How did kali yuga start? On the ninth day of the Mahabharatha war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, the third yuga had ended and the last yuga – Kali yuga – had begun. However, due to the power of Lord Krishna, Kali could not spread all over the earth. After the departure of Shri Krishna, Kali started spreading evil in people’s minds. But Kali could not enter Parikshit’s kingdom as he was a benevolent ruler.
One day the Kali had asked Parikshit to start the Kali Yuga and be allowed to enter his kingdom. Kali said the four ages – Satya Yuga, Dwapara Yuga, Treta Yuga and Kali Yuga – are one cycle. Parikshit allowed him to enter his kingdom on the condition that he will not hurt innocent people and will not be everywhere. He can only be where there is gambling, alcohol consumption, prostitution or immoral relations between men and women and violence. Kali asked Parikshit for one more location as all these four locations are dirty. Then Parkshit allowed him into gold.
One day Parikshit went through his things. Out of curiosity, he ticked a box left by his grandfather. It contained a golden crown. Without thinking of consequences, he wore the crown. This crown was from Jarasadh. Jarasadh’s son had asked Sehdev to return his father’s crown. But Sehdev wasn’t interested as Bheem pushed it forcefully. Therefore, the crown was wrongly acquired. Money or gold gained through ill-gotten gain brings Kali. When Parikshit wore the crown, Kali thought of Parikshit.
After a few days, Parikshit went hunting with the crown in a forest for the first time. He killed many animals. He found himself separated from his army. In the afternoon he felt hungry and thirsty. He saw a sage ashram and entered it. Shamik Rishi was in samadhi (deep meditation). Parikshit thought he was king of the kingdom and Rishi does not welcome him. He thought Sage was pretending not to welcome him. how did kali yuga start
A dead snake lay beside the sage. In anger, Parkshit plucked the dead snake and hung it around the sage’s neck. When Shamik’s son Shringi came to the ashram, he became angry when he found a dead snake on his father’s neck. He removed the snake. With a profound breath he closed his eyes and pondered. He realized that it was King Parikshit who did this. Shringi cursed Parikshit in anger that he will die within seven days by biting a takshak-nag as he had stuck a snake down his father’s neck.
When King Parikshit heard the curse, he immediately gave the throne to his son Janamejaya. He went to the bank of the Ganges leaving food and water behind. Parkshit thought Shringi Rishi blessed him as he indulged in sensual pleasures. Otherwise he would not have taken Vairagya (letting go).
Many saints came to meet him, but no one could assure him of moksha in seven days. Under divine inspiration, Shukdev ji had come to bestow moksha on Parikshit. Shukdev ji tells Parkshit not to worry and assures him to offer whatever he gets. Seven days are enough left. Be in the present and worship the Almighty. Parikshit listened to Shukdev ji’s Bhagawat Purana for the whole next seven days. As Parikshit listened to the stories, his fear of death vanished. Realizing the ultimate truth of life and death, he gave up his body to attain moksha. how did kali yuga start
After seven days, Takshak Nag came and bit Parikshit’s body after the soul left him.
Spiritual meaning:
- Kaliyuga is found in five places where Adharma (immorality) exists, namely gambling, drinking alcohol, prostitution or immoral relationship between man and woman, violence, and gold acquired through immoral means.
- Gambling, alcohol consumption, prostitution or immoral relationships between men and women and violence mean dishonesty, pride, passion or brutality. All four are Adharma.
- Immorally earned money brings misery.
- Where sage is in samadhi, do not interrupt him.
- Parikshit was blessed as he got seven days before death. After learning of his death, Parikshit earned Vairagya (dispassion). But nobody knows about the time of his death. how did kali yuga start