मासाः (māsāḥ - months) (360 मनुष्य दिनाः (manuṣya dināḥ - human days) approx, 4.5 days rounded of for calculations) |
1 पितृ दिन (pitṛ dina – ancestral day) | 15 मनुष्य दिनाः (manuṣya dināḥ - human days) |
1 पितृ रात्रि (pitṛ rātri – ancestral night) | 15 मनुष्य रात्र्यः (manuṣya rātrayaḥ - 15 human nights) |
1 पितृ अहोरात्र (pita ahorātra – ancestral daynight) | 30 मनुष्य अहोरात्र (manuṣya ahorātra – day + night) = 1 पितृ दिन (pitṛ dina – ancestral day) + 1 पितृ रात्रि (pitṛ rātri – ancestral night) |
1 देव अहोरात्र (deva ahorātra – divine daynight) | 1 मनुष्य वत्सर (manuśya vatsara - human year) = 360 मनुष्य दिनाः (manuṣya dināḥ - human days) |
1 देव वत्सर (deva vatsara – divine year) | 360 देव अहोरात्र्यः (deva ahorātrayaḥ - divine daynights) = 1,29,600 मनुष्य अहोरात्र्यः (manuṣya ahorātrayaḥ - divine daynights) |
1 कलियुग (kali yuga – dark era) | 1200 देव वत्सराः (deva vatsarāḥ – divine years) = 4,32,000 मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) |
1 द्वापर युग (dvāpara yuga) | 2400 देव वत्सराः (deva vatsarāḥ – divine years) = 8,64,000 मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) =2 कलियुगे (kaliyuge – dark eras) |
1 त्रेत युग (treta yuga) | 3600 देव वत्सराः (deva vatsarāḥ – divine years) = 1,296,000 मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) = 3 कलियुगानि (kaliyugāni – dark epochs) |
1 सत्य युग (satya yuga)
| 4800 देव वत्सराः (deva vatsarāḥ – divine years) = 1,728,000 मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) =4 कलियुगानि (kaliyugāni – dark epochs) |
1 चतुर् युग (catur yuga) or 1 महायुग (mahāyuga) | 12000 देव वत्सराः (deva vatsarāḥ – divine years) = 4,320,000 (4.3 million) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) 1 चतुर्युग (caturyuga) = 1 कलियुग (kali yuga – dark era) + 1 द्वापर युग (dvāpara yuga) + 1 त्रेत युग (treta yuga) + 1 सत्य युग (satya yuga) |
1 मन्वन्तर (manvantara - patriarchate) | 71.43 1 महायुगानि (mahāyugāni) = 308,571,428.6 (308.5 million) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) |
1 कल्प (kalpa - aeon) | 1000 1 महायुगानि (mahāyugāni) = 4,320,000,000 (4.32 billion) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) Or 14 मन्वन्तराणि (manvantarāṇi - patriarchates) |
1 सूर्यकल्प (suryakalpa – solar aeon) | 7 कल्पाः (kalpāḥ - aeons) = 30,240,000,000 (30.24 billion) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) |
1 ब्रह्म दिन (brahma dina – brahma day)
| 2 कल्पौ (kalpau - aeons) = 1 ब्रह्म अहोरात्र (brahma ahorātra – divine daynight) = 8,640,000,000 (8.64 billion) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) |
1 ब्रह्म वत्सर (brahma vatsara – brahma year) | 360 ब्रह्म दिनाः (brahma dināḥ - divine years) = 3,110,400,000,000 (3.1 trillion) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years). |
ब्रह्म आयुस् (brahma āyus – brahma’s lifespan) | 100 ब्रह्म वत्सराः (brahma vatsarāḥ – brahma years) = 311,040,000,000,000 (311 trillion) मनुष्य वत्सराः (manuśya vatsarāḥ - human years) |
Of course, an important point to remember is that there are slight variations on these time scales across different scriptures which are in turn based on the specific time-cycle model they follow. For example, the revered परमाचार्य श्री अभिनवगुप्त (paramācārya śrī abhinavagupta) in his magnum opus masterpiece श्री तन्त्रालोकः (śrī tantrālokaḥ) summarizes thus on the time-scale with a deeper anthropocentric yogic model, while discussing about the essence of time.
