Difference between revisions of "The Four Yugas or Epochs: The Hindu Concept of 4 Yugas"
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| − | According to Hindu scriptures, all mortal beings are destined to pass through four great epochs in every cycle of creation and destruction. This divine cycle turns full-circle at the end of what is known as kalpa. A kalpa is a yuga cycle, which is a period of 10,000 divine years, and is divided into four ages or yugas (Sanskrit yuga = age/epoch). According to one calculation, one yuga cycle is estimated to be 4,320,000 years, and one kalpa 4,320,000,000 years. | + | According to {{Wiki|Hindu scriptures}}, all {{Wiki|mortal}} [[beings]] are destined to pass through four great epochs in every cycle of creation and destruction. This [[divine]] cycle turns full-circle at the end of what is known as [[kalpa]]. A [[kalpa]] is a [[yuga]] cycle, which is a period of 10,000 [[divine]] years, and is divided into four ages or [[yugas]] ([[Sanskrit]] [[yuga]] = age/epoch). According to one calculation, one [[yuga]] cycle is estimated to be 4,320,000 years, and one [[kalpa]] 4,320,000,000 years. |
| − | About the 4 Yugas [4 Ages] | + | About the 4 [[Yugas]] [4 Ages] |
| − | The four great epochs in Hinduism are: Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga. Satya Yug or the Age of Truth is said to last for four thousand divine years, Treta Yuga for three thousand, Dwapara Yug for two thousand and Kali Yuga will last for one thousand divine Years that equals to 432,000 earthly years. | + | The four great epochs in [[Hinduism]] are: [[Satya Yuga]], [[Treta Yuga]], [[Dwapar Yuga]] and [[Kali Yuga]]. [[Satya]] Yug or the Age of [[Truth]] is said to last for four thousand [[divine]] years, [[Treta Yuga]] for three thousand, Dwapara Yug for two thousand and [[Kali Yuga]] will last for one thousand [[divine]] Years that equals to 432,000 [[earthly]] years. |
| − | It is also believed that three of these great ages have already passed away, and we are now living in the fourth one. What these ages exactly mean, and why this division, it’s hard to explain, because they appear too unrealistic to be true for the rational mind. | + | It is also believed that three of these great ages have already passed away, and we are now living in [[the fourth]] one. What these ages exactly mean, and why this [[division]], it’s hard to explain, because they appear too unrealistic to be true for the [[rational]] [[mind]]. |
| − | The Hindu View of Time | + | The [[Hindu]] View of Time |
| − | Most of us are accustomed to living life according to linear beliefs and patterns of existence. We believe everything has a beginning, middle and an end. But Hinduism has little to do with the linear nature of history, the linear concept of time or the linear pattern of life. | + | Most of us are accustomed to living [[life]] according to linear [[beliefs]] and patterns of [[existence]]. We believe everything has a beginning, middle and an end. But [[Hinduism]] has little to do with the linear [[nature]] of history, the linear [[concept of time]] or the linear pattern of [[life]]. |
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| − | The passage of ‘linear’ time has brought us where we are today. But Hinduism views the concept of time in a different way, and there is a cosmic perspective to it. Hindus believe the process of creation moves in cycles and that each cycle has four great epochs of time, namely Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga. And because the process of creation is cyclical and never ending, it “begins to end and ends to begin”. | + | The passage of ‘linear’ time has brought us where we are today. But [[Hinduism]] [[views]] the [[concept of time]] in a different way, and there is a [[cosmic]] {{Wiki|perspective}} to it. [[Hindus]] believe the process of creation moves in cycles and that each cycle has four great epochs of time, namely [[Satya Yuga]], [[Treta Yuga]], [[Dwapar Yuga]] and [[Kali Yuga]]. And because the process of creation is cyclical and never ending, it “begins to end and ends to begin”. |
