perception of time in Augustine, Śaṅkarācārya, and Caetano Veloso

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of three distinct approaches to time: Augustine's theological perspective, Śaṅkarācārya’s metaphysical view within the Vedānta tradition, and Caetano Veloso’s contemporary poetic expression in Oração ao Tempo. Augustine understands time as a subjective construct, shaped by both memory and expectation, with the present being the only truly real moment. For him, time emerges as a psychological and theological enigma, deeply connected to divine creation. Śaṅkarācārya, in turn, within the framework of Advaita Vedānta, sees time as māyā—an illusion that obscures the perception of Brahman, the ultimate reality. Spiritual liberation, in this context, lies in overcoming the illusion of temporality by recognizing time as a manifestation of the One, rather than a linear succession. Finally, Caetano Veloso, through his music, reinterprets time as both creator and destroyer, continuous and transient. His lyrics reflect on impermanence and the relationship between time and being. By interweaving philosophy, spirituality, and art, this work aims to highlight the complexity of time as a shared and multifaceted human experience.