Wow! This is definitely mind boggling, when we begin to realize, the scale of the ब्रह्मन् (brahman – divinity), and I am just reminded of these golden verses of பெரியாழ்வார் (periyāḹvār) in his திருப்பல்லாண்டு (tiruppallāṇḍu), describing God.
The esoteric significance of this
sacred महविभव अवतार श्री कृष्णस्य (mahavibhava avatāra
śrī kṛṣṇasya – supreme glorious incarnation of Sri Krishna) is very
clearly explained in the कृष्णोपनिषद् (kṛṣṇopaniṣad), belonging to the अथर्ववेदसंहिता (atharvavedasaṃhitā –
atharva veda corpus) by none other than Lord भगवान् श्री रामचन्द्र मूर्ति (bhagavān śrī rāmacandra mūrti) Himself.
He had promised the divine sages who were residing on the heavenly paradise,
that He would re-incarnate as भगवान् श्री कृष्ण (bhagavān śrī kṛṣṇa) in the next युग (yuga - era) while the
sages will incarnate as the गोपिका (gopikā - cohwherdesses). The heavenly paradise was
transformed as the holy city गोकुल (gokula - gokulam) wherein the Lord was born to नन्दः (nandaḥ - nanda) - His
foster-father and यशोदा (yaśodā) His foster-mother. Esoterically the former
personifies the परमानन्द तत्त्व (paramānanda tattva – supreme bliss) while
latter personifies the मुक्तिगेहिनी (muktigehinī – abode of liberation).
Similarly, his mother देवकी (devakī) is none other than the ब्रह्मपुत्रा सा या वेदैरूपगीयते (brahmaputrā sā yā
vedairūpagīyate – divine child who is glorified/sung by the vedas) while his
father वसुदेव (vasudeva) is the
personification of the निगमा (nigamā) the revealed वेदसंहिता (vedasaṃhitā – vedic corpus). The गाव (gāva - cows) correspond
to ऋचा (ṛcā- vedic hymns). Lord रुद्रः / शिव (rudraḥ / śiva) assumed
the role of his वंश / मुरली (vaṁśa /
muralī - flute), while Lord कमलासन// ब्रह्म (kamalāsana / brahma) became the इष्टिका गोपालस्य (iṣṭikā gopālasya – staff of cowherd). The
sacred आदिशेष (ādiśeṣa –
primordial residue) incarnated
as श्री बलराम (śrī
balarāma).
श्री कृष्ण भक्ति (śrī kṛṣṇa bhakti – Sri Krishna devotion)
भगवान् श्री कृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrī kṛṣṇa paramātman) is definitely one of the most favorite deities in Hindu theology, who is unanimously loved and adored by one and all. In fact, every true devotee, depending upon his attitude, aptitude and spiritual quotient cherishes different kinds of mystical experiences while relating with their beloved Lord भगवान् श्री कृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrī kṛṣṇa paramātman).
Typically such experiences involve महाभावना (mahābhāvanā – grand role playing) by the saint as a beloved relatives of God as testified in the popular Sanskrit verses
Please remember these are not ordinary mental imaginations, manifested in the ordinary plane of consciousness; on the other hand, these experiences are special cases of supra-mental visions which the soul goes through as part of its spiritual contemplation. The renowned sage परमाचार्य श्री अभिनवगुप्त (paramācārya śrī abhinavagupta) a great exponent of the त्रिक शैवं (trika śaivaṁ) school of Kashmir Saivism, very clearly defines the concept of भावन (bhāvanā – role playing), thus in his तन्त्रसार (tantrasāra).
