KALI YUGA — WHAT IS KALI YUGA? (2024)

by Hari dasa

Kali yuga isthe age of darkness and the last of the four Yugas. To understand what is Kali Yuga, we will discuss its duration, the different Vishnu avatars that appear in it, and other important symptoms of the age. It is a time of darkness and despair among humanity and across the entire Earth, when chaos, confusion, and hypocrisy reigns. The four ages are Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga — and all together these four comprise one full yuga cycle, just as the fours seasons make up a year. One thousand Yuga cycles is equal to a day of Brahma, also known as a kalpa.

The Duration of Kali Yuga

Even though the passing of time is uniform through the universe, the Vedas explain that various regions within the universe experience time differently due to the phenomenon of time dilation. For example, one year in the realm of Svarga is approximately equal to 720 solar years on our planet Earth.

For this reason, the Vedas give two different measurements for the duration of Kali Yuga. In years of the devas, Kali Yuga lasts 1,200 years, and on Earth, it lasts 432,000 years. The duration of Kali Yuga is described in the Vayu Purana as follows:

kaliṃ varṣasahasrantu prāhuḥ saṃkhyāvido janāḥ/
tasyāpi śatikā saṃdhyā saṃdhyāṃśaḥ śatameva ca//

“Experts conclude that Kali Yuga consists of 1,000 years, with a Saṃdhyā of 100 years and a Saṃdhyāṃśa of 100 years.” (VP 1.32.60)

We are currently in the midst of Kali Yuga. Kali Yuga began approximately 5,000 years ago in 3102 BCE, at the end of Dwapara Yuga.

General Overview

After Dwapara Yuga comes Kali Yuga the age of darkness, when spirituality is eclipsed by selfishness and dogmatic materialism. While Sri Krishna remained on the planet, Kali Yuga could not begin. The reason is that the presence of the Supreme Person keeps ignorance and irreligion at bay. As the Vaisnava poet Krishnadasa has written:

kṛṣṇa — sūrya-sama; māyā haya andhakāra
yāhāṅ kṛṣṇa, tāhāṅ nāhi māyāra adhikāra

“Krishna is compared to sunshine, and māyā [illusion] is compared to darkness. Wherever there is sunshine, there cannot be darkness. As soon as one takes to Krishna consciousness, the darkness of illusion will immediately vanish.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, 2.22.31)

However, shortly after the departure of Sri Krishna to His own realm in the spiritual sky, Kali Yuga broke out in full force. The social order was turned on its head. Instead of educating and protecting the populace, religious and political leaders abandoned virtue and became the chief criminals in society. The Vedas describe many events of Kali Yuga in great detail.

In Kali Yuga, or the Iron Age, spirituality and morality are diminished to shadows of their former selves. Deception and hypocrisy in the name of religion is the status quo. The only process of dharma that is still practiced and effective is nama-sankirtana, or chanting the names of God, especially the maha-mantra: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

As the Dark Age, Kali Yuga is the polar opposite of the Golden Age, Satya Yuga. During Kali Yuga, the world is virtually devoid of peace. All living beings suffer material hardships as they struggle simply to survive, being deeply afflicted by fear.

In Kali Yuga, people live up to only 100 years. The Bhagavata Purana describes human beings of Kali Yuga as follows:

“In this iron Age of Kali men almost always have but short lives. They are quarrelsome, lazy, misguided, unlucky and, above all, always disturbed.” (Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.1.10)

LEARN MORE: The Puranas provide an advanced understanding of our universe, including descriptions of life on other planets. Check out our guide to Vedic Cosmology.

When Will Kali Yuga End?

Kali Yuga started just over 5,000 years ago in 3102 BCE when Krishna left our planet Earth, and it will lat another 427,000 years. After Kali Yuga, the yuga cycle begins again with Satya Yuga, the golden age. The transition takes place with the assistance of the Kalki Avatara, who rids the Earth of the hordes of beast-like human beings who have lost all sense of their humanness. Then a small handful of sages and ascetic kings emerge from their hermitages to repopulate the Earth and commence Satya Yuga again.

Avatars in Kali Yuga

According to many researchers, Kali Yuga began in 3,102 B.C. with the disappearance of Lord Krishna from our planet Earth. Krishna was the final avatar of the Dvapara Age. Unlike other incarnations of the Godhead, Krishna is the fountainhead, or source of all avatars, known in Sanskrit as the avatarī. The Vedic scriptures contain elaborate descriptions of the avatars of Kali yuga which are manifestations of the Supreme Being.

