Passage 4

In English

The Kali Yuga is a measure of time. It constitutes a measure for measuring the Kritha Yuga, the Dwapara Yuga and the Thretha Yuga. There are certain rules prescribed for the use of this measure of time. The measure in time for Kali Yuga is four lakhs thirty-two thousand years (4,32,000 years). The Dwapara Yuga is two times this unit or 8,64,000 years. The Thretha Yuga is three times or 12,96,000 years. The Kritha Yuga is four times or 17,28,000 years. The period which consists of all these four Yugas together is described as the Maha Yuga. The Maha Yuga, therefore, has 43,20,000 years. The difference between the duration of a Kali Yuga and that of a Maha Yuga is the addition of an extra zero to the former at the end. Just as the days, months and seasons repeat again and again, the Yugas also repeat again and again periodically. During the confluence of these Yugas and at the time of transition from one to another, various components of creation like mountains, rivers, habitations, etc., undergo major changes. The aspects of dharma also change when the Yuga changes. As a result of these changes several good things might change into evil.