| − | The four ages symbolize the four phases of involution during which man gradually lost the awareness of his inner selves and subtle bodies. Hinduism believes that human beings have five kinds of bodies, called annamayakosa, pranamayakosa, manomayakosa vignanamayakosa and anandamayakosa, which represent the | + | The four ages [[symbolize]] the four phases of involution during which man gradually lost the [[awareness]] of his inner selves and [[subtle bodies]]. [[Hinduism]] believes that [[human beings]] have five kinds of [[bodies]], called annamayakosa, pranamayakosa, manomayakosa vignanamayakosa and anandamayakosa, which represent the ‘[[gross body]]’, the ‘[[breath]] [[body]]’, the ‘[[psychic]] [[body]]’, the ‘[[intelligence]] [[body]]’ and the ‘[[bliss body]]’ respectively. |
| − | Another theory explains these epochs of time on the basis of the degree of loss of righteousness in the world. It says, during Satya Yuga only truth prevailed (Sanskrit Satya = truth), Treta lost ¼ truth, Dwapar lost ½ truth and Kali is left with only ¼ truth. Evil and dishonesty has replaced truth in the last three ages or yugs. | + | Another {{Wiki|theory}} explains these epochs of time on the basis of the [[degree]] of loss of [[righteousness]] in the [[world]]. It says, during [[Satya Yuga]] only [[truth]] prevailed ([[Sanskrit]] [[Satya]] = [[truth]]), [[Treta]] lost ¼ [[truth]], Dwapar lost ½ [[truth]] and [[Kali]] is left with only ¼ [[truth]]. [[Evil]] and [[dishonesty]] has replaced [[truth]] in the last [[three ages]] or yugs. |
| − | Time is God | + | Time is [[God]] |
| − | According to the Hindu theory of creation, time (Sanskrit ‘kal’) is a manifestation of God. Creation begins when God makes his energies active and ends when he withdraws all his energies into a state of inactivity. God is timeless, for time is relative and ceases to exist in the Absolute. The past, the present and the future coexist in him simultaneously. | + | According to the [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|theory}} of creation, time ([[Sanskrit]] ‘kal’) is a [[manifestation]] of [[God]]. Creation begins when [[God]] makes his energies active and ends when he withdraws all his energies into a [[state]] of inactivity. [[God]] is timeless, for time is [[relative]] and ceases to [[exist]] in the [[Absolute]]. The {{Wiki|past}}, the {{Wiki|present}} and the {{Wiki|future}} coexist in him simultaneously. |
| − | Kalachakra: The Cycle of Time | + | [[Kalachakra]]: The Cycle of Time |
| − | God creates the cycle of time, called Kalachakra, in order to create divisions and movements of life and sustain the worlds in periodic time frames. God also uses time to create the | + | [[God]] creates the cycle of time, called [[Kalachakra]], in order to create divisions and movements of [[life]] and sustain the [[worlds]] in periodic time frames. [[God]] also uses time to create the ‘[[illusions]]’ of [[life]] and [[death]]. It is time, which is accountable for [[old age]], [[death and dying]] of his creations. When we overcome time, we become [[immortal]]. [[Death]] is not the end of the line, but a gateway to the next cycle, to [[birth]]. This is also true of the [[universe]] itself and akin to the cyclic patterns in the rhythms of [[nature]]. |
| − | Dasavatara: The 10 Avatars | + | [[Dasavatara]]: The 10 [[Avatars]] |
| − | Throughout these four yugas, Lord Vishnu is said to incarnate ten times in ten different avatars. This is known as | + | Throughout these [[four yugas]], Lord [[Vishnu]] is said to [[incarnate]] ten times in ten different [[avatars]]. This is known as ‘[[Dasavatara]]‘ ([[Sanskrit]] [[dasa]] = ten). During the Age of [[Truth]], [[human beings]] were [[spiritually]] most advanced and had great [[psychic powers]]. In the [[Treta Yuga]] [[people]] still remained righteous and adhered to [[moral]] ways of [[life]]. Lord {{Wiki|Rama}} of the fabled [[Ramayana]] lived in [[Treta Yuga]]. In the [[Dwapara Yuga]], men had lost all [[knowledge]] of the [[intelligence]] and [[bliss]] [[bodies]]. Lord [[Krishna]] was born in this age. The {{Wiki|present}} [[Kali Yuga]] is the most degenerated of the [[Hindu]] epochs. |
