Vedic texts describe the material world in much detail and have been surprisingly accurate in some predictions. Many people are suggesting that the Mayan 2012 "end of the world" theory could echo Hinduism's prophecy of a Golden Age. But do they actually have anything in common?
The Mayan Calendar and 2012 Prophecies
According to the Mayan calendar, the great cycle ends on the winter solstice of 2012 (December 21st) at 11.11 a.m. It is believed that this may signify the creation of a new age. Some suggest that the world now dominated by materialism will have different values and 2012 is the "end of the world as we know it." The living Maya of Guatemala say the doomsday predictions are misinterpretations of their prophecy and feel it it could be a time of a global spiritual awakening.
Mayan Ajq'ij Carlos Barrios says, "This materialistic way of life, all this business about economic and social position in the world, it needs to change and the people need to go inside themselves in order to know what they are and to find harmony with the mother earth, with human beings, with their brothers, with the animals, with the plants. It's an important time because we are in the moment of the prophesies and humanity can be destroyed or we can be saved, all together."
The Current Kali-Yuga According to Hindu Philosophy
Hindu texts describe a cycle of four ages (yugas) that are never-ending. Just like winter lasts for three months and then spring comes; the four ages also repeat in a ordered pattern, with different atmospheres typical of each age. The four yugas are:
- Satya-yuga - the golden age, lasting 1,728,000 years;
- Treta-yuga - the silver age, lasting 1,296,000 years;
- Dvapara-yuga - the bronze age, lasting 864,000 years; and
- Kali-yuga - the iron age of machines and quarrel, lasting 432,000 years.
According to Hinduism, we are currently in Kali-yuga though it is not regarded as the end of the world. It is predicted that at the end of Kali-yuga everything will be very barren and devastated. This age will last for 432,000 years and we are in the early stages passing around 5,000 years of it.
Krishna Predicts a Golden Age
Lord Krishna states in the Brahma-vaivarta Purana that a Golden Age will start 5,000 years after the beginning of the Kali Yuga, and in this conversation with Mother Ganga Krishna also says: "In the body of My devotees remains eternally (the purifier). Mother Earth becomes pure by the dust of the feet of My devotees," and "For 10,000 years of Kali such devotees of Mine will be present on earth. After the departure of My devotees there will be only one varna (outcaste)." Many Hindus debate whether this period of purification has begun and some believe it could coincide with the 2012 theory, though that appears to be speculation.
This means that both Mayan and Hindu philosophy predicts a change in the world after about 5,000 years into their calendar. However it is unlikely this is a doomsday fatal event, in fact many are looking forward to positive spiritual upheaval. Astrologer Dattatreya Siva Baba is positive about 2012: "There will certainly be natural and man-made calamities prior to the dawning of this new era of enlightenment, or the Golden Age. Between now and 2012, there will certainly be seemingly apocalyptic happenings. The world will not be destroyed, but it will be cleansed of negativity, ignorance, hatred and conflict."
A close look at the 2012 end of the world predictions shows that it may be unfounded. Hindu text Brahma-vaivarta Purana points towards a positive "Golden age", and the Mayan prophecy is also similar is suggesting an impending change in people's values. Neither cultures suggest the world will be destroyed in 2012.
Sources:
IndiaDivine.org. Golden Age to Begin in 2012 (Accessed October 27, 2010).
Veda.HareKrsna.cz. Kali-Yuga and Sakabda (Accessed October 26, 2010).
Priya Chauhan - A designer, topic editor and feature writer (for Hinduism) and all round experimenter of healthy living; Priya enjoys being creative, and ...
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