630:3 Counting according to this mode of enumeration, a Parárddha is represented by 100.000.000.000.000.000. The Váyu Puráńa has a term for each of these decimal values. Daśa, 10; Śatam, 100; Sahasram, 1000; Ayutam, 10.000; Niyutam, 100.000; Prayutam, 1.000.000; Arvudam, 10.000.000; Nyurvudam, p. 631 100.000.000; Vrindam, 1.000.000.000; Param, 10.000.000.000; Kharvam, 100.000.000.000; Nikharvam, 1000.000.000.000; Śankham, 10.000.000.000.000; Padmam, 100.000.000.000.000; Samudram, 1.000.000.000.000; Madhyamam, 10.000.000.000.000.000; Parárddham, 100.000.000.000.000.000. In the first book the Parárddham, as the half of Brahmá's life, is but 155.520.000.000.000, fifteen instead of eighteen places of figures.

631:4 The description of the Clepsydra is very brief, and wanting in precision. One of the commentaries is more explicit: 'A vessel made of twelve Palas and a half of copper, and holding a Prastha, Mágadha measure, of water, broad at top, and having at bottom a tube of gold of four Máshas weight, four fingers long, is placed in water, and the time in which the vessel is filled by the hole in the bottom is called a Nád́ika:' The term Śaláká generally means a needle or stake, but it must here denote a pipe. The common measure of the Nád́í is a thin shallow brass cup, with a small hole in the bottom. It is placed on the surface of water, in a large vessel, where nothing can disturb it, and where the water gradually fills the cup, and sinks it. As. Res, vol. V. p. 87.

632:5 See p. 236. n. 3.

632:6 These also have their several appellations: the commentator quotes the Vedas as the authority: Árága, Bhrája, Pat́ala, Patanga, Swamábhák, Jyotishmat, and Savibhása.

632:7 The passage may also be understood, 'Those go to Janaloka who are desirous of obtaining Brahma, or final liberation, through the ten stages of perfection--devotion, penance, truth, &c.' In the Váyu Puráńa more details are specified. Those sainted mortals who have diligently worshipped Vishńu, and are distinguished for piety, abide, at the time of dissolution, in Maharloka, with the Pitris, the Manus, p. 633 the seven Rishis, the various orders of celestial spirits, and the gods. These, when the heat of the flames that destroy the world reaches to Maharloka, repair to Janaloka in their subtile forms, destined to become reembodied, in similar capacities as their former, when the world is renewed, at the beginning of the succeeding Kalpa. This continues throughout the life of Brahmá; at the expiration of his life all are destroyed: but those who have then attained a residence in the Brahmaloka, by having identified themselves in spirit with the supreme, are finally resolved into the sole-existing Brahma.

Next: Chapter IV

Hinduism

« Previous: The Vishnu Purana: Book VI: Chapter II

Next: The Vishnu Purana: Book VI: Chapter IV »