Acharya Shivender Nagar gave an interesting view on the subject during the 'Retreat' being conducted by him at Rishikesh [14-18 Oct 2013]. We were covering Bhagwad Gita Ch 4 :-
BG 4.7 : O Bharata, whenever there is indeed a decline of Dharma [Righteousness] and a rise of Adharma [unrighteousness], then I manifest Myself.
BG 4.8 : For the protection of the virtuous, for the destruction of the wicked and for the establishment of dharma [righteousness], I am born from age to age.
A participant asked, "Seeing all the scams and disorder in India, we seem to be in Kalyug. Hence Krishna should be manifesting in this age?"
Shivender ji, gave a slightly different perspective :
There is 'good' and 'evil' in every age. Never is evil completely wiped out; neither is good completely absent.
In terms of physical comfort and amenities there has never been a better age.
Earlier, a common man could be deprived of life and liberty without let or hindrance;today he is better off.
With respect to status of women:
During Krishna's time a woman [Draupadi] was publicly ordered to be disrobed in open court; can such a thing happen in Parliament today ?
When kings were ruling, a king, zamindar or official could abduct any woman without any repercussions
Rapes always took place, but when a Nirbhaya is raped today,the nation rises in outrage.
Even 100 yrs back, half the present audience would not have been here because women were prohibited from study of the scriptures;
200 yrs back widows were forced to become 'sati'
Even though the caste system was designed to be based on one's 'nature', it degenerated to a birth based system, lowering the dignity and autonomy of a large part of the population. Today, the downtrodden have a voice and their status is improving.
On balance, it would appear that today we are in 'Satyug', not in 'Kalyug'
We are in the habit of cribbing and seeing only the negative side of things
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