Every generation tends to think that the generation before them had it easy. These days it’s common to hear people opine that minimum wage used to mean being able to afford a house, a car, and 2.5 kids while now people work multiple jobs just to scrape by.
But what if we told you this belief is nothing new? What if in fact it was a central pillar of Hinduism, the world’s third largest religion, with 1.2 billion believers worldwide?
Hindus believe we live in the Kali Yuga world age, the worst of the four ages. It is an era defined by struggle, conflict, and sin, and unluckily for us, according to Hinduism, it’s going to last for a long, long time.
The Worst Time to be Alive?
In Hindu cosmology, existence is cyclical, and every cycle is divided into four different world ages or eras called yugas. The Kali Yuga is the fourth and worst yuga of the yuga cycle.
Hindus believe that it is marked by a gradual decline in righteousness and spiritual awareness. This epoch is believed to be a time of moral and social deterioration, where values wane, and humanity faces numerous challenges.
Each yuga represents a different level of virtue and its decline. Unfortunately for us, the Kali Yuga is preceded by the most virtuous yugas the Treta and Dvapras Yugas, and comes before the most enjoyable, the Krita Yuga, which marks the beginning of the next cycle. To put it simply: we’ve drawn the short straw.
In Kali Yuga, selfishness and materialism are thought to reign, causing a gradual departure from spiritual pursuits. It’s a time when humanity is considered to be furthest from its divine nature. While the challenges posed by this era are acknowledged, Hindus believe it’s also an opportunity for personal growth and spiritual evolution amidst adversity.
According to old Indian religious texts called Puranic sources, the Kali Yuga began with the death of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, in 3102 BC. Unfortunately, the cycles last a long time with the Kali Yuga expected to last 432,000 (1,200 divine) years. This cycle will therefore end in 428,899 AD, which is a while away.
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Before we begin feeling too sorry for ourselves, however, there is some good news. We are at least living in the best part of the worst world age. According to Hinduism, things grow progressively worse throughout the Kali Yuga, with it culminating in a world-ending cataclysm that re-establishes dharma (order, custom, virtue) and ushers in the beginning of the next cycle.
We’re also only around 5,000 years into the Kali Yuga which puts us squarely into a 10,000 sub-period discussed between Krisha and a Hindu goddess called Ganga in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana religious text. This sub-period still has faithful holy men and as such we don’t experience the worst effects of the Kali Yuga. So, it’s not all bad.
So, are We Living in the Kali Yuga?
So, is there any evidence that we are truly living in the Kali Yuga? That probably depends on your own religious beliefs, and perhaps on how jaded you are.
The idea of living in the Kali Yuga era might seem abstract, but various aspects of contemporary society seem to align with the characteristics attributed to this age. Take a look at the news and it’s not that hard to argue we live in a time of moral and ethical decay. People often complain that traditional values are taking a back seat to individual pursuits, and materialism is celebrated more than spiritual growth.
Ancient Hindu scriptures, such as the Puranas, contain prophecies and descriptions of Kali Yuga’s attributes. These texts foresee a rise in greed, dishonesty, and a decline in compassion and empathy.
Interestingly, these very traits are sometimes reflected in modern societal norms and behaviors. After all, we live in a world where the top 1% are said to own 50% of the world’s wealth while the poorest half owns just 0.75%. Figures that get worse every year.
The vast availability of information in the digital age also leads to a distortion of truth, another aspect believed to be indicative of Kali Yuga. We’ve all heard about the rise of “fake news” and how the unscrupulous use the internet to spread their own twisted worldviews.
Moreover, the concept of dharma, “the righteous duty”, is said to weaken during this era. It can be seen in the erosion of social cohesion and a growing divide between generations as well as the rise in nationalism and isolationism.
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The increasing focus on individualism often results in a neglect of communal well-being. Such evidence, drawn from both ancient texts and contemporary observations, provides a thought-provoking alignment with the principles of Kali Yuga.
Is It All Bad?
Taken at face value the belief in Kali Yuga can leave one feeling rather nihilistic. But that’s really not the point. The recognition of living in the Kali Yuga is meant to prompt contemplation on the purpose and trajectory of human existence.
While this epoch is marked by challenges, it’s not a declaration of hopelessness. Instead, it invites individuals to rise above the prevailing negativity and embrace the values that withstand the test of time.
In the face of moral decay, the concept of Kali Yuga reminds us of the enduring significance of virtuous actions. It encourages people to resist the allure of materialism and instead focus on fostering compassion, integrity, and empathy. By acknowledging the characteristics of this age, individuals can consciously work towards countering its negative effects and nurturing their spiritual growth.
Moreover, the recognition of Kali Yuga’s influence also instills a sense of humility. It acknowledges that no era is immune to challenges, and each has its unique set of obstacles. This understanding can foster empathy among generations and societies, bridging the gap between differing perspectives.
The study of history can be a depressing one. A quick flick through the history books is enough to make one think we really are living through Kali Yuga. A quick peek out the window or at the news is enough to convince you it might be moving even faster than expected.
But it’s important to remember our world is full of light as well as dark. When we spend too much time focusing on the negative, we forget the positive. Focusing on the negative ignores the whole point of the teachings around Kali Yuga.
More importantly, the Hindu world cycle belief gets one thing right for sure. History is always cyclical and what goes around comes around. That means however bad things might seem today, there is always light, or dharma, around the corner.
Top Image: Lord Krishna (blue), whose death was said to herald the start of Kali Yuga. Only 427,000 years to go. Source: Deccan / Public Domain.
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