Ancient Indian Time Counting: An Analytical Study

Abstract

India has had a glorious tradition of knowledge and science since ancient times. Two quantities are critical in the study of science: (1) space and (2) time. It is impossible to study the events happening in the universe without accurate information about space and time. According to Stephen Hawking\'s Big Bang theory, about 12 to 14 billion years ago, the universe was compressed. Due to an explosion in it, every particle compressed in it started expanding, resulting in the creation of the universe. Along with this, time has also been created because we measure changes through time. When the change started, time also started from that time itself. The universe originated billions of years ago, but in the currently prevalent time calculation, we are able to calculate only a few thousand years.On the other hand, the ancient Indian calculation of measuring time has a very glorious history. In Indian astrology, the date and time of solar and lunar eclipses are told on the basis of this time calculation. In this paper, we will analyze this ancient Indian time calculation so that we can know whether the basis of this time calculation is scientific or imaginary.

Introduction

In the ancient Indian knowledge tradition, the main basis for the calculation of time is the seven planets and their mutual motion. These planets are the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon, Mercury, and Venus. Although according to modern science, the Moon is considered to be a satellite of the Earth, in ancient Indian time calculation, the Moon is regarded as a planet that determines time measurement. Along with these seven planets, there are 27 constellations in the sky: (1) Ashwini (2) Bharani (3) Krittika (4) Rohini (5) Mrigasira (6) Ardra (7) Punarvasu (8) Pushya (9) Ashlesha (10) Magha (11) Purvaphalguni (12) UttaraPhalguni (13) Hasta (14) Chitra (15) Swati (16) Vishakha (17) Anuradha (18) Jyestha (19) Mool (20) Purvashadha (21) Uttarashadha (22) Shravan (23) Dhanishtha (24) Shatabhisha (25) PurvaBhadrapada (26) UttaraBhadrapada (27) Revati. These 27 nakshatras have been divided into four parts. In this way, there are a total of 108 feet. These 108 feet have been divided into 12 zodiac signs. Hence, the names of the 12 zodiac signs have been kept according to the shape of 9 feet, which are as follows: (1) Aries (2) Taurus (3) Gemini (4) Cancer (5) Leo (6) Virgo (7) Libra (8) Scorpio (9) Sagittarius (10) Capricorn (11) Aquarius (12) Pisces. Ancient Indian time calculations are based on the constellations, zodiac signs, and the rotation of the planets. 

I. OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research study is to reveal some facts from the vast repository of knowledge of the ancient Indian knowledge tradition, which introduces us to the glorious past of our country.

II. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This research study is descriptive, and secondary data has been used for its analysis. Books, research papers, and research articles published by various publications, as well as reports from the government and its bodies, have also been used in this research study.

III. ANCIENT INDIA'S AMAZING TIME CALCULATION

In ancient India, the sages had made calculations of planets and stars, etc. On the basis of rotation, not only did they calculate the time, but they also found a way to reach it to the common man. As we all know, in ancient India, the teaching system was based on Shruti, that is, the Guru used to impart education to his disciples orally from generation to generation. Based on this, a wonderful system was made to measure time day by day and remember it every day, in which the calculation from billions of years ago to the present time is described orally. Even today, before starting any worship in India, a Sankalp Mantra is recited. If we understand each word in this Sankalp Mantra, then we gain knowledge of the present time to the infinite past.

These mantras are as follows: Om AsyaShriVishnoragyaPravartamanasyaBrahmanam, DwitiyeParardhe, ShvetvarahKalpeVaivaswatmanvantareAshtavimshattimeKaliyuge, KaliyugePrathamCharane, Kalisavante. Jambudweepe, BrahmavartaDeshe, Bharatkhande, Amuksthane, Amuksamvatsare, Amukayane, Amukritau, Amukmase, Amukpakshe, Amuktithau, Amukvasare, Amuksamaya, Amukvyakti,… by saying his name, his father's name, the name of Gotra, and for what purpose he is doing which work. Now let us explain each verse of this mantra Om AsyaShriVishnoragyaPravartamanasyaBrahmanam, DwitiyeParardhe. That is - in the infinite time cycle started by Mahavishnu, the second half of the age of the present Brahma - 50 years of the age of the present Brahma have been completed (the age of Brahma is 100 Brahma years). ShwetvarahKalpe - One day of Brahma is called a Kalpa. And the first Kalpa of the 51st year of Brahma is called Shwetvarah. Kalpa is also explained in terms of rotation of planets. According to Vedic sages, the present universe is of the Panch Mandala order: Chandra Mandala, Prithvi Mandala, Surya Mandala, Parameshthi Mandala, and Swayambhu Mandala. These Mandalas are revolving around the Uttarottar Mandala; that is, Chandra Mandala is revolving around Prithvi Mandala, Prithvi Mandala is revolving around Surya Mandala, Surya Mandala is revolving around Parameshthi Mandala (i.e., Milky Way), and Parameshthi Mandala is revolving around Swayambhu Mandala; i.e., the Milky Way is revolving around the Milky Way above it. The time taken for one such rotation is called a Kalpa. Its age is 4 billion 32 crore years