| − | The scriptures speak of the 10 Avatars of Vishnu – different incarnations that take the form of divine intervention provided by Vishnu during the various stages of human evolution. The | + | The [[scriptures]] speak of the 10 [[Avatars]] of [[Vishnu]] – different [[incarnations]] that take the [[form]] of [[divine]] intervention provided by [[Vishnu]] during the various stages of {{Wiki|human evolution}}. The “[[dasavatara]]” (ten [[avatars]]) is meant to re-establish [[dharma]] or [[righteousness]] and destroy tyranny and injustice on [[earth]]. |
| − | The ten Avatars are: | + | The ten [[Avatars]] are: |
<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | 1. Matsya (the fish) | + | 1. [[Matsya]] (the {{Wiki|fish}}) |
| − | 2. Koorma (the tortoise) | + | 2. Koorma (the [[tortoise]]) |
| − | 3. Varaha (the boar) | + | 3. [[Varaha]] (the {{Wiki|boar}}) |
| − | 4. Narasimha (the human-lion) | + | 4. [[Narasimha]] (the human-lion) |
| − | 5. Vamana (the dwarf) | + | 5. [[Vamana]] (the {{Wiki|dwarf}}) |
| − | 6. Parasurama (the angry man, Rama with an axe) | + | 6. [[Parasurama]] (the [[angry]] man, {{Wiki|Rama}} with an axe) |
| − | 7. Lord Rama (the perfect man, king of Ayodha) | + | 7. Lord {{Wiki|Rama}} (the {{Wiki|perfect}} man, [[king]] of Ayodha) |
| − | 8. Lord Krishna (the divine statesman) | + | 8. Lord [[Krishna]] (the [[divine]] statesman) |
| − | 9. Balarama (elder brother of Krishna) | + | 9. [[Balarama]] (elder brother of [[Krishna]]) |
| − | 10. Kalki (the mighty worrior) | + | 10. [[Kalki]] (the mighty worrior) |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
| − | The last Avatar is yet to appear, and in many versions of the mythology, the ninth incarnation is mentioned as Lord Buddha. | + | The last [[Avatar]] is yet to appear, and in many versions of the [[mythology]], the ninth [[incarnation]] is mentioned as [[Lord Buddha]]. |
| − | A Cosmological Necessity | + | A [[Cosmological]] Necessity |
| − | The legend of the Avatar, like all myths, is prophetic, says Cosmologist and Astrologer Robert E Wilkinson. According to him: “It is not a mere allegory but an archetypal story describing the incarnations or emanations of living and conscious evolutionary forces. The appearance of the Avatars is also not a random event but a cosmological necessity. The periodic manifestation of the Avatars is determined by their inherent association with the ‘Time-Spirit.’ They take birth at particular points in the cosmic cycle which correspond to the earth’s passage through the zodiacal ages as described in the Rig Veda.” | + | The legend of the [[Avatar]], like all [[myths]], is prophetic, says {{Wiki|Cosmologist}} and [[Astrologer]] Robert E Wilkinson. According to him: “It is not a mere allegory but an [[archetypal]] story describing the [[incarnations]] or [[emanations]] of living and [[conscious]] evolutionary forces. The [[appearance]] of the [[Avatars]] is also not a random event but a [[cosmological]] necessity. The periodic [[manifestation]] of the [[Avatars]] is determined by their [[inherent]] association with the ‘Time-Spirit.’ They take [[birth]] at particular points in the [[cosmic]] cycle which correspond to the [[earth’s]] passage through the zodiacal ages as described in the [[Rig Veda]].” |
| − | Establishing Order on Earth | + | Establishing Order on [[Earth]] |
| − | In his “Myth=Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology,” Dr Devdutt Pattanaik, one of India’s most popular mythologists, writes about the Avatars of Vishnu: “Every time dharma is threatened Vishnu mounts his eagle, the mighty Garuda, and comes to earth ready to do battle. The descents of Vishnu from Vaikuntha to earth are his avatars or incarnations. The form in each descent is different because the demands of the world each time are different. The different avatars thus reinforce the idea that rules and regulations that maintain order are not static by nature. They are forged when the demands of desire clash with the quest for order. As man’s understanding of the world changes, desires change and so do concepts of order. Rules have to therefore constantly adapt themselves. Social stability must not be compromised, yet new ideas must be respected. Vishnu’s descents are not just about reestablishing order. It is also about redefining them.” | + | In his “Myth=Mithya: A Handbook of [[Hindu]] [[Mythology]],” Dr Devdutt Pattanaik, one of [[India’s]] most popular mythologists, writes about the [[Avatars]] of [[Vishnu]]: “Every time [[dharma]] is threatened [[Vishnu]] mounts his {{Wiki|eagle}}, the mighty [[Garuda]], and comes to [[earth]] ready to do {{Wiki|battle}}. The descents of [[Vishnu]] from [[Vaikuntha]] to [[earth]] are his [[avatars]] or [[incarnations]]. The [[form]] in each descent is different because the demands of the [[world]] each time are different. The different [[avatars]] thus reinforce the [[idea]] that {{Wiki|rules}} and regulations that maintain order are not static by [[nature]]. They are forged when the demands of [[desire]] clash with the quest for order. As man’s [[understanding]] of the [[world]] changes, [[desires]] change and so do [[Wikipedia:concept|concepts]] of order. Rules have to therefore constantly adapt themselves. {{Wiki|Social}} stability must not be compromised, yet new [[ideas]] must be respected. [[Vishnu’s]] descents are not just about reestablishing order. It is also about redefining them.” |
| − | Role of the Goddess | + | Role of the [[Goddess]] |
| − | Dr Pattnaik adds: “Each avatar of Vishnu involves a crisis involving the Goddess. Vishnu takes the form of a turtle to help the Devas churn Lakshmi out, the form of a boar to rescue the earth that have been dragged under the sea, the form of Rama when Sita is abducted and the form of Krishna to help Draupadi. Thus the Goddess is the embodiment of nature and culture. She is the kingdom and Vishnu is the king. She is Bhoodevi and he is Shripati. Both validate each other, she by giving him powers of kingship and he by defending her.” | + | Dr Pattnaik adds: “Each [[avatar of Vishnu]] involves a crisis involving the [[Goddess]]. [[Vishnu]] takes the [[form]] of a [[turtle]] to help the [[Devas]] churn [[Lakshmi]] out, the [[form]] of a {{Wiki|boar}} to rescue the [[earth]] that have been dragged under the sea, the [[form]] of {{Wiki|Rama}} when [[Sita]] is abducted and the [[form]] of [[Krishna]] to help [[Draupadi]]. Thus the [[Goddess]] is the [[embodiment]] of [[nature]] and {{Wiki|culture}}. She is the {{Wiki|kingdom}} and [[Vishnu]] is the [[king]]. She is [[Bhoodevi]] and he is Shripati. Both validate each other, she by giving him [[powers]] of [[kingship]] and he by defending her.” |
| − | Living in the Kali Yuga! | + | Living in the [[Kali Yuga]]! |
| − | We live in the Kali Yuga — in a world infested with impurities and vices. People possessing genial virtues are diminishing day by day. Floods and famine, war and crime, deceit and duplicity characterize this age. But, say the scriptures, final emancipation is possible only in this age. | + | We live in the [[Kali Yuga]] — in a [[world]] infested with [[impurities]] and [[vices]]. [[People]] possessing genial [[virtues]] are diminishing day by day. {{Wiki|Floods}} and famine, [[war]] and [[crime]], [[deceit]] and duplicity characterize this age. But, say the [[scriptures]], final {{Wiki|emancipation}} is possible only in this age. |
| − | The Signs of Kali Yuga! | + | The [[Signs]] of [[Kali Yuga]]! |
| − | Kali Yuga has two phases: In the first, humans — having lost the knowledge of the two higher selves — had knowledge of the | + | [[Kali Yuga]] has two phases: In the first, [[humans]] — having lost the [[knowledge]] of the two higher selves — had [[knowledge]] of the ‘[[breath]] [[body]]’ apart from the [[physical]] [[self]]. During the second phase even this [[knowledge]] has deserted mankind, leaving us only with the [[awareness]] of the gross [[physical body]]. This explains why we are now more preoccupied with our [[physical]] [[self]] than anything else. |
| − | Due to our preoccupation with our physical bodies and our lower selves, and because of our emphasis on the pursuit of gross materialism, this age has been termed the ‘Age of Darkness’ — an age when we have lost touch with our inner selves, an age of profound ignorance! | + | Due to our preoccupation with our [[physical bodies]] and our lower selves, and because of our {{Wiki|emphasis}} on the pursuit of gross {{Wiki|materialism}}, this age has been termed the ‘Age of Darkness’ — an age when we have lost {{Wiki|touch}} with our inner selves, an age of profound [[ignorance]]! |
