These descriptions remind me of Mark Twain who said he wanted to go to heaven for the climate and hell for the company! I know which Yuga has the best blues! I'll bet if you ask for a bourbon at a Sat Yuga party, they hand you some celebration cake from the National day for Tobago.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Rick Archer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > "In the Kali Yuga, there will be numerous rulers vying with each other. > They will have no character. Violence, falsehood and wickedness will be > the order of the day. Piety and good nature will dwindle slowly... > Passion and lust will be the only attraction between the sexes. Women > will be the objects of sensual pleasure. Dishonest will be the bottom > line of subsistence. Learned people will be ridiculed and put to shame; > the word of the wealthy person will be the only law." > > An alternative view of the yuga cycle and timescale was taught by the > 19th-century Indian yogi <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga> Swami > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami> Sri Yukteswar Giri > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Yukteswar_Giri> , guru of Paramahansa > Yogananda <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paramahansa_Yogananda> . > > In his book, The Holy Science > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holy_Science> , Sri Yukteswar explains > that the descending phase of Satya Yuga lasts 4800 years, Treta Yuga 3600 > years, Dwapara Yuga 2400 years, and Kali Yuga 1200 years. The ascending > phase of Kali Yuga then begins, also lasting 1200 years; and so on. The > ascending phase of Kali Yuga began in September of 499 > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/499> CE. Since September 1699 > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1699> , we have been in the ascending phase of > Dwapara Yuga, according to Sri Yukteswar. Evidence exists to support Sri > Yukteswar's theory. For example, the average life span is getting longer > (see above). > > In The Holy Science <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holy_Science> , Sri > Yukteswar writes that the traditional view is based on a misunderstanding. > He says that at the end of the last descending Dwapara Yuga (about 700 BC > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/700_BC> ) "Maharaja Yudhisthira > <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yudhisthira> , noticing the appearance of the > dark Kali Yuga, made over his throne to his grandson [and]...together with > all of his wise men...retired to the Himalaya Mountains...Thus there was > none in the court...who could understand the principle of correctly > accounting the ages of the several Yugas." > > According to Sri Yukteswar, nobody wanted to announce the bad news of the > beginning of the ascending Kali Yuga, so they just kept adding years to the > Dwapara date (at that time 2400 Dwapara). As the Kali began to ascend again, > scholars of the time recognized that there was a mistake in the date (then > being called 3600+ Kali, although their texts said Kali had only 1200 > years). "By way of reconciliation, they fancied that 1200 years, the real > age of Kali, were not the ordinary years of our earth, but were so many > daiva (or deva) years ("years of the gods"), consisting of 12 daiva months > of 30 daiva days each, with each daiva day being equal to one ordinary solar > year of our earth. Hence according to these men 1200 years of Kali Yuga must > be equal to 432,000 years of our earth." > > Sri Yukteswar also writes that our sun has a 'star for its dual', with an > orbit around this star. As our sun moves through this orbit it takes the > whole solar system closer to and then further from the "grand center" of our > solar system called 'Vishnunabhi', which is the seat of the creative power, > 'Brahma', [which]...regulates...the mental virtue of the internal world." He > states that the proximity to this grand center determimes which yuga it is. > > Satya Yuga > The Satya Yuga, also called Sat Yuga, Krta Yuga and Krita Yuga in > Hinduism, is the "Yuga (Age or Era) of Truth", when humankind is > governed by gods, and every manifestation or work is close to the purest > ideal and mankind will allow intrinsic goodness to rule supreme. It is > sometimes referred to as the "Golden Age." > Amongst the four eras, the Satya Yuga is the first and the most > significant one. This era extends up to 1,728,000 years. Knowledge, > meditation, and penance hold special importance in this era. All the > pillars of religion are present in totality. The average life expectancy > of a human being in Satya Yuga is believed to be over 4,000 years. > During Satya Yuga, all people engage only in good, sublime deeds. > Ashrams become devoid of wickedness and deceit. Natyam (such as > Bharatanatyam), according to Natya