In the beginning of the fourth chapter, Shree Krishna tells Arjun that He had originally given the knowledge of yog (attaching the mind to God) to Vivasvan (the celestial sun god) several million years ago. He then taught it to his son Vaivaswat Manu (the original progenitor of human beings), who further taught it to his son King Ikshvaaku.
Thus handed down in succession, this knowledge of yog became known to a lineage of rajarshis (God realized kings). But due to the great passage of time, it became lost from the world.
Shree Krishna tells Arjun, “Because you are My devotee and friend, today I have taught you this same ancient yog. It is certainly a supreme secret.”
Arjun said, “Your birth is recent and Vivaswan’s birth was much earlier. So how can I comprehend that You taught this yog to the sun god at the beginning (of this creation)?” (Chapter 4, verses 1-4).
Cycles of time and types of dissolution or pralay
First let us understand why Arjun found it difficult to comprehend that Shree Krishna gave the knowledge to Vivaswan. According to the descriptions in Vedas and Puranas, there are four ages (yugas) which keep repeating in a cyclical fashion. The first yug is Satyug, which lasts 1,728,000 years. Next comes Tretayug, lasting 1,296,000. That is followed by Dwaparyug, which has a duration of 864,000 years, and finally Kaliyug, which is the shortest at 432,000 years. The four yugas total 4,320,000 years. One time around these four yugas is known as a mahayug, or a chaturyugi.
Many people think that after one chaturyugi there is a pralay (destruction). In other words, when Kaliyug finishes (we are currently 5,117 years into Kaliyug), there will be a pralay. This is not so. When Kaliyug finishes, there is a gradual transition from the extreme materialism of Kaliyug to the relative piety of Satyug. There is no pralay, and life goes on for the souls of the earth planet. However, after 71 chaturyugis, one manvantar is completed. The manvantar (71 chaturyugis) – having lasted 306,720,000 years – ends with a manvantar pralay.
During the manvantar pralay, there is a partial dissolution of the earth planet. After the passing of the manvantar pralay, life is renewed on earth, and the cycles of time continue. After each manvantar pralay, a new progenitor of the human race (called Manu) is appointed by Brahma. All human beings descend from him, and are thus called manushya. Fourteen such manvantar are known as one kalp (one day of Brahma).
At the end of a kalp, there is a much longer and more complete pralay of the earth planet. This gives you a brief understanding of the cycles of time described in the Hindu scriptures.
Age of the current manvantar
Shree Krishna stated that He gave the knowledge to Vivaswan, who is the father of the current Manu (known as Vaivaswat Manu). When did Vaivaswat Manu begin his reign? In the beginning of the current manvantar. How far are we into this manvantar?
We have completed 27 chaturyugis, and are in year 5,117 of Kaliyug in the 28th chaturyugi. That means that 120,533,117 years have elapsed since the beginning of this manvantar (at the time of this conversation between Shree Krishna and Arjun, it was 120,527,965 years). Hence, we can understand that Arjun, who knew Shree Krishna to be his cousin (Vasudev and Kunti were siblings), doubted that He could have been there at the time of Vivaswan, at the beginning of the current manvantar.
In response, Shree Krishna explains the secret of His Divine appearance in this world. He says, “O Arjun, both you and I have had many births. I remember all of them, but you do not. Though I am unborn, immortal, and the Lord of all beings, yet, while controlling maya (the material energy), I appear in this world through My Yogmaya (Divine personal power). Whenever righteousness declines and unrighteousness increases, I manifest Myself (in My personal form) at that time. For the protection of the pious, destruction of the wicked, and to re-establish dharm, I appear age after age.
One who correctly understands that My appearance and actions are Divine does not take another birth upon leaving their body, O Arjun. Rather, they come to Me in My eternal Divine abode.” (Chapter 4, verses 5-9).
These statements of Shree Krishna bring up many questions, such as: Is Shree Krishna’s body material or Divine? Was He born like we are? Did He die? Did He exist before
His appearance on earth? If so, in the same form, or in another form? When He appears in our world, is He still God, or does He become human? Can His actions be judged by material standards, or understood by human intellect? We will begin to address these important questions in the next article.
Disciple of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj
Swami Nikhilanand Ji is a Canadian born Hindu spiritual leader based in Austin, Texas. He is a sanyasi disciple and pracharak of Jagadguru Shree Kripaluji Maharaj.
Attracted to the teachings of Hinduism from a young age, Swamiji eventually let his deep spiritual longing lead him to India, where he was most fortunate to come under the guidance of Shree Kripaluji Maharaj. Thereafter, living in the ashrams of JKP, he extensively studied Hindi, the philosophy of the prime Sanskrit scriptures (Vedas, Darshan Shastras, Gita, Bhagwatam), and practiced meditation in the tradition of raganuga bhakti.
In 2003, he was given sanyas. Now, with the blessings of his Guruji, he offers satsang programs throughout America, engaging audiences with his clear explanations of Hindu philosophy coupled with inspired chanting of Sanskrit mantras and shlokas and charming nam sankirtan. His informative and compelling speeches provide practical insight into how to adopt the teachings of Sanatan Dharm into our daily lives, and inspire us to awaken our inner spiritual potential.
To stay in touch with Swami Nikhilanand Ji, like his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SwamiNikhilanand or follow him on twitter at https://twitter.com/Swami_Nikhil.
Swami Nikhilanand
