Kalki:TheNextAvatarofGod

andtheEndofKaliyuga
byStephenKnapp
(Anexcerptfrom"TheVedicProphecies"whofactstohelpclarifywhoisandwhocannotbeconsideredthe
avataraofLordKalki)

Asthe10,000yearperiodoftheGoldenAgewithinKaliyugacomestoaclose,thelowermodesofmaterial
naturewillbecomesostrongthatpeoplewillloseinterestinspiritualtopics.Everyonewillbecomegodless.
Thedevotees,bhaktas,andsagesthatareleftontheplanetbythistimewillbesouniqueincharacter,and
peculiarcomparedwiththerestofsociety,thattheywillberidiculedandhunteddowninthecitiesforsport
likeanimals.Thus,theywillfleethecitiestoliveundergroundincavesorhighupinthemountains,orsimply
disengagefromtheearthlyplaneofexistence.TheywillevenleavetheoncepiouslandofIndia,asexplained
intheKalkiPurana,whereinVishnuyashasaid:"Atpresent,thepiousBrahmanashaveleftthiscountry
(India),havingbeenchastisedbythepowerfulKali,whoisenviousofsaintlypersons,andwhodestroysthe
practiceofreligiousprinciples."(KalkiPurana2.45)
Inthisway,genuinesaintlyorspirituallyadvancedpersonswilldisappearfromthefaceoftheearth.Thatis
thetimewhenthedarkinfluenceoftheageofKaliwillbecomesodominant,unleashingallofitsinfluence,
thatalloftheprophecies,asdescribedinChapterFour,willmanifestwithouthindrance.
Thingswillbecomesobadastheyearsgobythatthisworldwillbelikeoneofthehellishplanetsinwhich
peopleareborntosuffer.Therewillbecorruptioningovernmentandpolice,andtheywillbenobetter,worse
infact,thancommoncriminals.Commoncitizenswillhavenoprotection.Theywillbesubjectedtotheworst
ofcrimeswithnosolution.Everyonewillbefightingwitheachother.Theworldwillslideintoastateof
constantwarandchaos.Finally,after432,000yearsfromthebeginningoftheageofKali,LordKalkiwill
appearasthetwentysecondavataraofGod.

THEAPPEARANCEOFLORDKALKI
TherearemanyavatarasorincarnationsoftheSupremeBeing,asstatedinSrimadBhagavatam(1.3.26):"O
Brahmanas,theincarnationsoftheLordareinnumerable,likerivuletsflowingfrominexhaustiblesourcesof
water."However,outofallthevariousincarnationsoftheSupreme,theSrimadBhagavatam(1.3.28)
specificallystates"krishnastubhagavansvayam,"whichmeansthatLordSriKrishnaistheoriginalSupreme
PersonalityofGod.AllothersareHisplenaryportions,orpartsofHisplenaryportions,whodescendintothis
materialworldtocarryoutcertainresponsibilitiesandtodospecificthings.Thisisespeciallythecasewhen
theplanetsareoverlydisturbedbymiscreantsandatheists.InKaliyugamanyyearsgobyinwhichconstant
disturbancesandsocialupheavalsareallowedtohappen,buttheVedicliteraturepredictsthatattheendof
theyugaLordKalkiwillmakeHisappearancetochangeeverything,asdescribedinthefollowingversesfrom
theSrimadBhagavatam:
"Thereafter,attheconjunctionoftwoyugas,theLordofthecreationwilltakeHisbirthastheKalkiincarnation
andbecomethesonofVishnuyasha.Atthistimetherulersoftheearthwillhavedegeneratedinto
plunderers."(SrimadBhagavatam(1.3.25)
"LordKalkiwillappearinthehomeofthemosteminentBrahmanaofShambhalavillage,thegreatsoul
Vishnuyasha."(SrimadBhagavatam(12.2.18)
"AttheendofKaliyuga,whenthereexistnotopicsonthesubjectofGod,evenattheresidencesofsocalled
saintsandrespectablegentlemenofthethreehighervarnas[castes],andwhenthepowerofgovernmentis
transferredtothehandsofministerselectedfromthelowbornShudraclassorthoselessthanthem,and
whennothingisknownofthetechniquesofsacrifice,evenbyword,atthattimetheLordwillappearasthe
supremechastiser."(SrimadBhagavatam(2.7.38)
TheVishnuPurana(BookFour,Chapter24)alsoexplainsthat,"WhenthepracticestaughtintheVedasand
institutesoflawhavenearlyceased,andthecloseoftheKaliageshallbenigh,aportionofthatdivinebeing
whoexistsofHisownspiritualnature,andwhoisthebeginningandend,andwhocomprehendsallthings,

shalldescenduponearth.HewillbeborninthefamilyofVishnuyasha,aneminentBrahmanaofShambhala
village,asKalki,endowedwitheightsuperhumanfaculties."
