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RIDDLES IN HINDUISM<br />
In comput<strong>in</strong>g the periods covered by these units we cannot take Yuga as our base for computation. For the<br />
Yuga is a fixed but not uniform period. The basis of computation is the Maha Yuga which consists of a fixed<br />
period.<br />
A Maha Yuga consists of a period of four Yugas called (1) Krita, (2) Treta, (3) Dwapara and (4) Kali. Each<br />
Yuga has its period fixed. Each Yuga <strong>in</strong> addition to its period has a dawn and a twilight which have fixed<br />
duration. Actual period as well as the period of the dawn and the twilight are different for the different Yugas.<br />
Yug Period Dawn Twilight Total<br />
Krita 4000 400 400 4800<br />
Treta 3000 300 300 3600<br />
Dwapara 2000 200 200 2400<br />
Kali 1000 100 100 1200<br />
Maha Yuga 12000<br />
This computation of the Maha Yuga is <strong>in</strong> terms of div<strong>in</strong>e years i.e. 12000 div<strong>in</strong>e years or years of Brahma<br />
make up one Maha Yuga at the rate of one year of men be<strong>in</strong>g equal to one div<strong>in</strong>e day the Maha Yuga <strong>in</strong><br />
terms of human or mortal years comes to (360 12000) 43,20,000 years.<br />
Seventy-one Maha Yugas make one Kalpa. This means that a Kalpa is equal to (43,20,000 x 71)<br />
3,06,72,000.<br />
Com<strong>in</strong>g to Manwantaras one Manvantara is equal to 71 Maha Yugas plus someth<strong>in</strong>g more. The period of a<br />
manvantara is equal to that of a Kalpa i.e. 3,06,72,000 plus someth<strong>in</strong>g more. The period of a Manvantara is<br />
bigger than the period <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> a Kalpa. The conception of a Varsha is <strong>in</strong> accord with astronomy and is<br />
necessary for the purpose of calculat<strong>in</strong>g time.The conception of a Kalpa is both mythological and<br />
cosmological and is based upon the belief that the Universe undergoes the process of creation and<br />
dissolution at the hands of Brahma and the period between creation and dissolution is called Kalpa. The first<br />
book of the Vishnu Purana is occupied with this. It beg<strong>in</strong>s with the details of creation.<br />
Creation is of twofold character, (1) primary (sarga) i.e. the orig<strong>in</strong> of the universe from Prakriti or eternal<br />
crude matter; (2) Secondary (Pratisarga) i.e. the manner <strong>in</strong> which forms of th<strong>in</strong>gs are developed from<br />
elementary substances previously evol.ved, or the manner <strong>in</strong> which they reappear after their temporary<br />
destruction. Both these creations are periodical, but the term<strong>in</strong>ation of the first occurs only at the end of the<br />
life of Brahma, when not only all the Gods and all other forms are annihilated, but the elements are aga<strong>in</strong><br />
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