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THE CYCLE OF TIME IN VEDIC PERIOD
Posted Date: 17 Jan 2008 Resource Type: Articles/Knowledge Sharing Category: General
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Posted By: SajithkumarS Member Level: Diamond
Rating:  Points: 5
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The Surya Siddhanta a treatise on the later astronomy mention nine cycles of
time: Brahma, Daivya, Paitrya, Prajapaatya, Barrhaspatya, saura, Chandra, Sav-
ana, and Naksatra. In the Vedic period we had only three cycles of time: (i)
Brahamas'Ahoratra- Intially it was considered as equal to 28,000 years, then
equalto 27,000 years.It consisted of a unit of 1,000 yearrs.(ii)Daiva ahoratra
It consisted of about 360 days(iii) Prjapatya Ahoratra -This is the small
cycle of 28 days the so called Candra Masa or the lunar month The year conta-
ined 13 such cycles For the meausrement of the Daiva Ahoratra (the divine
or human year) he sacrifices of 6,12 and 15 days (Sadaha Davadasha and Paurn-
amasa and A mavasya Yajnas ) were institued This is because the year
consisted of 360 days In the Vedic age of early times we had only three types
of cycles(Trinabhi - cakra), but in the latter age we had the Sapta chakra),
or sevenfold cycle i.e., the time was measurred in terms of kala, Muhurta day
half - month (Ardha mass Month Masa) seasons (Rtu),and Four month cycle or
Catyrmasya. The sage Dirghatama has mentioned the four-monthly sacrifice as
the Nabhi or hub of the universe or the centre of the world. The sacrifice
systems were evolved for measuring time For obvious reasons,the Vedic astro-
nomers evolved a double type of sacrificial system. By one they measred a ci-
vil year and by the other they measured a sacrificial year. They introduced sa
crifices of durations 6,12,13,15 and 21 days As we have said the 21 days sacr-
fice was an adjustment to make the civil year agree with the solar year and
was perhaps employed every fourth year (leap yearr).The unit of time is the
year (samvatsara) and the unit in the sacrificial system is the Samvatsara
Yajna Both these units run hand in hand the latter unit very much depending
on the former The Samvatsara is described as the 'wheel of time ' The year wa
s measuured by the sun's movement through the zodic (Naksatra Mandala or Ra-
si Cakra ) which formed the rim or tyre (Nemi) of the 'wheel of time'(Kala
Cakra). This was considered divided into three equal parts known as Yojana
The zodiac was also divided into two equal parts called Bhuga known to us as
the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. The Kala Cakra or the
time wheel was considered as having 5,6,7,...12 spokes (Ara) each spoke repr-
esenting a time unit like a Rtu (season) and sometimes Masa (month) The num-
ber of seasons were 5,6, or 7 in a year. The smallest unit of time was a hu-
man Ahan and a human Ratri The Ahoratra (day combined with right)meant a dura-
tion of 24 hours The Divine- half and the Asura-half comprised of 180 human
days each There were two systems of counting a year: (a) System One year=12
months = 6Rtus (6 seasons): =24 Naksatra (orginally, Phalguni, asadha and bhad
arapads were counted as onee Naksatra and not two): =360+1 day =361 days.
(b) System II: One year= 13 months of 28 days each: = (6 plus 1)orRtus (7sea-
sons): = 28 Naksatras including Abhijit := (56*6+28+1)daya : =364+1 days.(vii
The verse at many places have a dual meaning :Adhyatmika Paksa when they rep-
resent the virata Purusa or Brahman (b)Adhidaivika Paksa when they are apple-
ed to the s un The Sun is one God is one; yet many names are applied to both
of them. These names ore also common Dirghatama in one of the verses enumer-
ates these names: Mitra, Vruna, Aryama, Ayu or Vayu, Indra, Rbhuksa (=Praja-
pati or Indira) and Marut In one vese (Rv I. 164,46) Dirghatama says that
Aditya has such names as Agni indraa,Mittra, Varuna, Suparna, Yama, and
Matarisva. The tables quoted below are from the pamphlet of prof. R.V. Vaid-
ya In the Table I have been given the names of stars at an approximate inter-
val of 60 degrees or four hours of R.A. (Right Ascension) and in the Tabl
e II at an interval of 56 degrees or 3 hours and 44 minutes approximately
# The spokes of the wheel of time are considered as fixed in the hub (Nabhi)
divided into three equal parts and the wheell came to be known as tri-nabhi-
cakra. The Nabhi or hub was measured by a sacrifice called caturmasya lasting
for four months. During the year one had such three sacrifices and the deit-
ies associated with them were agni Vayu and Surya. Some times a year of five
seasons (panca- Rtu-Samvtsra) is described and then ortho -winter (hemanta)
and para winter(sisira) are grouped in one class.Again at other times we have
a reference to seven seasons in a year.The last season is then known as the
Saptatha (the Seventh) it consisted of 28 days or one month only and therefore
it was also known as Ekaja. The year in this case consisted of thirteen
months.
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