TheMahabharatra(VanaParva,190.9397)addstothedescriptionofLordKalkisappearance:"Impelledby
time,aBrahmananamedKalkiVishnuyashawillbeborn.Hewillpossessgreatenergy,intelligenceand
prowess.HewillbebornatavillagecalledShambhalainablessedBrahmanafamily.Assoonasthoughtof,
vehicles,weapons,warriors,andarmsandarmorswillallbeathiscommand.Hewillbetheimperial
sovereign,evervictoriousbythestrengthofhisvirtue.Hewillrestoreorderandpeaceinthisworld,
overcrowdedwithcreaturesandcontradictoryinitslaws.ThateffulgentandgreatlyintelligentBrahmanawill
destroyallthings.HewillbethedestroyerofallandHewillbethemakerofanewYuga[SatyaYuga].That
twicebornonesurroundedbytheBrahmanas,willexterminateallthelowanddespicablemlecchaswherever
theywillbefound."
TheAgniPurana(16.79)alsoexplainsthatwhenthenonAryanswhoposeaskingsbegindevouringmen
whoappearrighteousandfeedonhumanbeings,Kalki,asthesonofVishnuyasha,andYajnavalkyaasHis
priestandteacher,willdestroythesenonAryanswithHisweapons.Hewillestablishmorallawintheformof
thefourfoldvarnas,orthesuitableorganizationofsocietyinfourclasses.Afterthatpeoplewillreturntothe
pathofrighteousness.
ThePadmaPurana(6.71.279282)relatesthatLordKalkiwillendtheageofKaliandwillkillallthewicked
mlecchas[lowclassandevilbeings]and,thus,destroythebadconditionoftheworld.Hewillgatherallofthe
distinguishedBrahmanasandwillpropoundthehighesttruth.Hewillknowallthewaysoflifethathave
perishedandwillremovetheprolongedhungerofthegenuineBrahmanasandthepious.Hewillbetheonly
ruleroftheworldthatcannotbecontrolled,andwillbethebannerofvictoryandadorabletotheworld.
Toclarifythisprophecy,itisalsomentionedintheBrahmaVaivartaPurana(PrakritiKhanda,Chapter7.60,
5859)whattheconditionswillbeneartheendofKaliyugaandwhatKalkisactionsandpurposewillbe:
"Atthatpointoftimetherewillbechaosonearth.Everywheretheundesirableactivitiesofthethievesand
plundererswouldbeontheincrease...Atthatpointintime,inthehouseofaBrahmananamed
Vishnuyasha,NarayanashallappearinoneofhisraysintheformofthegreatKalkiasthesonofthat
Brahmana.Hewillbemountedonaverybighorseandholdingaswordinhishand,heshalldestroyallthe
mlecchas[wicked,selfishandlowmindedpeople]onearth.Thus,theearthwouldberidofthemlecchas,
afterwhichhewilldisappear."
HereintheseverseswefindthatLordKalkiwillcomeasachastiserorwarrior.Bythistimetheplanetwillbe
filledwithpeoplewhowillbeunabletounderstandlogicalconversations.Theywillbetooslowmindedand
dullwitted,notcapableofbeingtaughtmuch,especiallyinthewayofhighspiritualphilosophyregardingthe
purposeoflife.Theywillnotknowwhattheyneedtodoorhowtolive.Andtheycertainlywillbeunableto
changetheirways.Therefore,LordKalkidoesnotcometoteach,butsimplytochastise,punish,andcleanse
theplanet.ForthisreasontheSrimadBhagavatam(10.40.22)referstoLordKalkiasthekillerofthemleccha
[mostwickedandlowborn]outcastemeateaterswhoposeaskings.
ItisimportanttonotethatinthesedescriptionswealsofindthenameoftheplacewhereLordKalkiwill
appearandthenameofthefamilyinwhichHewillbeborn.ThefamilywillbequalifiedBrahmanas.This
meansthatadisciplicandfamilylineofspirituallyqualifiedBrahmanaswillremainontheplanetthroughout
theageofKali,nomatterhowbadthingsget.Thoughtheymaybehidden,livinginasmallvillage
somewhere,itwillbethislineofbhaktas,spiritualdevoteesoftheVedictradition,fromwhichLordKalkiwill
appearinthedistantfuture.
Inthisconnection,wefindinthePadmaPurana(6.242.812)thepredictionthatLordKalkiwillbeborninthe
townofShambalaneartheendofKaliyugafromaBrahmanawhoisactuallyanincarnationofSvayambhuva
Manu.ItisfurtherdescribedthatSvayambhuvaperformedausteritiesatNaimisaonthebankoftheGomati
RiverforacquiringtheprivilegeofhavingLordVishnuashissoninthreedifferentlifetimes.LordVishnu,
beingpleasedwithSvayambhuva,grantedtheblessingthatHewouldappearasSvayambhuvassonasLord
Rama,Krishna,andKalki.Thus,SvayambhuvawouldappearasDasaratha,Vasudeva,andthen
Vishnuyasha.Also,inthePadmaPurana(1.40.46)wefindLordVishnuadmitsthatHewillbeborninKali
yuga.Thus,HewillappearasLordKalki.
