The Teachings of Yajnavalkya/Concept of Time

Yajnavalkya was a Vedic sage who lived in the 8th century BCE. He is known for his philosophical teachings, which are recorded in the Upanishads, a collection of ancient Indian texts.

Symbolic drawing of the image of Yajnavalkya by Santosh Chaudhary

Yajnavalkya's concept of time is complex and multifaceted. He describes time as both physical and metaphysical. On the physical level, time is the sequence of events that unfolds in the universe. It is the measure of change and movement. On the metaphysical level, time is the underlying reality that gives order to the universe. It is the fabric of the cosmos.

Yajnavalkya's concept of time is also related to his concept of space. He sees space and time as two aspects of the same reality. Space is the container of time, and time is the movement of space.

Yajnavalkya's concept of time is still relevant today. It can be seen as a precursor to modern scientific theories of space and time.

Here is a quote from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad that describes Yajnavalkya's concept of time:

"Time is the womb of all that is born. It is the father of all that is created. It is the sustainer of all that exists. It is the destroyer of all that ceases to be."

Here are some other key points about Yajnavalkya's concept of time:

  • Time is cyclical, not linear. It is constantly repeating itself, but each cycle is unique.
  • Time is illusory. It is not a real thing, but rather a perception of the mind.
  • Time is relative. It passes at different speeds for different people and in different situations.
  • Time is a gift. It is something to be cherished and used wisely.

Yajnavalkya's concept of time is a challenging one, but it is also a profound one. It offers a new way of thinking about time and our place in the universe.

See Also edit

Yajnavalkya's Concept of Space