What is: Time, Samaya, Kāla, and Mahākāla
1. Time and Kāla: Confusion and Understanding
In Indian philosophy, Time (Samay) is that which appears to pass, while Kāla is the principle that makes the passing of time possible.
Human beings often mistake time itself for ultimate reality—this is the fundamental confusion.
Time is what appears to pass: day and night, dates, years, age. It is the measurement of events and gives the experience of change.
Kāla is the principle that drives time itself—the law of creation, sustenance, and dissolution. Kāla is not bound by the clock; rather, the clock functions within Kāla.
The Granth Kalash exposes this confusion sharply:
"People do not see Kāla in these cycles;
this itself is the noose of darkness.
The sun stands visible before the eyes,
yet beings remain bound by this very noose."
(Granth Kalash, Chapter 1, Verse 17)
The meaning is clear: truth shines like the sun before us, yet the being cannot see it because it is trapped in the snare of time and Kāla.
Here, Time = the cycle, and Kāla = the snare.
2. Discipline of Kāla and Hunger for Time
Human beings want to conquer time—long life, results, achievements, pleasures.
But all of this is practice within Kāla, not beyond Kāla.
"Some eat fruits, flowers, and leaves;
some live on minimal food.
Some practice austerities for Kāla,
yet the soul only longs to keep living."
(Granth Kalash, Chapter 14, Verse 26)
This verse explains that people attempt to master Kāla in order to extend time, but liberation does not arise from this—only the craving to continue living (kalap, the thirst to exist) increases.
3. Kāla Is Formless, Yet Not Eternal
This is a subtle but crucial point: Kāla itself is not the final truth.
"Do not say that the one who devours Kāla has form.
Kāla itself is formless,
but form is always imperishable."
(Granth Kalash, Chapter 16, Verse 26)
Kāla is formless, yet it is not eternal.
That which can even consume Kāla is Mahākāla / Akṣarātīta.
Here Vedānta and Tārātam speak in one voice.
Mahākāla: Beyond Time
In Indian philosophy, Mahākāla is not merely time or death, but the Supreme Reality beyond time.
Mahākāla generates time, governs creation within time, and ultimately absorbs time into itself.
In Vedānta, Mahākāla is the functional expression of Parabrahman. Parabrahman is timeless; Kāla is its power. Therefore, Mahākāla is the Lord even of Kāla:
"Kālo'smi loka-kṣaya-kṛt" — Bhagavad Gītā
("I am Time, the destroyer of worlds.")
In the Purāṇic tradition, Mahākāla is the fierce yet protective form of Śiva.
In yogic and devotional traditions, remembrance of Mahākāla removes fear of death, awakens detachment, and opens the path to liberation.
Conclusion: Mahākāla moves time, yet remains beyond time.
In the progressive (tāratamya) vision of Tārātam Vāṇī, even Mahākāla has a Mahākāla beyond—the Akṣarātīta Reality.
4. Kālamāyā: The Game and the Trap
Human beings see Kāla only as something happening externally, but the real trap is Kālamāyā—where time, attachment, and distortion move together.
"I witnessed the play of Kālamāyā and became absorbed in it.
Now behold the joy of awakening—
the heart will become pure."
(Granth Kalash, Chapter 21, Verse 12)
One who recognizes the play as a play moves toward awakening. Otherwise:
"Even the slightest touch of Kālamāyā
increases distortion."
(Granth Kalash, Chapter 21, Verse 18)
5. Attachment, Ignorance, and Action: Names of Sleep
"Attachment, ignorance, delusion,
action, Kāla, and void—
all these are names of sleep,
for the formless, attributeless one."
(Granth Kalash, Chapter 24, Verse 19)
This profound verse declares that attachment, ignorance, karma, Kāla, and even emptiness are all names of sleep.
In awakening, they naturally fall away.
6. Yoga and Tantra Remain Within Kāla
Kirtan clarifies that even subtle yogic states remain within Kāla if true recognition is absent:
"Trikuṭī, Triveṇī—all three remain within Kāla;
even unstruck sound and spontaneous repetition are not final abodes."
(Granth Kirtan, Chapter 11, Verse 5)
Thus, even exalted yogic attainments are not final liberation without Akṣarātīta recognition.
7. Samaya: The Moment That Does Not Return
In Kirtan and Prakāsh texts, Samaya appears repeatedly.
It is not ordinary time, but a decisive moment of awakening.
"Why regret later,
when Samaya has already passed?"
(Granth Kirtan, Chapter 77, Verse 11)
"Whatever moment arises,
take the benefit by recognizing the Beloved.
This Samaya will not return."
(Granth Kirtan, Chapter 89, Verse 10)
This is not about time passing, but about a moment of decision.
8. Mahākāla: Beyond Kāla
In devotion, Mahākāla is the one who devours even Kāla—the ultimate protector.
In Tārātam language, this is Akṣarātīta Dhani, beyond time, Kāla, and Māyā.
9. Integrated Summary
- Time (Samay) = that which passes
- Kāla = that which makes passing possible
- Kālamāyā = that which entraps the being
- Samaya = the decisive opportunity
- Mahākāla / Akṣarātīta = that which is beyond all of these
"Such a Samaya does not come again."
(Granth Prakāsh, Chapter 20, Verse 113)
Therefore, the message of Tārātam is clear:
Do not count time.
Do not fear Kāla.
Recognize Kālamāyā.
Awaken in Samaya.
Abide in Mahākāla / Akṣarātīta.
This is the essential Tārātam understanding of time and Kāla.
Life Practices Based on Samay–Samaya–Kāla–Mahākāla
These are not rituals but a way of living—simple, daily, and awakening-oriented.
1.
Time (What Passes): Practice of Awareness
Ask yourself 2–3 times a day:
"Am I flowing with time, or witnessing it consciously?"
2.
Kāla (What Governs): Fear-Release Practice
During change or loss, remind yourself:
"This is the movement of Kāla, not my true nature."
3.
Renouncing the Discipline of Kāla: Desire Check
Ask at day's end:
"What did I do today only to prolong or accumulate?"
4.
Kālamāyā: Seeing It as a Game
In emotional reactions, inwardly say:
"This is Kālamāyā's play; I am the witness."
5.
From Sleep to Awakening
Before sleep ask:
"What did I accept today without examination?"
6.
Transcending Yogic Attachment
After any deep experience say:
"This is a state, not my true Self."
7.
Samaya: Immediate Action
When truth is seen, act immediately.
"Tomorrow" means Samaya lost.
8.
Mahākāla: Practice of Abidance
Once daily affirm quietly:
"That which changes is not who I am."
Daily Integrated Formula
- Morning: Observe time
- Afternoon: Do not fear Kāla
- Evening: Recognize Kālamāyā
- Night: Review Samaya
- Within: Abide in Mahākāla
Final Life Principle (Tārātam Essence)
Do not count time.
Understand Kāla.
Awaken from Kālamāyā.
Do not lose Samaya.
Abide in Mahākāla / Akṣarātīta.
Comments
Post a Comment