| − | What the Scriptures Say | + | What the [[Scriptures]] Say |
| − | Both the two great epics – The Ramayana & Mahabharata – have spoken about the Kali Yuga. In the Tulasi Ramayana, we find Kakbhushundi foretelling: “In the Kali Yuga, the hot-bed of sin, men and women are all steeped in unrighteousness and act contrary to the | + | Both the two great {{Wiki|epics}} – The [[Ramayana]] & [[Mahabharata]] – have spoken about the [[Kali Yuga]]. In the Tulasi [[Ramayana]], we find Kakbhushundi [[foretelling]]: “In the [[Kali Yuga]], the hot-bed of [[sin]], men and women are all steeped in unrighteousness and act contrary to the [[Vedas]]… every [[virtue]] had been engulfed by the [[sins]] of [[Kali Yuga]]; all good [[books]] had disappeared; impostors had promulgated a number of creeds, which they had invented out of their [[own]] wit. The [[people]] had all fallen prey to [[delusion]] and all pious acts had been swallowed by [[greed]].” |
| − | In the Mahabharata (Santi Parva) Yudhishthir says: “… The ordinances of the Vedas disappear gradually in every successive age… the duties in the Kali age are entirely of another kind. It seems, therefore, that duties have been laid down for the respective age according to the powers of human beings in the respective ages.” The sage Vyasa later on clarifies: “In the Kali Yuga, the duties of the respective order disappear and men become afflicted by inequity.” | + | In the [[Mahabharata]] ([[Santi]] [[Parva]]) Yudhishthir says: “… The ordinances of the [[Vedas]] disappear gradually in every successive age… the duties in the [[Kali]] age are entirely of another kind. It seems, therefore, that duties have been laid down for the respective age according to the [[powers]] of [[human beings]] in the respective ages.” The [[Wikipedia:Sage (sophos|sage]] [[Vyasa]] later on clarifies: “In the [[Kali Yuga]], the duties of the respective order disappear and men become afflicted by inequity.” |
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| − | It is predicted that at the end of the Kali Yuga, Lord Shivashall destroy the universe and all the physical body would undergo a great transformation. After such dissolution, Lord Brahma would recreate the universe and mankind will become the | + | It is predicted that at the end of the [[Kali Yuga]], Lord Shivashall destroy the [[universe]] and all the [[physical body]] would undergo a great [[transformation]]. After such dissolution, [[Lord Brahma]] would recreate the [[universe]] and mankind will become the ‘[[Beings]] of [[Truth]]’ once again. |
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| − | In the “Brahma-Vaivarta | + | In the “Brahma-Vaivarta {{Wiki|Purana}}”, Lord [[Krishna]] tells [[Ganga Devi]] that a Golden Age will come in the [[Kali Yuga]] – one of the four stages of [[development]] that the [[world]] goes through as part of the cycle of eras, as described in {{Wiki|Hindu scriptures}}. Lord [[Krishna]] predicted that this Golden Age will start 5,000 years after the beginning of the [[Kali Yuga]], and will last for 10,000 years. |
| − | Mayan Calendar Matches Hindu Calendar | + | Mayan [[Calendar]] Matches [[Hindu Calendar]] |
| − | It is interesting that this prediction of the emergence of a new world is prophesied to appear about the same time that the Mayans predicted it to come! The Mayan calendar began with the Fifth Great Cycle in 3114 BC and will end on 21 December 2012 AD. The Hindu Kali Yuga calendar began on 18 February 3102 B.C. There is only a difference of 12 years between the Hindu’s beginning of the Kali Yuga and the Mayan’s beginning of the Fifth Great Cycle. | + | It is [[interesting]] that this {{Wiki|prediction}} of the [[emergence]] of a new [[world]] is prophesied to appear about the same time that the [[Mayans]] predicted it to come! The Mayan [[calendar]] began with the Fifth Great Cycle in 3114 BC and will end on 21 December 2012 AD. The [[Hindu]] [[Kali Yuga]] [[calendar]] began on 18 February 3102 B.C. There is only a difference of 12 years between the Hindu’s beginning of the [[Kali Yuga]] and the Mayan’s beginning of the Fifth Great Cycle. |
Golden Age Could Begin in 2012 | Golden Age Could Begin in 2012 | ||
