The Eternal Element of Time

Dadashri: ‘Time’ itself does not do that; that happens based on the evidence (nimit) of Time.

Questioner: Yes, that makes sense that it happens on the basis of Time being an evidence; so Time becomes instrumental in that process, isn’t it?

Dadashri: It becomes instrumental in the process. ‘Time’, it is simply constantly making what is new into old. Causing things to arise and undergo dissolution, that is all the work of the element of Time. That which arises and undergoes dissolution is not eternal. They are temporary states (avastha) of the eternal.

Now, these six eternal [elements] that exist, they are constantly undergoing change, they are constantly revolving. So the Parmanu, Chetan, all of these are constantly revolving like this. That is natural. When they revolve around each other, temporary states arise. The temporary states that arise, all of them are destructible. So now, how can the temporary states be measured to see how long they will last? The answer is, there is the eternal element named kaal, or Time.

How does Time help? It is because of Time that we all came together, at this time. We may have decided that we will arrive at ten o’clock, but it may not be exactly at ten; there may be many different timings within that. That which we are speaking is all a forecast. Coming events cast their shadows before. So you are knowing things based on that, but who is doing all this work? It is certainly Time that is doing it; that is how the world is functioning.

This pudgal, the input and output (puran-galan), the coming together and dissolution of circumstances; how can one recognize them? The answer is, through Time. If there were no Time, then the new would never become old. The eternal element of Time does exist; it is no ordinary thing. How did the new become old? How can it be proved? Is there any scope of verification? Is it all haphazard? And subsequently, how can a person attain peace?

Externally Induced Problems Arise for the One Seeing the Temporary State

Questioner: You said everything is constantly changing, nothing is undergoing destruction.

Dadashri: To make each thing old is the function of Time. And then, all those temporary states keep undergoing dissolution on their own. The eternal element does not change whatsoever in this process. The eternal element does not become old; it is the temporary states that become old. It is the temporary states that arise, the temporary states that become old, and then, it is these temporary states that undergo dissolution, that is all.

Questioner: So then nothing new forms at all?

Dadashri: The fact is, there is nothing new being formed in this world at all!

Questioner: So when a birth takes place, does that also count as a temporary state?

Dadashri: Yes, but in that process, nothing new is being created in this world. In fact, it is people who consider it to be a birth. Those who see the temporary states have this externally-induced problem (upadhi); for Those who See the eternal element, there is no problem.

Questioner: But Time is doing that, isn’t it?

Dadashri: No one is doing it, even Time is instrumental in this process. Everyone is considered an evidentiary instrument. If anyone were to become a doer, then he would take over the world.

Questioner: So does that mean that in this case, things are happening automatically?