For example let the following list hints at the महाभावना (mahābhāvanā – grand role playing) in the life of many salient devotees and saints demonstrating their श्री कृष्ण भक्ति (śrī kṛṣṇa bhakti – devotion to Lord Krishna)
# |
भक्तिभाव (bhaktibhāva – devotion attitude) |
Case Studies |
1 |
दास्यभाव (dāsyabhāva –
servitude-attitude) |
Demonstrated by हरिदास् (haridās) with भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇa
paramātman) |
2 |
सख्यभाव (sakhyabhāva
- friendship attitude) |
Demonstrated
by सुदाम (sudhāma) with भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇa
paramātman) |
3 |
शिष्यभाव (śiṣyabhāva –
disciple attitude) |
Demonstrated
by अर्जुन (arjuna) and उद्धव (uddhava) with भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇa
paramātman) |
4 |
नायिकाभाव / मधुरभाव (nāyikābhāva / madhurabhāva
– fiancée / honey attitude) |
Demonstrated by राधा (rādhā), मीरा (mīra) & கோதை ஆண்டாள் (kodai āṇḍāḻ) with भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇa
paramātman) |
5 |
वात्सल्यभाव (vātsalyabhāva – parental attitude) |
Demonstrated
by देवकी (devakī) & यसोध (yasodha) with भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇa paramātman) |
6 |
विद्वेषभाव (vidveṣabhāva bhakti – hateful attitude)
|
Demonstrated
by नकरकासुर (narakāsura) & कम्स (kamsa) with भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrīkṛṣṇa paramātman) |
Today, typically at every devotee’s household these महाभावना (mahābhāvanā – grand role playing) will be celebrated and contemplated with pious devotion. Especially, the last three categories listed above are definitely all the more profound here in the case of श्री कृष्ण भक्ति (śrī kṛṣṇa bhakti – devotion to Lord Krishna). For instance, no one can forget the unparalleled role of भगवान् श्री कृष्ण परमात्मन् (bhagavān śrī kṛṣṇa paramātman) as the noble गीताचार्य (gītācārya - preceptor of the song) in blessing us with the श्रीमद् भगवद् गीता (śrīmad bhagavad gītā), as well as उद्धव गीता (uddhava gītā) and unequivocally reassuring His commitment to protect us
Commenting on these verses Swami Vivekananda says:
"In India…one of their great Incarnations, Krishna, whose grand sermon, the Bhagavad-Gitâ, some of you might have read, says, 'Though I am unborn, of changeless nature, and Lord of beings, yet subjugating My Prakriti, I come into being by My own Mâyâ. Whenever virtue subsides and immorality prevails, then I body Myself forth. For the protection of the good, for the destruction of the wicked, and for the establishment of Dharma, I come into being, in every age.' Whenever the world goes down, the Lord comes to help it forward; and so He does from time to time and place to place”
Again, Sri Aurobindo, in his famous Essays on the Gita, explains the significance of the महा विभव अवतार (mahā vibhava avatāra – Supreme Glorifying Incarnation) of भगवान् श्री कृष्ण परमात्मा (bhagavān śrī kṛṣṇa paramātmā) as गीताचार्य (gītācārya) by saying thus
“And we may first translate the words of the Teacher himself in which the nature and purpose of Avatarhood are given summarily and remind ourselves also of other passages or references which bear upon it. ‘Many are my lives that are past, and thine also, O Arjuna; all of them I know, but thou knowest not, O scourge of the foe. Though I am the unborn, though I am imperishable in my self-existence, though I am the Lord of all existences, yet I stand upon my own Nature and I come into birth by my self-Maya. For whensoever there is the fading of the Dharma and the uprising of unrighteousness, then I loose myself forth into birth. For the deliverance of the good, for the destruction of the evil-doers, for the enthroning of the Right I am born from age to age. He who knoweth thus in its right principles my divine birth and my divine work, when he abandons his body, comes not to rebirth, he comes to Me, O Arjuna. Delivered from liking and fear and wrath, full of me, taking refuge in me, many purified by austerity of knowledge have arrived at my nature of being (madbhavam, the divine nature of the Purushottama). As men approach Me, so I accept them to my love….; men follow in every way my path, O son of Pritha.”
