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Pralaya

March 24, 2023

For ships of this name, see INS Pralaya.
"Proloy" redirects here. For the 2013 film, see Proloy (film).

Pralaya (Sanskrit: प्रलय, romanized: Pralaya, lit. 'Destruction') is a concept in Hindu eschatology. Generally referring to four different phenomena,[1][2][3] it is most commonly used to indicate the event of the dissolution of the entire universe that follows a kalpa (a period of 4.32 billion years) called the Brahmapralaya.[4][5]

The Matsya (fish) avatar of Vishnu saves the first Manu during a Prakritapralaya.

Pralaya also refers to Nityapralaya, the continuous destruction of all animate and inanimate beings that occurs on a daily basis, Prakritapralaya, the great flood produced by Prakriti (Nature) that ends all of creation after the completion of the Chaturyuga (four-age) cycle, and Atyantikapralaya, the dissolution of one's Atman (Self) due to its union with Brahman (Ultimate Reality).[6] A concept that has been referenced in literature since the Upanishads,[7] the concept of pralaya has been widely discussed in Hindu cosmology as well as philosophy.[8]

Description

Hindu cosmology posits an endless cycle of the periodic creation and destruction of the universe.[9][10]

Nityapralaya

Nityapralaya refers to constant dissolution, the phenomenon that describes the daily entropy of the mind and the body of all living and non-living beings.[11] Being created, all matter is subject to constant decay and destruction, and is often described to be a personal experience, leading to a temporary earthly death.[12] The Skanda Purana describes the Nityapralaya to be the various negative experiences and losses that a human being experiences, such as being robbed, having one's wife stolen, the arrival of one's enemy, the onset of fever, as well as blight, all of which culminates in death, the most painful experience. Such mental anguish is stated to be the result of one's own karma. One's karma is also stated to determine one's rebirth as various lesser beasts, the actions of the being during such births in turn determining one's karma.[13]

Brahmapralaya

The Bhagavata Purana states that one kalpa (age), which consists of a thousand revolutions of the four ages, the Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and the Kali, and the reign of fourteen Manus, is one day in the life of the creator deity, Brahma. A pralaya is described to be an equal length of time, referred to as a night in the life of the deity. This form of the dissolution is caused by the sleep of Brahma, and is hence named after him. It is also called naimittika, which means, 'occasional'. During this period, Narayana withdraws the universe within him, and also rests upon his serpent mount, Shesha.[14]

The Agni Purana describes that the resources of the earth are depleted by the end of the four-age cycle, leading to a severe drought for a century. All beings perish on earth during this period. The waters that are present in the three worlds are dried up due to their consumption by Vishnu. The seven rays of the sun become seven suns, and burn the three worlds, as well as the netherworld. The earth is described to resemble a tortoise during this event. A fire of dissolution, a manifestation of Rudra, along with the breath of Shesha, burn the netherworld. The inhabitants of the three worlds first travel to Maharloka, and then to Janaloka. Vishnu causes a century of rain upon the worlds to douse the fire. He returns to his yogic sleep for an age, and waking up in his form of Brahma, he creates the universe once more. The universe is stated to remain in a non-manifested state for two parārdhas (311.04 trillion years).[15]

The term Mahapralaya stands for "Great Dissolution", and is synonymous with the Brahmapralaya.[16][17] According to the Shiva Purana, the lower ten realms (lokas) are destroyed during this phenomenon,[18] while the higher four realms called the Satyaloka, Tapa-loka, Jana-loka, and Mahar-loka, are preserved. During each Mahapralaya, all 14 realms are destroyed.

