Shloka 26
कालनिर्णयः (युग-मन्वन्तर-कल्पप्रमाणम्) — Measures of Time and Cosmic Cycles
एवं तु ब्रह्मणो वर्षम् एवं वर्षशतं च यत् शतं हि तस्य वर्षाणां परमायुर् महात्मनः
evaṃ tu brahmaṇo varṣam evaṃ varṣaśataṃ ca yat śataṃ hi tasya varṣāṇāṃ paramāyur mahātmanaḥ
Thus is defined a single ‘year’ of Brahmā; and thus, too, is understood his century of years. A hundred such years is declared to be the supreme lifespan of that great-souled Brahmā.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Measure of Brahmā’s time (year, century, lifespan) within which cosmic cycles proceed under Viṣṇu’s sovereignty
Teaching: Cosmological
Quality: authoritative
Creation Stage: Kalpa
Concept: Brahmā’s vast lifespan is a measured framework within which the universe’s ordered cycles unfold under the supremacy of Viṣṇu.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Use contemplation of cosmic time to cultivate humility and steadiness in practice, orienting life toward the Supreme rather than transient gains.
Vishishtadvaita: Cosmic governance is not autonomous: Brahmā’s time and function proceed under the Lord’s sovereign will, supporting Viṣṇu as inner ruler and supreme cause.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
Jagat Karana: Yes
FAQs
It provides a cosmic scale for creation and dissolution, framing kalpas and manvantaras within Brahmā’s full lifespan.
He defines progressively larger units—culminating in Brahmā’s year and century—so the listener can understand how universal cycles are measured.
Even while describing Brahmā’s lifespan, the Purana presents the cosmos as functioning under Viṣṇu’s supreme governance, with Brahmā’s time being part of that higher order.