Waiting for Lord Kalkin

शम्भल ग्राम मुख्यस्य ब्राह्मणस्य महात्मनः।

भवने विष्णुयशसः कल्किः प्रादुर्भविष्यति॥

Srimad Bhagavatha Maha Purana – 12:2:18

Although I am not particularly religious, but can certainly cast the cloak of spirituality and pass when necessary, I have always had a major interest in mythology, from any culture. Humans have a deep need to imbue meaning to these short lives of ours and in fact human psychology and myth making is remarkably similar the world over. I point you to Campbell, Jung and Graves to get a primer on the collective unconscious, archetypes and symbol. This book by Maude Oakes and Joseph Lewis Henderson, The wisdom of the serpent, expounds on this subject at length.

I was first introduced to the concept of the Kali Yuga by Zelazny in the book Lord of Light. It is a time demarcation of hinduism. The Hindus have a calendar that goes backwards and forward to near infinity. We are said to be in the final act of the Kali Yuga, a period of time of darkness and deceit that has already lasted approximately 5000 years and only has 1000 more or so to go. The Kali Yuga is composed of one part virtue to three parts sin. And maybe the hindus are on to something.

Kali Yuga (Devanāgarī: कलियुग [kəli juɡə], lit. "age of Kali", or "age of vice") is the last of the four stages the world goes through as part of the cycle of yugas described in the Sanskrit scriptures, within the present Mahayuga. The other ages are called Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, and Dvapara Yuga.
Kali Yuga is associated with the demon Kali (not to be confused with the goddess Kālī). The "Kali" of Kali Yuga means "strife", "discord", "quarrel" or "contention."

A discourse by Markandeya in the Mahabharata identifies some of the attributes of Kali Yuga. In relation to rulers, it lists:
Rulers will become unreasonable: they will levy taxes unfairly.
Rulers will no longer see it as their duty to promote spirituality, or to protect their subjects: they will become a danger to the world.
People will start migrating, seeking countries where wheat and barley form the staple food source. 

"At the end of Kali-yuga, when there exist no topics on the subject of God, even at the residences of so-called saints and respectable gentlemen of the three higher varnas [guna or temperament] and when nothing is known of the techniques of sacrifice, even by word, at that time the Lord will appear as the supreme chastiser." (Srimad-Bhagavatam - 2.7)

With regard to human relationships, Markandeya's discourse says:
Avarice and wrath will be common. Humans will openly display animosity towards each other. Ignorance of dharma will occur.
People will have thoughts of murder with no justification and will see nothing wrong in that.
Lust will be viewed as socially acceptable and sexual intercourse will be seen as the central requirement of life.
Sin will increase exponentially, while virtue will fade and cease to flourish.
People will take vows and break them soon after.
People will become addicted to intoxicating drinks and drugs.
Gurus will no longer be respected and their students will attempt to injure them. Their teachings will be insulted, and followers of Kama will wrest control of the mind from all human beings.
Brahmins will not be learned or honored, Kshatriyas will not be brave, Vaishyas will not be just in their dealings.

The Kali Yuga is said to end in the prophecies with the coming of Sri Kalki, the destroyer, the tenth and final Avatar of Lord Vishnu. He comes astride his white horse Devadatta. According to some legends of the end of the world, Kalkin’s horse will stamp the earth with its right foot, causing the tortoise which supports the world to drop into the deep. A titanic battle ensues with Kali and there is a cataclysm, which finally vanquishes the dark forces and evil and ushers in the next Satya Yuga. Then the gods will restore the earth once again to its former purity.

The ascetic prince, Lord Kalki, the Lord of the Universe, will mount His swift white horse Devadatta and, sword in hand, travel over the earth exhibiting His eight mystic opulences and eight special qualities of Godhead. Displaying His unequaled effulgence and riding with great speed, He will kill the millions of those thieves who have dared dress as kings. Bhagavata Purana, 12.2.19-20

We are in a dark time right now but we have faced darker times before. Truth is standing on its head and we seem to be stuck in an unexpected retrograde motion. A last stand for the dinosaur class.

I think that you are in danger of being consumed if you are living and dying each day with the political theater and hijinx going on in Washington, from either side. Give your self a break and detach, if not unplug from the news or social media if you find yourself depressed or freaked out by the daily outrage. This will all pass. Think of it as a movie or cheesy reality t.v. show. Only about 1000 more years to go. Relax.

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Do you know that many think that Christianity actually sprang from Hinduism, that Christ has an etymological link to Krishna? Read more here.