Is there no God but Time?

Time: The Eternal Sovereign

Introduction: The Supreme Power of Time

In the realm of human understanding, few concepts are as pervasive and enigmatic as time. It governs existence, shapes destinies, and renders even the mightiest powerless before its relentless march. Ancient wisdom, modern science, and spiritual philosophies converge on one fundamental truth—time is the ultimate reality. Unlike gods fashioned by belief or matter that changes form, time alone is immutable, all-encompassing, and self-existent. This article explores the hypothesis that there is no God except time—everything arises from it and dissolves back into it, including matter and energy.

The Voice of Wisdom: Time Overcomes All

A timeless verse from Goswami Tulsidas ji encapsulates the supremacy of time:

तुलसी नर का क्या बड़ा, समय बड़ा बलवान।
भीलां लूटी गोपियाँ, वही अर्जुन वही बाण॥

Tulsi says, what's so great about man? Time is far more powerful.
The same Arjun, the same arrows, yet Bhils looted (abducted) the Gopis.

The couplet reminds us that no matter how great one's power, skill, or wisdom, all are subservient to time. Even Arjuna, the hero of the Mahabharata, who once protected the innocent with unmatched valour, could not prevent their humiliation when the tide of time turned against him (short video).

Similarly, history is replete with examples where empires crumbled, rulers fell, and once-great civilizations withered and vanished, proving that human endeavours, no matter how grand, are transient before the sovereign force of time.

The Eternal Play: Time as the Creator, Sustainer, and Destroyer

Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in his composition Akal Ustat, describes the cosmic dance of time:

ਕਾਲ ਪਾਇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਾ ਬਪੁ ਧਰਾ ॥ ਕਾਲ ਪਾਇ ਸ਼ਿਵ ਜੂ ਅਵਤਰਾ ॥
ਕਾਲ ਪਾਇ ਕਰ ਬਿਸ਼ਨ ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸਾ ॥ ਸਕਲ ਕਾਲ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਤਮਾਸਾ ॥੮੬॥

In due time, Lord Brahma took form. In due time, Lord Shiva incarnated.
In due time, Lord Vishnu manifested. All this is the play of the Eternal One.

The above verse emphasizes that even the gods of creation, preservation, and destruction—Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva—are bound by time. They manifest and dissolve according to the will of time, reinforcing the notion that time is the true deity.

Scientific Correlations: Time as the Ultimate Constant

From a scientific perspective, time is the one variable that dictates the flow of the universe. The laws of physics, particularly the second law of thermodynamics, demonstrate that entropy—the measure of disorder—always increases with time. This irreversible process suggests that time governs the transformation of energy and matter, ensuring that everything moves towards eventual dissolution.

Modern cosmology further supports this view. The Big Bang theory posits that the universe began from a singularity—an infinitely dense point where space and time themselves were born. As the universe expands, time continues its ceaseless progression, shaping the evolution of galaxies, stars, and planets. Even at the quantum level, where particles flicker in and out of existence, time remains the determining factor of their behavior.

Time in Relativity: Einstein, Hawking, and the Expanding Universe

Albert Einstein’s theories of relativity transformed our understanding of time, revealing that it is not an absolute entity but a relative and malleable dimension intertwined with space. Special Relativity established that time slows down for objects moving at speeds close to the speed of light, an effect known as time dilation. General Relativity further demonstrated that gravity can warp the fabric of space-time, altering the passage of time itself. This is evident in how clocks run slower near massive celestial bodies like black holes compared to those in weaker gravitational fields.

Stephen Hawking, in A Brief History of Time, built upon these ideas to explore the origins and fate of the universe. He theorised that time began with the Big Bang and may ultimately end in a cosmic singularity. His work highlighted the paradoxical nature of time, challenging human perception and reinforcing its enigmatic role in the cosmos. These insights underscore that time is not just an abstract concept but a dynamic force that shapes reality at every scale.

Is Time an Illusion?

Despite its undeniable influence, some physicists and philosophers argue that time itself may be an illusion. In the realm of quantum mechanics and relativity, time does not operate as a fixed, linear sequence. The 'block universe' theory suggests that past, present, and future exist simultaneously, and our perception of time’s flow is merely a construct of human consciousness. Experiments in quantum entanglement indicate that particles can interact instantaneously across vast distances, seemingly independent of time. If time is a byproduct of human perception rather than a fundamental reality, then what we experience as change may merely be a series of snapshots in an eternally existing cosmos.

Time and the Cycle of Life and Death

Every living being is bound by time. Birth, growth, decay, and death follow an unbreakable sequence dictated by time. Even memory, perception, and consciousness function within its framework. Our experiences are tethered to the past, our actions unfold in the present, and our aspirations project into the future. Time is not merely a backdrop; it is the very fabric of existence.

Spiritual traditions across the world recognize this truth. Hindu philosophy speaks of Kalachakra, the wheel of time, which cycles through ages (Yugas), shaping the destiny of worlds. Buddhism teaches that all phenomena are transient (Anicca), emphasising that clinging to permanence is an illusion. The Quran and the Bible frequently remind believers of time’s dominion over human affairs, urging wisdom in its utilization.

Is Death an Illusion?

If time itself is an illusion, then what of death? Many spiritual traditions and emerging scientific theories suggest that death may not be the ultimate end but a transition. Quantum physics, particularly the Many-Worlds Interpretation, implies that consciousness could persist across multiple realities. The conservation of energy principle states that energy cannot be created or destroyed—only transformed. If consciousness is a form of energy, then it, too, must continue in some form beyond physical demise. Furthermore, near-death experiences and accounts of individuals who recall past lives challenge the conventional notion of death as finality. Could it be that death, like time, is a perceptual construct rather than an absolute termination?

Does Anything Exist Beyond Time? What is Akal

If time governs everything, can anything exist beyond its domain? Some may argue that consciousness or the soul transcends time, but even these concepts inherently rely on a temporal framework. Without time, there can be no change, no motion, and no experience—only an unchanging void beyond human comprehension.

The notion of an eternal God distinct from time presents a paradox. If God exists, He must exist within time to act, think, or influence reality. Yet, if He is truly beyond time, then He becomes inaccessible to causality and existence as we understand it. This leads us to the conclusion that time itself is the supreme, self-sustaining force. However, Sikh philosophy seeks to transcend this determinism through the concept of Akal—the Timeless One, beyond the grasp of temporal decay. Does this Akal Purakh (Eternal Being) signify an entity greater than time, or is this simply an elevated recognition of time’s omnipresence? The question remains open, lingering at the intersection of faith and reason.

Conclusion: Time as the True Deity?

Through philosophy, scripture, and science, we arrive at a singular truth—time is the ultimate reality. It predates creation, outlasts destruction, and governs all existence. Unlike man-made deities subject to belief, time operates independent of faith. It does not seek worship, nor does it grant favours; it simply is.

To understand time is to understand the very essence of existence. It is the force that births stars and crumbles empires, the silent witness to all that was, is, and will be. In the end, everything dissolves into time, for time alone is the eternal sovereign.