Kala is a philosophical concept with a variety of meanings. Let me highlight some of them.
The word “Kala” (and its variations like “Kāla” or “Kalā”) has rich and diverse meanings, especially in Indian languages and traditions.
From Sanskrit (काल – Kāla)
Time: This is one of the most prominent meanings. “Kāla” refers to time, often in a profound, philosophical sense, encompassing cosmic cycles, destiny, fate, and the past, present, and future.
Kala is time in Jainism, a school of thought in Indian tradition. Kala is a non-individual category. It is immaterial, without beginning, real and secondary cause of change. Jainism subscribes to two kinds of time: absolute time and relative time.
Kala means time in Buddhism. According to Sautrantika Buddhism, only present time is real. Future is imaginary because its effects are not given. Similarly, the effects of the past too are non-existent. In this sense, past is unreal. According to Sarvastivadins, a movement within Buddhism, the present, past, and futre are real. Vasubandhu, a mjor thinker belonging to Vaibhasika school of Buddhism has outlined four main conceptions regarding time.
According to Samkhya school of thought, there is no real time.
According to Nyaya-Vaisesika, time is the all-pervading, integral, substance which exists only by itself. Time appears to be many because of its association with the changes.
According to Dvaita Vedanta, time is a substance which is subject to decay, having a beginning and end.
Time in Visistadvaita is an inert susbtance. Time is devoid of the qualities like: Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. Time is divided into: present, past and future.
Death/Destroyer: Because time eventually destroys all things, “Kāla” is often personified as a deity of death.
In Hinduism, Yama (the god of death) is often referred to as Kāla.
Kala Bhairava is a fierce avatar of Shiva, also associated with time and destruction.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna reveals himself as Time personified, the great destroyer of worlds.
Black/Dark-colored: Another meaning of “Kāla” is “black” or “dark-colored.” This is where the name of the goddess Kali (Kālī is the feminine form) derives, referring to her dark complexion.
Art/Performing Art/Skill: This meaning refers to various forms of art, skills, or crafts. In Hindu scriptures, Shiva is considered the master of Kalā. The 64 Kalās (or 64 traditional arts) are well-known, including singing, dancing, painting, music, and many other refined skills.
Division of time: “Kalā” can also refer to a small division of time.
Layers/Membranes: In Ayurveda, “Kala” refers to the layers or membranes within the body that separate different tissues and organs.
The Leftover: Kala in Malayalam language means, “the leftover. ” Traditionally, the workers and the poor people in the village are allowed to collect the leftover of the harvest. Once the landlord has gone after the harvest, the others come to collect the leftover to sustain themselves. Similarly, the aim of this online weekly is to collect and share the leftover of human experiences across languages and cultures. This weekly aims to write about and think about what others fail or ignore to think and write about.
Editor,
Kala
Reference:
Rajnish Mishra. Buddhist Theory of Meaning and Literary Analysis.
KALA 