Age of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva

The Age of Lord Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva: A Cosmic Perspective

In Hindu cosmology, the scale of time stretches far beyond human comprehension, reaching into astronomical durations that signify the lifespan of divine entities. Among the principal deities of Hinduism, Lord Shiva is one whose age signifies the eternal cycles of time, destruction, and regeneration. The age of Lord Shiva is derived from the age of Brahma, the creator, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the vastness of cosmic time.

The Age of Brahma: The Foundation

The concept of time in Hindu scriptures revolves around the cyclic nature of creation, preservation, and destruction. Brahma, the creator god, plays a central role in this eternal cycle. His age serves as the foundation for calculating the ages of other deities such as Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

The lifespan of Brahma is said to be 100 Divine years, which are radically different from earthly years. To understand this, one must first break down how time functions in Brahma's realm:

• One day of Brahma is equivalent to 1,000 chaturyugas.
• One chaturyuga is a cycle composed of four yugas, which collectively span 4.32 million years on Earth.
• Therefore, one day of Brahma (including both day and night) equals 2,000 chaturyugas, or 8.64 billion Earth years.

Now, expanding this to a full year of Brahma, which includes 12 months of 30 days each, the total time becomes:

• 1 year of Brahma = 2000 chaturyugas × 30 days × 12 months = 7,20,000 chaturyugas.
• In Earth years, this equals 3 trillion 110 billion 400 million years (3,110,400,000,000).

Brahma's total lifespan of 100 Divine years is:

• 100 Divine years of Brahma = 311 trillion 40 billion Earth years (311,040,000,000,000 Earth years).

The Age of Vishnu

Following this cosmic timeline, Lord Vishnu's age is calculated as seven times the age of Brahma. As the preserver of the universe, Vishnu's role spans a much larger duration, symbolizing the sustenance and preservation of creation across multiple cycles of Brahma's lifespan.

Thus, the age of Lord Vishnu is:

• Age of Lord Vishnu = 7 × 100 Divine years of Brahma = 700 Divine years.
• In Earth terms, this is equivalent to 2 quadrillion 177 trillion 280 billion years.

The Age of Lord Shiva

Lord Shiva, known as the destroyer and transformer, transcends even Vishnu's expansive timeframe. Shiva’s age is said to be seven times that of Vishnu. 

According to the calculations:

• Age of Lord Shiva = 7 × 700 Divine years = 4,900 Divine years.
• In Earth years, this translates to 15 quadrillion 240 trillion 960 billion years.

This is expressed in the Indian numbering system as:

• 15 Padma, 24 Neel, 9 Kharab, and 60 Arab years.

The Cosmic Implication of Shiva’s Age

The vastness of Lord Shiva’s age points to a concept of time that is both cyclic and infinite. His role as the harbinger of destruction does not imply an end, but rather a reset, preparing the universe for rebirth. As such, Shiva's age signifies not just longevity but the eternal rhythm of the universe, where time moves through an endless series of creations, preservations, and destructions.

From the human perspective, the sheer enormity of Shiva’s age—15 quadrillion Earth years—demonstrates the vast, unfathomable scales on which cosmic processes operate. It serves as a reminder of the transient nature of existence and the eternal cycles that govern the cosmos.

Conclusion

The age of Lord Shiva, calculated as 49 times the age of Brahma, places him as the eternal force of destruction and renewal, the guardian of cosmic time. This grand scale of time, rooted in Hindu cosmology, offers a glimpse into the universe's boundless eternity, where deities such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva each play their integral roles in the cosmic dance of life and death.