Homonym: Kalpa (Eon)
A "Kalpa" is a term used in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology to describe a vast period of time, often equated to a cosmic cycle. It is traditionally understood to last for 4.32 billion years, which is the duration of one complete cycle of creation and destruction of the universe. Each Kalpa is divided into smaller cycles, including Yugas, which represent different ages of the world.
In Hindu texts, a Kalpa is often associated with the day of Brahma, the creator god, and is followed by a night of equal length during which the universe is in a state of rest. This cyclical concept emphasizes the transient nature of existence and the continuous process of creation, preservation, and dissolution in the cosmos.