4 Yugas Explained in Hindi | Origin and Mystery of the Four Yugas

How were the Four Yugas created? The Hidden Mythology and the Mystery of the Yugas

In Sanatan Dharma, time is not merely viewed in terms of days, years, and centuries, but is explained as a vast cycle. This cycle is considered to have four major epochs: Satyuga, Tretayuga, Dwaparyuga, and Kaliyuga.

In these four epochs, the levels of Dharma (righteousness), truth, human life, lifespan, and spiritual consciousness are described as different. But a question that very few people ask is, how exactly were these four yugas created? Did God create four separate yugas, or does time itself move according to a fixed cycle?

Different Puranas and religious texts offer varying accounts regarding the origin of the yugas. Therefore, it is more appropriate to understand the "creation of the four yugas" not as a single event, but as a mythological concept of the Sanatan time-cycle.

What are the Four Yugas?

In the Sanatan tradition, one Mahayuga is considered to be composed of four yugas. Their order is as follows:

1. Satyuga or Krityuga
2. Tretayuga
3. Dwaparyuga
4. Kaliyuga

In these four yugas, the state of Dharma gradually changes. While Dharma is considered complete in Satyuga, its stages progressively diminish in Tretayuga, Dwaparyuga, and Kaliyuga.

What is the Mystery Behind the Creation of the Four Yugas?

According to the mythological time-cycle, creation does not remain in a single state permanently. Creation, sustenance, transformation, and re-entry into the cycle are continuous processes.

Similarly, the state of human society and Dharma also changes with time. The four yugas are explained as the four phases of this transformation.

According to a famous religious concept, the nature of the yugas changes based on the predominance of Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas Gunas and the state of Dharma.

From this perspective, the four yugas are not four separate worlds created on a single day, but rather four states that occur within the time-cycle of creation.

How did Satyuga Begin?

The first of the four yugas is considered to be Satyuga or Krityuga. It is called Satyuga due to the predominance of "truth" and Dharma.

Mythological descriptions portray Satyuga as an era in which humans adhered to truth, penance, compassion, and Dharma. Irreligion and deceit were extremely rare.

In this yuga, Dharma is described as being standing on all four legs. Humans were more spiritually aware, and penance and meditation were considered important for attaining God.

Key Characteristics of Satyuga

• Predominance of truth and Dharma
• Importance of penance and meditation
• Long lifespan of human beings
• Extremely low influence of irreligion
• Predominance of spiritual consciousness

How did Tretayuga Arrive?

After Satyuga comes Tretayuga. In this yuga, Dharma is considered to have one less stage, with three stages remaining.

Tretayuga is particularly associated with the avatar of Lord Rama. The major events of the Ramayana are considered to be related to this yuga.

In this yuga, both Dharma and Adharma (irreligion) are visible. Kings, kingdoms, wars, and social systems become more developed, but simultaneously, ego and Adharma also begin to increase.

The tyranny of Ravana and his vanquishing by Lord Rama are considered a prime example of the re-establishment of Dharma in Tretayuga.

The Creation and Mystery of Dwaparyuga

After Tretayuga comes Dwaparyuga. In this yuga, Dharma is considered to have two stages.

Dwaparyuga is particularly associated with the Mahabharata and Lord Krishna. In this yuga, the conflict between Dharma and Adharma becomes even more apparent.

In the battle of Kurukshetra, Lord Krishna imparted the teachings of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna. The knowledge of the Gita explains the relationship between action, Dharma, the soul, and God.

The religious tradition states that the Kaliyuga began after the Mahabharata war at the end of Dwaparyuga and Lord Krishna's departure from Earth.

How did Kaliyuga Begin?

The last of the four yugas is Kaliyuga. According to religious tradition, Kaliyuga is considered to have begun after Lord Krishna's departure from Earth.

It is said that in Kaliyuga, only one stage of Dharma remains. This yuga is described as having an increase in greed, attachment, anger, ego, falsehood, and material desires.

However, Kaliyuga is not considered solely an age of darkness. Many religious traditions also describe it as an era in which chanting the name of God is one of the simplest spiritual practices.

What is the Meaning of the Four Stages of Dharma in the Four Yugas?

To explain the yugas, Dharma is often illustrated with the metaphor of a four-legged bull.

The meaning of this symbol is that the social and moral state of Dharma weakens over time. After this, the cycle of yugas moves towards a new Satyuga again.

What is the Duration of the Four Yugas?