Similarly, the bridal mysticism with श्री कृष्ण (śrī kṛṣṇa) is one of the greatest kinds of mystical experiences blessed by the Lord to many of his chosen devotees. The pinnacle of such भावन (bhāvana - attitude) occurs in the पुराण शास्त्र (purāṇa śāstra) as well as in the as various other devotional literature. For example, the श्रीमद् भागव्त महा पुराण (śrīmad bhāgavta mahā purāṇa) very beautifully explains as to how the गोपिका (gopikā) at ब्रिन्दावनं (brindāvanaṁ) assume themselves as the wives (lover partners) of their beloved hero भगवान् श्री कृष्ण परमात्म (bhagavān śrī kṛṣṇa paramātma) and yearn for a romantic communion with their Lord. Later श्री नारायण भट्टत्रि (śrī nārāyaṇa bhaṭṭatri) the eminent mystic poet from Kerala composed yet another soul kindling poetic masterpiece called श्रीमन् नारायणियम् (śrīman nārāyaṇiyam) highlighting this form of devotion. Such emotional love was further elucidated by the renowned poet जयदेव (jayadeva) through his unparalleled poetic masterpiece गीतगोविन्दम् (gītagovindam), also known as, अष्टपदि (aṣṭapadi). In this, the poet also narrates the love emotions of a specific गोपिका (gopikā) called राधा (rādhā) who was the favorite fiancee of भगवान् श्री कृष्ण परमात्म (bhagavān śrī kṛṣṇa paramātma).
नायिकाभाव / मधुरभाव (nāyikābhāva / madhurabhāva – fiancée / honey attitude)
திருப்பாவை (tiruppāvai) & நாச்சியார் திருமொழி (nācciyār tirumoḹi) are the two greatest contributions of her towards devotional literature particularly bridal mysticism. ஆண்டாலின் திருப்பாவை பாசுரங்கல் (āṇṭāliṉ tiruppāvai pācuraṅgal – thiruppavai pasurangal of andal) similar to the மாணிக்கவசகரின் திருவெம்பாவை பதிகங்கள் (māṇikkavacakariṉ tiruvempāvai patikaṅgaḷ - thirvempavai decads of manikkavasagar), is a first person account of the traditional rite of பாவை நீராடல் நோன்பு (pāvai nīrāṭal nōnbu – maiden bathing austerity-vow). This நோன்பு (nōnbu - austerity-vow) very piously observed annually by young பாவைகள் (pāvaigaḷ - maidens) during the sacred மார்கழி மாதம் / मृगशीर्ष मास (mārkaḻi mātam / mṛgaśīrṣa māsa - mid Dec to mid Jan month). Here the saintess enters into a mystical பாவனை (bāvaṉai – role-play) by imagining herself as one of the பாவைகள் (pāvaigaḷ - maidens) from the sacred city of ¬Â÷À¡Ê (aayarpaadi) who were observing this நோன்பு (nōṇbu - austerity-vow)
The intention of this festival, as already discussed, is for these பாவைகள் (pāvaigaḷ - maidens) who are the would-be brides to commune with their beloved lover-God महाविष्णु (mahāviṣṇu). In other words, பாவைகள் (pāvaigaḷ - maidens) are the बद्धजीवात्मनः (baddhajīvātmanaḥ – bound corporeal souls) who want to awaken the dormant divinity in them. Ultimately, they wanted to unite with the परमात्मन् (paramātman – supreme soul) in a sacred wedlock and to be closely associated with भगवत् कैङ्गर्य (bhagavat kaiṅgarya - divine servitude) eternally, as testified in the following verses
ஸ்ரீ ஆண்டாள் நாச்சியார் (srī āṇṭāḷ nācciyār) is even more explicit with her bridal moods in her second masterpiece நாச்சியார் திருமொழி (nācciyār tirumoḹi) wherein she also, like the other mystic poet-saints cited above, seeks the helps of love-messengers to carry her message of love. Interestingly, she even prays to மன்மதன் / காமதேவன் (maṉmataṉ / kāmatēvaṉ – cupid / lord of love) to help her in her Divine romance and pleads him to act as her messenger.