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| − | The ancient Hindus mainly used lunar calendars but also used solar calendars. If an average lunar year equals 354.36 days, then this would be about 5270 lunar years from the time when the Kali Yuga started until 21 Dec 2012. This is the same year that the Mayans predict rebirth of our planet. It is also about 5113 solar years of 365.24 days per year, and is day number 1,867,817 into the Kali Yuga. By either solar or lunar years, we are over 5,000 years into the Kali Yuga and it is time for Lord Krishna’s prophecy to happen according to the ancient Hindu scriptures. Lord Krishna’s Golden Age could easily begin in 2012! | + | The [[ancient]] [[Hindus]] mainly used [[lunar calendars]] but also used {{Wiki|solar}} calendars. If an average [[lunar]] year equals 354.36 days, then this would be about 5270 [[lunar]] years from the time when the [[Kali Yuga]] started until 21 Dec 2012. This is the same year that the [[Mayans]] predict [[rebirth]] of our {{Wiki|planet}}. It is also about 5113 {{Wiki|solar}} years of 365.24 days per year, and is day number 1,867,817 into the [[Kali Yuga]]. By either {{Wiki|solar}} or [[lunar]] years, we are over 5,000 years into the [[Kali Yuga]] and it is time for Lord [[Krishna’s]] {{Wiki|prophecy}} to happen according to the [[ancient]] {{Wiki|Hindu scriptures}}. Lord [[Krishna’s]] Golden Age could easily begin in 2012! |
| − | Mayan Prophecy Matches Hindu Prophecy | + | Mayan {{Wiki|Prophecy}} Matches [[Hindu]] {{Wiki|Prophecy}} |
| − | It is amazing that both calendars began at about the same time over 5,000 years ago and both calendars predict a totally new world and/or golden age after about 5,000 years into their calendars! We are definitely on to something with these Mayan and Hindu 2012 predictions. Historically, this is an amazing fact since these two ancient cultures did not have any contact. | + | It is amazing that both calendars began at about the same time over 5,000 years ago and both calendars predict a totally new [[world]] and/or golden age after about 5,000 years into their calendars! We are definitely on to something with these Mayan and [[Hindu]] 2012 predictions. Historically, this is an amazing fact since these two [[ancient]] cultures did not have any [[contact]]. |
Latest revision as of 20:17, 11 February 2020
According to Hindu scriptures, all mortal beings are destined to pass through four great epochs in every cycle of creation and destruction. This divine cycle turns full-circle at the end of what is known as kalpa. A kalpa is a yuga cycle, which is a period of 10,000 divine years, and is divided into four ages or yugas (Sanskrit yuga = age/epoch). According to one calculation, one yuga cycle is estimated to be 4,320,000 years, and one kalpa 4,320,000,000 years.
About the 4 Yugas [4 Ages]
The four great epochs in Hinduism are: Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga. Satya Yug or the Age of Truth is said to last for four thousand divine years, Treta Yuga for three thousand, Dwapara Yug for two thousand and Kali Yuga will last for one thousand divine Years that equals to 432,000 earthly years.
It is also believed that three of these great ages have already passed away, and we are now living in the fourth one. What these ages exactly mean, and why this division, it’s hard to explain, because they appear too unrealistic to be true for the rational mind.
The Hindu View of Time
Most of us are accustomed to living life according to linear beliefs and patterns of existence. We believe everything has a beginning, middle and an end. But Hinduism has little to do with the linear nature of history, the linear concept of time or the linear pattern of life.
Cyclical Time
The passage of ‘linear’ time has brought us where we are today. But Hinduism views the concept of time in a different way, and there is a cosmic perspective to it. Hindus believe the process of creation moves in cycles and that each cycle has four great epochs of time, namely Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga and Kali Yuga. And because the process of creation is cyclical and never ending, it “begins to end and ends to begin”.