Bhagavata Purana: Incarnation of the Book

In the first avatar in Kali Yuga, Krishna manifests in a literary form as the text known as the Bhagavata Purana. This is documented within the text itself. Sage Shaunaka inquires from Suta Goswami how the people of Kali will be able to attain enlightenment in self-realization now that Lord Krishna has departed from the planet. Suta replies:

idaṁ bhāgavataṁ nāma purāṇaṁ brahma-sammitam
uttama-śloka-caritaṁ cakāra bhagavān ṛṣiḥ
niḥśreyasāya lokasya dhanyaṁ svasty-ayanaṁ mahat

“This Srimad Bhagavatam is the literary incarnation of God, and it is compiled by Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and it is all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect.” (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, 1.3.40)

kṛṣṇe sva-dhāmopagate dharma-jñānādibhiḥ saha
kalau naṣṭa-dṛśām eṣa purāṇārko ’dhunoditaḥ

“This Bhāgavata Purāṇa is as brilliant as the sun, and it has arisen just after the departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa to His own abode, accompanied by religion, knowledge, etc. Persons who have lost their vision due to the dense darkness of ignorance in the Age of Kali shall get light from this Purāṇa.” (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, 1.3.43)

By reading Srimad Bhagavatam, anyone can gain direct realization and experience of the presence of God. The Bhagavata Purana is unique among all other Puranas and scriptures of the world because it explicitly describes the Supreme Personality of Godhead—His name, form, activities, associates, and so on. Whereas other scriptures include instructions of saints, messiahs, and prophets, the Srimad Bhagavatam contains direct instructions from Krishna Himself, as well as numerous descriptions of Krishna’s eternal activities in His own the spiritual realm.

Lord Buddha: The Atheist Incarnation

tataḥ kalau sampravṛtte sammohāya sura-dviṣām
buddho nāmnāñjana-sutaḥ kīkaṭeṣu bhaviṣyati

“Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the dark age, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Añjanā, in the province of Gayā, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist.” (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, 1.3.24)

The next avatar in Kali Yuga is Buddha. Buddhism has become one of the most popular religions in the world, though it is technically a non-theistic way of life. In His teachings, Lord Buddha makes no mention of God, the soul, or the afterlife, and instead prescribes for His followers a perfect path for living peacefully in this world.

One might wonder: why would an incarnation of God teach a non-theistic doctrine? The reason is that during this time in world history, at the onset of Kali Yuga, many irresponsible priests and religious leaders were deliberately misinterpreting scripture in order to condone rampant animal killing and other forms of violence. Therefore Krishna descended in the form of Lord Buddha to teach ahimsa, or non-violence as the foremost principle of a good and noble life.

Lord Chaitanya: Incarnation of Mercy

Known alternatively as Gauranga, Chaitanya, and Mahaprabhu, this golden avatar of Krishna is special among all others. Why? Because whereas most avatars exhibit merely a portion of Krishna’s godly qualities, Lord Chaitanya is a direct manifestation of Krishna. Among all grades of avatars, Chaitanya is in the highest class.

Mahaprabhu appeared in West Bengal in the district of Nadiya on February 18, in the year 1,486. Since He appeared just over 500 years ago, there are still many biographies of Him available today. His parents names were Jagannath Misra and Saci-devi, and they gave Him the name Vishvambhara, or one who maintains the world.

The reason Krishna appeared as Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was to broadcast the simple process of self-realization known as bhakti-yoga, or devotional service. In particular, Chaitanya taught the process of nāma-saṅkīrtana, or chanting the names of God. Chanting is such a wonderful and potent path to enlightenment that anyone can do it—even a child!—and experience profound results in no time. Lord Chaitanya primarily taught that the essential teaching of all the Vedic scriptures is to know and love God.

Lord Gauranga was also known for His social reformations. He pioneered the tactic of non-violent protest, and He accepted all classes of men and women in His saṅkīrtana movement, unlike the arrogant, class-conscious priests of His time.

Lord Kalki: Incarnation of Justice

At the end of Kali Yuga, Krishna descends in the form of Lord Kalki, a fearsome incarnation who kills the savage, cruel leaders who have come to dominate planet earth. This is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam as follows:

“By the time the Age of Kali ends, the bodies of all creatures will be greatly reduced in size, and the religious principles of followers of varṇāśrama will be ruined. The path of the Vedas will be completely forgotten in human society, and so-called religion will be mostly atheistic. The kings will mostly be thieves, the occupations of men will be stealing, lying and needless violence, and all the social classes will be reduced to the lowest level of śūdras. Cows will be like goats, spiritual hermitages will be no different from mundane houses, and family ties will extend no further than the immediate bonds of marriage. Most plants and herbs will be tiny, and all trees will appear like dwarf śamī trees. Clouds will be full of lightning, homes will be devoid of piety, and all human beings will have become like asses. At that time, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear on the earth. Acting with the power of pure spiritual goodness, He will rescue eternal religion.