वात्सल्यभाव (vātsalyabhāva – parental attitude)
Last but not the least, the most unique and salient aspect of श्री कृष्ण भक्ति (śrī kṛṣṇa bhakti – devotion to Lord Krishna) is of course वात्सल्यभाव (vātsalyabhāva – parental attitude) . Here, the जीवात्मन् (jīvātman - individual soul) develops a motherly affection for परमात्मन् (paramātman – Divine Soul). The devotee treats the God as his or her own spiritual child and is pampered. The famous मन्त्र (mantra – hymn) from ऋग् वेद (ṛg veda), very clearly explains such भावन (bhāvana – role playing) by the वेद ऋषि (veda ṛṣi – Vedic seer), as the mother of God,
Again, the mystic poet பெரியாழ்வார் (periyāḹvār) in the भावन (bhāvana – role playing) as यसोध (yasodha), the adopted mother of श्री कृष्ण (śrīkṛṣṇa) sings thus,
Well, we all know that தாய்மை (thaaimai - motherhood) is one of the most precious gifts in the life of a woman. In fact, womanhood becomes complete only after she becomes a mother. If this is the case of mothering a normal human child, just realize how blessed a जीवात्म (jīvātma - individual soul) has to be for playing the sacred role of mother of none other than the Absolute Divinity Himself! The revered mystic poet and Carnatic music composer ஸ்ரீ பாபனாசம் சிவம் (sri pāpanāsam sivam), very beautifully expresses thus in his soul kindling song,
विद्वेषभाव (vidveṣabhāva bhakti – hateful attitude)
According to one of the most popular accounts, narrated in the sacred महापुराणशास्त्राणि (mahāpurāṇaśāstrāṇi – grand legend scriptures) like हरिवंशपूराण (harivaṁśapūrāṇa), विष्णुपुराण (viṣṇupurāṇa), श्रीमद्भागवतपुराण (śrīmadbhāgavatapurāṇa), पद्मपूराण (padmapūrāṇa), etc., the event is associated with नरकासुर वधः (narakāsura vadhaḥ - slaying of narakasura). During the legendary द्वापर युग (dvāpara yuga), a deadly demon king by name भौम (bhauma), was ruling the ancient kingdom called प्राग्ज्योतिष (prāgjyotiṣa – lighted from the east), also known as, कामरूप (kāmarūpa – desire form). As the name indicates, भौम (bhauma), was the son of Goddess श्रीभूमीदेवी (śrī bhūmī devī – earth goddess), who in turn was the धर्मपत्नी श्रीवराहदेवस्य (dharmapatnī śrīvarāhadevasya - divine consort of Sri Varaha Deva). As we know, श्रीवराह (śrīvarāha) is the महाविभवावतार महाविष्णोः सत्ययुगे (mahāvibhavāvatāra mahāviṣṇoḥ satyayuge – supreme-glorious-incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu in the truth-epoch).
Although a Divine offspring, भौम (bhauma – earth born) had somewhere down the line, lost his inherent divine qualities and began to unleash a reign of terror, during his times. He is known to have kidnapped and sabotaged thousands of young women, grabbed away the precious தேவேந்திரனின் வெண்கொற்றக்குடை (dēvēntiraṉiṉ veṇkoṟṟakkuṭai – royal umbrella of devendra), as well as, stole the sacred शृङ्ग हृत्वान् मणिपर्वतम् (śṛṅga hṛtvān maṇiparvatam - jewel mountain crust of mandhara), as well as, the अमृत स्त्राविणी (amṛta strāviṇī) - the celestial nectar giving earrings of अदिति (aditi). In fact, his tyranny was so notorious, that he was referred as the नरकासुर. (narakāsura – lord of hell).
