The release of Kalki 2898 AD has taken the box office by storm with record breaking collections on day 1. Here we are, at OCD Times, bringing to you details about the characters, the legend and the hindu religious history that will prepare you for the world of Kalki 2898 AD.
Sit back, relax, grab a coffee and have a lovely time reading this 🙂
Ant Se Aarambh
Antah Asti Prarambh – The End is the Beginning
Sat Yug -> Treta Yug -> Dwapar Yug -> Kali Yug | Time is cyclic. Har Kaliyug ke baad Satyug ki sthapna hogi, aur ye cycle chalta rahega.
Lord Brahma
Satyug+Treta Yug+Dwapar Yug+Kali Yug = 1 Mahayug
71 Maha Yug = 1 Manvantar (which you can say is 1 hour of Brahma)
14 Manvantar = 1 Kalpa (one Day of Brahma)
Lord Brahma starts creating every morning and everything gets destroyed at night (1 Kalpa). He then takes rest for the night (1 kalpa) and restarts again. One year of Brahma consists of 360 days (360 Kalpas). Life Span of Brahma is 100 years. Which roughly translates to 311 trillion 40 billion human years.
We are currently in the 28th Maha Yug of the 7th Manvantar of the Swetvarah Kalpa in the 51st year of Brahma.
The Cosmic Cycle
Time is cyclic and consists of 4 periods or stages of civilization called Yugas.
1. Sat Yug – When everything was pure. The human race possessed spiritual strength and longevity. It is the longest of the four Yugas and spanned for 17,28,000 years.
2. Treta Yug – Shorter than Satyug, it was the time when class system (varna) arose and demons too gained strength. Ramayan took place in this Yuga. It spanned for 12,96,000 years.
3. Dwapar Yug – The human race started to stray away from the path of righteousness in this period. Mahabharat happened in this Yuga. It spanned for 8,64,000 years.
4. Kali Yug – Shortest of the four, evil takes over in this Yuga. Most of the living beings suffer and the world is virtually devoid of peace. It spans over 4,32,000 years.
At the end of Kali Yug, Lord Vishnu will appear in the form of Kalki and destroy the epitome of evil named Kali. After Kaliyug, Satyug will be established and the cycle will continue.
It is interesting to note that the sum of all numbers of the time periods of each yuga comes out to be 9. More about number 9 below.
The Number 9
The number 9 is a fascinating and significant number that appears in many different aspects of our lives, including astronomy, mythology, astrology, numerology, spirituality, cultural traditions, mathematics, and science.
The Satyug spanned for 17,28,000 years. Sum = 1+7+2+8 = 18 = 1+8 = 9
Treta Yug – 12,96,000 years. Sum = 9
Dwapar Yug – 8,64,000 years. Sum = 9
Kali Yug 4,32,000 years. Sum = 9
There are 18 Puranas and 108 Mahapuranas in Hindu history. The Mahabharat war lasted for 18 days. There are 18 chapters in the Bhagvat Gita. The Bhagvat Purana has 18,000 verses.
We have been praying the Navgrah (9 planets since eons). We celebrate Navratri, we worship Navdurga. The praying beads have 108 pearls.
In mathematics, you must remember the table of 9. The sum of any multiplication of 9 comes out to be 9. Circle has 360 degrees. 3+6=9. Sum of triangle is 360°.
Sum of interior angles of a polygon is always a multiple of 9.
If we talk about the ratio of time to earth’s spinning on it’s axis, there are
5,25,600 minutes year
43,200 minutes in a month
10,080 minutes in a week
1,440 minutes in a day
Some interesting patterns in mathematics
12345679 x 9 = 111111111
12345679 x 9 = 222222222
12345679 x 9 = 222222222
Significance of number 9 is in other religions and cultures around the world, but we will not be able to cover all that here.
