Introduction to Tantra Sastra - Aghori

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INTRODUCTION TO TANTRA ŚĀSTRA
duration was 2,400 Divine, or 864,000 human years. A
further decrease in longevity and strength, and increase
of weakness and disease mark this age. Life which
lasted 1,000 years was centred in the blood. Stature was
7 cubits. Sin and virtue were of equal force. Men
became restless, and though eager to acquire knowledge,
were deceitful, and followed both good and evil
pursuits. The principal place of pilgrimage was Kurukṣetra.
To this age belongs (according to Vyāsa,
Anuṣtubhācaryā and Jaya-deva) the avatāra of Viṣṇ u as
Bala-rāma, the elder brother of Kṛ ṣṇ a, who, according to
other accounts, takes his place. In the samdhya, or
intervening period of 1,000 years between this and the
next yuga the Tantra was revealed, as it will be
revealed at the dawn of every Kali-yuga.
Kali-yuga is the alleged present age, in which righteousness
exists to the extent of one-fourth only, the
duration of which is 1,200 Divine, or 432,000 human years.
According to some, this age commenced in 3120 B. C. on
the date of Viṣṇ u’s return to heaven after the eighth
incarnation. This is the period which, according to the
Purāṇ as and Tantras, is characterized by the prevalence
of viciousness, weakness, disease, and the general
decline of all that is good. Human life, which lasts at
most 120, or, as some say, 100, years, is dependent on
food. Stature is 3½ cubits. The chief pilgrimage is now
to the Ganges. In this age has appeared the Buddha
Avatāra.
The last, or Kalki Avatāra, the Destroyer of sin, has
yet to come. It is He who will destroy iniquity and
restore the age of righteousness. The Kalki-Purāṇ a
speaks of Him as one whose body is blue like that of the