The Puranas describe the duration of the yugas based on the years of the gods. According to traditional calculations, the main duration of the four yugas is described as follows:

Within these numbers, there are also various traditional calculations regarding the twilight (sandhya) and dawn (sandhyansh) of the yugas. Therefore, differences in the total duration may be observed in different sources.

What do the Four Yugas Together Form?

Satyuga, Tretayuga, Dwaparyuga, and Kaliyuga together form a Mahayuga. According to traditional Puranic calculations, the duration of one Mahayuga is considered to be 4,320,000 human years.

After this, the same time-cycle repeats. Thus, the yugas are explained not as a straight line, but as a vast cycle.

Does Satyuga Come Again After the Four Yugas?

Yes. According to the concept of the time-cycle in Sanatan Dharma, a new Satyuga begins again after Kaliyuga. Thus, the sequence repeats:

Satyuga → Tretayuga → Dwaparyuga → Kaliyuga → Then Satyuga

This cycle of yugas is considered a symbol of the continuous change of time in creation.

Did God Create Four Separate Yugas?

From a religious perspective, it is more appropriate to say that the four yugas are four states of the time-cycle of creation. They are not considered four separate worlds or four separate creations.

In the Puranic tradition, the creation of the universe and its cycle are linked to the comprehensive cosmic system of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. The sequence of yugas is a part of that vast cosmic cycle.

How are the Yugas Related to the Avatars of God?

According to the Sanatan tradition, whenever Dharma declines, God incarnates in various forms to establish Dharma.

• Satyuga: Tales of Lord Vishnu's avatars such as Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, and Narasimha are associated with this yuga.
• Tretayuga: The avatar of Lord Rama is primarily considered to be related to this yuga.
• Dwaparyuga: The avatar of Lord Krishna is associated with this yuga.
• Kaliyuga: Religious traditions speak of the future manifestation of Lord Vishnu's Kalki avatar.

What is the Greatest Mystery of Kaliyuga?

Kaliyuga is described as a difficult yuga from the perspective of Dharma, but an important spiritual idea is also found concerning this yuga. Many devotional traditions believe that in Kaliyuga, compared to severe penance, chanting the name, devotion, and satsang (holy company) are considered simpler practices.

Therefore, the story of Kaliyuga is not just a tale of fear or irreligion. Its message is also that even in difficult times, humans can walk the path of Dharma through their conduct, devotion, and actions.

What Lessons Can We Learn from the Story of the Four Yugas?

• Time is always changing.
• The protection of Dharma and truth is essential in every yuga.
• Even when Adharma increases, humans have the freedom to choose the right path.
• Regardless of the yuga, the importance of good deeds never diminishes.
• In difficult times, remembering God gives spiritual strength to humans.
• The tradition of viewing creation as a continuously moving cycle is a characteristic of Sanatan philosophy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the Four Yugas?

The four yugas are—Satyuga, Tretayuga, Dwaparyuga, and Kaliyuga. Together, these four are considered one Mahayuga.

2. Which is the first yuga among the Four Yugas?

Satyuga or Krityuga is considered the first among the four yugas.

3. Which yuga will come after Kaliyuga?

According to the traditional Sanatan time-cycle, Satyuga will begin again after Kaliyuga.

4. Which is the longest yuga among the Four Yugas?

According to traditional calculations, Satyuga is the longest, with a duration of 1,728,000 human years.

5. In which yuga did Lord Rama appear?

According to religious tradition, the avatar of Lord Rama occurred in Tretayuga.

6. In which yuga did Lord Krishna appear?

The avatar of Lord Krishna is considered to have occurred in Dwaparyuga.

7. Are the durations of the yugas scientifically proven?

The vast time durations of the yugas are based on religious and Puranic traditions. They should not be viewed as historical timelines proven by modern scientific chronology.

Conclusion

The story of the four yugas explains the vast concept of the time-cycle in Sanatan Dharma. Starting from Satyuga, the state of Dharma changes through Tretayuga, Dwaparyuga, and Kaliyuga, and then the cycle returns to Satyuga.

Instead of viewing these yugas merely as calculations of thousands or millions of years, it is also important to understand the spiritual message hidden within them. Truth, Dharma, compassion, self-control, and devotion to God can guide human life in any yuga.

This is the deepest lesson of the four yugas: time keeps changing, but the importance of Dharma and good deeds never ends.

Read Also

• When will Kaliyuga end? Know the signs described in the Puranas
• When and why will Lord Vishnu's Kalki avatar appear?
• What was Satyuga like? Know the amazing characteristics of this yuga
• How was Lord Rama born in Tretayuga?
• The Complete Story of Dwaparyuga and the Mahabharata