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'''Manvantara''' is a Sanskrit term that results from a combination of words ''manu'' and ''antara'' (manu-antara or manvantara), literally meaning the duration of a [[Manu]], or his life span. [[H. P. Blavatsky]] defines it as "a period of manifestation, as opposed to [[Pralaya]] (dissolution or rest); the term is applied to various cycles, especially to a Day of Brahma--4,320,000,000 Solar years--and to the reign of one Manu--308,448,000--".<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Theosophical Glossary (?????), ???</ref>
This concept is based on a [[Law of Cycles|cyclic model]] of the universe of alternating phases of creation and dissolution:
<blockquote>As the sun arises every morning on our objective horizon out of its (to us) subjective and antipodal space, so does the Universe emerge periodically on the plane of objectivity, issuing from that of subjectivity—the antipodes of the former. This is the "Cycle of Life." And as the sun disappears from our horizon, so does the Universe disappear at regular periods, when the "Universal night" sets in. The Hindoos call such alternations the "Days and Nights of Brahma," or the time of Manvantara and that of Pralaya (dissolution). The Westerns may call them Universal Days and Nights if they prefer.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Key to Theosophy'' (?????), ????</ref></blockquote>
There are different manvantaras according to the [[Cyclic Evolution|cycle of evolution]] in course:
<blockquote>There were several "Great Ages" mentioned by the ancients. In India it embraced the whole Maha-Manvantara, the "Age of Brahma," each "Day" of which represents the Life Cycle of a chain, i. e., it embraces a period of Seven Rounds (vide "Esoteric Buddhism," by A. P. Sinnett). Thus while a "Day" and a "Night" represent, as Manvantara and Pralaya, 8,640,000,000 years, an "age" lasts through a period of 311,040,000,000,000; after which the Pralaya or dissolution of the universe becomes universal. With the Egyptian and Greeks the "Great Age" referred only to the Tropical, or Sidereal year, the duration of which is 25,868 solar years. Of the complete age--that of the Gods--they said nothing, as it was a matter to be discussed and divulged only at the Mysteries, and during the Initiation Ceremonies. The "Great Age" of the Chaldees was the same in figures as that of the Hindus.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Theosophical Glossary (?????), ???</ref></blockquote>
== In Hinduism ==
Each Manvantara is created and ruled by a specific Manu, who in turn is created by [[Brahmâ]], the Creator himself. Manu creates the world, and all its species during that period of time, each Manvantara lasting the lifetime of a Manu, upon whose death, Brahma creates another Manu to continue the cycle of Creation.
Eventually it takes 14 Manus and their respective Manvantaras to create a Kalpa or a Day of Brahmâ (see below). Thereafter, at the end of each Kalpa, there is a period of dissolution or [[Pralaya]] wherein the world (earth and all life forms, but not the entire universe itself) is destroyed and lies in a state of rest.
== In Theosophy ==
In the Theosophical literature the different manvantaras are related to the process of [[evolution]] through [[chains and rounds]].
== Duration of the cycles ==
== Duration of the cycles ==


Some of the main cycles within a maha-kalpa described in the ''[[The Secret Doctrine (book)|The Secret Doctrine]]''<ref>(Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (?????), 69-70)</ref> are:
In general, Mme. Blavatsky used the chronology found in [[Hinduism|Hindu]] scriptures, which she claims "dovetail pretty nearly with those of the Secret works".<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 70.</ref> They are described in the ''[[The Secret Doctrine (book)|The Secret Doctrine]]'' as follows:<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 69-70.</ref>
 
''Krita Yuga'': 1,728,000 years
 
''Treta Yuga'': 1,296,000 years
 
''Dwapara Yuga'': 864,000 years
 
''Kali Yuga'': 432,000 years
 
''Maha-Yuga'' (the total of the said four Yugas): 4,320,000 years


''One Day of Brahmâ'', a Kalpa (1,000 Maha-Yugas): 4,320,000,000 years
''One Day of Brahmâ'', a Kalpa (1,000 [[Yuga|Maha-Yugas]]): 4,320,000,000 years


''One Year of Brahmâ'' (360 of such days and nights): 3,110,400,000,000 years
''One Year of Brahmâ'' (360 of such days and nights): 3,110,400,000,000 years
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''One Age of Brahmâ'', a Mahâ-Kalpa (100 such years): 311,040,000,000,000 years
''One Age of Brahmâ'', a Mahâ-Kalpa (100 such years): 311,040,000,000,000 years


These numbers are taken from the [[Hinduism|Hindu]] chronology which, according to [[H. P. Blavatsky]] "dovetail pretty nearly with those of the Secret works."<ref>(Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (?????), 70)</ref>
All the different cycles take place within the "Great Age" or universal manvantara:
 
