13 II February 2025
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 13 Issue II Feb 2025- Available at [Link]
Ancient Indian Time Counting: An Analytical
Study
Dr. Pratiksha Chaubey1, Dr. Astha Dwivedi2, Rajni Roy3
Assistant Professor, Physics, Government Post Graduate College District - Tikamgarh (M.P)
Abstract: India has had a glorious tradition of knowledge and science since ancient times. Two quantities are critical in the
study of science: (1) space and (2) time. It is impossible to study the events happening in the universe without accurate
information about space and time. According to Stephen Hawking's Big Bang theory, about 12 to 14 billion years ago, the
universe was compressed. Due to an explosion in it, every particle compressed in it started expanding, resulting in the creation of
the universe. Along with this, time has also been created because we measure changes through time. When the change started,
time also started from that time itself. The universe originated billions of years ago, but in the currently prevalent time
calculation, we are able to calculate only a few thousand years. On the other hand, the ancient Indian calculation of measuring
time has a very glorious history. In Indian astrology, the date and time of solar and lunar eclipses are told on the basis of this
time calculation. In this paper, we will analyze this ancient Indian time calculation so that we can know whether the basis of this
time calculation is scientific or imaginary.
Keywords: Ancient Indian knowledge tradition, Ancient Indian time calculation.
I. INTRODUCTION
In the ancient Indian knowledge tradition, the main basis for the calculation of time is the seven planets and their mutual motion.
These planets are the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon, Mercury, and Venus. Although according to modern science, the Moon
is considered to be a satellite of the Earth, in ancient Indian time calculation, the Moon is regarded as a planet that determines time
measurement. Along with these seven planets, there are 27 constellations in the sky: (1) Ashwini (2) Bharani (3) Krittika (4) Rohini
(5) Mrigasira (6) Ardra (7) Punarvasu (8) Pushya (9) Ashlesha (10) Magha (11) Purvaphalguni (12) Uttara Phalguni (13) Hasta (14)
Chitra (15) Swati (16) Vishakha (17) Anuradha (18) Jyestha (19) Mool (20) Purvashadha (21) Uttarashadha (22) Shravan (23)
Dhanishtha (24) Shatabhisha (25) Purva Bhadrapada (26) Uttara Bhadrapada (27) Revati. These 27 nakshatras have been divided
into four parts. In this way, there are a total of 108 feet. These 108 feet have been divided into 12 zodiac signs. Hence, the names of
the 12 zodiac signs have been kept according to the shape of 9 feet, which are as follows: (1) Aries (2) Taurus (3) Gemini (4) Cancer
(5) Leo (6) Virgo (7) Libra (8) Scorpio (9) Sagittarius (10) Capricorn (11) Aquarius (12) Pisces. Ancient Indian time calculations are
based on the constellations, zodiac signs, and the rotation of the planets.
II. OBJECTIVE
The objective of this research study is to reveal some facts from the vast repository of knowledge of the ancient Indian knowledge
tradition, which introduces us to the glorious past of our country.
III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This research study is descriptive, and secondary data has been used for its analysis. Books, research papers, and research articles
published by various publications, as well as reports from the government and its bodies, have also been used in this research study.
IV. ANCIENT INDIA'S AMAZING TIME CALCULATION
In ancient India, the sages had made calculations of planets and stars, etc. On the basis of rotation, not only did they calculate the
time, but they also found a way to reach it to the common man. As we all know, in ancient India, the teaching system was based on
Shruti, that is, the Guru used to impart education to his disciples orally from generation to generation. Based on this, a wonderful
system was made to measure time day by day and remember it every day, in which the calculation from billions of years ago to the
present time is described orally. Even today, before starting any worship in India, a Sankalp Mantra is recited. If we understand each
word in this Sankalp Mantra, then we gain knowledge of the present time to the infinite past.
©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 1631
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 13 Issue II Feb 2025- Available at [Link]
These mantras are as follows: Om Asya Shri Vishnoragya Pravartamanasya Brahmanam, Dwitiye Parardhe, Shvetvarah Kalpe
Vaivaswatmanvantare Ashtavimshattime Kaliyuge, Kaliyuge Pratham Charane, Kalisavante. Jambudweepe, Brahmavarta Deshe,
Bharatkhande, Amuk sthane, Amuk samvatsare, Amuk ayane, Amuk ritau, Amuk mase, Amuk pakshe, Amuk tithau, Amuk vasare,
Amuk samaya, Amuk vyakti,… by saying his name, his father's name, the name of Gotra, and for what purpose he is doing which
work. Now let us explain each verse of this mantra Om Asya Shri Vishnoragya Pravartamanasya Brahmanam, Dwitiye Parardhe.
