Understanding Kala (Time) in Jainism

1. What is Kala (Time)?

In Jain philosophy, Kala (Time) is one of the six fundamental substances (Shat Dravya) that make up the universe. It is an essential part of the cosmos, enabling change and transformation.

Jain philosophy classifies time into two types:

1. Nishchaya Kala (Absolute Time) – The true, independent, and unchanging nature of time.
2. Vyavahara Kala (Relative Time) – Time measured through celestial movements like the Sun and Moon.

Absolute time always exists, while relative time is what we experience in daily life.

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2. The Smallest Unit of Time: Samaya

The smallest unit of time in Jainism is called Samaya.

Definition of Samaya:

"The time taken by the smallest particle of matter (Pudgala Paramanu) to move from one point in space to the next is called a Samaya."

• Samaya is an indivisible moment that is impossible for humans to perceive.
• Only omniscient beings (Kevalajnanis) can fully understand it.
• Even the smallest scientific time units, like the Zeptosecond (10⁻²¹ seconds), are much larger than Samaya.

A vast number of Samayas make up one Avalika, the smallest practical time unit in Jain calculations.

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3. The Eternity and Infinity of Time

• Just like matter (Pudgala) and space (Akasha), time (Kala) has no beginning and no end.
• The motion of matter is eternal, and since time is linked to matter, time is also eternal and infinite.

Modern scientists believe the universe began 13.8 billion years ago, but Jainism teaches that time has always existed and will never end.

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4. Different Ways to Classify Time

1. Traditional Classification of Time

1. Past (Bhutakala) – Time that has already passed.
2. Present (Vartamana Kala) – The moment we are living in.
3. Future (Bhavishya Kala) – Time that is yet to come.

2. Classification of Time in Jain Scriptures

1. Sankhyata Kala (Countable Time) – Time that can be measured numerically.
2. Asankhyata Kala (Innumerable Time) – Time that is finite but too large to be counted.
3. Ananta Kala (Infinite Time) – Time that has no beginning and no end.

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5. Jain Time Measurements

Jainism has a very detailed system of time measurement. It explains both the smallest and the largest time units.

Avalika: A Unique Time Unit in Jainism

• 1 Muhurta (48 minutes) = 1,67,77,216 Avalikas
• 1 second ≈ 5825 Avalikas
• Each Avalika contains innumerable Samayas

Measuring Time with Breath

Jains use breathing to measure time.

• The time taken to say an 8-matra syllable is one breath cycle (Shwas-Uchhwas).

Jain Time Unit	Equivalent Measurement
Innumerable Samayas	1 Avalika
Countable Avalikas	1 Shwas (breath)
7 Pranas	1 Stoka
7 Stokas	1 Lav
38.5 Lavs	1 Nalika (Hourglass measurement)
2 Nalikas	1 Muhurta (48 minutes)
2.5 Nalikas	1 Hour
60 Nalikas	1 Day (24 hours)

Week, fortnight, month, year etc go on traditionally. Need not mention here.

6. The Time Cycle (Kala-Chakra) and the Six Aras

Jainism explains time as an endless cycle (Kala-Chakra). This cycle has two halves:

1. Utsarpini (Ascending Half-Cycle) – Happiness and prosperity increase over time.
2. Avasarpini (Descending Half-Cycle) – Sorrow and hardship increase over time.

Each half is divided into six Aras (epochs).

The Six Aras in Avasarpini (Descending Half-Cycle):

Ara (Epoch)	Duration	Characteristics
1st Ara (Sukhma-Sukhma)	4 Koda-Kodi Sagaropamas	Extreme happiness, no disease, no suffering.
2nd Ara (Sukhma)	3 Koda-Kodi Sagaropamas	People still happy, but small signs of hardship appear.
3rd Ara (Sukhma-Dukhma)	2 Koda-Kodi Sagaropamas	Gradual decline in happiness, beginning of disease, and conflicts.
4th Ara (Dukhma-Sukhma)	1 Koda-Kodi Sagaropama - 42,000 years	Great kings and saints appear, but suffering increases.
5th Ara (Dukhma)	21,000 years	The present era—many sufferings, shorter lifespans, spiritual decline.
6th Ara (Dukhma-Dukhma)	21,000 years	The worst time—short lifespans, extreme suffering, no true religion.