Shatra, did not exist in the Satya > Yuga "because it was the time when all people were happy". > > Treta Yuga > The Treta Yuga is the second out of four yugas, or ages of man, in the > religion of Hinduism, following the Satya Yuga of perfect morality and > preceding the Dvapara Yuga. The most famous events in this yuga were > Lord Vishnu's fifth, sixth and seventh incarnations as Vamana, > Parashurama and Ramachandra respectively. The Dharma bull, which > symbolises morality, stood on three legs during this period. It had all > four in the Satya Yuga and two in the later Dvapara Yuga. Currently, in > the immoral age of Kali, it stands on one leg. > > Avatars of Vishnu during Treta Yuga > > Vamana > Vishnu incarnated as the dwarf son of Aditi to stop King Mahabali of the > Asura race, the grandson of Prahlada, from completing a sacrifice which > would allow him to overshadow Devendra in power and splendour. The > jealous and worried Devas persuaded Vishnu to send Bali, a bhakta of > his, to Patala, the underworld. Vishnu did so by taking advantage of the > King's kindness and refusal to go back on his word, but allowed him a > luxurious dwelling and sovereignty in one of the lower worlds. He also > gave him the boon of being able to visit his subjects once every year. > > Parashurama > Vishnu incarnated as the Brahmana Parashurama in this era because there > were too many warlike kshatriyas plaguing the Earth, and he therefore > had to wipe out most of the world's warriors. However, some of the > Kshatriyas survived or more were created, and their population grew > again. Eventually, the avatara of Vishnu in Parashurama ended, though it > is said that he continued to live on as a mighty warrior-hermit. He > confronted Ramachandra angrily years later, before acknowledging the > latter's supremacy and retiring. He lived on in the Dvapara Yuga, having > a great duel with Bhishma for Amba's sake (and losing), and he taught > Karna how to use the Brahmastra and cursed him when he found out that he > was a kshatriya. He is said to be still alive today, meditating in the > mountains or deep in a forest. > > Ramachandra > The hallmark of this era was the rise of evil in the form of the demon > king Ravana. He conquered the three worlds namely, earth, heavens and > the netherworlds (patala) and terrorised everyone. Even the Devas were > subordinate to him - his son Meghanada had earned the name of Indrajit > by defeating Indra, the King of heaven, in battle; and even the Sun had > to obey the rakshasa king. In this scenario, Lord Vishnu incarnated > himself as the son of King Dasaratha of the Solar or Ikshvaku dynasty > and was named Lord Rama, and this avatara was not aware of his own > divine nature. Due to a stepmother's jealousy, Lord Rama was sent away > to the forest in exile for 14 years, during which time he confronted and > killed Ravana for having kidnapped his wife, and thus restored peace on > earth. He is said to have afterwards ruled the Kingdom of Kosala from > Ayodhya for an eleven-thousand year golden age known as the Rama-rajya > or Rama's Kingdom, before eventually returning to his Mahavishnu form > with his three half-brothers- Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna- who > were "minor" incarnations of Vishnu or the great serpent-god Shesha. > > > Dvapara Yuga > > Dvapara Yuga is the third out of four yugas, or ages, in the religion of > Hinduism. This yuga comes after Treta Yuga and is followed by Kali Yuga. > During this yuga, as Lord Krishna and the yuga ends with his death. > > There are only two pillars left of religion in the Dvapara Yuga. Bhagwan > Vishnu assumes the color yellow and the Vedas are categorized into four > parts that is Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. During these times the > Brahmins are knowledgeable of two, sometimes three Vedas, but rarely > have studied all the four Vedas thoroughly. Accordingly, because of this > categorization, different actions and activities come into existence. > > The Roles of the Castes > > All people in the Dvapara Yuga are zealous, valiant, courageous and > competitive by nature and are engaged only in penance and charity. They > are kingly and pleasure-seeking. In this era, the divine intellect > ceases to exist, and it is therefore seldom that anyone is wholly > truthful. As a result of this life of deceit, people are plagued by > ailments, diseases and various types of desires. After suffering from > these ailments, people realize their misdeeds and perform penance. Some > also organize Yagya for material benefits as well as for divinity. > > The Role of the Brahmin > In this Yuga, the Brahmins are involved in Yagya, self-study, donation > and teaching activities. They attain celestial bliss by engaging in > penance, religion, control of senses and restraint. > > The Role of the Kshatriya > The duties of Kshatriyas are the protection