ThisaspectismorefullyexplainedintheKalkiPurana(2.48)whenthedemigods,headedbyBrahma,went
toLordVishnuaskingforrespitefromtheconditionsonearth.HeassuredthemthatHewouldbetakingbirth

onearthasKalki,butHealsomentionsthenameofHismother,andHiswifetobeaswellasHerfamily,
additionalfactors,alongwiththosealreadymentioned,toindicatehowHewillberecognized.Thus,itis
importanttoconsiderthesefactorstounderstandthatnotjustanyonecanclaimtobeKalki,whichmany
ordinaryorevenunscrupulousmenmaytrytodo.So,thisiswhatLordVishnusaysaboutappearingasKalki:
"Afterhearingeverythingthatthedemigodshadtosayregardingthesituationonearth,thelotuseyedLord
Hari[Vishnu]said:OBrahma,restassuredthatIwillsoondescendtotheearthandappearinthevillage
knownasShambhala.IwilltakebirthinthehouseofaBrahmananamedVishnuyasha,fromthewombofhis
wife,Sumati.MymissionwillbetoeliminatethewickedKali[andhisinfluence]withthehelpofMyfour
brothers.Odemigods,yourexpansionsshouldalsotakebirthontheearthtoassistMeinMymission.My
consort,thebelovedlotuseyedKamaladevi,willalsoappearontheearth,havingthenamePadma.Shewill
bebornfromthewombofKaumudi,thewifeofBrihadratha,thekingofSimhala.
"Odemigods,youshouldnotdelay.Byyourplenaryportions,takebirthontheearth.Lateron,Iwillentrust
theresponsibilityforrulingtheearthtotwopowerfulkingsnamedMaruandDevapi.Iwillthenagainestablish
Satyayuga,andthusreinstatetheprinciplesofreligionastheywerebefore.RestassuredthatIwillreturnto
Vaikunthaonlyafterdestroyingthepoisonoussnake,Kali."

THEACTIVITIESOFLORDKALKI
IntheKalkiPurana(3.910)LordParasurama,asKalkisteacher,explainstoLordKalkiafterHistrainingwhat
Hismissionwillbe:"YouhavelearnedtheartofdischargingarrowsfromMe.Youwillimbibetranscendental
knowledgefromShukadevaGosvami,andYouwillbeawardedapowerfulweaponbyLordShiva.Thereafter,
YouwillmarryawomannamedPadmafromtheislandofSimhala[SriLanka].Yourmissionistoreestablish
Sanatanadharma.Thereafter,Youwillsetouttoconquertheentireworldandinthecourseofthatconquest,
YouwilldefeatmanysinfulkingswhoarerepresentativesofKali.Youwillalsoannihilatemanyfollowersof
Buddhismandfinally,YouwillentrusttheresponsibilityofrulingtheworldtoDevapiandMaru."
WhenitsaysherethatLordKalkiwillannihilatemanyfollowersofBuddhism,wemustrememberthatbythis
timeBuddhismasweknowittodaywillhavefadedoutlongbeforethis.Bythistime,asitisexplained
elsewhere,thatanyformofareligionwillonlybeacollectionofvagueimpersonalisticideasthatincludeno
knowledgeofapersonalGod,orofthenatureofthesoul.Allsuchknowledgewillhaveceasedtoexistfrom
mostoftheplanet.Therefore,whateverisleftofanyreligionbythetimeLordKalkiappearswillonlybea
cheatingformofatheism.Allsuchformsofatheismalongwiththesinfulrulerswhofollowsuchphilosophyof
irresponsibilitywillhavetoberemovedifthereisgoingtobethereappearanceofthegoldenageofSatya
yuga.ThiswillbethemissionofLordKalki.
TheKalkiPurana(20.3335)goesontoexplainthatinHissearchforthenefariouspersonknownasKali,
LordKalkiwouldgotothefavoriteplacesofthatpersonality,whichweretheplaygroundsofinauspicious
creatures,suchasghosts,foxesandjackals."Theseplacesarepermeatedwiththefoulodorofdecaying
beef,andinfestedwithcrowsandowls.Kalisdomaincanbefoundwhereverthereisgamblingand
intoxication,aswellaswherewomenconstantlyquarrel.Kalisfavoriteplacesofresidencearealwayscauses
offearanddanger.Themenintheseplacesarecontrolledbywomen,"meaningtheyarecompletelyunder
thedemandingswayofgratifyingtheirsenseswithnomoralfoundation.
WhyLordKalkiwouldpursuetheagentsofthepersonalityofKaliisfurtherexplainedintheKalkiPurana
(1.2224).
"Alltheserelatives[agents]of[thepersonificationoftheageof]Kaliarethedestroyersofsacrifice[religious
ritual],studyoftheVedas,andcharitybecausetheytransgressedalltheVedicprinciplesofreligion.Theyare
thereservoirsofmentaldistress,disease,oldage,destructionofreligiousprinciples,sorrow,lamentation,and
fear.ThesedescendantsofKaliarefoundwanderingeverywherethroughoutthekingdomofKali,destroying
thepeopleoftheworld.Suchpeoplearemisguidedbytheinfluenceoftime,veryrestlessbynature,fullof
lustydesires,extremelysinful,veryproud,andviolenteventotheirownfatherandmother.[Even]thosewho
areknownastwiceborn[spirituallyinitiated]aredevoidofallgoodbehavior,withoutanyobservanceof
properetiquette,andalwaysengagedintheserviceofthelowestclasses."Thismeansthatthosewhoshould
bespirituallyadvancedonlyservethosewhohavemoneyinordertomaintaintheirmaterialfacilities.

