Kali Yuga
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Kali Yuga (Devnāgari: कली युग) (lit. Age of Kali, also known as Iron Age), is one of the four stages of development that the world goes through as part of the cycle of Yugas, as described in Hindu scriptures. The other Yugas are Dwapara Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Satya Yuga. According to the Surya Siddhanta, an astronomical treatise that forms the basis of all Hindu and Buddhist calendars, Kali Yuga began at midnight (00:00) on 18 February 3102 BC, which is also considered by many Hindus to be the time that Krishna left his body (Hindus don't consider avatars to die).
Most interpretations of Hindu scriptures believe that earth is currently in Kali Yuga. However, other interpretations of the same scriptures believe that earth is now at the beginning of Dwapara Yuga. Throughout the Kali Yuga, Hindus believe that human civilization degenerates spiritually. Kali Yuga is sometimes referred to as the Iron Age because it was also the time when the forging of iron was discovered.
Kali Yuga should not be confused with the goddess Kali, as they are unrelated words in the Sanskrit language. The "kali" of Kali Yuga means "terrible," whereas the goddess "Kali" is the feminine form of "Kala," which means "time."
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Attributes of Kali Yuga [citation needed]
There is an increase in material technology but there is a huge decrease in spirituality. Kali Yuga is the only Yuga in which irreligion/atheism is more powerful and popular than religion. Only a quarter of each of the four virtues of Dharma (penance, truthfulness, compassion and charity) is carried out by humans now. Nobility is determined only by the wealth of a person. Law and justice are determined by one's prestige and power. The poor become enslaved by the rich and powerful. Words such as charity and freedom are constantly used by the people, yet are never done.
Warfare
"Civilised" warfare is gone and humans fight like Asuras and Rakshasas. Unlike in the other Yugas where there would be a daily ceasefire by sunset to mourn the losses, cremate the victims, and to reflect on the war, Kali Yuga battles are fought constantly, just for the sake of winning. Sadism also flourishes.
Nobility/respect
In Kali Yuga, people are no longer respected for intelligence, knowledge or spiritual wisdom. Instead, material wealth and, to a lesser extent, physical strength, are what make a person highly regarded. Even though respect is shown superficially among the people, no one sincerely respects anyone. Everyone believes that the ultimate goal in life is to be respected, hence becoming wealthy and physically strong.
Changes in the people
Throughout the age, humans become shorter in height and weaker physically as well as mentally and spiritually. There is false preaching of Gods, idols and gurus. Many people lie and claim themselves to be prophets and God-like beings. In addition, everybody will modify the definitions of fasting, meditation and austerity to suit their needs. However, by doing this, they are not following the strict moral code and law of the Vedas, and will therefore hardly gain anything.
Changes in men
In Kali Yuga, men question religious ceremonies, the existence of gods, the authority of the Vedas, and the power of priests (Brahmins) which Brahmins had acquired for themselves over Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras in earlier times by scaring those folks that Gods will be doing bad things to them if they questioned Brahmins' power. There is no longer any respect towards elders or children. Jealousy grows in each man and they despise, hate, and are ready to kill one another over a few coins. The actions of men and savage beasts are alike.
Other interpretations of Kali Yuga and the yuga cycle
Other interpretations of the Hindu scriptures, most notably by David Frawley and Sri Yukteswar Giri, hold a different view of the Yuga cycle. Based on historical and scriptural evidence, they state that the Yugas change in a cycle much like the four seasons, where the planet moves repeatedly and gradually from one Yuga to the next, without a sudden jump from Kali into Satya Yuga. Further, they both state that historical evidence shows that Kali Yuga ended around 1700 CE, changing at that time to Dwapara Yuga.
Also supporting their view is the fact that that humans are becoming taller in height, more intelligent, and are living longer. This is contrary to some of the only objective criteria for defining Kali Yuga, according to Sri Yukteswar.
Vamadeva David Frawley
Frawley, a widely respected Jyotish astrologer and author of many books on Vedic traditions, points out that Manu, in his Manhu Samhita, posits a much shorter Yuga cycle of 24,000 years. Manu’s Yuga cycle happens to correspond roughly to the same length of time that astronomers attribute to the Precession of the Equinoxes. Based on Frawley’s interpretation of scripture, we are currently near the beginning of a Dwapara Yuga cycle that will last a total of 2,400 years. He further points out that that the traditional 432,000 year cycle is questionable, based on Vedic and Puranic historical records. He explains this interpretation in more depth in his book The Astrology of the Seers. [1]
Sri Yukteswar Giri
According to Sri Yukteswar Giri, we are currently in Dwapara Yuga. In his book The Holy Science, he explains that "the astronomers and astrologers who calculate the almanacs have been guided by wrong annotations of certain Sanskrit scholars (such as Kullu Bhatta) of the dark age of Kali Yuga, and now maintain that the length of Kali Yuga is 432,000 years, of which 4994 have (in A D. 1894) passed away, leaving 427,006 years still remaining. A dark prospect! And fortunately one not true." The Holy Science includes his astronomical explanation for a shorter Yuga Cycle, in which Kali Yuga lasts only 2,400 years (1,200x2, one descending Kali Yuga cycle, followed by an ascending cycle). [2]
Sri Aurobindo
According to Sri Aurobindo, Kali Yuga lasts far less than 432,000 years. The followers of the Purna Yoga believe that the Mother successfully solicited the early termination of the Kali Yuga in 1969, and the abolition of pralaya (normal process of destruction of the universe at the end of a kalpa – Cosmic Cycle of Creation-Destruction).
Notes
- ^ Astrology of the Seers, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin ISBN 0-914955-89-6
- ^ The Holy Science, by Jnanavatar Swami Sriyukteswar Giri, Yogoda Sat-Sanga Society of India, 1949