• In Utsarpini, the same sequence happens in reverse—starting with Dukhma-Dukhma and ending in Sukshma-Sukshma.
• A full Kala-Chakra consists of 20 Koda-Kodi Sagaropamas.

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7. Time in Heavenly and Hellish Realms

Jain time applies not only to Earth but also to:

• Deva Lok (Heavens) – Celestial beings live in happiness for thousands to millions of years.
• Naraka Lok (Hells) – Hellish beings suffer in horrific conditions for 10,000 years to 33 Sagaropamas!

Unlike Earth, there is no Sun or Moon in these realms, but time still exists.

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8. Jain Time vs. Modern Science

• Science believes the universe began 13.8 billion years ago.
• Jainism teaches that time is eternal, with no beginning or end.
• Science lacks certainty about the universe's future, while Jainism provides definitive infinite calculations.

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Summary

✅ Kala (Time) is one of the six fundamental substances.
✅ Samaya is the smallest indivisible unit of time.
✅ Time is eternal, infinite, and cyclical.
✅ Palyopama and Sagaropama describe vast time periods.
✅ Kala-Chakra continues endlessly with six Aras in each half-cycle.
✅ Jain time measurement is more precise than modern science.

Exercise 

A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. What is the smallest unit of time in Jainism?
   a) Muhurta
   b) Samaya
   c) Avali
   d) Palyopama

2. In Jain time cycles, which phase represents moral and physical decline?
   a) Avasarpini
   b) Utsarpini
   c) Palyopama
   d) Sagaropama

3. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Nischaya Kala?
   a) Eternal
   b) Measurable in units
   c) Indivisible
   d) Affects transformations in substances

4. How many Muhurtas are there in a full day and night?
   a) 12
   b) 24
   c) 30
   d) 48

5. The concept of time being cyclical in Jainism is known as:
   a) Vyavahara Kala
   b) Avasarpini & Utsarpini
   c) Karma Vichara
   d) Dharma Chakra

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B. Match the Following

Column A	Column B
Avasarpini	Ascending cycle of time
Utsarpini	Declining cycle of time
Samaya	Large cosmic time cycle
Muhurta	Smallest unit of time
Sheershprahelika	48 minutes

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C. True or False

1. Vyavahara Kala is the absolute, indivisible time. (False)
2. The time cycle in Jainism follows a linear path. (False)
3. Samaya is an indivisible moment. (True)
4. Time exists in both Lokakash and Alokakash. (False)
5. Avasarpini and Utsarpini cycles consist of six Aras each. (True)

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D. Short Answer Questions

1. Differentiate between Nischaya Kala and Vyavahara Kala.
2. Explain the significance of Utsarpini and Avasarpini in Jain cosmology.
3. What are the six Avasarpini and Utsarpini Aras, and how do they influence human life?
4. Why is Kala not considered a physical substance in Jainism?
5. Describe the role of time in karma fruition and rebirth according to Jain beliefs.

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E. Long Answer Questions

1. Discuss the Jain concept of Kala in detail and its relevance to spiritual progress.
2. Explain the classification of time units in Jainism and their significance.
3. How does the Jain perspective on time compare with other philosophies?
4. Describe the Avasarpini and Utsarpini time cycles with their six divisions.

Thanks, 

Jyoti Kothari 

 (Jyoti Kothari, Proprietor, Vardhaman Gems, Jaipur represents Centuries Old Tradition of Excellence in Gems and Jewelry. He is an adviser, Vardhaman Infotech, a leading IT company in Jaipur. He is also ISO 9000 professional)