Age - Period of History - The Cyclic Yugas
According to Vedic wisdom, history is not a linear progression from primitive to advanced, but a cyclical journey through four distinct ages, or yugas. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that just as seasons change within a year, the universe passes through the ages of Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali. Each age has its own specific qualities, lifespan, and recommended spiritual process, known as the yuga-dharma.
The Four Ages of Cosmic Time
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the four millenniums that make up one cycle of universal time. He notes that Satya-yuga is the age of perfection, where human beings lived for 100,000 years. As time progresses through Tretā and Dvāpara, these qualities diminish, until we reach the present age of Kali.
- As there are seasonal changes within a year, so there are changing ages in the duration of the manifest cosmic world. These changing ages are called yugas, or periods.
- Formerly, in the Satya-yuga, the age of goodness, human beings would live up to 100,000 years. In the next age, Treta-yuga, they used to live for 10,000 years, and in the next age, called Dvapara-yuga, they used to live for 1,000 years.
- Satya-yuga means perfect age. Then Treta-yuga - one-fourth less of perfection. And then Dvapara-yuga - half less; and Kali-yuga - three-fourth less. Three-fourth bad elements and one-fourth good elements. That is also very rare.
The Specific Process for Each Age
Because the capacity of human beings changes with each age, the process of self-realization must also change. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that what was possible in Satya-yuga (long-term meditation) or Tretā-yuga (elaborate sacrifices) is impossible in the short-lived Age of Kali. Therefore, the scriptures prescribe different methods for different times.
- According to Srimad-Bhagavatam there are different processes for different ages, but the principle of each process remains valid in all ages.
- In the Treta-yuga one could practice yoga by performing great sacrifices, and in the next age, Dvapara-yuga, one could achieve perfection by temple worship.
- So that perfection of knowledge was achieved in the age of goodness by meditation, and in the age of Treta by sacrifice, and by Dvapara by worship, and in this age this krsna-kirtana.
The Characteristics of the Kali-yuga
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently refers to the current age as the "Iron Age" or the age of quarrel and hypocrisy. He describes it as a time of reduced memory, mercy, and lifespan, where people are unfortunate and misguided. In this age, real knowledge is covered by material advancement, and even the basic principles of religion are difficult to follow.
- This age, Kali-yuga, is compared to the cloudy season of the living entities. In this age, real knowledge is covered by the influence of the material advancement of civilization.
- The number of materialistic persons in this age of Kali has increased more than in any other age.
- In this age, if we want to save ourselves from this onslaught of this age, the proposition is kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah.
The Golden Avatar and the Holy Name
Despite the faults of Kali-yuga, Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights one great advantage: the chanting of the Holy Name. He explains that Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared specifically to propagate the saṅkīrtana movement, which is the only effective medicine for the conditioned souls of this age.
- In this age, because it is practically impossible to induce people to take up all these ritualistic processes, both the scripture and Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommend, "Chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra." This is the special advantage of this age.
- Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally approaches the fallen conditioned souls of the iron age to deliver the highest principle of transcendental relationships with the Lord.
- This simplest method of meditation (chanting hare krsna) is recommended for this age. By practical experience also, one can perceive that by chanting this maha-mantra, one can at once feel a transcendental ecstasy coming through from the spiritual stratum.
Conclusion
The cycle of ages serves as a reminder of the temporary and changing nature of the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that while the external circumstances of history change, the eternal duty of the soul remains the same: to serve the Supreme Lord. By accepting the specific yuga-dharma of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, we can transcend the defects of the Kali-yuga and return to our original, spiritual position.
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