KALPA Meaning and
Definition
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Kalpa is a Sanskrit term primarily rooted in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, referring to an extensive unit of time. It represents a vast period during which the cycles of creation, sustenance, and destruction of the universe take place. In both traditions, a kalpa is an incredibly long period, subtly varying in duration depending on different interpretations.
In Hinduism, a kalpa is conceived as a day of Brahma, the supreme creator deity. One kalpa is considered to encompass the entire life span of the universe, consisting of 4.32 billion human years. It includes the unfolding of four yugas (ages), known as Satya, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali Yuga, in descending order of righteousness and moral decay. At the end of each kalpa, the universe is said to dissolve, followed by Brahma's sleep, resetting the cosmic cycle for the next kalpa.
Buddhism, on the other hand, considers a kalpa as a more ambiguous concept, acknowledging various interpretations across different branches. Generally, it is understood as a vast period covering numerous aeons during which worlds are formed, sustained, and destructed. The duration of a kalpa in Buddhism can vary significantly, with some traditions estimating it to be as long as four incalculable periods.
In conclusion, a kalpa signifies an immense unit of time within Hindu and Buddhist cosmology, representing the expansive cycles of creation and destruction of the universe.
Common Misspellings for KALPA
- lalpa
- oalpa
- ialpa
- kzlpa
- kslpa
- kwlpa
- kqlpa
- kakpa
- kal-a
- kal0a
- kalpz
- kalps
- kalpw
- kalpq
- jkalpa
- kjalpa
- mkalpa
- kmalpa
- lkalpa
- Kanpa
Etymology of KALPA
The word "Kalpa" has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient language of India. In Sanskrit, "Kalpa" (कल्प) refers to a vast unit of time, specifically denoting a cycle or aeon. It is derived from the root word "kalp", which means "to calculate" or "to consider". In Hinduism and Buddhism, a Kalpa represents a period in which the universe is created, exists, and is ultimately destroyed. The term has also been adopted in other eastern religions and philosophical systems to connote cycles, epochs, or the passage of time more generally.
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