Manvantara Theory- Evolution Of Solar System -- II

Manvantaras :
 

The day of Brahma (the period of order) is stated to comprise of 14 Manvantaras or phases of evolution, namely; Svayambhuva, Svarocisa, Uttama, Tamasa, Raivata, Caksusa, Vaivasvata, Savarni, Daksa-Savarni, Brahma-Savarni, Dharma-Savarni, Rudra-Savarni, Ruci-Savarni and Bhouma-Savarni.
 

The Puranas divide a man into 71 Chaturyugas or Mahayugas and a Mahayuga into 4 Yugas, namely, Sat-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga and Kali-yuga. They also say that Brahma`s day actually comprises of 1000 Mahayugas at the end of which there is pralaya or whole-sale dissolution of the planets and the Sun. Then the matter lies inert for 4320 million years and, thereafter, universe starts evolving again exactly in the same manner of earlier Kalpa (Aeon).
The present cycle of creation of universe started, according to Puranas, 1972949076 years ago or about 1973 million years before present (M.Y.B.P.) and by now, 6 Manvantaras, namely; Svayumbhuva, Svarocisa, Uttama, Tamasa, Raivata and Caksusa and 27 Chaturyugis of the seventh Manvantara have elapsed and at present we are passing through the Kali-yuga of the 28th Chaturyugi of the said Vaivasvata manvantara.
 

The word Manvantara is made of two words “Manu” and “Antara” which literally means difference between the two Manus. Manu, according to Puranas, is an element which presides over one Manvantara covering 306,720,000 years. Taking into account the periods of transition, this duration works out to about 308.6 million years. On this basis, first seven Manvantaras may be allotted the following periods of time:
1. Svayumbhuva Manvantara 1973 – 1665 M.Y.B.P.
2. Svarocisa Manvantara 1165 – 1356 M.Y.B.P.
3. Uttama Manvantara 1356 – 1047 M.Y.B.P.
4. Tamasa Manvantara 1047 – 738 M.Y.B.P.
5. Raivata Manvantara 738 – 429 M.Y.B.P.
6. Caksusa Manvantara 429 – 120 M.Y.B.P.
7. Vaivasvata Manvantara 120 – M.Y.B.P to the present day