Sacred Cycles and Temporal Realities: Exploring the Ontology of Time in Viṣṇupurāṇa and Vetālā Paccīsī
摘要
In the context of Indian mythology and folklore, the nation’s imagination and identity have been shaped by mythological narratives that transcend historical facts. These mythologies do not merely coexist with history; they redefine it, creating a cyclical temporal motion where history and mythology intermingle, reflecting their sacred and secular interplay. Indian cyclical time, represented by recurring cosmic phenomena and divine cycles, contrasts with the linear experience of human existence delineated by Heidegger. Humans, who live in linear time from birth to death, often fail to recognise or remember the cyclical nature of existence. This essay addresses this tension by interpreting Vetalā Paccīsī (VP) as a narrative that harmonises the cyclical temporality of the Vetālā with the linear progression of Paccīsī. This cyclical engagement serves as both a narrative device and a means of exploring ethical, philosophical, and political issues. This underscores the tension between cyclical and linear time, illustrating how sacred and secular dimensions of time coexist and influence human understanding.