As there are 9 planets, there are the Navratna (9 gems) to influence every planet. There is Nav rasa or juice of essence of life. It can be better understood as 9 emotions which are also practiced by Actors during their training. A baby remains in the mother’s womb for months.
Lord Vishnu has taken 9 incarnations till now, and Kalki will be the 10th. Interstingly, Kalki 2898AD – sum of 2+8+9+8 = 27 = 2+7=9. Film is releasing on the 27th June 2024. As per numerology 2+7=9, is the number for the film.
Ashwatthama
Blessed by Lord Shiva, Ashwatthama was the son of Dronacharya. When knowing that the Pandavas tricked his father to kill him instead of a lawful battle, he attacked the Pandavas in the dead of night (against the battle laws) and killed all their sons thinking they were Pandavas. He wanted to end the Pandava lineage and hence attacked a pregnant Uttara (Arjun’s daughter-in-law).
Krishna intervened in time to save Uttara and cursed Ashwatthama to an immortal life of endless misery as a leper with no means of escape. It is believed that Ashwatthama is still wandering the earth today and many people have claimed to have seen him in various parts of India.
The story gets interesting from here. Blessed by a boon or inflicted by a curse, an immortal is an immortal nonetheless. Hence Ashwatthama is believed to be one of the Sapt-Chiranjeevis (seven immortals) who will train and help Kalki (the 10th avatar of Vishnu) in order to defeat Kali (a demon or personification of evil), end Kalyug, and restart the cosmic cycle with Satyug, an ear of purity and dharma.
Ved Vyas
It is said that Ved Vyas was the expansion of the God Vishnu, who came in Dwaparyug to make all the Vedic knowledge from oral tradition available in written form. He compiled all the 4 Vedas. He then narrated the entire Mahābhārat and all the Upanishads and the 18 Puranas to Lord Ganesh, who started writing them at an incredibly fast pace. So fast, that it broke his stylus (pen), hence he broke one of his tusks and continued writing. Therefore, Lord Ganesha is known as ‘Ekadanta’ (The one with one tusk).
Every word ever spoken remains in the universe. The sound does not die. Though it’s not easy, Ved Vyas can filter out and hear any word spoken in any Yuga by any person, living or dead. He is believed to be still alive today and will become one of the Gurus of Kalki.
Kripacharya
Kripa and his sister Kript were twins, born to warrior-sage Sharadvan and Janapadi. While visiting a forest, KingShantanu encountered the twins. His only son, Devavrata (Bhishma), was away in heaven with Ganga, and he longed for children. Shantanu adopted the twins, providing them with education and opulence. Sharadavan ensured his children learned his skills, excelling in arts from Yajnas to archery. They actively participated in rituals and duties in Hastinapur, becoming siblings to Bhishma.
In Mahabharat, he served as a council member of the Kuru Kingdom and taught the Pandava and Kaurava princes, and hence got the name, Kripacharya. During the Kurukshetra War, where the Pandavas and Kauravas clashed, Kripa sided with Duryodhana and fought valiantly under his banner.
After the war and 36 years of rule, The Pandavas embarked their journey to heaven (Swarg Yatra). Kripacharya assumed the role of mentor to Parikshit, Arjuna’s grandson. After faithfully fulfilling his responsibilities, it is believed that Kripa eventually withdrew to the forest for spiritual contemplation, and since then, he is in hiding till today and will be one of the teasers of Kalki.
Parshuram
Parshuram was born in Treta Yug in a Brahmin family of Rishi Jamdagni and Renuka. He is the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He was trained in warfare by the warrior sage Rishi Vishwamitra. He was a devotee of Lord Shiva, who gave him an Axe as gift of his devotion. His real name is Ram and he wields a Parshu (Axe), hence the name Parshuram.
An unholy ruler named Kartavirya Arjun, along with other Kshatriyas did unjust practices for personal gains and made life hell for the commoners. Parshuram’s father had a magical cow called Kamdhenu. The king tried to take away the cow and when Parshuram’s father resisted, they killed him. Filled with revenge, he killed all the Kshatiryas and brought peace.
