Hindu Scriptures and the Mystery of Time
SPIRITUALITYSCIENCE
Sahil Sharma
10/18/20232 min read
Time dilation is one of the most fascinating and mysterious phenomena in physics. It describes the situation where time passes differently for two objects moving at different speeds. The faster an object moves, the slower time passes for it.
Time dilation has been experimentally verified many times, and it is one of the key predictions of Albert Einstein's theory of special relativity.
Mentions of Time Dilation in Hindu Scriptures
The ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Vedas and the Upanishads, contain many passages that can be interpreted as describing time dilation. For example, the following verse from the Bhagavad Gita: (8,17) states:
"A thousand yugas are but as a day in the life of Brahma."
This verse can be interpreted as describing the fact that time passes differently for different beings. Brahma is the creator god in Hinduism, and he is said to live for a thousand yugas, each of which is equal to 4.32 billion human years. This means that time passes much slower for Brahma than it does for humans.
Another verse from the Bhagavad Gita (11.12) states:
"I am the time that destroys all."
This verse can be interpreted as describing the destructive nature of time. Time is constantly flowing, and it eventually destroys everything in its path. However, the verse also suggests that time is not a linear phenomenon. Time can move at different speeds for different beings, and it can even be reversed in some cases.
The Story of King Kakudmi
One of the most famous stories about time dilation in Hindu scriptures is the story of King Kakudmi. This story is described in the Bhagavata Purana.
King Kakudmi was a wise and benevolent ruler. He had a daughter named Revati, who was a princess of great beauty and virtue. King Kakudmi was determined to find the perfect husband for his daughter, and he searched far and wide.
One day, King Kakudmi heard about Lord Brahma, the creator god. He decided to visit Lord Brahma and ask for his help in finding a suitable husband for Revati.
King Kakudmi and Revati traveled to Brahma-loka, the abode of Lord Brahma. When they arrived, they were shocked to see that everything had changed. The world they knew was gone, and everything was different.
King Kakudmi met with Lord Brahma and explained his purpose in visiting. Lord Brahma told King Kakudmi that a thousand yugas had passed on Earth while he and Revati had been in Brahma-loka.
King Kakudmi was heartbroken. He had lost everything, including his kingdom and his loved ones. Lord Brahma consoled King Kakudmi and told him that he would be blessed with a grandson who would be a great king.
King Kakudmi and Revati returned to Earth, and they were reunited with their loved ones. Revati eventually married Balarama, the brother of Lord Krishna.
The story of King Kakudmi is a fascinating example of time dilation in Hindu scriptures. It suggests that time passes differently for different beings, and that it is possible to travel through time.