Tribulations in Kaliyug
Seeing the tribulations in our present day society, people often say, "it is ghor Kaliyug (Kaliyug has reached its peak)". And these words seems to be validated by the news on TV, newspapers etc. So are we unfortunate to be present be living in such a time?
Before we talk about Kaliyug, let us first understand what is “Kaliyug"? According to the scriptures, Kaal-time is divided into various eras called Yug and each era has its peculiar characteristics. We are presently in the era of Kali, hence this era is called Kaliyug. Kaliyug is characterized by the deterioration in spiritual and ethical values, hence is also referred to as the dark age or Iron Age.
The first of the four era’s is called Satyug. Satyug is characterized by the presence of all four pillars of “dharma”, namely: austerity (तप), purity (शौच), mercy (दया) and truth (सत्य).
Before we talk about Kaliyug, let us first understand what is “Kaliyug"? According to the scriptures, Kaal-time is divided into various eras called Yug and each era has its peculiar characteristics. We are presently in the era of Kali, hence this era is called Kaliyug. Kaliyug is characterized by the deterioration in spiritual and ethical values, hence is also referred to as the dark age or Iron Age.
The first of the four era’s is called Satyug. Satyug is characterized by the presence of all four pillars of “dharma”, namely: austerity (तप), purity (शौच), mercy (दया) and truth (सत्य).
सतयुग में धर्म पद गोविंद राधे । सत्य दया तप दान चार हैं बता दे ॥
satayuga meṃ dharma pada goviṃda rādhe । satya dayā tapa dāna cāra haiṃ batā de ॥
satayuga meṃ dharma pada goviṃda rādhe । satya dayā tapa dāna cāra haiṃ batā de ॥
In Kaliyug violent traits begin to rise
At the onset of Kaliyug, three of those pillars get destroyed and only truth is left.
Truth also continues to deteriorate over the course of Kaliyug and towards the end, ultimately meets its sad demise. In this age, irreligion manifests itself in the form of anger, passion, ego and intoxication.
Due to lack of austerity and purity, virtues like self-control, forgiveness, generosity, benevolence etc. fall to very low levels. Further, due to lack of virtuousness, violent traits such as cruelty, aggression, oppression, causing harm to others and other social ills begin to rise. And the four pillars of irreligion (falsehood (असत्य), violence (हिंसा), lusty desires (तृष्णा), and hatred (द्वेष)) take firm root.
Truth also continues to deteriorate over the course of Kaliyug and towards the end, ultimately meets its sad demise. In this age, irreligion manifests itself in the form of anger, passion, ego and intoxication.
Due to lack of austerity and purity, virtues like self-control, forgiveness, generosity, benevolence etc. fall to very low levels. Further, due to lack of virtuousness, violent traits such as cruelty, aggression, oppression, causing harm to others and other social ills begin to rise. And the four pillars of irreligion (falsehood (असत्य), violence (हिंसा), lusty desires (तृष्णा), and hatred (द्वेष)) take firm root.
झूठ हिंसा तृष्णा अरु गोविंद राधे । द्वेष, अधर्म चार पद हैं बता दे ॥
jhūṭha hiṃsā tṛṣṇā aru goviṃda rādhe । dveṣa, adharma cāra pada haiṃ batā de ॥
jhūṭha hiṃsā tṛṣṇā aru goviṃda rādhe । dveṣa, adharma cāra pada haiṃ batā de ॥
In the Shrimad Bhagawat, the great sages, referred to as the Shaunak and other Parmahans sages explain the state of people in Kaliyug to Soota Ji Maharaj:
प्रायेणाल्पायुषः सभ्य कलावस्मिन्युगे जनाः । मन्दाः सुमन्दमतयो मन्दभाग्या ह्युपद्रुताः ॥ भाग.1.1.10
prāyeṇālpāyuṣaḥ sabhya kalāvasminyuge janāḥ । mandāḥ sumandamatayo mandabhāgyā hyupadrutāḥ ॥
bhāga.1.1.10
prāyeṇālpāyuṣaḥ sabhya kalāvasminyuge janāḥ । mandāḥ sumandamatayo mandabhāgyā hyupadrutāḥ ॥
bhāga.1.1.10
"In Kaliyug, in general, people will have a short life span. Laziness and poor intellectual capabilities, will bring about misfortune and lead to inauspicious results".