VaivasvatManvantara-There are 14 Manvantaras in a Kalpa. Out of them, the seventh Manvantara, VaivasvatManvantara, is currently ongoing. When the center of the ParameshthiMandal (Akash Ganga) of the solar system completes one revolution, it is called the Manvantara period. There are 306,720,000 years in one Manvantara, that is, thirty crore sixty-six lakh twenty thousand years. AshtavimshattimeKaliyuge - There are 71 Chaturyugis in one Manvantara, and in each Chaturyugi, there are four yugas: (1) Satyug, (2) Treta Yuga, (3) Dwapar Yuga, and (4) Kaliyuga. Out of these four yugas, the Kaliyuga of the 28th Chaturyugi is currently ongoing. Now we will analyze whether the concept of Chaturyugi is scientific or imaginary. According to Indian Astrology, Chaturyugi is based on the movement of seven planets. When all seven planets come into the same zodiac sign, this event is called Yutikaal, and the time taken in one Yutikaal is 432,000 years. That is, after 432,000 years, all seven planets come into the same zodiac sign, and this time period is called Yutikaal. The time span of these four yugas is calculated on the basis of Yutikaal. The time span of Kaliyuga is one Yutikaal (432,000 years), Dwaparayuga is two Yutikaals (864,000 years), Treta Yuga has three Yutikaals (conjunctions) totaling 1,296,000 years, and Satya Yuga has four Yutikaalstotaling 1,728,000 years. Hence, the time span of one Chaturyugi is 10 Yutikaals, i.e., 4,320,000 years.

Kaliyugeprathamcharane – It means presently the first phase of Kaliyuga of the 28th Chaturyugi is ongoing. Kalisavante Currently, Kalisavant 5126 is running, which means the present Kaliyuga started 5,126 years ago. JambuDweep, BrahmavartaDesh, Bharat Khande - this indicates the location of India. Information regarding the status of the resolver is given, including details regarding the position at a particular place.

Amuksamvatsare - Currently, VikramSamvatsara 2081 is ongoing.

AmukaAyane - In Vedic time calculation, one year is divided into two Ayanas; its determination is also based on the movement of the Earth and the Sun. The Earth is inclined 23.5 degrees to the north-west on its orbit. Hence, the sun's rays fall perpendicularly at 23.5 degrees north and south of the equator. The perpendicular falling of the sun's rays is called Sankranti. The sun's rays fall perpendicularly every month of the year. 23.5 degrees north is called the Tropic of Cancer, and south is called the Tropic of Capricorn. The equator is called 0 degrees. When the Sun enters the Cancer zodiac, it is called Dakshinayan, and after six months, when it enters Capricorn, it is called Uttarayan. When the sun travels from Capricorn to Gemini, it is called Uttarayan, and when it travels from Cancer to Sagittarius, it is called Dakshinayan. By establishing MakarSankranti as a festival, this calculation reminds us that now the Sun has entered Capricorn, meaning that Uttarayan has started.

AmukaRitu - 12 months of a year are divided into 6 Ritu. These Ritus are - Spring, Summer, Rain, Autumn, Winter.

Amukmase - As mentioned earlier, 27 constellations located in the sky have been considered for time calculation. These constellations are - (1) Ashwini (2) Bharani (3) Kritika (4) Rohini (5) Mrigashira (6) Arda (7) Punarvasu (8) Pushya (9) Ashlesha (10) Magha (11) Purvaphalguni (12) UttaraPhalguna (13) Hasta (14) Chitra (15) Swati (16) Vishakha (17) Anuradha (18) Jyestha (19) Mool (20) Purvashadha (21) Uttarashadha (22) Shravan (23) Dhanishtha (24) Shatabhisha (25) Bhadrapada (26) Uttar Bhadrapada (27) Revati.

