Kaala – The Eternal Wheel of Time in Sanatana Dharma

 

Kaala in Sanskrit means time—a continuous, cyclical force that governs creation, sustenance, and dissolution. It is Ananta (endless) and Anadi (beginningless), flowing like a wheel that never halts.

The Trinity and the Cycle of Time

• Srishti (Creation) – governed by Lord Brahma
• Sthiti (Sustenance) – governed by Lord Vishnu
• Laya (Dissolution) – governed by Lord Shiva

Each cosmic cycle begins with the birth of a new Brahma, created by Maha Vishnu, and ends with Maha Pralaya, after which the cycle restarts.

Macrocosmic Time Units

Unit	Equivalent
60 seconds	1 minute
60 minutes	1 hour
24 hours	1 day
15 days	1 Paksha
2 Pakshas	1 Masa (month)
6 Masas	1 Ayana
2 Ayanas	1 Year

Maha Yuga (Total: 43,20,000 years)

Yuga	Ratio	Duration (Years)
Krita/Satya	4	17,28,000
Treta	3	12,96,000
Dvapara	2	8,64,000
Kali	1	4,32,000

Manvantara and Kalpa

• 1 Manvantara = 71 Maha Yugas
• 14 Manvantaras = 1 Kalpa (Day of Brahma)
• Sandhikalas: 15 transitional periods (each = 1 Satya Yuga)
• 1 Kalpa = 14 Manvantaras + 15 Sandhikalas
• Night of Brahma = 1 Kalpa
• 1 Month of Brahma = 60 Kalpas
• 1 Year of Brahma = 720 Kalpas
• Life of Brahma = 100 Brahma years

Current Cosmic Status

• Kalpa: Sveta Varaha Kalpa
• Manvantara: 7th – Vaivasvata Manu
• Maha Yuga: 28th
• Yuga: Kali Yuga is currently running

Future Brahma: Lord Hanuman

As declared by Lord Sri Rama in Treta Yuga, Hanuman will become the next Brahma after the current cycle ends.