That is - in the infinite time cycle started by Mahavishnu, the second half of the age of the present Brahma - 50 years of the age of
the present Brahma have been completed (the age of Brahma is 100 Brahma years). Shwetvarah Kalpe - One day of Brahma is
called a Kalpa. And the first Kalpa of the 51st year of Brahma is called Shwetvarah. Kalpa is also explained in terms of rotation of
planets. According to Vedic sages, the present universe is of the Panch Mandala order: Chandra Mandala, Prithvi Mandala, Surya
Mandala, Parameshthi Mandala, and Swayambhu Mandala. These Mandalas are revolving around the Uttarottar Mandala; that is,
Chandra Mandala is revolving around Prithvi Mandala, Prithvi Mandala is revolving around Surya Mandala, Surya Mandala is
revolving around Parameshthi Mandala (i.e., Milky Way), and Parameshthi Mandala is revolving around Swayambhu Mandala; i.e.,
the Milky Way is revolving around the Milky Way above it. The time taken for one such rotation is called a Kalpa. Its age is 4
billion 32 crore years
Vaivasvat Manvantara-There are 14 Manvantaras in a Kalpa. Out of them, the seventh Manvantara, Vaivasvat Manvantara, is
currently ongoing. When the center of the Parameshthi Mandal (Akash Ganga) of the solar system completes one revolution, it is
called the Manvantara period. There are 306,720,000 years in one Manvantara, that is, thirty crore sixty-six lakh twenty thousand
years. Ashtavimshattime Kaliyuge - There are 71 Chaturyugis in one Manvantara, and in each Chaturyugi, there are four yugas: (1)
Satyug, (2) Treta Yuga, (3) Dwapar Yuga, and (4) Kaliyuga. Out of these four yugas, the Kaliyuga of the 28th Chaturyugi is
currently ongoing. Now we will analyze whether the concept of Chaturyugi is scientific or imaginary. According to Indian
Astrology, Chaturyugi is based on the movement of seven planets. When all seven planets come into the same zodiac sign, this event
is called Yutikaal, and the time taken in one Yutikaal is 432,000 years. That is, after 432,000 years, all seven planets come into the
same zodiac sign, and this time period is called Yutikaal. The time span of these four yugas is calculated on the basis of Yutikaal.
The time span of Kaliyuga is one Yutikaal (432,000 years), Dwaparayuga is two Yutikaals (864,000 years), Treta Yuga has three
Yutikaals (conjunctions) totaling 1,296,000 years, and Satya Yuga has four Yutikaals totaling 1,728,000 years. Hence, the time span
of one Chaturyugi is 10 Yutikaals, i.e., 4,320,000 years.
Kaliyuge pratham charane – It means presently the first phase of Kaliyuga of the 28th Chaturyugi is ongoing. Kalisavante Currently,
Kalisavant 5126 is running, which means the present Kaliyuga started 5,126 years ago. Jambu Dweep, Brahmavarta Desh, Bharat
Khande - this indicates the location of India. Information regarding the status of the resolver is given, including details regarding the
position at a particular place.
Amuk samvatsare - Currently, Vikram Samvatsara 2081 is ongoing.
Amuka Ayane - In Vedic time calculation, one year is divided into two Ayanas; its determination is also based on the movement of
the Earth and the Sun. The Earth is inclined 23.5 degrees to the north-west on its orbit. Hence, the sun's rays fall perpendicularly at
23.5 degrees north and south of the equator. The perpendicular falling of the sun's rays is called Sankranti. The sun's rays fall
perpendicularly every month of the year. 23.5 degrees north is called the Tropic of Cancer, and south is called the Tropic of
Capricorn. The equator is called 0 degrees. When the Sun enters the Cancer zodiac, it is called Dakshinayan, and after six months,
when it enters Capricorn, it is called Uttarayan. When the sun travels from Capricorn to Gemini, it is called Uttarayan, and when it
travels from Cancer to Sagittarius, it is called Dakshinayan. By establishing Makar Sankranti as a festival, this calculation reminds
us that now the Sun has entered Capricorn, meaning that Uttarayan has started.
Amuka Ritu - 12 months of a year are divided into 6 Ritu. These Ritus are - Spring, Summer, Rain, Autumn, Winter.
Amuk mase - As mentioned earlier, 27 constellations located in the sky have been considered for time calculation. These
constellations are - (1) Ashwini (2) Bharani (3) Kritika (4) Rohini (5) Mrigashira (6) Arda (7) Punarvasu (8) Pushya (9) Ashlesha
(10) Magha (11) Purvaphalguni (12) Uttara Phalguna (13) Hasta (14) Chitra (15) Swati (16) Vishakha (17) Anuradha (18) Jyestha
(19) Mool (20) Purvashadha (21) Uttarashadha (22) Shravan (23) Dhanishtha (24) Shatabhisha (25) Bhadrapada (26) Uttar
Bhadrapada (27) Revati.