ThedescriptionofsuchsocalledBrahmanasofthatfuturetimearefurtherrelated:"Thesefallensoulsare
veryfondofdryarguments,andtheyusereligionasameansoflivelihood,teachVedicknowledgeasa
profession,arefallenfromtheexecutionoftheirvows,andsellwineandotherabominablethings,including
meat.Theyarecruelbynature,andveryfondofgratifyingtheirbelliesandgenitals.Forthisreason,theylust
afterthewivesofothersandarealwaysseentobeintoxicated.Theywerenotbornfromafatherandmother
whowereproperlymarried,andtheyareshortinstatureandalwaysengagedinsinfulacts,suchascheating
others.Theygenerallyresideinasacredplace,liveforonlysixteenyears,associatewithwretchedpeople,
andonlyconsiderabrotherinlawtobeafriendandrelative."(KalkiPurana1.2527)
TheSrimadBhagavatamdescribesLordKalkisactivitiesasfollows:"LordKalki,theLordoftheuniverse,will
mountHisswiftwhitehorseDevadattaand,swordinhand,travelovertheearthexhibitingHiseightmystic
opulencesandeightspecialqualitiesofGodhead.DisplayingHisunequaledeffulgenceandridingwithgreat
speed,Hewillkillbythemillionsthosethieveswhohavedareddressaskings."(SrimadBhagavatam
12.2.1920)
Weshouldmakenoteherethat,astheVedicliteratureexplains,whentheSupremekillsanyone,thatperson
isimmediatelyspirituallypurifiedbyHistouchandbecausethepersonisfocusedontheSupremeBeing
whileleavinghisbody.Thus,thatpersonattainsthesamedestinationasthoseyogiswhospendyears
steadyingthemindinordertomeditateandleavetheirbodieswhilefocusedontheSupreme.Sobeingkilled
bytheSupremeisagreatadvantageforthoseofademoniacmentalitywhowouldotherwiseenterlower
realmsofexistenceoreventhehellishplanetsintheirnextlives.
TheMahabharata(VanaParva,191.16)describessomeofLordKalkisactivities.Markandeyasaid:"Then
exterminatingallrobbers,He(Kalki)willdulygiveawaythisearthatagreathorseritualtotheBrahmanas.
HavingestablishedtheblessedrectitudeordainedbytheSelfcreated(Brahma),thatdoerofvirtuousand
renowneddeedswillthenenteracharmingforest.ThepeopleoftheearthwillimitateHisconduct.When
thievesandrobberswillbeexterminatedbytheBrahmanas,therewillbeprosperityagain(onearth).When
thecountrieswillallbesubjugatedbythatforemostofBrahmanas,Hewillcastawaythedeerskins,lances
andtridentsandotherweapons.ShowingHisreverencefortheexcellenttwicebornones[Brahmanas],He
wasengagedinkillingthethieves.KalkiwillroveovertheearthbeingadoredbytheforemostofBrahmanas.
TheheartrendingcriesofOfather,Omother,Oson,willrisewhenHewillexterminatethethievesand
robbers."
TheVishnuPurana(BookFour,Chapter24)continuestoexplainLordKalkisactivities:"ByHisirresistible
mighthewilldestroyallthemlecchasandthieves,andallwhosemindsaredevotedtoiniquity.Hewill
reestablishrighteousnessuponearth,andthemindsofthosewholiveattheendoftheKaliageshallbe
awakened,andshallbeasclearascrystal.Themenwhoarethuschangedbyvirtueofthatpeculiartime
shallbeastheseedsofhumanbeings,andshallgivebirthtoaracewhowillfollowthelawsoftheKritaage
[Satyayuga],theageofpurity.Asitissaid,Whenthesunandmoon,andthelunarasterismTishya,andthe
planetJupiter,areinonemansion,theKritaageshallreturn."TheAgniPurana(16.10)alsorelatesthatHari,
aftergivinguptheformofKalki,willgotoheaven.ThentheKritaorSatyayugawillreturnasbefore.
AdditionalinformationthatcanhelpusunderstandtheactivitiesofthenextcomingofGodisfoundinthe
LingaPurana,theBrahmandaPurana,andtheVayuPurana.InthesetextswefinddescriptionsofLordKalki
asHewillappearinthefutureandalsoashowHeappearedinpreviousincarnationsasPramitiinthetime
periodknownastheSvayambhuvaManvantara.ThesetextstellusthatasKaliyugacomestoaclose,and
afterthedeathofBhrigu(orinordertoslaytheBhrigus),Kalki(Pramiti)takesbirthintheLunardynastyof
Manu.Hewillwanderovertheplanetwithoutbeingseenbyanylivingbeing.ThenhewillstartHiscampaign
inHisthirtysecondyearandroamtheearthfortwentyyears.HewilltakewithHimabigarmyofhorses,
chariots,andelephants,surroundedbyhundredsandthousandsofspirituallypurifiedBrahmanasarmedwith
weapons.[BeingBrahmanas,theseweaponsmaybebrahminicalweaponsthatareactivatedbymantras,
suchasthepowerfulbrahmastraratherthanbaseweaponsofcombatsuchasknives,swords,andspears,or
evengunsandordinaryexplosives.]ThoughtheymaytrytodobattlewithHim,Hewillkillalloftheheretics
[andfalseprophets]andwicked,mlecchakings.