Prakritapralaya

The Vishnu Purana describes the Prakritapralaya. After the completion of the four-age cycle, a great flood is unleashed on Bhumi, the earth, by Prakriti, the personification of nature. When Jala (water) reaches the abode of the Saptarishis, the entire world is encompassed by a single ocean. The breath of Vishnu disperses all the clouds and reabsorbs them, after which he proceeds to sleep. When Agni destroys the world and nature, elemental dissolution begins. Jala swallows the gunas of the earth, and subsequently the universe, after which its rasa is devoured by Agni. When Akasha is consumed by the flames of Agni, Vayu and sound permeate throughout, becoming one with Agni by absorbing its guna. When Vayu comes into contact with ether, it loses its elemental potency, causing ether alone to occupy the vacuum. Consciousness, combined with darkness, take over the universe, which in turn is conquered by Buddhi. At this juncture, the seven components of Prakriti recombine. The Hiranyagarbha of Brahma dissolves in the waters that surround Prakriti. Prakriti fuses with Purusha, assimilating Buddhi, becoming Brahman.[19][20][21][22]

Atyantikapralaya

This form of pralaya is referred to as absolute dissolution. The Agni Purana states that such a dissolution may be achieved with knowledge acquisition, after recognising the suffering caused by one's mind. It explains the cycles of birth and rebirth (samsara), and a temporary residence at abodes in between. It states that a person is born on earth based on their deeds in their previous life. It states that a person who had led a mostly sinful life would experience their fruits of performing good deeds at Svarga first, before assuming a new form to suffer for their sins at Naraka. A person who had led a mostly pious life would suffer the consequences of their sins first, after which they would enjoy the fruits of Svarga.[23]

Atyantika refers to the liberation of one's sense of self. Atyantikapralaya is achieved with the knowledge of God, which occurs when one loses oneself in service to the Paramatman, the Supreme Self. This involves the recognition that most of the cause and effect that occurs in the phenomenal universe is maya, an illusion, and that all that has a beginning and an end is not real. One conquers avidya (ignorance) with the realisation that there is no distinction between one's own Atman (Self) and the Paramatman. When one finally realises this truth, one's sense of self dissolves into and unites with Brahman, and one achieves mukti (liberation).[24]

Philosophy

In the Samkhya philosophy, one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy, pralaya means "non-existence", a state of matter achieved when the three gunas (principles of matter) are in perfect balance. The word pralaya comes from Sanskrit meaning "dissolution" or by extension "reabsorption, destruction, annihilation or death".

