avatars--yuga

For progress in spiritual life, the sastras recommend meditation in Satya-yuga, sacrifice for the satisfaction of Lord Visnu in Treta-yuga and gorgeous worship of the Lord in the temple in Dvapara-yuga, but in the age of Kali one can achieve spiritual progress only by chanting the holy name of the Lord. This is confirmed in various scriptures. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam there are many references to this fact. In the Twelfth Canto it is said, kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-saṅgah param vrajet: In the age of Kali there are many faults, for people are subjected to many miserable conditions, yet in this age there is one great benediction-simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra one can be freed from all material contamination and thus be elevated to the spiritual world. The Narada-pancaratra also praises the Hare Krsna maha-mantra as follows:    (More...)

"The most important factor in this age of Kali, which is an ocean of faults, is that one can be free from all contamination and become eligible to enter the kingdom of God simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. The self-realization that was achieved in the Satya millennium by meditation, in the Treta millennium by the performance of different sacrifices, and in the Dvapara millennium by worship of Lord Krsna can be achieved in the age of Kali simply by chanting the holy names, Hare Krsna." (Bhag. 12.3.51-52)    (More...)

In the Satya Yuga the process of self-realization is meditation, and this process of meditation was taught by the incarnation of God in the color of whiteness. This incarnation gave benediction to the sage Kardum for obtaining, as his son, an incarnation of the Personality of Godhead. In the Satya Yuga everyone meditates on Krishna, and each and every living entity is in full knowledge. Other meditations, which are not recommended in this present age, are still being attempted as meditational processes by people who are not in full knowledge.    (More...)

The next millennium is Kali Yuga, in which we are now. In this age the Lord incarnates to preach chanting of the Holy Name of Krishna. The Lord appears in this age in yellowish color, and He teaches people love of God by chanting the Name of Krishna. The process of teaching is done Personally by Krishna, and He exhibits His love of Godhead by chanting, singing, and dancing with thousands of people following Him. This particular incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is foretold in the Srimad Bhagwatam, Eleventh Canto, Fifth Chapter ; in which it is stated that the Lord incarnates in the Age of Kali as a devotee, always chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.    (More...)