U Lakshman Rao
After the conclusion of the Dwapara Yuga and the departure of Lord Krishna from the mortal realm, the age of Kali commenced. In this dark age, righteousness stands precariously upon a single leg, as foretold in ancient prophecy. In contrast, the golden age of Krita Yuga was founded upon four eternal pillars—Truth, Purity, Forgiveness, and Compassion.
But in Kali Yuga, the hearts of men are bereft of noble virtues. Memory has waned, love has diminished, grace is scarce, and longevity is short-lived. Falsehood overshadows truth in every sphere of life. The wealthy are considered virtuous, the powerful rule without merit, the loquacious are called scholars, and the purpose of wealth and desire is reduced to the mere act of feeding the stomach.
The influence of Kali fosters ignorance. The study and practice of the Vedas declined. Caste divisions grow severe and tumultuous. Non-Vedic ideologies spread unchecked. Rulers become selfish and cruel, and virtue is concealed beneath the weight of greed and deception.
In this perilous hour, when society reels under moral disarray, Lord Vishnu shall manifest in his final incarnation—as Kalki. He shall bring with him the promise of renewal and the dawn of a new Satya Yuga. His divine birth shall take place in the sacred village of Shambhala, to the pious couple Vishnuyasha and Sumati, devoted followers of Vishnu.
Kalki’s birth is not ordinary; it is divinely ordained, signifying the end of celestial forbearance and the culmination of mankind’s transgressions. Unlike previous incarnations who emerged amidst spiritual awakening, Kalki shall arise in an age where truth is scarce, and virtue is shrouded by corruption. His advent shall be the supreme intervention of the Divine in the darkest hour of human history.
Under the guidance of Parashurama, the immortal avatar of Vishnu who awaits him in penance, Kalki shall be trained in the knowledge of scriptures and the mastery of arms. This period shall mark his inward preparation—for his mission demands not only strength of arm but the righteous fury of a sage-warrior.
He shall ride the celestial steed, Devadatta, bearing a blazing sword—Time’s turning blade. Yet, his path into the world shall be obstructed by unrighteous conduct. People shall be unkind, deceitful, cunning, and given to falsehood. Famine, poverty, irregular seasons, and unrest shall increase.
Yet, the solution remains simple: pilgrimage to holy places, the chanting of the Divine Name, heartfelt prayer, and the worship of the Lord. In Kali Yuga, the worship of Lord Venkateshwara alone is sufficient to cleanse all sins. Unlike former ages, sacrificial rituals, elaborate ceremonies, and grand donations are no longer essential—devotion and sincere remembrance shall suffice.
Kali’s influence, though degenerative, serves a hidden purpose—to hasten the decay that must precede renewal. As a result, humanity shall become greedy, quarrelsome, and cruel over trifles. Anger shall be rampant, and selfish, carnal desires shall govern their hearts. Urban life shall breed discord, and rulers shall fail in their duties.
Brahmins shall barter sacred knowledge for gold. Merchants shall deceive the innocent. Relationships shall be forged and measured through wealth and outward opulence. Friendship, loyalty, sincerity, and honesty shall be weighed against material gain. Migration and the pursuit of fortune shall be the new order.
To counteract this decline, the only true refuge is worship and prayer. The Lord of Kali Yuga, through His grace, has made spiritual liberation easier than in any previous age.
After the departure of the Kauravas, Yudhishthira, the Dharma-raja, was deeply burdened by thoughts of sin and sorrow. Sage Narada consoled him, reminding him that all actions in the universe unfold under the will of Lord Vishnu. He, as king, was merely an instrument of divine destiny. Encouraged, Yudhishthira anointed Parikshit, the noble son of Abhimanyu, as his successor and departed for his final journey.
Parikshit was a worthy king: in archery, he rivalled Arjuna; in generosity, King Sibi; in truthfulness and virtue, Sri Rama; in devotion, Prahlada. He ruled like Ikshvaku, treating his subjects as his own children. He wed Iravati, daughter of Uttara Kumara, and begot Janamejaya, Bhimasena, Ugrasena, and Shrutasena.
One day, during his reign, he came upon Dharma in the form of a bull, standing on one leg, and Bhudevi, the Earth Goddess, in the form of a weeping cow. Curious, he inquired of them the cause of their sorrow. Dharma replied that society was facing decline; truth, purity, self-restraint, humility, creativity, wisdom, and faith in God were all waning since the departure of Krishna.
As they spoke, a man in regal attire struck the cow and bull, causing them to reel in pain. At once, Parikshit confronted him and declared that kings who fail to protect the gentle and the pious deserve punishment. The offender begged pardon and fled. Parikshit then turned to Dharma and vowed to restore his four legs—Truth, Austerity, Compassion, and Purity—which were weakened under Kali’s rule.
Dharma praised the king’s virtue and declared that sorrow arises in many forms—some attribute it to their own deeds, some to fate, others to the stars—but all joy and suffering ultimately rest in the will of the Supreme Lord.
As Parikshit consoled the Earth, Kali appeared, trembling with fear. The king condemned him, forbidding him to dwell among his subjects. Kali pleaded for a place to stay. Parikshit, granting him mercy, permitted his presence in gamblers, drunkards, the lustful, the violent, and those who covet gold. Thus confined, Kali’s influence remained subdued during Parikshit’s reign. Dharma was restored with three legs once more—Austerity, Purity, and Compassion.
The Kalki Avatar shall thus uphold the eternal cycle of time, where every end is a new beginning. There is no permanent decay; the cosmos is periodically rejuvenated. Kalki is not merely a warrior—he is the harbinger of inner transformation. He comes to destroy ego, ignorance, and base desire within each soul, paving the path toward truth.
His mission is not one of vengeance, but of sacred restoration—a divine act to reclaim the Earth for righteousness. Amidst a world steeped in chaos and materialism, the prophecy of Kalki stands as a beacon: a warning, a promise, and a luminous hope—that in the end, Truth shall prevail.
