Chapter 8 • Verse 17

Aksara Brahma Yoga

The Yoga of the Imperishable Brahman

Sanskrit Verse

Sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmanah viduh, ratrim yuga-sahasrantam te 'ho-ratra-vido janah

Translation & Meaning

By human calculation, a thousand ages (yugas) taken together are the duration of Brahma's one day. And such also is the duration of his night. Those who understand this cosmic time scale truly understand the day and night of the universe. A single day of Brahma spans 4.32 billion human years — this cosmic time scale reveals the vast cycles within which individual lives are set.

Key Teachings

  • •Cosmic time operates on scales incomprehensible to ordinary human perception
  • •Even the creator Brahma exists within time and is subject to cycles
  • •Understanding cosmic time cultivates perspective on the brevity of material existence

Topics

cosmic timeBrahma's dayyugascreation cyclestime
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