Bhagavad Gita 8.17 — The Day and Night of Brahma Last a Thousand Ages Each
सहस्रयुगपर्यन्तमहर्यद्ब्रह्मणो विदुः ।
रात्रिं युगसहस्रान्तां तेऽहोरात्रविदो जनाः ॥ ८.१७ ॥
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Those who understand day and night know that the day of Brahma lasts a thousand yugas (ages), and that his night also ends after a thousand yugas.
Transliteration (IAST)
Word Separation
The Sanskrit verse is separated into individual words (Padched) for easier study.
Word Meanings
| Line 1 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sahasra-yuga-paryantam | lasting a thousand yugas, a thousand ages |
| ahaḥ | day |
| yat | which |
| brahmaṇaḥ | of Brahma |
| viduḥ | they know |
| Line 2 | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| rātrim | night |
| yuga-sahasra-antām | ending after a thousand yugas |
| te | they |
| ahaḥ-rātra-vidaḥ | knowers of day and night, those who understand the cosmic cycles |
| janāḥ | people |
| Line 1 | Line 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanskrit Word | Meaning | Sanskrit Word | Meaning |
| sahasra-yuga-paryantam | lasting a thousand yugas, a thousand ages | rātrim | night |
| ahaḥ | day | yuga-sahasra-antām | ending after a thousand yugas |
| yat | which | te | they |
| brahmaṇaḥ | of Brahma | ahaḥ-rātra-vidaḥ | knowers of day and night, those who understand the cosmic cycles |
| viduḥ | they know | janāḥ | people |
Detailed Meaning
Introduction
To illustrate the cosmic scale of time in which worlds arise and dissolve, Lord Krishna describes the day and night of Brahmā. Those who understand this know that Brahmā's day lasts a thousand yuga-cycles, and his night lasts as long.
Essence
The Vast Rhythm of Cosmic Time
Having said that even the highest worlds are subject to return, Lord Krishna now gives a picture of the enormous time-scale in which creation operates. This helps put human concerns, and even the lives of celestial beings, in perspective.
Sahasra-yuga-paryantam (extending to a thousand yugas): A yuga is a cosmic age, and the traditional scheme speaks of four ages that together make a great cycle. Brahmā's day is said to last a thousand such cycles, which, in the traditional reckoning, amounts to billions of years in human terms.
Ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ (that which is known as the day of Brahmā): During Brahmā's day, the universe is manifest, creatures are born and live, and all activity takes place.
Rātriṁ yuga-sahasrāntām (and the night, ending after a thousand yugas): Brahmā's night is of equal length. During this time, the universe is withdrawn into an unmanifest state, a cosmic rest.
Te 'ho-rātra-vido janāḥ (they are the ones who truly know day and night): Lord Krishna says that those who understand this cosmic rhythm are the true knowers of day and night. This understanding has a sobering and liberating effect. It makes one realise how small the span of an ordinary life is, and how temporary even the grandest cosmic arrangements are.
The function of this teaching: The description is not given for the sake of calculation. Its purpose is to loosen our attachment to worlds and achievements that seem permanent. If even the lifespan of the creator is finite, how much more so are our personal ambitions and worries?
Humility and perspective: Reflecting on the vastness of time brings humility, as it reduces the false sense of our own importance, and it brings relief, as it reduces the weight of our troubles. Both are healthy effects.
Message for Everyday Life (Gaining Perspective)
Zoom out when overwhelmed: When a problem feels huge, it can help to ask how significant it will seem in five years, or in the vast span of time.
Practical approach: Take a few minutes on a clear night to look up at the stars and reflect on the immense scales of time and space. Let this reflection soften your worries and sharpen your sense of what truly matters. It often helps to restore balance and calm.
The Vast Rhythm of Cosmic Time
Having said that even the highest worlds are subject to return, Lord Krishna now gives a picture of the enormous time-scale in which creation operates. This helps put human concerns, and even the lives of celestial beings, in perspective.
Sahasra-yuga-paryantam (extending to a thousand yugas): A yuga is a cosmic age, and the traditional scheme speaks of four ages that together make a great cycle. Brahmā's day is said to last a thousand such cycles, which, in the traditional reckoning, amounts to billions of years in human terms.
Ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ (that which is known as the day of Brahmā): During Brahmā's day, the universe is manifest, creatures are born and live, and all activity takes place.
Rātriṁ yuga-sahasrāntām (and the night, ending after a thousand yugas): Brahmā's night is of equal length. During this time, the universe is withdrawn into an unmanifest state, a cosmic rest.
Te 'ho-rātra-vido janāḥ (they are the ones who truly know day and night): Lord Krishna says that those who understand this cosmic rhythm are the true knowers of day and night. This understanding has a sobering and liberating effect. It makes one realise how small the span of an ordinary life is, and how temporary even the grandest cosmic arrangements are.
The function of this teaching: The description is not given for the sake of calculation. Its purpose is to loosen our attachment to worlds and achievements that seem permanent. If even the lifespan of the creator is finite, how much more so are our personal ambitions and worries?
Humility and perspective: Reflecting on the vastness of time brings humility, as it reduces the false sense of our own importance, and it brings relief, as it reduces the weight of our troubles. Both are healthy effects.
Message for Everyday Life (Gaining Perspective)
Zoom out when overwhelmed: When a problem feels huge, it can help to ask how significant it will seem in five years, or in the vast span of time.
Practical approach: Take a few minutes on a clear night to look up at the stars and reflect on the immense scales of time and space. Let this reflection soften your worries and sharpen your sense of what truly matters. It often helps to restore balance and calm.
Next Topic
Lord Krishna has described the day and night of Brahmā. He now explains what happens to creation as these cosmic day and night begin, with beings arising from the unmanifest and dissolving back into it, in the next verse.
Hidden Messages In This Shloka
Reflect on this verse from different perspectives and see which deeper message opens up for you.
Wisdom Nuggets
Against a thousand ages, a lifetime is a breath.
Even creation rests.
Zoom out, and worries shrink.
Vast time makes small pride.
Day follows night, in cosmic as in daily life.
Time itself bows to the Supreme.
To know time is to be less ruled by it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 'yuga' (age) in this verse?
Who is 'brahmaṇaḥ' (of Brahma)?
What does 'ahaḥ-rātra-vidaḥ' (knowers of day and night) mean?
Why does Krishna describe such long cycles?
What is the practical message of this verse?
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