The months are named after the constellation that is visible from evening till morning throughout the month and in which the moon attains completeness. For example, when Chitranakshatra is visible from evening to morning for the whole month and the moon attains fullness in this nakshatra, then this month is called Chaitra month. After this, the month of Vishakhanakshatra is Vaishakh, the month of Jyeshthanakshatra is Jyeshtha, the month of Purvashadhanakshatra is Ashadha, the month of Shravannakshatra is Shravan, the month of PoorvaBhadrapadnakshatra is Bhadrapad (Bhadon), the month of Ashwininakshatra is Ashwin, the month of Krittikanakshatra is Kartik, the month of Mrigasiranakshatra is Margashirsha (Agahan), the month of Pushyanakshatra is Paush, the month of Maghanakshatra is Magh, and the month of UttaraPhalgunnakshatra is Phalgun. Thus, according to Vedic time calculation, there are 12 months in a year. The months of Chaitra (2), Vaisakha (3), Jyestha (4), Ashadha (5), Shravan (6), Bhadrapad (7), Ashwin (8), Kartika (9), Margasirsa (10), Paush (11), Magha, and (12) Phalguna are: AmukPakshe, Amuktithi. According to Indian astronomy, the period of one month is divided into two pakshas, (1) Shuklpaksha and (2) Krishna Paksha. In the Indian calendar, the days in a month are called Tithi, just as in the modern calendar, some months have 30 days, some have 31 days, and some have 28 or 29 days. These days are counted from 1st to 31st; similarly, in the ancient Indian calendar, there are Tithi from Amavasya to Poornima, and then from Poornima to Amavasya, there are Pratipada, Dwitiya, to Chaturdashi. The calculation of these Tithi is not based on counting one, two, three…but depends on the angular difference between the Sun and the Moon. The movement of 12 degrees of the Moon in its orbit around the Earth is called a Tithi. On Amavasya (new moon day), the Moon remains between the Earth and the Sun; this is called 0 degrees. Moving 12 degrees from here is Pratipada, from 12 to 24 degrees is Dwitiya, from 24 to 36 degrees is Tritiya, from 36 to 48 degrees is Chaturthi… In this way, when the Moon comes at a distance of 180 degrees from the Sun, it is called Poornima. Thus, the period from Ekam (Pratipada) to Poornima is called ShuklaPaksha, and the period from Pratipada to Amavasya is called Krishna Paksha.

 AmukaVasare - (Name of the day). It contains the name of the day. In ancient time calculations, the names of the days are also based on the movement of planets. In the Vedic method of time calculation, seven planets are important. The order of the planets has been determined on the basis of their progressive distance from the Earth, viz. Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, and Moon. Among these, the Moon is the closest to the Earth and Saturn is the farthest. Each planet rules over one hour (Hora) in the 24 hours of the day (which are called Hora in Indian time calculation). Hence, the order of all the seven planets ruling over one hour continues in sequence, and after the completion of 24 hours (Hora), the day is named after the planet that rules the first hour of the next day. Creation has started from the Sun; hence, considering Sunday as the first day, the remaining days have been named in the order mentioned below:

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Amuksamaye - This describes the situation that is occurring at the time of making a resolution. There are 24 Horas from sunrise to sunset, in which the seven planets are the rulers of each Hora in sequence. As per the situation on 20th August 2024, the Hora table according to modern times is as follows:

Conclusion

By interpreting just one Sankalp Mantra from ancient Indian knowledge, it has been observed that this mantra, which is recited in daily religious activities, has been used in many forms from the present time to the past. It presents accurate information about the past, and the important thing is that the basis of this information about time is not mere imagination but the rotation of the planets, the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, constellations, galaxies, etc. in the universe. There is a lot of such knowledge in the infinite storehouse of ancient Indian knowledge, the basis of which is completely scientific. We just need to strengthen our faith in our ancient knowledge tradition.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Pratiksha Chaubey, Dr. Astha Dwivedi, Rajni Roy. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.