Shloka 4
Kāla-vibhāga: The Divisions of Time from Atom to Brahmā, and the Lord Beyond Time
स काल: परमाणुर्वै यो भुङ्क्ते परमाणुताम् । सतोऽविशेषभुग्यस्तु स काल: परमो महान् ॥ ४ ॥
sa kālaḥ paramāṇur vai yo bhuṅkte paramāṇutām sato ’viśeṣa-bhug yas tu sa kālaḥ paramo mahān
កាលដែលគ្របដណ្តប់លើលំហរបស់អាតូមមួយៗ ត្រូវហៅថា «កាលអាតូម»។ កាលដែលពាសពេញលើសមាសភាពអាតូមទាំងមូលដែលមិនទាន់បង្ហាញ ដោយគ្មានភាពខុសគ្នា នោះហៅថា «មហាកាល» ដ៏អស្ចារ្យ។
Time and space are two correlative terms. Time is measured in terms of its covering a certain space of atoms. Standard time is calculated in terms of the movement of the sun. The time covered by the sun in passing over an atom is calculated as atomic time. The greatest time of all covers the entire existence of the nondual manifestation. All the planets rotate and cover space, and space is calculated in terms of atoms. Each planet has its particular orbit for rotating, in which it moves without deviation, and similarly the sun has its orbit. The complete calculation of the time of creation, maintenance and dissolution, measured in terms of the circulation of the total planetary systems until the end of creation, is known as the supreme kāla.
FAQs
This verse explains that time is the subtlest measurable unit associated with the paramāṇu, yet the same Time is also described as the supreme, impartial principle that acts upon all beings and all existence without discrimination.
In the context of Kapila’s cosmological analysis, Śukadeva conveys that time functions on the tiniest measurable scale (atomic time) while also operating universally as the overarching force that governs creation, change, and dissolution.
Remembering time’s impartial power helps cultivate detachment from temporary gains and losses and encourages prioritizing steady bhakti and purposeful living over procrastination and material obsession.