The four ages symbolize the four phases of involution during which man gradually lost the awareness of his inner selves and subtle bodies. Hinduism believes that human beings have five kinds of bodies, called annamayakosa, pranamayakosa, manomayakosa vignanamayakosa and anandamayakosa, which represent the ‘gross body’, the ‘breath body’, the ‘psychic body’, the ‘intelligence body’ and the ‘bliss body’ respectively.
Another theory explains these epochs of time on the basis of the degree of loss of righteousness in the world. It says, during Satya Yuga only truth prevailed (Sanskrit Satya = truth), Treta lost ¼ truth, Dwapar lost ½ truth and Kali is left with only ¼ truth. Evil and dishonesty has replaced truth in the last three ages or yugs.
Time is God
According to the Hindu theory of creation, time (Sanskrit ‘kal’) is a manifestation of God. Creation begins when God makes his energies active and ends when he withdraws all his energies into a state of inactivity. God is timeless, for time is relative and ceases to exist in the Absolute. The past, the present and the future coexist in him simultaneously.
Kalachakra: The Cycle of Time
God creates the cycle of time, called Kalachakra, in order to create divisions and movements of life and sustain the worlds in periodic time frames. God also uses time to create the ‘illusions’ of life and death. It is time, which is accountable for old age, death and dying of his creations. When we overcome time, we become immortal. Death is not the end of the line, but a gateway to the next cycle, to birth. This is also true of the universe itself and akin to the cyclic patterns in the rhythms of nature.
Dasavatara: The 10 Avatars
Throughout these four yugas, Lord Vishnu is said to incarnate ten times in ten different avatars. This is known as ‘Dasavatara‘ (Sanskrit dasa = ten). During the Age of Truth, human beings were spiritually most advanced and had great psychic powers. In the Treta Yuga people still remained righteous and adhered to moral ways of life. Lord Rama of the fabled Ramayana lived in Treta Yuga. In the Dwapara Yuga, men had lost all knowledge of the intelligence and bliss bodies. Lord Krishna was born in this age. The present Kali Yuga is the most degenerated of the Hindu epochs.
The scriptures speak of the 10 Avatars of Vishnu – different incarnations that take the form of divine intervention provided by Vishnu during the various stages of human evolution. The “dasavatara” (ten avatars) is meant to re-establish dharma or righteousness and destroy tyranny and injustice on earth.
The ten Avatars are:
1. Matsya (the fish)
2. Koorma (the tortoise)
3. Varaha (the boar)
4. Narasimha (the human-lion)
5. Vamana (the dwarf)
6. Parasurama (the angry man, Rama with an axe)
7. Lord Rama (the perfect man, king of Ayodha)
8. Lord Krishna (the divine statesman)
9. Balarama (elder brother of Krishna)
10. Kalki (the mighty worrior)
The last Avatar is yet to appear, and in many versions of the mythology, the ninth incarnation is mentioned as Lord Buddha.
A Cosmological Necessity
The legend of the Avatar, like all myths, is prophetic, says Cosmologist and Astrologer Robert E Wilkinson. According to him: “It is not a mere allegory but an archetypal story describing the incarnations or emanations of living and conscious evolutionary forces. The appearance of the Avatars is also not a random event but a cosmological necessity. The periodic manifestation of the Avatars is determined by their inherent association with the ‘Time-Spirit.’ They take birth at particular points in the cosmic cycle which correspond to the earth’s passage through the zodiacal ages as described in the Rig Veda.”
Establishing Order on Earth
In his “Myth=Mithya: A Handbook of Hindu Mythology,” Dr Devdutt Pattanaik, one of India’s most popular mythologists, writes about the Avatars of Vishnu: “Every time dharma is threatened Vishnu mounts his eagle, the mighty Garuda, and comes to earth ready to do battle. The descents of Vishnu from Vaikuntha to earth are his avatars or incarnations. The form in each descent is different because the demands of the world each time are different. The different avatars thus reinforce the idea that rules and regulations that maintain order are not static by nature. They are forged when the demands of desire clash with the quest for order. As man’s understanding of the world changes, desires change and so do concepts of order. Rules have to therefore constantly adapt themselves. Social stability must not be compromised, yet new ideas must be respected. Vishnu’s descents are not just about reestablishing order. It is also about redefining them.”