See also

References

  1. ^ Soifer, Deborah A. Myths of Narasimha and Vamana, The: Two Avatars in Cosmological Perspective. State University of New York Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-1-4384-2063-9.
  2. ^ Williams, George M. (2008-03-27). Handbook of Hindu Mythology. OUP USA. p. 236. ISBN 978-0-19-533261-2.
  3. ^ Bäumer, Bettina (1996). Kalatattvakosa. Motilal Banarsidass Publishe. p. 31. ISBN 978-81-208-1402-8.
  4. ^ Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. p. 312. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
  5. ^ Johnson, W.J. (2009). A Dictionary of Hinduism. Oxford University Press. pp. 165, 241. ISBN 978-0-19-861025-0.
  6. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2019-01-28). "Story of Pralaya". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  7. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2021-03-27). "[Chandogya Upanishad] Third Adhyaya, Eleventh Khanda (6 mantras)". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  8. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-09-09). "Pralaya, Pralayā: 25 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  9. ^ Klostermaier, Klaus K. (2007-07-05). A Survey of Hinduism: Third Edition. SUNY Press. p. 496. ISBN 978-0-7914-7082-4.
  10. ^ Walls, Jerry L. (2007-12-03). The Oxford Handbook of Eschatology. Oxford University Press. p. 389. ISBN 978-0-19-988359-2.
  11. ^ Caṭṭopādhyāẏa, Rāmapada; Chattopadhyay, Ramampada (1992). A Vaiṣṇava Interpretation of the Brahmasūtras: Vedānta and Theism. BRILL. p. 52. ISBN 978-90-04-09570-0.
  12. ^ Baartmans, Frans (1990). Āpaḥ, the Sacred Waters: An Analysis of a Primordial Symbol in Hindu Myths. B.R. Publishing Corporation. p. 30. ISBN 978-81-7018-582-6.
  13. ^ Shastri, J. L.; Bhatt, G. P. The Skanda Purana Part 7: Ancient Indian Tradition And Mythology [Volume 55]. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 317. ISBN 978-81-208-3922-9.
  14. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2022-09-03). "The Four-Fold Pralaya [Chapter 4]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  15. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2021-11-18). "Constant dissolution, occasional and total dissolution [Chapter 368]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  16. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2017-02-22). "Mahapralaya, Mahāpralaya, Maha-pralaya: 12 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  17. ^ Rajarajan, R. K. K. (2020). "Water, Source of 'Genesis' and the End Macro and Micro Viṣṇu in the Hymns of the Āḻvārs". The Medieval History Journal. 23 (2): 296–331. doi:10.1177/0971945820956583. ISSN 0971-9458. S2CID 227240912.
  18. ^ B. K. Chaturvedi (2004). Shiv Purana. Diamond Pocket Books. p. 124. ISBN 8171827217.
  19. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2014-08-30). "Nature of elemental dissolution (Prakrita-pralaya) [Chapter IV]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  20. ^ Valborg, Helen (2007). Symbols of the Eternal Doctrine: From Shamballa to Paradise. Theosophy Trust Books. p. 168. ISBN 978-0-9793205-1-4.
  21. ^ Srinivasan, Dr A. V. The Puranas: A Magnifying Glass for Vedic Wisdom. Periplus Line LLC. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-63587-202-6.
  22. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2019-01-28). "Story of Pralaya". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  23. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2021-11-18). "The description of absolute dissolution and the process of creation [Chapter 369]". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  24. ^ www.wisdomlib.org (2017-10-17). "Atyantika, Ātyantika, Atyamtika: 17 definitions". www.wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 2022-11-03.

