Shloka 7
Kāla-vibhāga: The Divisions of Time from Atom to Brahmā, and the Lord Beyond Time
निमेषस्त्रिलवो ज्ञेय आम्नातस्ते त्रय: क्षण: । क्षणान् पञ्च विदु: काष्ठां लघु ता दश पञ्च च ॥ ७ ॥
nimeṣas tri-lavo jñeya āmnātas te trayaḥ kṣaṇaḥ kṣaṇān pañca viduḥ kāṣṭhāṁ laghu tā daśa pañca ca
তিন লবের কালকে এক নিমেষ বলা হয়; তিন নিমেষে এক ক্ষণ। পাঁচ ক্ষণে এক কাষ্ঠা, আর পনেরো কাষ্ঠায় এক লঘু হয়।
By calculation it is found that one laghu is equal to two minutes. The atomic calculation of time in terms of Vedic wisdom may be converted into present time with this understanding.
FAQs
This verse defines a sequence of subtle time units—lava, nimeṣa, kṣaṇa, kāṣṭhā, and laghu—showing that time (kāla) is measured in precise gradations even at very small scales.
In Canto 3, Śukadeva describes kāla (time) systematically—moving from minute units to vast cosmic cycles—so Parīkṣit can understand the Lord’s governance of creation through time and the urgency of spiritual realization.
By recognizing that life is measured moment by moment, one becomes more serious about using each moment for sādhana—hearing, chanting, and remembering Bhagavān—rather than wasting time in distraction.