The देवाः (devāḥ - gods) lead by इन्द्रदेव (indradeva) sought refuge (surrendered) at the holy feet of भगवान् श्री कृष्ण परमात्मा (bhagavān śrī kṛṣṇa paramātmā) who is the महाविभवावतार महाविष्णोः द्वापरयुगे (mahāvibhavāvatāra mahāviṣṇoḥ dvāparayuge – supreme-glorious-incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu in the doubt-epoch). The all-merciful भगवान् (bhagavān) then protected them and restored back धर्म (dharma - righteousness) by slaying the sinful नरकासुर. (narakāsura – lord of hell). Historically, this event of नरकासुर वधः (narakāsura vadhaḥ - assassination of lord of hell) is what is celebrated as தீபாவளி / दीपावलि (dīpāvaḷi / dīpāvali), as it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil.
Esoterically नरकासुर. (narakāsura – lord of hell) represents the असुर नरकात् स्वमनस्य (asura narakāt svamanasya – demon from hell of our own mind). He was called भौम (bhauma – earth born) because he in spite of being inherent divinity (please remember he was child of God), his mind and desires were predominantly materialistic or earthly focused. Please remember that पृथ्वी तत्त्व (pṛthvī tattva – earth principle) is the अधिकतमस्थूलरूप व्य्वहारिकसत्व्वस्य (adhikatamasthūlarūpa vyvahārikasatvvasya – grossest form of phenomenal realm), according to Hindu ontological classifications. In other words, even though every man is potentially divine, yet many a time, he forgets, (or ignores or neglects, however we look at it), his inherent higher realms of spiritual divinity and begins to operate from the grossest form of materialistic and sensual desires and passions. Again, that is why the kingdom ruled by भौम (bhauma – earth born) is also called कामरूप (kāmarūpa – form of desire/lust).
But why is this event associated with the उत्सव दीपस्य (utsava dīpasya – festival of light)? Well, from time immemorial, दीपम् / ज्योतिष (dīpam / jyoti – light / lamp) always symbolizes enlightenment in spirituality. दीपावलि महोत्सव / தீபாவளி மகோத்சவம் (dīpāvaḻi mahotsava / dīpāvaḷi magōtsavam – grand light-series festival) symbolizes burning of अविद्या / अज्ञान (avidyā / ajñāna ignorance/nescience) with the help of the ज्योति ज्ञानस्य (jyoti jñānasya – light of wisdom). Etymologically, the term “दीपावलि / தீபாவளி (dīpāvaḻi / dīpāvaḻi)“ is derived from the terms दीप / தீபம் (dīpa / dIpam – light/lamp) and आवलि / ஆவளி (āvali / āvaḷi – sequence / flow / stream). Thus, it symbolizes the flow of Divine Light by burning of ignorance reflecting the wisdom from the sacred बृहदारण्यक उपनिषद् (bṛhadāraṇyaka upaniṣad)
Again, கந்தழி வழிபாடு (kantaḻi vaḻipāṭu – light / fire worship) was very popular among the ancient Tamils, as testified in the ancient treatise on Tamil Grammar viz. தொல்காபியம் (tolkāpiyam) as well as, other சங்க இலக்கிய நூல்கள் (saṅga ilakkiya nūlgaḷ – classical Tamil literatures). Moreover, the triumph of Light (Truth/Godliness) over Darkness (Falsehood/Evilness) is what is very beautifully dramatized in the ऋग्वेद (ṛgveda) as the victory of इन्द्र (indra – sacred/hero/positivity) who rescued ज्योति (jyoti - light) from the clutches of वृत्र (vṛtra – profane/villain/negativity) representing तमस् (tamas - darkness). In the महापुराणशास्त्राणि (mahāpurāṇaśāstrāṇi – grand legend scriptures), the same theme is reflected as नरकासुर. narakāsura – lord of hell) who represents the असुर (asura - demon) who is from the नरक (naraka - hell) in our minds being destroyed by the Lord महाविष्णू (mahāviśnu) within us.