Role of the Goddess
Dr Pattnaik adds: “Each avatar of Vishnu involves a crisis involving the Goddess. Vishnu takes the form of a turtle to help the Devas churn Lakshmi out, the form of a boar to rescue the earth that have been dragged under the sea, the form of Rama when Sita is abducted and the form of Krishna to help Draupadi. Thus the Goddess is the embodiment of nature and culture. She is the kingdom and Vishnu is the king. She is Bhoodevi and he is Shripati. Both validate each other, she by giving him powers of kingship and he by defending her.”
Living in the Kali Yuga!
We live in the Kali Yuga — in a world infested with impurities and vices. People possessing genial virtues are diminishing day by day. Floods and famine, war and crime, deceit and duplicity characterize this age. But, say the scriptures, final emancipation is possible only in this age.
Kali Yuga has two phases: In the first, humans — having lost the knowledge of the two higher selves — had knowledge of the ‘breath body’ apart from the physical self. During the second phase even this knowledge has deserted mankind, leaving us only with the awareness of the gross physical body. This explains why we are now more preoccupied with our physical self than anything else.
Due to our preoccupation with our physical bodies and our lower selves, and because of our emphasis on the pursuit of gross materialism, this age has been termed the ‘Age of Darkness’ — an age when we have lost touch with our inner selves, an age of profound ignorance!
What the Scriptures Say
Both the two great epics – The Ramayana & Mahabharata – have spoken about the Kali Yuga. In the Tulasi Ramayana, we find Kakbhushundi foretelling: “In the Kali Yuga, the hot-bed of sin, men and women are all steeped in unrighteousness and act contrary to the Vedas… every virtue had been engulfed by the sins of Kali Yuga; all good books had disappeared; impostors had promulgated a number of creeds, which they had invented out of their own wit. The people had all fallen prey to delusion and all pious acts had been swallowed by greed.”
In the Mahabharata (Santi Parva) Yudhishthir says: “… The ordinances of the Vedas disappear gradually in every successive age… the duties in the Kali age are entirely of another kind. It seems, therefore, that duties have been laid down for the respective age according to the powers of human beings in the respective ages.” The sage Vyasa later on clarifies: “In the Kali Yuga, the duties of the respective order disappear and men become afflicted by inequity.”
What Happens Next?
It is predicted that at the end of the Kali Yuga, Lord Shivashall destroy the universe and all the physical body would undergo a great transformation. After such dissolution, Lord Brahma would recreate the universe and mankind will become the ‘Beings of Truth’ once again.
The Golden Age of 2012
In the “Brahma-Vaivarta Purana”, Lord Krishna tells Ganga Devi that a Golden Age will come in the Kali Yuga – one of the four stages of development that the world goes through as part of the cycle of eras, as described in Hindu scriptures. Lord Krishna predicted that this Golden Age will start 5,000 years after the beginning of the Kali Yuga, and will last for 10,000 years.
Mayan Calendar Matches Hindu Calendar
It is interesting that this prediction of the emergence of a new world is prophesied to appear about the same time that the Mayans predicted it to come! The Mayan calendar began with the Fifth Great Cycle in 3114 BC and will end on 21 December 2012 AD. The Hindu Kali Yuga calendar began on 18 February 3102 B.C. There is only a difference of 12 years between the Hindu’s beginning of the Kali Yuga and the Mayan’s beginning of the Fifth Great Cycle.
Golden Age Could Begin in 2012
The ancient Hindus mainly used lunar calendars but also used solar calendars. If an average lunar year equals 354.36 days, then this would be about 5270 lunar years from the time when the Kali Yuga started until 21 Dec 2012. This is the same year that the Mayans predict rebirth of our planet. It is also about 5113 solar years of 365.24 days per year, and is day number 1,867,817 into the Kali Yuga. By either solar or lunar years, we are over 5,000 years into the Kali Yuga and it is time for Lord Krishna’s prophecy to happen according to the ancient Hindu scriptures. Lord Krishna’s Golden Age could easily begin in 2012!
Mayan Prophecy Matches Hindu Prophecy
It is amazing that both calendars began at about the same time over 5,000 years ago and both calendars predict a totally new world and/or golden age after about 5,000 years into their calendars! We are definitely on to something with these Mayan and Hindu 2012 predictions. Historically, this is an amazing fact since these two ancient cultures did not have any contact.