The months are named after the constellation that is visible from evening till morning throughout the month and in which the moon
attains completeness. For example, when Chitra nakshatra is visible from evening to morning for the whole month and the moon
attains fullness in this nakshatra, then this month is called Chaitra month. After this, the month of Vishakha nakshatra is Vaishakh,
the month of Jyeshtha nakshatra is Jyeshtha, the month of Purvashadha nakshatra is Ashadha, the month of Shravan nakshatra is
Shravan, the month of Poorva Bhadrapad nakshatra is Bhadrapad (Bhadon), the month of Ashwini nakshatra is Ashwin, the month
©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 1632
International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 13 Issue II Feb 2025- Available at [Link]
of Krittika nakshatra is Kartik, the month of Mrigasira nakshatra is Margashirsha (Agahan), the month of Pushya nakshatra is Paush,
the month of Magha nakshatra is Magh, and the month of Uttara Phalgun nakshatra is Phalgun. Thus, according to Vedic time
calculation, there are 12 months in a year. The months of Chaitra (2), Vaisakha (3), Jyestha (4), Ashadha (5), Shravan (6), Bhadrapad
(7), Ashwin (8), Kartika (9), Margasirsa (10), Paush (11), Magha, and (12) Phalguna are: Amuk Pakshe, Amuk tithi. According to
Indian astronomy, the period of one month is divided into two pakshas, (1) Shukl paksha and (2) Krishna Paksha. In the Indian
calendar, the days in a month are called Tithi, just as in the modern calendar, some months have 30 days, some have 31 days, and
some have 28 or 29 days. These days are counted from 1st to 31st; similarly, in the ancient Indian calendar, there are Tithi from
Amavasya to Poornima, and then from Poornima to Amavasya, there are Pratipada, Dwitiya, to Chaturdashi. The calculation of
these Tithi is not based on counting one, two, three…but depends on the angular difference between the Sun and the Moon. The
movement of 12 degrees of the Moon in its orbit around the Earth is called a Tithi. On Amavasya (new moon day), the Moon
remains between the Earth and the Sun; this is called 0 degrees. Moving 12 degrees from here is Pratipada, from 12 to 24 degrees is
Dwitiya, from 24 to 36 degrees is Tritiya, from 36 to 48 degrees is Chaturthi… In this way, when the Moon comes at a distance of
180 degrees from the Sun, it is called Poornima. Thus, the period from Ekam (Pratipada) to Poornima is called Shukla Paksha, and
the period from Pratipada to Amavasya is called Krishna Paksha.
Amuka Vasare - (Name of the day). It contains the name of the day. In ancient time calculations, the names of the days are also
based on the movement of planets. In the Vedic method of time calculation, seven planets are important. The order of the planets has
been determined on the basis of their progressive distance from the Earth, viz. Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sun, Venus, Mercury, and
Moon. Among these, the Moon is the closest to the Earth and Saturn is the farthest. Each planet rules over one hour (Hora) in the 24
hours of the day (which are called Hora in Indian time calculation). Hence, the order of all the seven planets ruling over one hour
continues in sequence, and after the completion of 24 hours (Hora), the day is named after the planet that rules the first hour of the
next day. Creation has started from the Sun; hence, considering Sunday as the first day, the remaining days have been named in the
order mentioned below:
-
Sun Venus Mercury Moon Saturn Jupiter Mars
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 (Monday) 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 (Tuesday)
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25(Wednesday) 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 2
(Thursday)
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 1,8 19 20 21 22 23
24 25(Friday) 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25(Saturday)
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International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 13 Issue II Feb 2025- Available at [Link]
Amuk samaye - This describes the situation that is occurring at the time of making a resolution. There are 24 Horas from sunrise to
sunset, in which the seven planets are the rulers of each Hora in sequence. As per the situation on 20th August 2024, the Hora table
according to modern times is as follows:
Planet Time starts Time ends
Mars 05:53 AM 06:58 AM
Sun 06:58 AM 08:03 AM
Venus 08:03 AM 09:08 AM
Mercury 09:08 AM 10:13 AM
Moon 10:13 AM 11:18 AM
Saturn 11:18 AM 12:24 PM
Jupiter 12:24 PM 01:29 PM
Mars 01:29 PM 02:34 PM
Sun 02:34 PM 03:39 PM
Venus 03:39 PM 04:44 PM
Mercury 04:44 PM 05:49 PM
Moon 05:49 PM 06:55 PM
Saturn 06:55 PM 07:49 PM
Jupiter 07:49 PM 08:44 PM
Mars 08:44 PM 09:39 PM
Sun 09:39 PM 10:34 PM
Venus 10:34 PM 11:29 PM
Mercury 11:29 PM Next day
00:24 AM
Moon Next day Next day
00:24 AM 01:19 AM
Saturn Next day Next day
01:19 AM 02:14 AM
Jupiter Next day Next day
02:14 AM 03:09 AM
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International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 13 Issue II Feb 2025- Available at [Link]
Mars Next day Next day
03:09 AM 04:03 AM
Sun Next day Next day
04:03 AM 04:58 AM
Venus Next day Next day
04:58 AM 05:53 AM
V. CONCLUSION
By interpreting just one Sankalp Mantra from ancient Indian knowledge, it has been observed that this mantra, which is recited in
daily religious activities, has been used in many forms from the present time to the past. It presents accurate information about the
past, and the important thing is that the basis of this information about time is not mere imagination but the rotation of the planets,
the Sun, the Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, constellations, galaxies, etc. in the universe. There is a lot of such
knowledge in the infinite storehouse of ancient Indian knowledge, the basis of which is completely scientific. We just need to
strengthen our faith in our ancient knowledge tradition.
.
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