The science and philosophy embedded in the Hindu scriptures are not exhaustive. In fact, the rules of interpretation lie in our ability to contextualize their knowledge to the contemporary period. This characterizes the philosophy of Hinduism in its vast and broad nature as relentlessly dynamic.
Since Hinduism can account for the macro and micro elements that govern humans and society at large, predictions have been made regarding what we will become during the fourth and final stage of this cycle of existence. Such predictions can be sourced in the various scriptural texts. The following lists some of the spiritual degeneration that is said will occur as the dark age of Kal Yug progresses:
- Wealth alone will be the deciding factor of nobility in place of birth, righteous behaviour or merit. Brute force will be the only standard for deciding what is righteous or just.
- Mutual liking and not family pedigree, social status and so forth, will be the deciding factor in choosing a partner in marriage.
- Cheating will be the order of the day in business relations.
- Only one quarter of each of the four feet of dharma (penance, truthfulness, compassion and charity) will remain. This too will go on decreasing day by day while the feet of ‘adharma’ (unrighteousness) will increase greatly so that in the end dharma will become extinct.
- People will be greedy. They will take to wicked behaviour. They will be merciless, indulge in hostilities without any cause. They will be unfortunate, extremely covetous for wealth and women. Deceit, falsehood, lethargy, sleepiness, violence, despondency, grief, delusion, fear and poverty will prevail.
- It is said that mortals will become dull-witted, unlucky, voracious, destitute of wealth and unchaste.
- Men will abandon their parents, brothers, friends and relatives. They will occupy high seats (and pulpits) and will (pretend to) preach religion.
- People will have their minds weighed down with constant anxiety and fear.
Swami Vivekananda, a prominent writer wrote: “But greater than the present deep dismal night…no pall of darkness had ever before enveloped this holy land of ours. And compared with the depth of this fall, all previous falls appear like little hoof-marks.”
By Pundit Vasistha Persad
