Mythology

The Four Ages

Most ancient cultures talk about the four ages or yugas. In Hinduism, the yugas are divided based on virtue and it is believed that we are headed into the worst age, called Kalyug. In Greek mythology, the ages are divided by colour and we are currently in the Black Age. Let's look at the similarities and differences in the ages or yugas as described by different mythologies.

 There is a story in the Mahabharata that goes like this once Draupadi asked Bheem to bring her the celestial lotus from the garden of Kuber, the God of Treasures. Bheem hastened towards the divine forest and rushed forwards like a whirlwind, scattering the wild animals and making the Earth tremble.

 Hanuman was resting in the forest under a tree and was awakened by the hubbub. He stretched his long tail until it obstructed Bheem's path. When Bheem came across the tail, he asked Hanuman to move it, without recognising who he was. Hanuman said, "Move it aside." Bheem tried to lift Hanuman's tail but could not move it, no matter how hard he tried. When Bheem gave up, Hanuman revealed his identity. Being sons of Vayu, the God of Wind, the two started chatting like brothers. Hanuman told Bheem about the four yugas or ages. Here's what Hanuman said.

The first yug was the Sat Yug or Krita Yug. It was the perfect age. There was only one religion. Everybody was saintly and so there was no need to perform religious ceremonies. There were no Gods and no demons. Nobody was rich or poor. Everything was obtained by the power of will. There were no diseases. There was no sorrow, no fear, no hatred, no evil of any kind. Narayana was the universal soul, and he was white in colour. The identification of the individual soul with the universal soul was the only religion in the world.

The second yug was the Treta Yug. The universal soul in this yug was red in colour. Virtue lessened by a quarter so religious sacrifices were needed.

The third yug was called Dwapara Yug. At this time, virtue had further lessened by one half and now it was just one-fourth from the time of the Treta Yug. The universal soul was yellow in colour. Truth had declined and there was a prevalence of sin. There were diseases and calamities.

 The fourth yug was Kali Yug or Kalyug. The universal soul had become black in colour. Less than one-fourth of the virtue now remained. Men became wicked. There was misery and disease all around. Even performing holy rites did not have the desired result.

Greek mythology also talks about four ages with similar characteristics but with different colours. The first age was the Golden or Yellow Age. Men lived like gods under the rule of Kronos. They did not grow old and never lost their strength. The whole world was prosperous and there was peace and security.

The second age was the Silver or White Age. In this age, men were inferior. Children had to be reared for a century and did not survive for long afterwards. Sacrifice and worship were neglected. In the end, Zeus, the son of Kronos, destroyed the silver race.

 The third age was the Bronze Age. The colour of this age was red. In this, men sprang from ash. They had great strength, but they were takers of life. In the end, they were all removed by black death to Hades.

The fourth age was the Iron Age. The colour of this age was black. The men in this age were created by Zeus.

 A similar division of time into four ages is found in several other cultures around the world. An interesting comparison is seen in Celtic (Irish) mythology, where the colours of the four ages match those given in the Mahabharat story. The first Celtic Age is Partholon, the Silver Age, which is white; the second is Nemed's, the Bronze Age, which is red; the third is the Tuatha de Danann, the Golden Age, which is yellow; and the fourth is the Age of the Dark Milesians, which is black.