of their subjects. In this > era, they are humble and performe their duties by controlling their > senses. The Kshatriyas honestly execute all policies of law and order > without being angry or cruel. They are devoid of greed and consequently > attain bliss. > > The king avails the advice of the learned scholars and accordingly > maintains law and order in his empire. The king who is addicted to vices > will definitely end up defeated. One or two or all from Sa-ma, Da-na, > Danda, Bheda and Upeksha is/are brought into use and help attain the > desired. Kings are diligent in maintaining public decorum and order. > > A few of the kings, however, surreptitiously plan a conspiracy along > with the scholars. Strong people execute work where execution of > policies is involved. The king appoints priests, etc. to perform > religious activities, economists and ministers to perform monetary > activities, impotents to take care of women and cruel men to execute > heinous activities. > > The Role of the Vaishya > The duties of Vaishyas are trade, poultry-culture and agriculture. > Vaishyas attain higher planes through charity and hospitality. > > The Role of the Shudra > The duty of Shudras is to perform tasks that demand highly physical work > and to serve the three upper classes. Although lower than the other > three castes, the Shudras are not discriminated against. All other three > sections namely Brahmana, Kshatriya and Vaisya protected Shudras and > contributed for their safety and happiness. Krishna, eighth avatar of > Vishnu was brought up in a Vaishya family though he was a born Kshatriya. > > The Decline of Life > The living and moral standard of the people overall in the Dvapara Yuga > drops immensely from the Treta Yuga. The average life expectancy of > humans begins to fall to only 2,000 years in this era because of neglect > of the Varnashram, Vedas and Yagyas. The Vedas especially become less > active. > > Kali Yuga > "In the Kali Yuga, there will be numerous rulers vying with each other. > They will have no character. Violence, falsehood and wickedness will be > the order of the day. Piety and good nature will dwindle slowly... > Passion and lust will be the only attraction between the sexes. Women > will be the objects of sensual pleasure. Dishonest will be the bottom > line of subsistence. Learned people will be ridiculed and put to shame; > the word of the wealthy person will be the only law." > > Kali Yuga (Devna-gari: ????) (lit. Age of Kali, also known as Iron Age), > is one of the four stages of development that the world goes through as > part of the cycle of Yugas, as described in Hindu scriptures. The other > Yugas are Dwapara Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Satya Yuga. According to the > Surya Siddhanta, an astronomical treatise that forms the basis of all > Hindu and Buddhist calendars, Kali Yuga began at midnight (00:00) on 18 > February 3102 BC, which is also considered by many Hindus to be the time > that Krishna left his body (Hindus don't consider avatars to die). > > Most interpretations of Hindu scriptures believe that earth is currently > in Kali Yuga. However, other interpretations of the same scriptures > believe that earth is now at the beginning of Dwapara Yuga. Throughout > the Kali Yuga, Hindus believe that human civilization degenerates > spiritually. Kali Yuga is sometimes referred to as the Dark age (Iron > Age), mainly because people are the furthest possible from god. > > Hindus generally consider moralilty to be compareable to a bull. In the > Satya Yuga the bull had four legs, and in each age morality reduced by a > quarter. By the age of Kali, morality will be reduced to only a quarter > to that of the golden age. Thus, the bull will only have one leg. > Morality will wait on men. > > Kali Yuga should not be confused with the goddess Kali, as they are > unrelated words in the Sanskrit language. The "kali" of Kali Yuga means > "terrible," whereas the goddess "Kali" is the feminine form of "Kala," > which means "time." Though, it is believed that Kali is the one that > governs the this age. > > In relation to rulers > Rulers will become unreasonable, they will levy taxes unfairly. Rulers > will no longer see it their duty to promote spirituality or to protect > their subjects. Instead, they will become a danger to the world. People > will start migrating seeking countries where wheat and Barley form the > staple food source > > In relation to people's relationships > Avarice and wrath is common, men will openly display animosities towards > one another. Ignorance of Dharma will occur. Lust will be viewed as the > being socially acceptable. People will have thoughts of muder for no > justification, and they will see nothing wrong with their mindset. > > People will no longer follow the science of reason and instead be lead > by their emotions instead of their minds. Family