Parshuram gave the Shiv Dhanush to King Janak, which was used in Sita’s swayamwar, which Lord Ram broke while trying the thread. Hearing the sound of it, Parshuram was filled with rage and came running to kill Ram. On meeting him, he realized that he too was an incarnation of Vishnu and hence, two incarnations of Vishnu met each other for the first time.
Once Parshuram went to meet Lord Shiva and was stopped by Lord Ganesh. Parshuram and Ganesh did not know each other and hence they broke into a fight. Parshuram launched his axe towards Ganesh, which he realized had the power of Shiva and so he allowed the axe to cut away one of his tusks. Thus the name, ‘Ekdant.’
During Mahabharat, Parshuram was the teacher of Bhishma, Dronacharya and Karna.
Lord Parshuram is an immortal and is believed to be alive even today. He will become a teacher to Kalki, the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu in the Kaliyug.
Vibhishan
There are two stories of how Vibhishan, Raavan’s brother attained immortality.
The first one says that, once the three brothers Raavan, Kumbhkaran and Vibhishan sat down to meditate on Lord Brahma in order to please him and ask for a boon. Vibhishan asked that he should be blessed so that he always remains righteous and never deviates from the path of Dharma. Lied Brahma was so pleased, that he gave gave him the boon of immortality as well.
The second story is set after the war of Lanka. When Lord Ram had completed his life in the mortal form and was ready to leave earth, he met Vibhishan and asked him to stay on earth and serve the people and guide them to the path of truth and dharma.
King Vibhishan’s last act will be to help/guide Lord Kalki (another avatar of Lord Vishnu, just like Lord Ram) in his battle against Kali.
King Bali / Mahabali
King Bali was a righteous king and a devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was the grandson of Prahlad and great grandson of demon king Hiranyakashyap. His kingdom was around the region of Kerala, a peaceful and prosperous kingdom. His bravery and strength of character earned him the title of Mahabali – the King of Kings.
The Gods did not like the growing popularity of a demon and hence became extremely concerned and jealous. They felt threatened about their own supremacy and began to think of a strategy to get rid of the dilemma. The Gods seeked help of Lord Vishnu whom Mahabali worshiped.
It was said Mahabali was very generous and charitable. Whenever anybody approached him for help or requested anything he always granted. To test the King, Lord Vishnu disguised himself as a dwarf and a poor Brahmin called Vamana and asked for three paces of land.
Mahabali agreed and in an instant Lord Vishnu increased his size to cosmic proportions and covered the Earth with one foot. He put the second foot on the heavens. He then asked King Mahabali where is the space for him to keep his third foot. Mahabali with folded hands bowed before Vamana and asked him to place his last step on his head so that he could keep the promise. The Brahmin placed his foot on the head of the King, which pushed him to Patala Lok, the underworld.
Lord Vishnu then revealed himself and gave the boon of immortality to Mahabali. He requested that he wished to visit his beloved kingdom and hence he is allowed to visit the earth once a year. That day is celebrated as Onam.
Lord Hanuman
Born as Maruti, in the Vanar kingdom of Kesar, to mother Anjani (Anjani Putra), father Kesari (Kesari Nandan), and Godfather Vayu/Pawan Dev (Pawan Putra), Hanuman is believed to be the 11th avatar of Lord Shiva.
As a child he was quite powerful and innocent and went on to eat the Sun thinking it was a fruit. Indra thought he was a demon and stuck him with his Vajra. Kid Maruti fell dead on Earth with a broken jaw.
In grief and anger Vayu withdrew all the air from the world and all living creatures started dying. To calm Vayu, Lord Brahma revived Maruti and blessed him with immortality. He further blessed him to be safe from all the weapons, even his biggest weapon Brahmastra.Indra blessed him to be as strong as his weapon Vajra (Bajrang Bali).