“Lord Viṣṇu — the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the spiritual master of all moving and nonmoving living beings, and the Supreme Soul of all — takes birth to protect the principles of religion and to relieve His saintly devotees from the reactions of material work.

“Lord Kalki will appear in the home of the most eminent brāhmaṇa of Śambhala village, the great soul Viṣṇuyaśā.

“Lord Kalki, the Lord of the universe, will mount His swift horse Devadatta and, sword in hand, travel over the earth exhibiting His eight mystic opulences and eight special qualities of Godhead. Displaying His unequaled effulgence and riding with great speed, He will kill by the millions those thieves who have dared dress as kings.

“After all the impostor kings have been killed, the residents of the cities and towns will feel the breezes carrying the most sacred fragrance of the sandalwood paste and other decorations of Lord Vāsudeva, and their minds will thereby become transcendentally pure.

“When Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appears in their hearts in His transcendental form of goodness, the remaining citizens will abundantly repopulate the earth.

“When the Supreme Lord has appeared on earth as Kalki, the maintainer of religion, the golden age of Satya-yuga will begin, and human society will bring forth progeny in the mode of goodness.” (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, 12.2.12-23)

The Process of Religion in Kali Yuga

Kali Yuga is known as the age of quarrel and hypocrisy. Human society has abandoned virtue and is driven by selfish interests. Even among religious leaders, there is widespread corruption, and people in general have a very superficial idea of what it means to live a good life. As a result, the entire atmosphere is surcharged with conflict—from individuals at odds with themselves to nations perpetually on the brink of war.

The One Remaining Virtue

In the Srimad Bhagavatam, it is described that religion stands on the four legs of austerity, cleanliness, mercy, and truthfulness. Now in the age of Kali, only one leg of truthfulness remains, and even that is quickly weakening. Thankfully most people at least still recognize that truth is a virtue meant to be upheld in civilized society. However, by the end of Kali Yuga, even the concept of truthfulness will be foreign to the average person.

The Prescribed Method of Self-Realization

Due to the harsh environment of the age, the process of self-actualization in Kali Yuga is simplified. Our lives are short and we have few resources at our disposal for pursuing spirituality. Therefore, Krishna appears in this age as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to inaugurate the process of chanting the names of God, or kīrtana, as the best and easiest method to attain enlightenment.

Symptoms of Kali Yuga

There are many symptoms of Kali Yuga given in the Srimad Bhagavatam and other Vedic texts. What follows is a compilation of some of the prominent symptoms of the age:

1. Genuine religion will disappear day by day.
2. People will be unclean, untruthful, merciless, short-lived, and of weak memory.
3. Wealth alone will be the indicator of a person’s social status.
4. Those with power and influence will escape justice and flout the law.
5. In place of marriage, men and women will live together simply due to romantic attraction
6. The worth of a man or woman will be judged according to their expertise in sex.
7. Success in business will depend on deceit.
8. Those who do not have money will be considered substandard human beings.
9. Hypocrisy will be accepted as a virtue.
10. Beauty will be judged simply by one’s hairstyle.
11. People will think that eating well is the highest goal of life.
12. People will practice religion simply to achieve fame.
13. There will be widespread famine and excess taxes, and people will be forced to flee to forests and mountains.
14. The maximum duration of life will be 50 years.
15. By the end of Kali Yuga, human beings will be of a reduced size, the Vedas will be completely forgotten, and the leaders of society will be thieves.
16. People will have no other professions than simply cheating, killing, and stealing from one another.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Purpose of Kali-yuga?

This material world is a place of duality. Everything must have its opposite: good and bad, light and dark, creation and destruction, birth and death… the list goes on and on. Kali-yuga is the age for conflict, strife, chaos, and irreligion. Against the black backdrop of this age, the luminous path of God consciousness appears all the more brilliant. The distinct contrast makes it easier to understand the necessity of spiritual life in this material world.

How Far into Kali-yuga Are We?

Kali-yuga began a little more than 5,000 years ago, in 3102 BCE. This means we have only passed about 5,000 years, or roughly 1/1000th of a percent. There’s still a long way to go! Nearly 860,000 years! The best course of action is to take steps so that you won’t need to take another material birth. This is known is mukti, or liberation from material existence.

What Happens After Kali-yuga?

When Kali-yuga ends, Satya-yuga begins again. In this way the four ages cycle one after another until the entire universe is absorbed back into the body of the Supreme Being.

How Long Does Kali-yuga Last?

Kali-yuga lasts for 432,000 Bhu-mandala years, which translates to 864,000 of our earthly years.

Further Reading

Do you know that modern science is finally catching up with the predictions of Vedas and Yuga system? Read the most comprehensive book on yugas, vedic time and puranic history.

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