<blockquote>There were several "Great Ages" mentioned by the ancients. In India it embraced the whole Maha-Manvantara, the "Age of Brahma," each "Day" of which represents the Life Cycle of a chain, i. e., it embraces a period of Seven Rounds (vide "Esoteric Buddhism," by A. P. Sinnett). Thus while a "Day" and a "Night" represent, as Manvantara and Pralaya, 8,640,000,000 years, an "age" lasts through a period of 311,040,000,000,000; after which the Pralaya or dissolution of the universe becomes universal. With the Egyptian and Greeks the "Great Age" referred only to the Tropical, or Sidereal year, the duration of which is 25,868 solar years. Of the complete age--that of the Gods--they said nothing, as it was a matter to be discussed and divulged only at the Mysteries, and during the Initiation Ceremonies. The "Great Age" of the Chaldees was the same in figures as that of the Hindus.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Theosophical Glossary (Los Angeles, CA: Theosophical Company, 1973), 129.</ref></blockquote>


== Notes ==
When correlated with the Theosophical cycles we have:


<references/>
<blockquote>The total period of the existence of our Planetary Chain (i.e., of the Seven Rounds) is 4,320,000,000.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XIII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1982), 301.</ref></blockquote>


==Further reading==
* Minor manvantara (of the [[Round#Fourth Round|fourth round]]) = 71 [[Yuga|Maha-yugas]]<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 307, fn.</ref> = 308,571,414 years<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. XIII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1982), 301.</ref></blockquote> = The reign of one Manu.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Theosophical Glossary (Los Angeles, CA: Theosophy Company, 1973), 206.</ref>


*[http://www.theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Manvantara# Manvantara] at Theosopedia
* Planetary manvantara = Seven Rounds = ''One Day of Brahmâ'' = [[Kalpa]] = 14 (minor) manvantaras + a Satya Yuga, = 1,000 [[Yuga|Maha-Yugas]] = 4,320,000,000 years.


[[Category:Sanskrit terms]]
The mention of 14 minor manvantaras to finish a [[Planetary Chain]] is explained by Mme. Blavatsky by pointing out that there are two "Manus" in each round: the [[Manu#Root and Seed Manus|Root Manu]] at its beginning, and the Seed Manu at its end.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''Collected Writings'' vol. IV (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991), 577.</ref>
[[Category:Theosophical concepts]]
[[Category:Hindu terms]]

Revision as of 19:25, 19 October 2012

Duration of the cycles

In general, Mme. Blavatsky used the chronology found in Hindu scriptures, which she claims "dovetail pretty nearly with those of the Secret works".[1] They are described in the The Secret Doctrine as follows:[2]

One Day of Brahmâ, a Kalpa (1,000 Maha-Yugas): 4,320,000,000 years

One Year of Brahmâ (360 of such days and nights): 3,110,400,000,000 years

One Age of Brahmâ, a Mahâ-Kalpa (100 such years): 311,040,000,000,000 years

All the different cycles take place within the "Great Age" or universal manvantara:

There were several "Great Ages" mentioned by the ancients. In India it embraced the whole Maha-Manvantara, the "Age of Brahma," each "Day" of which represents the Life Cycle of a chain, i. e., it embraces a period of Seven Rounds (vide "Esoteric Buddhism," by A. P. Sinnett). Thus while a "Day" and a "Night" represent, as Manvantara and Pralaya, 8,640,000,000 years, an "age" lasts through a period of 311,040,000,000,000; after which the Pralaya or dissolution of the universe becomes universal. With the Egyptian and Greeks the "Great Age" referred only to the Tropical, or Sidereal year, the duration of which is 25,868 solar years. Of the complete age--that of the Gods--they said nothing, as it was a matter to be discussed and divulged only at the Mysteries, and during the Initiation Ceremonies. The "Great Age" of the Chaldees was the same in figures as that of the Hindus.[3]

When correlated with the Theosophical cycles we have:

The total period of the existence of our Planetary Chain (i.e., of the Seven Rounds) is 4,320,000,000.[4]

  • Planetary manvantara = Seven Rounds = One Day of Brahmâ = Kalpa = 14 (minor) manvantaras + a Satya Yuga, = 1,000 Maha-Yugas = 4,320,000,000 years.

The mention of 14 minor manvantaras to finish a Planetary Chain is explained by Mme. Blavatsky by pointing out that there are two "Manus" in each round: the Root Manu at its beginning, and the Seed Manu at its end.[8]

  1. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Secret Doctrine vol. II, (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 70.
  2. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Secret Doctrine vol. II, (Adyar, Madras: Theosophical Publishing House, 1979), 69-70.
  3. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Theosophical Glossary (Los Angeles, CA: Theosophical Company, 1973), 129.
  4. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XIII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1982), 301.
  5. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 307, fn.
  6. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. XIII (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1982), 301.
  7. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Theosophical Glossary (Los Angeles, CA: Theosophy Company, 1973), 206.
  8. ↑ Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Collected Writings vol. IV (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1991), 577.
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