Various gods also blessed him with strength, courage and strong mind. He could increase or decrease his size as per his wish. Kuber gifted him a mace. Because of the broken jaw, he was given the name Hanuman.
Because he was too young and just tried to eat the Sun, they made him forget his powers for the meantime, which he remembered when he needed them the most, to fulfill his duty to help Lord Ram defeat the demon king Raavan.
But his purpose was not yet fulfilled. He also helped the Pandavas by sitting on the chariot of Arjuna, protecting him from various attacks in battle.
Now he is believed to be in deep meditation somewhere on the earth, waiting to fulfill his last purpose, which is to help Kalki, the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu, in his battle against Kali.
Good Vs Evil
During the Satyug, Good and Evil resided in separate realms. Hence, Earth was peaceful and it was a time of purity.
In the Treta Yug (time of Ramayan), Good and Evil (the Demons or Asuras) both started living in the same plane – Earth.
During the Dwapar Yug (time of Mahabharat), Good and Evil were in the same family.
During the Kaliyug (now), Good and Evil are in the same body/person.
Hence the war with evil is the toughest now. It’s a daily battle with ourselves as we like to do a little bad thinking it will not harm anyone. We will do a little bad, thinking nobody will know. Ever felt that? I think we all do. During this era so social media, we do a little evil without even realizing because it has become easy to insult or make someone feel bad from behind the screen and never get caught. There is a Kali in all of us, and Kalki, being an Avatar of Lord Vishnu cannot defeat him alone. Hence Kalki will need the help of the 7 immortals in the final battle.
Kali
Kali will be the most dreaded and powerful form of evil in all yugas. It is his Yug, where good and evil both reside inside us and we are constantly battling within us every day. This already makes Kali the most powerful as all of us are already corrupted and would do a little wrong if it benefits us or if nobody is watching. It is the only yug named on the evil – KaliYug.
In this yug, people will slowly stop worshipping and believing in the Gods. Selfishness and wickedness will increase. The innocents will suffer and the powerful will take control. Food and water will become scarce, people will turn hostile in order to survive. Greed will pollute the mind and the quest for survival will turn humans barbaric. Towards the last stage, humans will also turn cannibals. And Kali will be in the centre of it all, ruling the world.
When Kali’s rule will be reaching its peak, the Gods will visit Lord Vishnu and ask him for help once again. And for the last time in this cosmic cycle, Lord Vishnu will take birth on this earth in the form of Kalki to end Kali and Kaliyug.
Kalki
Lord Krishna (an Avatar of Vishnu) says in the Bhagwat Gita
यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत ।
अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम् ॥४-७॥
परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम् ।
धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥४-८॥
The literal translation means-
Whenever there is decay of righteousness, O Bharata,
And there is exaltation of unrighteousness, then I Myself come forth ;
For the protection of the good, for the destruction of evil-doers,
For the sake of firmly establishing righteousness, I am born from age to age
Lord Kalki will be expected to incarnate on the Shukla Paksha Dwadashi Tithi (12th day of the bright fortnight) in the Hindu month Vaishakha.
He will be born as a son in the house of an ascetic Brahmin named Vishnuyasha and mother Sumati, at a place called Shambhala in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh.
Every child needs a teacher, every war needs soldiers and every person needs help, even the Lord. Kalki will be trained and assisted by the 7 Chiranjeevis which we have mentioned in out series. Whether by boon or by curse, immortality is immortality and every single one of them have a purpose to fulfill.
Lord Kalki will come riding a white horse named Devdutt and end Kali, bring an end to Kaliyug. The cosmic cycle will restart, the end of Kaliyug will lead to the beginning of the Satyug. And that’s why we named out the article – Ant Se Aarambh.
We hope you had a good read and enjoyed your coffee as well! Do let us know your thoughts and opinions regarding the article in the comments!!
Also check out – Kalki 2898 AD Movie Review
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