Greatness of Kala

The sages said

Everything arises in Kala and time destroys everything. Nothing exists apart from time. The universe and the wheel of samsara are all in his mouth. Creation and destruction are whirled around like a wheel. Brahma, Hari, Rudra, gods and asuras are ruled by his acts and cannot cross his powers. He divides himself into past, present and future and brings old age on beings. He is the great lord of all and very terrible. Who is Bhagavan Kala, and whom does he serve? Wise one, who is not under his rule? Tell us.

Vayu answered

Kala is spoken of as kala, kashtha, nimesha and so on, with divisions and sub-divisions. These are forms of Maheshvara's supreme energy, and nothing moving or still can cross it. It is Isha's strength as the controller, and it governs the universe. The great-souled one's divisions come forth as Kala, who rolls forward like an iron wheel spitting fire. So the universe is under Kala. Kala is not under the universe, and Kala is under Shiva, not Shiva under Kala. Sharva's irresistible energy rests in Kala, and that is why the limits of Kala are wide and cannot be crossed. Without special wisdom, who can go beyond Kala? No one can cross what Kala has done. Some conquer the whole earth, bring it under one umbrella and rule it. Like a shore that cannot hold back the sea, they cannot stop Kala. Those who restrain all their senses conquer the whole world, yet even they cannot defeat Kala. Kala conquers them. Physicians skilled in ayurveda take their own medicines, yet cannot push death back. Kala is hard to cross. A living being may have wealth, beauty, good conduct, strength, noble birth and everything one can think of, but the strength of Kala undoes it all. Through the pleasant and unpleasant, through unthinkable comings and goings, Ishvara joins beings and parts them. When one person is miserable another is happy. Kala's nature is wonderful and beyond understanding. A young man grows old. A strong man grows weak. A rich man loses his wealth. Brahmanas, the course of Kala is wonderful. Noble birth, good conduct, strength and skill are not enough. Kala holds everyone in check.

Some are donors with protectors, entertained with song and music. Others have no protector and live on food given by others. Kala treats them the same. Medicines and herbs, properly applied, have no effect on Kala, though at other times they work quickly and bring happiness. No one dies at the wrong time. No one is born at the wrong time or flourishes at the wrong time. No one is happy or unhappy at the wrong time. Nothing happens when the time is wrong. At the right time a cold wind blows, rain falls, and heat subsides. Everything succeeds at its time. Kala is the cause behind anything occurring. At the right time crops grow, and at the right time they wither. Kala puts life into the world of the living. A person who knows the truth about Kala can cross Kala and see what lies beyond it. Kala can put no bondage or liberation on Shiva. He is not Purusha, Prakriti or the universe. His form is wonderful. I bow to the supreme Parameshvara.