Wiktionary
n. 1 ''(Indian mythology)'' destruction, apocalypse 2 ''(Hindu cosmology)'' a period of cosmic inactivity, lasting 4.32 billion years
Wikipedia
Pralaya ( Sanskrit), in Hindu cosmology, is an aeonic term for Dissolution, which specifies different periods of time during which non activity situation persists, as per different formats or contexts. The word Mahapralaya stands for Great Dissolution. During each pralaya, the lower ten realms ( loka) are destroyed, while the higher four realms, including Satya-loka, Tapa-loka, Jana-loka, and Mahar-loka are preserved. During each Mahapralaya, all 14 realms are destroyed.
In the Samkhya philosophy, one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy, Pralaya means "non-existence, a state of matter achieved when the three gunas (principles of matter) are in perfect balance. The word pra-laya comes from Sanskrit meaning 'dissolution' or by extension 'reabsorption, destruction, annihilation or death'.
Usage examples of "pralaya".
Hindu cycles of destruction and rebirth, and seems especially to refer to the pralaya or cosmic catastrophes which lead to the dissolution and reabsorption of our world into the Eternal.
Tantra believes that after Maha Pralaya, the great dissolution, the new creation builds itself upon the Sanskaras-impressions and moulds of the past.
The Pralaya crested another wave, angled forward, then began the long slide into the trench.
Then, as Pralaya halted her plunge, he managed to look around at the other men on deck or on the bridge.
Tantra believes that after Maha Pralaya, the great dissolution, the new creation builds itself upon the Sanskaras-impressions and moulds of the past.