InapreviousincarnationHekilledtheUdicyas(Northerners),MadhyaDeshyas(residentsofthemiddle
lands),Purvatiyas(mountaindwellers),Pracyas(Easterners),Praticyas(Westerners),Dakshinatyas(of
SouthernIndia),theSimhalas(SriLankans),Pahlavas(thefairskinnednomadictribesoftheCaucasus
mountains),Yadavas(intheareaofGreece),Tusharas(peopleoftheareaofMandhata,India,orpresentday

Tukharistan),Cinas(Chinese),Shulikas,Khashas,anddifferenttribesoftheKiratas(aboriginaltribeslivingin
northeasternIndiaandNepal)andVrishalas.
NoonecouldstopHimasHewieldedHisdiscusandkilledallthebarbarians.WhenHewasfinished,He
restedinthemiddlelandbetweentheGangesandYamunawithHisministersandfollowers.Heallowedonly
afewpeopletoremain,scatteredovertheplanet.Thesewouldbeasseedsforthenextgenerationsthat
wouldfollowinthenextSatyayuga.Thereafter,whenLordKalkihasmadewayforthenextageofSatya
yuga,anddeliveredtheearthandwhateverisleftofcivilizationfromtheeffectsofKaliyuga,Hegoesbackto
HiseternalabodealongwithHisarmy.(LingaPurana40.5092,theBrahmandaPurana1.2.31.76106&
2.3.73.104126,andtheVayuPurana58.75110)

THERETURNOFTHEGOLDENAGESATYAYUGA
NowletuscontinuewiththeabovedescriptionofLordKalkiasdescribedintheKalkiPurana(24.8).
Shushanta,thequeenofkingShashidhvaja,expressedthebenefitsofthearrivalofLordKalkionearththat
shehadwitnessed."BecauseofYourappearancewithinthisworld,theprestigeofthedevoteeshasbeen
reinstated,theBrahmanasonceagainengageintheirritualisticperformances,thedemigodsfeelsecure,
Satyayugawillsooncommence,religiousprinciplesarebeingobeyed,andtheinfluenceofKalihas
slackened.MayIalsoreceivethebenefitofYourincarnation."
AfterLordKalkihadremovedallofthenefariousandwickedkings,rulers,andpeople,andtheatheist
religionshadalsobeenabolishedfortherealspiritualprocessofSanatanadharma,LordKalkireturnedfrom
HiswanderingsovertheplanettoremaininthevillageofShambhala.TheKalkiPurana(32.25)explains,
"LordKalkicontinuedtoresideinthevillageofShambhala,alongwithHisbrothers,sons,otherrelativesand
associates,foronethousandyears.TheentirevillageofShambhala,whichwasasgoodastheheavenly
planets,appearedverybeautifulwithitsassemblyhouses,gates,raisedplatforms,andflagsflappinginthe
breezethathasbeenplacedhereandthere.AnyonewhogaveuphismaterialbodyinShambhalawasfreed
fromallsinfulreactionsandawardedshelteratthelotusfeetofLordKalki.Thus,thevillageofShambhala,
whichwasprofuselydecoratedwithbloomingflowers,pioustrees,forestsandgardens,becameaholyplace
thatgrantedliberationfrommaterialexistence."
TheKalkiPurana(28.2830)alsodescribeshowLordKalkimadearrangementsforthemanagementofthe
territoryforpeacefulexistence."Thereafter,theunlimitedlypowerfulLordKalkicontinuedtoresideat
Shambhala,andHegave[thelandsof]KankanadeshaandKalapadeshatoKingVishakhayupatorule.Later
on,LordKalkiorderedHisson,Kritavarma,torulenumerousotherkingdoms,suchasChola,Varvara,and
Karva,whichwereunderthejurisdictionofDvaraka.LordKalkirespectfullyofferedheapsofjewelsandother
kindsofwealthtoHisfather,and,indeed,HesatisfiedallthecitizensofShambhala.Hethencontinuedto
happilyresidethereasahouseholder,alongwithHiswives,RamaaandPadmavati.Itwasatthistimethat
Satyayugarecommenced."
TheKalkiPurana(30.25)furtherrelatestheauspiciousconditionsthatwerefoundwhileLordKalkiruledthe
planet."WithLordKalkisittingupontheroyalthrone,theVedas,thereligiousprinciples,Satyayuga
personified,thedemigods,andindeedallothermovingandnonmovinglivingentitiesbecamegreatly
satisfied.Inthepreviousyuga,theBrahmanashadworshipedthedemigods,andtobewilderthemassesof
people,theyhaddisplayedsomeminusculemysticpowers.DuringthereignofLordKalki,allsuchcheating
practiceswerestoppedsothatnoatheistsorhypocritescouldbeseenwithinHiskingdom.LordKalkithus
happilyresidedinthecityofShambhala."
