What is time? An illusion synonymous with life. Time for you will stop with your last breath. Time could be the number of breaths in between life and death, rising and falling like waves again and again in the universe. Every culture across the world has tried to solve the riddle of time. People have tried every way, and it could be explained both mathematically and mystically.
The concepts of yugas in Hinduism and evolutionary epochs are both attempts to explain human development across vast realms of time. Yugas provide symbolic, cyclical time, while scientific evolution provides linear, biological time. Yugas teach about dharma and its change, as light and shadow. The yugas talk about the change in the inner world, the spiritual decay and renewal, not just biological survival.
At first glance, both could be different. One is based on research, observations, and evidence, while the other is based on wisdom, archetypes, and metaphysical laws. But beneath them lies human curiosity, the yearning to understand ourselves. In this article, we will explore these valuable works of intelligent beings. They developed these two frameworks of time. The aim is not to prove one superficial over the other but to appreciate the human love towards the universe and the love of humans for truth.
Firstly, we will understand the symbolic structure and the meaning of yugas—spiritual, psychological, and cosmic meaning. Then, we will move through the scientific studies of human evolution, from the evolution of life from single-celled organisms to Homo sapiens. One teaches us about consciousness and self, while the other discusses matter and species.
The crux of the article doesn't lie in choosing sides but in studying and understanding the paradox and decoding the symbolism. Can time be both scientific and sacred?
The Yugas in Hinduism
The yugas represent the wheel of time, the divine rhythm. They show the succession and decline of dharma and its moral, spiritual, and cosmic order.
The cycle of chaturyuga consists of four yugas.
- Satya Yuga: Satya Yuga is the age of truth. It is also known as the golden age. It symbolises wholeness and balance. Humanity lives in balance with nature and the divine. Lifespans are long, and suffering is minimal.
- Treta Yuga: This is also known as the silver age. In this yuga, rituals and sacrifices emerge as the purity of Satya Yuga fades. The ego begins to rise. Great Avatars like Rama are said to incarnate in this age to restore dharma.
- Dwapar Yuga: Also known as the bronze Yuga. Conflicts increase, and the mind fills with more dualistic thoughts. Great epics like the Mahabharata unfold in this age, filled with struggle, dilemmas, and war. Krishna guides humanity in this phase.
- Kali Yuga: The age of darkness is Kali Yuga. It is an age of ignorance, greed, violence, and spiritual forgetfulness. In this yuga, the ego dominates, and superior knowledge seems distant. But this age holds the greatest opportunity to be righteous and to do the inner work.
The symbolic significance of Yugas
Each Yuga signifies a transformation in consciousness, illustrating the collective stages of humanity's development.
Satya Yuga embodies a state of unity, serving as the model of spiritual potential and divine harmony. Treta Yuga marks the emergence of the ego and an increase in rituals aimed at connecting with the divine. Dwapara Yuga symbolises the conflict between light and darkness, representing the struggles within the human heart. Kali Yuga reflects a complete entrenchment in materialism, as well as violence and division. Nevertheless, even during Kali Yuga, an individual seeking light and following a path of renewal can establish the essence of Satya Yuga within themselves.
Chronology of Evolution
The scientific chronology of evolution revolves around biological transformations influenced by mutation, selection, environmental factors, and adaptation.
Approximately 4.5 billion years ago, the Earth was formed, with the earliest signs of life appearing around 3.8 billion years ago. Moving through this timeline, we observe the emergence of multicellular organisms from unicellular ones, leading to the rich diversity of human existence. Progressing further, we encounter the age of dinosaurs and their eventual extinction. Around 300,000 years ago, Homo sapiens, or modern humans, came into being.
Upon closely observing these time frames, they might seem completely distinct. However, underneath their differences lies a shared desire—a language of love, a pursuit of truth, and a deeper potential of humanity.
The scientific timeline explains the history of the world, while the concept of yugas provides insight into our current experiences. It's important to recognise that these two perspectives communicate in distinct terms rather than conveying opposing truths. Both illustrate the pattern of rising and falling. They highlight the possibilities of both development and disappearance. Awareness progresses through recurring stages.
A significant connection between Yugas and scientific progress is found in the concept of evolving consciousness. While the scientific perspective centres on biological survival, Carl Jung emphasised the increasing self-awareness of consciousness. The Yugas reflect this evolution. During the Satya Yuga, consciousness is completely awake. As time progresses through the Yugas, consciousness becomes more fragmented and ego-driven. In Kaliyuga, humanity falls into a slumber, losing sight of its true essence. This state of sleep serves as a call to awaken once again.
Mythology should not be regarded as falsehood; rather, it serves as a form of poetic expression rich in metaphor. It has been aptly remarked that mythology embodies a profound truth—one that is termed penultimate, as the ultimate truth is beyond the ability to articulate. It transcends language and imagery, reaching beyond the confines of the Buddhist concept of the Wheel of Becoming.
Mythology elevates the mind over that boundary, touching on truths that can be perceived but not expressed." — Joseph Campbell
In every domain, time remains an enigma. It encompasses narratives, myths, measurements, civilisations, ideas, and life itself. The symbolic interpretations of Yugas and the scientific timeline both converge towards fundamental truths, extending to the very essence of existence and awakening.
At their core, both seek to address the same essential inquiry: What does it mean to experience being human in the present moment?