What is India: the End of the Kali age in Leeming's book: The world of myth: an arthrology 3rd edition in pg. 77-80
In Leeming's book, "The World of Myth: An Anthology," the concept of India as the end of the Kali age is discussed in pages 77-80. According to Hindu mythology, the world goes through cycles of creation and destruction, with each cycle lasting millions of years. The Kali age is the last and most corrupted of these cycles, marked by chaos, vice, and moral decline.
The end of the Kali age is characterized by the return of the god Vishnu in his avatar as Kalki, the final incarnation of the god. Kalki is depicted as riding on a white horse, carrying a flaming sword, and bringing an end to the corrupt and violent world by destroying the wicked and establishing a new era of righteousness.
Leeming discusses how this mythological cycle is seen as a metaphorical representation of the cyclical nature of history and the human experience. The end of the Kali age represents a time of great change and upheaval, but also a new beginning and the hope for a better future.
Overall, the concept of India as the end of the Kali age highlights the importance of cyclical time and the idea that history repeats itself, with each new cycle offering the potential for renewal and transformation.
India: The End of the Kali Age in Leeming's book "The World of Myth: An Anthology" 3rd edition, pages 77-80 explores the concept of the end of the Kali Age in Indian mythology. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of the information provided in these pages:
1. Page 77: Introduction
- The section begins with an introduction to the concept of the Kali Age in Indian mythology.
- It explains that the Kali Age is considered the final and most chaotic stage of a four-age cycle, known as the Yuga cycle.
- The Kali Age is characterized by moral and social degradation, strife, and an absence of spiritual enlightenment.
2. Page 78: The Duration and Effects of the Kali Age
- This page focuses on the duration of the Kali Age and its effects on society.
- The Kali Age is said to last for 432,000 human years.
- It is described as a time characterized by greed, corruption, violence, inequality, and general moral decline.
- The page discusses how the Kali Age is believed to be a test for humanity's spiritual and moral development.
3. Page 79: Eschatological Beliefs and the End of the Kali Age
- This page explores different eschatological beliefs regarding the end of the Kali Age.
- It mentions the belief in the destruction of the world and the subsequent renewal that follows.
- According to Hindu mythology, at the end of the Kali Age, the god Vishnu is said to appear in his final avatar, Kalki, to restore order and righteousness.
- The page also mentions other apocalyptic beliefs associated with the end of the Kali Age, such as floods, fire, and the emergence of a new golden age.
4. Page 80: Prophecies and Interpretations
- The final page in this section discusses various prophecies and interpretations related to the end of the Kali Age.
- It mentions the belief that during the Kali Age, prophecies about its end will arise.
- The section highlights different interpretations of the end times, including religious and spiritual perspectives.
It is important to note that this breakdown provides a general overview of the information contained in these pages. For a more detailed understanding, it is recommended to refer directly to the specific pages in the book.