Astimewenton,thedayfinallyarrivedforLordKalkitoreturntoHisspiritualresidence.TheKalkiPurana
(33.1328)describeswhathappened.
"[Oneday]Afterhearingtheprayersofthedemigods,LordKalkiecstaticallyexpressedHisowndesireto
returntoVaikuntha[Hisspiritualabode],takingwithHimHiseternalassociates.Thereafter,LordKalki
summonedHisfourverypowerfulsons,allofwhomwereverydeartothecitizensbecausetheywerevery
piousandinfluential,andhandedovertheruleofthekingdomtothem.TheLordthenaddressedHis
subjects,revealingHisintention.LordKalkisaid:Attherequestofthedemigods,IwillreturntoVaikuntha.
"WhentheinhabitantsofShambhalaheardthis,theywereshockedandbegansheddingtearsofgrief.Just
assonsaddresstheirfathers,thepeoplebeganspeakingoftheLordafterofferingtheirobeisances.The

citizenssaid:MydearLord,Youaretheoriginalpropounderofgenuinereligiousprinciples.Itisnotproperfor
Youtoleaveus,forYoualwaysdisplayedaffectionforthosewhohadsincerelysurrendereduntoYou.
WhereverYougo,pleaseallowustoaccompanyYou.Althougheveryoneconsidershiswife,children,wealth,
andhousetobeverydear,YourservantsknowthatYouarethesupremeenjoyerwho,byawarding
detachment,vanquishesallsufferinginthislifeandthenext.BecauseofknowingYouintruth,ourlivesare
dedicatedtoYou.
"AfterhearingtheprayersofHissubjects,LordKalkipacifiedthemasfaraspossibleandthendepartedfor
theforest,takingwithHimHistwoconsorts.Thereafter,LordKalki,surroundedbymanysages,traveledto
theHimalayaMountains,whichareadornedbytheGangesRiver,whichisworshipedevenbythedemigods
andwhichgivespleasuretotheheart.TheLordsatbythesideoftheGangesandthenassumedHisfour
armedformwhileenteringdeepintomeditationuponHimself.TheLordappearedasbrilliantasthousandsof
suns,andthuslookedveryattractive.Hewasthewitnessofeverything,aswellastheeternalLordand
Supersoulofalllivingentities.Hisformwastheformofallornaments.Heheldaconchshell,disc,club,lotus
flower,andbowstringinHishands.OnHischestwastheKaustubhagem.Thedemigodsshoweredfragrant
flowersasthesoundsofbeatingdrumscouldbeheardinthefourdirections.
"Inthisway,LordKalkienactedHispastimeofdisappearancefromthisworld.Allmovingandnonmoving
livingbeingsthatwitnessedthedisappearanceoftheLordglorifiedHiminamoodofgreatastonishment.
[ThewivesofLordKalki]PadmavatiandRamaasawLordKalkistranscendentalform[takeonthe
characteristics]asifdevoidoflife.Realizingthistobeanillusorydisplayoftheexternalenergy,although
greatlyastonished,theyenteredfiresoastorejointheirhusbandinHiseternalabode.
"Meanwhile,DharmaandSatyayugapersonifiedwanderedthroughouttheworldwithoutanyfearofenemies,
bytheorderofLordKalki.Theyhappilyresidedwithintheworldnowthat[theageof]Satyayugahad
commenced.BytheorderofLordKalki,thetwokings,MaruandDevapi,executedtheirdutiesofprotecting
thepeopleoftheworld."
TheLinga,Brahmanda,andVayuPuranasexplainthatafterLordKalkireturnstoHiseternalabode,when
thosesubjectssurvivingattheendofKaliyugaareenlightened,theyugachangesovernight.Thentheminds
ofallpeoplewillbecomeenlightenedasclearascrystal,andwithinevitableforceKritaorSatyayugasetsin.
Peoplethenrealizethesoul,acquiringpiety,devotion,tranquility,andclearconsciousness.Thenthose
Siddhas[theenlightenedandperfectedlivingbeingswhohadremainedinvisibleonahigherdimension
throughtheendoftheageofKali]returntotheearthlydimensionandagainareclearlyvisible.Theyestablish
themselveswiththereturnoftheSaptarishis,thesevensages,whoinstructeveryoneaboutspirituallife,
Vedicknowledge,andtheprogressiveorganizationofsocietyforapeacefulandfulfillingexistence.Then
againpeopleflourishandperformthesacredrites,andthesageswillremaininauthoritytocontinuethe
advancementofthenewSatyayuga.
WecanunderstandfromthisthatLordKalkiwillsimplychastisebykillingalloftheevilkingsandroguesand
therebybringinaneweraofenlightenedbeings,aracewhosemindswillbeasclearascrystalandwhowill
produceoffspringthatwillfollowthetendenciesofrealhumanbeingsasfoundintheageofSatyayuga.
