The Concept of Time in Ancient India

The volume as it stands now with six chapter begins with an introduction on the Concept of Time in ancient India. Investigating the Concept of Time the author juxtaposes the awareness of the mystery of time in ancient thought, the varied experiences of time in cosmological, cultural, historical, spiritual memory and knowledge. Presentation on the notion of time in diverse philosophical systems especially the Indian one was discussed at length. The mention of time in Vedas, Time as fundamental and very important in the process of evolution, time as above everything else, even above God as the actual existence of beings, Cultic Time, etc., is made. The Transmigration from the Cultic Time of the Vedas to the Ineriorized time of Upanisads, comparison of Time in Mahabharata, the Puranic conception of Time as the momen identical with the unit of change of Gunas etc., are discussed. Attempt was made on the contributions of Jains to the domain of Cosmology and time. Jain philosophy is believing Kala as much a real substance as five others viz., Jiva, Dharma, Adharma, Pudgala and Akasa. Contrary to Jains' philosophy, Buddhists' conception of time and temporality and their consideration of time and causation as parts of our experience is discussed. The Cyclic Time in cosmological context and Linear Time in historical sources, determination of the natural division of Time years, seasons, months, days by the motion of the Sun and the Moon in all the ages, the civil reckoning of the usual eras by which we assign dates to events, dating in inscriptions and the regional year of the ruler with season, month, fortnight and the day are precisely dealt. After briefly presenting the value and significance of Time, he turns his attention to the application of Time in rituals, festivities according to the Dharma Sastras to the historical and modern man.