murders will also > occur. People will see those who are helpless as as easy targets and > remove everything from them. > > Many other unwanted changes will occur. The right hand will deceive the > left and the left the right. Men with false reputation of learning will > teach the Truth and the old will betray the senselessness of the young, > and the young will betray the dotage of the old. Cowards will have the > reputation of bravery and the brave will be cheerless like cowards. > People will not trust a single person in the world, not even their > immediate family. Even Husband and wife will find contempt in each other. > > It should be noted that in the Kali yuga there will be teenage pregnancies. > > It is believed that sin will increase exponentially, whilst virtue will > fade and cease to flourish. People will take vows only to break them > shortly after. > > Alongside death and famine being everywhere, men will have lustful > thoughts and so will women. People will, without reason destroy trees > and gardens. As previously mentioned men will murder. There will be no > respect for animals, and also meat eating will start. > > People will become addicted to intoxicating drinks. Men will find their > jobs stressful and will go to retreats to escape their work. > > Gurus will no longer be respected and their students will attempted to > injure them. > > Throughout the age, humans become shorter in height and weaker > physically as well as mentally and spiritually. > > Weather and nature conditions in the Kali Yuga > when flowers will be begot within flowers, and fruits within fruits, > then will the Yuga come to an end. And the clouds will pour rain > unseasonably when the end of the Yuga approaches. > > End of this Kali Yuga > At the end of this Kali Yuga, an Avatar will arrive on earth known as > Kalki, who will be a direct personification of Krishna, and ride on a > white horse. And in turn will start a new age, the age of Satya. > > Other interpretations of Kali Yuga and the yuga cycle > Other interpretations of the Hindu scriptures, most notably by David > Frawley and Sri Yukteswar Giri, hold a different view of the Yuga cycle. > Based on historical and scriptural evidence, they state that the Yugas > change in a cycle much like the four seasons, where the planet moves > repeatedly and gradually from one Yuga to the next, without a sudden > jump from Kali into Satya Yuga. Further, they both state that historical > evidence shows that Kali Yuga ended around 1700 CE, changing at that > time to Dwapara Yuga. > > Also supporting their view is the fact that that humans are becoming > taller in height, more intelligent, and are living longer. This is > contrary to some of the only objective criteria for defining Kali Yuga, > according to Sri Yukteswar. > > Vamadeva David Frawley > Frawley, a widely respected Jyotish astrologer and author of many books > on Vedic traditions, points out that Manu, in his Manhu Samhita, posits > a much shorter Yuga cycle of 24,000 years. Manu¹s Yuga cycle happens to > correspond roughly to the same length of time that astronomers attribute > to the Precession of the Equinoxes. Based on Frawley¹s interpretation of > scripture, we are currently near the beginning of a Dwapara Yuga cycle > that will last a total of 2,400 years. He further points out that that > the traditional 432,000 year cycle is questionable, based on Vedic and > Puranic historical records. He explains this interpretation in more > depth in his book The Astrology of the Seers. [1] > > Sri Yukteswar Giri > According to Sri Yukteswar Giri, we are currently in Dwapara Yuga. In > his book The Holy Science, he explains that "the astronomers and > astrologers who calculate the almanacs have been guided by wrong > annotations of certain Sanskrit scholars (such as Kullu Bhatta) of the > dark age of Kali Yuga, and now maintain that the length of Kali Yuga is > 432,000 years, of which 4994 have (in A D. 1894) passed away, leaving > 427,006 years still remaining. A dark prospect! And fortunately one not > true." The Holy Science includes his astronomical explanation for a > shorter Yuga Cycle, in which Kali Yuga lasts only 2,400 years (1,200x2, > one descending Kali Yuga cycle, followed by an ascending cycle). [2] > > Sri Aurobindo > According to Sri Aurobindo, Kali Yuga lasts far less than 432,000 years. > The followers of the Purna Yoga believe that the Mother successfully > solicited the early termination of the Kali Yuga in 1969, and the > abolition of pralaya (normal process of destruction of the universe at > the end of a kalpa Cosmic Cycle of Creation-Destruction). > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Check out the new improvements in Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.com/6pRQfA/fOaOAA/yQLSAA/UlWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! 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