SrimadBhagavatam(12.2.2124)furtherdescribesthatafterallofthedeviousandfakekingshavebeen
killed,theremainingresidentsofthetownsandcitieswillsmellthebreezesthatcarrythesacredaromaofthe
Lordssandalwoodpasteanddecorations,andtheirmindswillthenbecomespirituallypurified.Whenthe
SupremeBeingappearsintheirheartsinHisformofpuregoodness,theremainingcitizenswillabundantly
repopulatetheearth.WiththisappearanceofLordKalki,Satyayugawillbeginagainandtheremaining
humanswillproducechildreningoodness[sattvaguna].Thus,whenthemoon,thesun,andJupiterarein
theconstellationofKartaka,Cancer,andtogetherenterthelunarmansionofPusya,thatiswhentheageof
Satyayugawillbegin.
Therefore,asfurtherrelatedintheSrimadBhagavatam(12.2.34),afteronethousandcelestialyearsofKali
yuga,Satyayugawillagainmanifest.Atthattimethemindsofmenwillbeselfeffulgent.
TheMahabharata(VanaParva,190.8992)continuestodescribetheconditionsoftheearthwhentheSatya
yugareturns."Creatureswouldcomeintoexistenceagain,beginningwiththeBrahmanas.Whenthatagewill
passaway,creationwillagainincrease.Providencewillagainbepropitiousatwill.Whenthesun,themoon,
andBrihaspatientertheconstellationofPushya,thecloudswillincessantlyshowerrains,and[positionsof
the]starsandplanetswillbeauspicious.Theplanets,dulyrevolvingintheirorbits,willbegreatlypropitious.
Abundance,prosperity,wealth,andpeacewillbeeverywhere."

HereinweseethatoncebalanceorDharmaisrestored,asreestablishedbyKalki,theplanetbeginstoheal
andrejuvenateitself.Thosecreaturesthatwereonceextinctduetothepollutionandimbalancecausedby
humanitywillappearagain.ThesacredriversoftheGangaandYamunaandothersalsoreappear.The
planetcreateswhatitneedsagain,andafteryearsofdroughtandfaminethecloudswillsupplyrainagain.
Everywheretherewillbepeaceandbountifulness.
Thefollowingdescriptionshowshow,atthebeginningofthenextSatyayuga,everyonewillagainlivein
harmonyandwithacommoncauseandgoal,basedonspiritualupliftmentforoneandall."Reachingatthis
stage,therewillbeanendtoKaliyuga,inwhichthetruthandthetapas[austerityforspiritualinsight]would
reemergecompletely,togetherwithDharma.AtthatpointintimetheBrahmanaswillperformtheirtapas.
TheywillbeextremelyreligiousandwellversedintheVedicknowledge.Ineveryhousehold,therewillagain
bechasteladiesdevotedtoreligion[theVedicspiritualpath].Therewillberegionalkingswhowillbedevoted
totheirownDharma[dutiesasanhonestandprincipledruler],devotedto[genuineandhighlyadvanced]
Brahmanas[theintellectualsandpriestswhounderstandVedicspiritualknowledge],aswellasglorious,
devotedtoDharma,andwillbeperformingalwaysgooddeedsandactivities.TheVaishyas[Vedically
principledandhonestmerchants]willengagethemselvesincommerceandwillbedevotedtotheBrahmanas
andreligion.TheShudras[orworkerclass,artists,performers,etc.]alsowillbequitemeritorious,devotedto
DharmaandadoretheBrahmanas.TheBrahmanas,KshatriysandVaishyaswillperformtheyajnas[Vedic
rituals]ofVishnu.TherewillbeVaishnavas[worshipersofVishnu]alwaysrecitingthenameofLordVishnu
anddevotedtoMe[LordNarayana,Vishnu].TheywillbewellversedintheSmritis,ShrutisandPuranas,as
wellasVedicDharmaandwillenjoythecompanyoftheirwivesonlyattheappropriatetimes.Therefore,
KritayugawillbeinfluencedonlybyDharmaandtherewillbenoparticleofadharma[nonVedicornon
spiritualorimmoralactionsorthoughts].(BrahmaVaivartaPurana,PrakritiKhanda,Chapter7.6368)
TheMahabharataalsostatessomeofthesamethingsbutwithfurtherelaborationsonhowconditionswillbe
whenSatyayugaorKritayugabeginsagain:"OdescendantofBharata,whenattheappearanceoftheKrita
Yuga,sinwillthusbecompletelydestroyedandvirtuewillflourish,menwillagainbeengagedinreligious
rites.Wellplantedgardens,sacrificialgrounds,largetanks,Vedicschoolsandcolleges,pondsandtemples,
will(all)reappeareverywherevarioussacrificeswillalsobegintobeperformedattheappearanceofthe
Kritaage.Brahmanaswillbehonestandgood.Beingdevotedtoasceticism,theywillbeRishis[andwise
sages].Thehermitagesoccupiedbythewickedwretcheswilloncemorebethehomesofmendevotedto
Truth.MeningeneralwillbegintohonorandpracticeTruth.Allseedssownonearthwillgrow.Okingof
kings,everykindofcropwillgrowineveryseason.Menwilldevotedlypracticecharity,vows,andreligious
rites.TheBrahmanas,devotedtomeditationandsacrifices[Vedicrituals],willbeofvirtuoussoulandcheerful
disposition.Thekingswillvirtuouslygoverntheearth.IntheKritaYuga,theVaishyaswilldevotethemselves
totrade,theBrahmanswillbedevotedtotheirsixdutiesandtheKshatriyaswillbedevotedtothedisplayof
prowess[fortheprotectionofthecitizens].TheShudraswillbedevotedtotheserviceoftheotherthree
orders.SuchwillbetheDharmainKrita,Treta,andDvaparaYugas.
