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HINDU AND JAINA CONCEPTS OF MAHAPRALAYA VERSUS MODERN SCIENCE
Prof. G. R. Jain
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In Hindu Trinity, Brahma, Visņu, Mahesa have been allotted specific functions of Creation, Preservation and Destruction of the Universe respectively, i.e. these are the attributes of Godhood. There are fixed times for creation and destruction. few words with regard to Brahmā and His life are detailed here and in order to understand the subject, we begin with the division of Time, according to Surya Siddhanta. This universe under-goes cycles of Time, each cycle being divided into four great epochs, called Kaliyuga, Dvāpara, Tretā and Satyuga. The number of years in Kaliyuga is 4,32,000. If we represent this number by x, the number of years in Dvapara is 2x, in Treta 3x and in Satyuga 4x. The total of all these four epochs is 4x + 3x + 2x + x = 10x. The sum is called a Mahayuga and the number of years in a Mahāyuga is, therefore, 4,320,000. 71 Mahayugas make a Manvantara.1 Before and after the birth of each of the 14 Manus, the world is submerged under water for a period of years equal to 432000 × 4 i.e. 4x years. Thus the total number of times that the world is submerged under water is 15 and the corresponding total period is 4x X 15 60x years. Since one Mahayuga is equal to 10x years, 60x years are equal to 6 Mahayugas. Since there are 14 Manus in each Kalpakala and they are born at intervals of 71 Mahayugas, the total period of the epoch is equal to 71 x 14 994 Mahāyugas and 6 Mahayugas elapse during the floods which occur 15 times in one Kalpa. Thus the total period of a Kalpa is equal to 994 +6 i.e. 1000 Mahāyugas where one Mahayuga is
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The word 'Manvantara' denotes the interval of time between successive births of Manus-the Law-givers. 14 Manus are born in one
Kalkpa Kala.
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