March 24, 2023
pralaya, ships, this, name, proloy, redirects, here, 2013, film, proloy, film, sanskrit, रलय, romanized, destruction, concept, hindu, eschatology, generally, referring, four, different, phenomena, most, commonly, used, indicate, event, dissolution, entire, uni. For ships of this name see INS Pralaya Proloy redirects here For the 2013 film see Proloy film Pralaya Sanskrit प रलय romanized Pralaya lit Destruction is a concept in Hindu eschatology Generally referring to four different phenomena 1 2 3 it is most commonly used to indicate the event of the dissolution of the entire universe that follows a kalpa a period of 4 32 billion years called the Brahmapralaya 4 5 The Matsya fish avatar of Vishnu saves the first Manu during a Prakritapralaya Pralaya also refers to Nityapralaya the continuous destruction of all animate and inanimate beings that occurs on a daily basis Prakritapralaya the great flood produced by Prakriti Nature that ends all of creation after the completion of the Chaturyuga four age cycle and Atyantikapralaya the dissolution of one s Atman Self due to its union with Brahman Ultimate Reality 6 A concept that has been referenced in literature since the Upanishads 7 the concept of pralaya has been widely discussed in Hindu cosmology as well as philosophy 8 Contents 1 Description 1 1 Nityapralaya 1 2 Brahmapralaya 1 3 Prakritapralaya 1 4 Atyantikapralaya 2 Philosophy 3 See also 4 ReferencesDescription EditHindu cosmology posits an endless cycle of the periodic creation and destruction of the universe 9 10 Nityapralaya Edit Nityapralaya refers to constant dissolution the phenomenon that describes the daily entropy of the mind and the body of all living and non living beings 11 Being created all matter is subject to constant decay and destruction and is often described to be a personal experience leading to a temporary earthly death 12 The Skanda Purana describes the Nityapralaya to be the various negative experiences and losses that a human being experiences such as being robbed having one s wife stolen the arrival of one s enemy the onset of fever as well as blight all of which culminates in death the most painful experience Such mental anguish is stated to be the result of one s own karma One s karma is also stated to determine one s rebirth as various lesser beasts the actions of the being during such births in turn determining one s karma 13 Brahmapralaya Edit The Bhagavata Purana states that one kalpa age which consists of a thousand revolutions of the four ages the Satya Treta Dvapara and the Kali and the reign of fourteen Manus is one day in the life of the creator deity Brahma A pralaya is described to be an equal length of time referred to as a night in the life of the deity This form of the dissolution is caused by the sleep of Brahma and is hence named after him It is also called naimittika which means occasional During this period Narayana withdraws the universe within him and also rests upon his serpent mount Shesha 14 The Agni Purana describes that the resources of the earth are depleted by the end of the four age cycle leading to a severe drought for a century All beings perish on earth during this period The waters that are present in the three worlds are dried up due to their consumption by Vishnu The seven rays of the sun become seven suns and burn the three worlds as well as the netherworld The earth is described to resemble a tortoise during this event A fire of dissolution a manifestation of Rudra along with the breath of Shesha burn the netherworld The inhabitants of the three worlds first travel to Maharloka and then to Janaloka Vishnu causes a century of rain upon the worlds to douse the fire He returns to his yogic sleep for an age and waking up in his form of Brahma he creates the universe once more The universe is stated to remain in a non manifested state for two parardhas 311 04 trillion years 15 The term Mahapralaya stands for Great Dissolution and is synonymous with the Brahmapralaya 16 17 According to the Shiva Purana the lower ten realms lokas are destroyed during this phenomenon 18 while the higher four realms called the Satyaloka Tapa loka Jana loka and Mahar loka are preserved During each Mahapralaya all 14 realms are destroyed Prakritapralaya Edit The Vishnu Purana describes the Prakritapralaya After the completion of the four age cycle a great flood is unleashed on Bhumi the earth by Prakriti the personification of nature When Jala water reaches the abode of the Saptarishis the entire world is encompassed by a single ocean The breath of Vishnu disperses all the clouds and reabsorbs them after which he proceeds to sleep When Agni destroys the world and nature elemental dissolution begins Jala swallows the gunas of the earth and subsequently the universe after which its rasa is devoured by Agni When Akasha is consumed by the flames of Agni Vayu and sound permeate throughout becoming one with Agni by absorbing its guna When Vayu comes into contact with ether it loses its elemental potency causing ether alone to occupy the vacuum Consciousness combined with darkness take over the universe which in turn is conquered by Buddhi At this juncture the seven components of Prakriti recombine The Hiranyagarbha of Brahma