According to the ancient system of measuring time, our ancestors recorded the eras and classified them into four epochs.
- Satyuga
- Tretayuga
- Dwaparyuga
- Kaliyuga
This classification and the treatises found in studies denote a magnificent pattern of personalities and attributes, which varied in the cosmos. Let us take a brief look.
- Satyuga–
1. Etymologically– ‘Sat’ means righteousness and virtues, ‘yuga’ means era.
2. The attributes which adorned this era– Honesty, purity (Satya), Divine awareness- God is the doer (Tapa), compassion (daya), purity by rendering goodness (shaucha or daana); all the four elements were well-built.
3. Illustration– The honest king, King Harishchandra ; was never dishonest even in the dreams. - Tretayuga-
1. Etymologically– ‘Treta’ means loss of one of the principle elements, i.e. Satya, three were left
2. The attributes which adorned this era– Tapa, daya, shaucha, Satya diminished
3. Illustration– We are aware about Ravana, and his treacherous acts, and even other demons existed
4. Commencement of next era, its milestone– The rule of Lord Rama - Dwaparyuga-
1. Etymologically– ‘Dwapar’ means loss of two attributes, i.e. Satya, Tapa, two left
2. The attributes which adorned this era– Daya, shauch
3. Illustration- The awareness diminished, Duryodhana, Shakuni hatched plans, thinking themselves as the doer, Krishna was only one who practiced Tapa. Though, daana was prevalent. Karna, the beneficent (daanavira) is known. Compassion existed for all creatures.
4. Commencement of next era, its milestone– After Parikshit Ji - Kaliyuga- OUR ERA
1. Etymologically- Kali means quarrel, the three attributes were lost
2. The attributes which adorned this era– Shauch
3. Illustration– Slaughter, alter sacrifice, meat, and the rest rose steadily. The real essence of Jihaad or Bali was to conquer the senses. Only shauch can redeem us now.
- Instruction for us by our Mentor- 1. We can attain the bliss enjoyed by our ancestors in preceding eras, through daana.
2.
Through charity  |
| The mind begins gaining purity |
| Compassion rises (prema, Daya) |
| We start forgiving our trespassers and forget it. |
| Awareness as a servant, and surrenderence as a child descends (tapa) |
| Vani (the speech and thought, here) gains strength and cosmos unfurls before us. (Satya) |
| This chart indicates that through charity we can reach Satyuga and feel the bliss. The reversible arrows show that charity can lead us to Satya and chanting can carry us to charity, vice versa is applicable. |
3. To propagate this knowledge amidst common man, Buddha spread it. But, due to lack of agreement, he established the sect (it was not done to prove the notion of ‘divide and rule’, but to cherish the thoughts), which is known as Buddhism in present era.
4. The concept of sacrifice was not introduced to kill someone and offer it to Lord, as a present. But, it indicated the public to sacrifice the ‘sensual marathons’ in life.
The concept of SHIVRATRI- It is a great misconception that Mahashivratri is an occasion, when Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati were married. These marriage ceremonies are nothing, but occasions of sufferings. Shiva and Shakti are One. Shiva is Adi- Guru, Mahaguru. Ravana, Duryodhana, Rama and many more worshipped Shiva. He drank poison, to cherish a grand churning. Refer Link, for detailed description- Being Shiv (https://divineselflessservice.wordpress.com/2021/06/11/being-shiv-part2/ , and The ego is to be churned- . https://divineselflessservice.wordpress.com/2021/05/31/the-ego-is-to-be-churned/)
He revered Lord Vishnu and Narayana revered Shiva.
But, Shiva is a corpse (Shav) without Shakti. Shakti is the Eternal Energy. The Formless is Shakti and Form is Shiva.
Shivaratri is an episode, in which the macrocosm and the microcosm undergo several changes. The Kundalini rises on its own, without any effort. Few baby steps taken by a devotee can make him experience the Energy. Erect posture while meditation, awakened at night, chanting can bring Salvation.