"OsonofPandu,Ihavenownarratedtoyoueverything.Ihavetoldyoutheperiodsembracedbytheseveral
yugas,thatwhichisknowntoall.ThushaveInowtoldyoueverythingappertainingtoboththepastandthe
futureasnarratedbyVayuinhisownPuranaadoredbytheRishi.ImmortalasIam,Ihavemanytimesseen
andascertainedthecourseoftheworld.IhavenowtoldyouallthatIhaveseenandfelt."(Mahabharata,
VanaParva,Chap.191,Text717)
TheVishnuPurana(BookFour,ChapterOne)alsorelatesthattheVedasandtheprinciplesofSanatana
dharma,ortheeternalnatureofthesoul,fadeanddisappearfromtheplanetattheendofeveryfourages.
TheBhagavatam(8.14.45)alsoconfirmsthattherearesaintlypersonswhohelpreestablishtheseprinciples
inSatyayugaalongwiththebasisofvarnashrama[thedivisionsoffourvarnas,suchasBrahmanas,
Kshatriyas,Vaishyas,andShudrasthatareestablishednotbyonesbirth,butbyonesnaturaltalentsand
tendenciesandthefourashramas,namelyBrahmacari,Grihastha,Vanaprastha,andSannyasa],whichis
theproperorganizationofsocietyforhumanity.
TheVishnuPuranacontinuestoexplainthatitisinthejurisdictionofthesevenuniversalsagesorrishis(the
Saptarishis)tomakesuretheVedicknowledgeisgivencurrencyagain,eveniftheserishismustdescend
fromthehigherplanetstodoso.SoineverySatyayugatheManu[thedemigodsonofBrahmawhoisthe
lawgiverofhumanity]ofthatageistheauthorofthebodyoflaw,whilethesonsofManuandtheir
descendantsaresovereignsoftheearth.ThismeansthatalthoughthegenuinespiritualknowledgeorVedic
informationmaydisappearfromthefaceofthisplanet,itisstilldwellingelsewhereintheuniverse,oreven

outofthejurisdictionofsocietyinthisworld,anditisthedutyofhigherauthoritiestoreestablishitinits
propertime.
Tohelpinthisregard,itispredictedintheSrimadBhagavatamandtheVishnuPuranathattherearetwo
personswhoarewaitingfortheendofKaliyuga:DevapioftheraceofPuruandbrotherofKingShantanu,
andMaru,adescendantofKingIkshvaku.Theywillbegreatkingsandwillhelpintheprocessof
reestablishingtheproperprinciplesinsociety.Thesetwoarealiveevennowbytheirgreatmysticstrength
obtainedthroughthepowerofdevotion.Theyhavelivedthroughallfouroftheyugasandresideinthevillage
ofKalapa.TheyarewaitingfortheendofKaliyuga.Then,atthebeginningofSatyayuga,underthe
instructionsoftheSupreme,theywillreturntosocietyandbemembersofthefamilyoftheManuand
reestablishtheeternalreligionofhumanity,Sanatanadharma[basedonthesoulseternalnaturetoservethe
Supreme],andtheinstitutionofvarnashrama,whichistheproperorganizationofsocietyforitscontinued
harmonyinlife,anditsmaterialandspiritualprogress.Theywillbecomegreatkingsandformproper
government.(SrimadBhagavatam12.2.3738,andtheVishnuPurana,BookFour,Chapter24)
TheSrimadBhagavatam(9.12.6)relatesthemeansbywhichMaruhasbeenabletocontinuelivingandwhat
hismissionwillbe:"Havingachievedperfectioninthepowerofmysticyoga[pranayamaorbreathcontrol],
MarustilllivesinaplaceknownasKalapagrama.AttheendofKaliyuga,hewillrevivethelostSurya
dynastybybegettingason."Thus,bythearrangementoftheSupremeBeing,therearethosewhowill
alwaysbetheguardiansofthatspiritualknowledgethatcontainsthegenuineprinciplesforattainingthereal
goalofhumanexistence,andwhowillprovidethemeanssothatitispassedalongtoothers.
Afterallofthisisaccomplished,asrelatedintheSrimadBhagavatam(12.2.39),thecycleofthefouragesof
Satya,Treta,Dvapara,andKaliyugas[aChaturyuga]willcontinuetorepeatitselfalongwiththesame
generalpatternofevents.
ThosewhorepeatedlyhearthetranscendentalgloriesoftheKalkiincarnationofLordMahaVishnuwith
devotionwillfindthatallinauspiciousnesswithintheirheartswillbereducedtonil.(KalkiPurana34.16)
[Thisarticleandmoreinformationatwww.stephenknapp.com]

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