dissolves in the waters that surround Prakriti Prakriti fuses with Purusha assimilating Buddhi becoming Brahman 19 20 21 22 Atyantikapralaya Edit This form of pralaya is referred to as absolute dissolution The Agni Purana states that such a dissolution may be achieved with knowledge acquisition after recognising the suffering caused by one s mind It explains the cycles of birth and rebirth samsara and a temporary residence at abodes in between It states that a person is born on earth based on their deeds in their previous life It states that a person who had led a mostly sinful life would experience their fruits of performing good deeds at Svarga first before assuming a new form to suffer for their sins at Naraka A person who had led a mostly pious life would suffer the consequences of their sins first after which they would enjoy the fruits of Svarga 23 Atyantika refers to the liberation of one s sense of self Atyantikapralaya is achieved with the knowledge of God which occurs when one loses oneself in service to the Paramatman the Supreme Self This involves the recognition that most of the cause and effect that occurs in the phenomenal universe is maya an illusion and that all that has a beginning and an end is not real One conquers avidya ignorance with the realisation that there is no distinction between one s own Atman Self and the Paramatman When one finally realises this truth one s sense of self dissolves into and unites with Brahman and one achieves mukti liberation 24 Philosophy EditIn the Samkhya philosophy one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy pralaya means non existence a state of matter achieved when the three gunas principles of matter are in perfect balance The word pralaya comes from Sanskrit meaning dissolution or by extension reabsorption destruction annihilation or death See also EditHindu units of time Kalpa day of Brahma Manvantara age of Manu Pralaya period of dissolution Yuga Cycle four yuga ages Satya Krita Treta Dvapara and Kali HiranyagarbhaReferences Edit Soifer Deborah A Myths of Narasimha and Vamana The Two Avatars in Cosmological Perspective State University of New York Press p 70 ISBN 978 1 4384 2063 9 Williams George M 2008 03 27 Handbook of Hindu Mythology OUP USA p 236 ISBN 978 0 19 533261 2 Baumer Bettina 1996 Kalatattvakosa Motilal Banarsidass Publishe p 31 ISBN 978 81 208 1402 8 Dalal Roshen 2010 Hinduism An Alphabetical Guide Penguin Books India p 312 ISBN 978 0 14 341421 6 Johnson W J 2009 A Dictionary of Hinduism Oxford University Press pp 165 241 ISBN 978 0 19 861025 0 www wisdomlib org 2019 01 28 Story of Pralaya www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 11 03 www wisdomlib org 2021 03 27 Chandogya Upanishad Third Adhyaya Eleventh Khanda 6 mantras www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 11 03 www wisdomlib org 2014 09 09 Pralaya Pralaya 25 definitions www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 11 03 Klostermaier Klaus K 2007 07 05 A Survey of Hinduism Third Edition SUNY Press p 496 ISBN 978 0 7914 7082 4 Walls Jerry L 2007 12 03 The Oxford Handbook of Eschatology Oxford University Press p 389 ISBN 978 0 19 988359 2 Caṭṭopadhyaẏa Ramapada Chattopadhyay Ramampada 1992 A Vaiṣṇava Interpretation of the Brahmasutras Vedanta and Theism BRILL p 52 ISBN 978 90 04 09570 0 Baartmans Frans 1990 Apaḥ the Sacred Waters An Analysis of a Primordial Symbol in Hindu Myths B R Publishing Corporation p 30 ISBN 978 81 7018 582 6 Shastri J L Bhatt G P The Skanda Purana Part 7 Ancient Indian Tradition And Mythology Volume 55 Motilal Banarsidass p 317 ISBN 978 81 208 3922 9 www wisdomlib org 2022 09 03 The Four Fold Pralaya Chapter 4 www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 11 03 www wisdomlib org 2021 11 18 Constant dissolution occasional and total dissolution Chapter 368 www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 11 03 www wisdomlib org 2017 02 22 Mahapralaya Mahapralaya Maha pralaya 12 definitions www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 11 03 Rajarajan R K K 2020 Water Source of Genesis and the End Macro and Micro Viṣṇu in the Hymns of the Aḻvars The Medieval History Journal 23 2 296 331 doi 10 1177 0971945820956583 ISSN 0971 9458 S2CID 227240912 B K Chaturvedi 2004 Shiv Purana Diamond Pocket Books p 124 ISBN 8171827217 www wisdomlib org 2014 08 30 Nature of elemental dissolution Prakrita pralaya Chapter IV www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 11 03 Valborg Helen 2007 Symbols of the Eternal Doctrine From Shamballa to Paradise Theosophy Trust Books p 168 ISBN 978 0 9793205 1 4 Srinivasan Dr A V The Puranas A Magnifying Glass for Vedic Wisdom Periplus Line LLC p 13 ISBN 978 1 63587 202 6 www wisdomlib org 2019 01 28 Story of Pralaya www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 11 03 www wisdomlib org 2021 11 18 The description of absolute dissolution and the process of creation Chapter 369 www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 11 03 www wisdomlib org 2017 10 17 Atyantika Atyantika Atyamtika 17 definitions www wisdomlib org Retrieved 2022 11 03 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Pralaya amp oldid 1138361153, wikipedia, 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