As we can see, the life span of human beings in Kaliyug is less than 100 years. Occasionally, people may live to be 100 years, but that is rare and hence considered an exception rather than the norm. Attention span of people is getting shorter. Memory is also failing. Instructions given a few minutes is many a times slips out of the memory
Amongst all the four yugas, Kaliyug is considered to be the worst (or dark) age. However, despite the negative aspects of Kaliyug, we do not need to loose heart, as there is a ray of hope. God our eternal father and well-wisher, through His utmost grace and mercy has paved a very easy path for God-realization during this age. Shrimad Bhagawat states that the benefit attained by performing devotion for a period of 12 years in Satyuga is equal to that of performing devotion for 1 year in Tretayug is equal to that of performing devotion for 1 month in Dwaparyug, which is equal to that of performing devotion during 1 day and night during Kaliyug.
Furthermore, the Bhagwat says:
As we can see, the life span of human beings in Kaliyug is less than 100 years. Occasionally, people may live to be 100 years, but that is rare and hence considered an exception rather than the norm. Attention span of people is getting shorter. Memory is also failing. Instructions given a few minutes is many a times slips out of the memory
Amongst all the four yugas, Kaliyug is considered to be the worst (or dark) age. However, despite the negative aspects of Kaliyug, we do not need to loose heart, as there is a ray of hope. God our eternal father and well-wisher, through His utmost grace and mercy has paved a very easy path for God-realization during this age. Shrimad Bhagawat states that the benefit attained by performing devotion for a period of 12 years in Satyuga is equal to that of performing devotion for 1 year in Tretayug is equal to that of performing devotion for 1 month in Dwaparyug, which is equal to that of performing devotion during 1 day and night during Kaliyug.
Furthermore, the Bhagwat says:
कृतेयद्ध्यायतोविष्णुम्,त्रेतायांयजतोमखैः।द्वापरेपरिचर्यायाम्,कलौतद्धरिकीर्तनात॥भाग. 12.3.52
kṛte yaddhyāyato viṣṇum, tretāyāṃ yajato makhaiḥ । dvāpare paricaryāyām, kalau taddhari kīrtanāta ॥ bhāga. 12.3.52
kṛte yaddhyāyato viṣṇum, tretāyāṃ yajato makhaiḥ । dvāpare paricaryāyām, kalau taddhari kīrtanāta ॥ bhāga. 12.3.52
In each Yug, there are different ways of realizing God for e.g.:
Thus, we are very fortunate to be born in the age of Kaliyug. Currently, Kaliyug is only 5000 years old. We are in the beginning of the first quarter of Kaliyug, which means we are not yet in "ghor kaliyug' (Kaliyug at its peak). Kaliyug will last for another 427,000 years during which the influence of Kaliyug will continue to increase. If we do not hurry up and realize God now, the pain and suffering will only increase as Kaliyug progresses. So, it is wise to chant the names of God in our hearts at all times, reminding ourselves that our real well-wisher, protector and real father is always with us. Just chanting His glorious names will deliver us from this world.
Kaliyug presents us with a golden opportunity to attain God, in a very short span of time, by expending very little effort. The greatest master of this age, Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj has imparted this precious knowledge to us. Now it is upto us to use this knowledge to our benefit.
Just like Lord Ram said to the residents of Ayodhya,
- in Satyug, one can realize God by performing thousands of years of severe austerities;
- in Tretayug, one can realize God by performing yagya (fire sacrifices) with full faith as per the perfect and precise injunctions given in the Vedas;
- in Dwapar, one can realize God, by offering selfless service to the saints;
- In Kaliyug, one can realize God, merely by chanting His name with a pure heart.
Thus, we are very fortunate to be born in the age of Kaliyug. Currently, Kaliyug is only 5000 years old. We are in the beginning of the first quarter of Kaliyug, which means we are not yet in "ghor kaliyug' (Kaliyug at its peak). Kaliyug will last for another 427,000 years during which the influence of Kaliyug will continue to increase. If we do not hurry up and realize God now, the pain and suffering will only increase as Kaliyug progresses. So, it is wise to chant the names of God in our hearts at all times, reminding ourselves that our real well-wisher, protector and real father is always with us. Just chanting His glorious names will deliver us from this world.
Kaliyug presents us with a golden opportunity to attain God, in a very short span of time, by expending very little effort. The greatest master of this age, Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj has imparted this precious knowledge to us. Now it is upto us to use this knowledge to our benefit.
Just like Lord Ram said to the residents of Ayodhya,
करहु सुनहु जो तुमहिं सुहाई
karahu sunahu jo tumahiṃ suhāī
karahu sunahu jo tumahiṃ suhāī
"I have told you want needs to be done. Now you are free to do as you please”.
कलि सम युग नहिं गोविंद राधे । हरि नाम हरि ध्यान हरि से मिला दे ॥
No other yuga can be compared to Kaliyug for only in this yug for meeting God, one merely has to chant His names and remember Him.
- Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
No other yuga can be compared to Kaliyug for only in this yug for meeting God, one merely has to chant His names and remember Him.
- Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
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