Last week I introduced the theme of the Kali Yuga. Yuga literally means “age”. While the Kali Yuga is a difficult time for mankind on earth, my Guru has said (on many occasions) that it is because of these difficulties that God runs toward us! Thus, it is a time in which it is easy to gain liberation or enlightenment.
And so, although today’s blog is one which sums up the reasons for the sad state of mankind and the world at large, do not despair: let’s rather keep a picture in our mind’s eye of God running toward us in our every action.
Kali Yuga is the age of the male demon, Kali" or the "age of vice". This is the last of the four stages that the world goes through as part of the cycle of yuga’s described in the Indian scriptures. According to the Surya Siddhanta, the other ages are Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga and Dvapara Yuga.
Most interpreters of Hindu scriptures believe that earth is currently in Kali Yuga. Some, such as Swami Sri Yukteswar and Paramhansa Yogananda believe that it is now near the beginning of Dvapara Yuga.
Hindus believe that human civilization degenerates spiritually during the Kali Yuga, which is referred to as the Dark Age because in it people are as far removed as possible from God. (Note: this does not mean that God is far removed from us, but rather that man is far removed from God!)
Hinduism often symbolically represents morality (dharma) as a bull. In Satya Yuga, the first stage of development, the bull has four legs, but in each age morality is reduced by one quarter. By the age of Kali, morality is reduced to only a quarter of that of the golden age, so that the bull of Dharma has only one leg.
Kali Yuga is associated with the apocalyptic demon Kali, not to be confused with the goddess Kālī (read as Kaalee) (these are unrelated words in the Sanskrit language). The "Kali" of Kali Yuga means "strife, discord, quarrel, or contention." |
Kali Yuga In relation to rulers
· Rulers will no longer see it as their duty to promote spirituality, or to protect their subjects: they will become a danger to the world.
Kali Yuga In human relationships
· Wrath will be common and Humans will openly display animosity towards each other.
· Ignorance of dharma (life purpose) will occur.
· Lust will be viewed as socially acceptable and sexual intercourse will be seen as the central requirement of life.
· Sin will increase exponentially, whilst virtue will fade and cease to flourish.
· People will take vows and break them soon after.
· People will become addicted to intoxicating drinks and drugs.
· Gurus will no longer be respected and their students will attempt to injure them.
Kali Yuga - Personification
Kali is the reigning lord of Kali Yuga and the nemesis of Sri Kalki, who is the tenth and final Avatar of Lord Vishnu. According to the Vishnu Purana, Kali is a negative manifestation of Vishnu who perpetually operates in this world as a cause of destruction, along with his evil extended family.
Kali also serves as an antagonistic force in the Kalki Purana. It is said that towards the end of this yuga, Kalki will return riding on a white horse to do battle with Kali and his dark forces. The world will suffer a fiery end which will destroy all evil, and a new age, Satya Yuga, will begin
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