Astrologically, the event दीपावलि महोत्सव / தீபாவளி மகோத்சவம் (dīpāvaḻi mahotsava / dīpāvaḷi magōtsavam – grand light-series festival) occurred on कृष्ण पक्ष चतुर्दशि तिथी /தேய்பிறை சதுர்தசி திதி (kṛṣṇa pakṣa caturdaśi tithī / tēypiṟai caturtaci titi – fourteenth lunar day of dark fortnight) during the Tamil month of ஐப்பசி (aippasi – mid October - mid November). Hence this festival is also called as नरक चतुर्दशी (naraka caturdaśī) in memory of the demon king नरकासुर. (narakāsura – lord of hell).
Again, celebrating the event of नरकासुर वधः (narakāsura vadhaḥ - assassination of lord of hell) specifically on a चतुर्दशी तिथी (caturdaśī tithī – fourteenth lunar day) also has deeper esoteric significance. चतुर्दशकलाः तिथिचक्रस्य (caturdaśakalāḥ tithicakrasya – fourteen parts – lunation cucle) , excluding पौर्णिम (paurṇima – full Moon) and अमावस्य (amāvasya – new moon) phases in the cycle of a पक्ष (pakṣa - fortnight). According to occult yogic doctrine of correspondence between the macrocosmic celestial and the microcosmic phenomena – "as above, so below", in this context the चन्द्र (candra – moon) corresponds to the अतित्मिक पशु / जीवात्म तत्त्व (atiātmika paśu / jīvātma tattva – soul dominated animal /embodied soul principle) while the सूर्य (sūrya - sun) corresponds to अतिदैविक पति / परमात्म तत्त्व (atidaivika pati / paramātma tattva – divinity dominated spirit/lord principle) and the चतुर्दश कल तिथी चक्र (caturdaśa kala tithī cakra – fourteen parts of lunation cycle) corresponds to प्राणाग्नि होत्र (prāṇāgni hotra – sacrificial vital fire), better known as the कुण्डलिनी शक्ति (kuṇḍalinī śakti – coiled energy) gradually traversing through चतुर्दश योग नाड्यो (caturdaśa yoga nāḍyo – fourteen yogic nerve channels) as spiritual milestones in the பிண்டாண்டம் / पिण्डाण्ड (piṇḍāṇḍam / piṇḍāṇḍa - microcosm) that in turn fractally correspond to the legendary चतुर्दश माया लोक (caturdaśa māyā loka – fourteen illusory universes) as spiritual milestones in the பிரமாண்டம் / ब्रह्माण्ड (biramāṇḍam /brahmāṇḍa - macrocosm) in the pilgrims progress.
Each क्षय तिथि (kṣaya tithi – waning lunar day) represents the क्रमेण अहङ्कार जीवात्मस्य (krameṇa kṣaya ahaṅkāra jīvātmāsya – gradually waning ego of corporeal soul) with the help of ब्रह्मज्ञानायुध / सम्बोधि (brahma jñānāyudha/ sambodhi – tools of spiritual wisdom / enlightenment) which is प्राग्ज्योतिष (prāgjyotiṣa – lighted from the east). Please recollect from above that प्राग्ज्योतिष (prāgjyotiṣa) was the name of kingdom originally ruled by भौम (bhauma – earth born). In this name the term प्राच्य (prācya – east) is esoterically overloaded and represents the सूर्य (sūrya - sun) which in turn corresponds to अतिदैविक पति / परमात्म तत्त्व (atidaivika pati / paramātma tattva – divinity dominated spirit/lord principle).
Similarly, the tools/weapons here correspond to प्राणाग्नि होत्र (prāṇāgni hotra – vital fire sacrifice), also known as வாசியோகம் (vāsiyōgam). The चतुर्दशीतिथी (caturdaśī tithī – fourteenth lunar day) symbolizes the grand finale for the क्रमेण अहङ्कार (krameṇa kṣaya ahaṅkāra – gradually waning ego) and the following day i.e. अमावस्य तिथि (amāvasya tithī – new moon day) represents the complete योगसमाधि जीवात्मस्य (yogasamādhi jīvātmāsya – conjunctional atonement) with the सूर्य / परमात् त्मा (sūrya / paramātma – sun/ divine soul).
Finally
हरे कृष्ण (hare kṛṣṇa)
No comments:
Post a Comment