Hrida begins narrating the story of the birth of 'KALIYUGA' on earth with a narrative tone.
The story begins:
'On the 9th day of Mahabharata, the epic Indian battle between two branches of a family [Kauravas and Pandavas] for the throne of Hastinapur [A Kingdom], the Dvapara Yuga ends and Kaliyuga's time started ticking. This epic battle continued for 18 days with the victory of the Kauravas ( The Rightful rulers of the ' Hastinapura ' Kingdom).
But the Kali( essence of the era) couldn't spread its terror all over the earth in the presence of Lord Krishna [ The powerful creator of the universe] on the earth in his human form, so that's why even since the beginning date of Kaliyuga, the Kali couldn't do anything for approximately 36 years.
But after the descent of Lord Krishna from the earth, Kali started his work by seeping his essence into humans by sowing the seeds of evil in people's minds and the seed grows whether poisonous or sweet inside.
Still, his powers had limitations and boundaries, and due to this, he couldn't step into the reign of the current Parikshit's kingdom or the ruler itself because of the king's benevolent nature.
Due to this, Kaliyuga couldn't properly begin his era, so he requested the kind 'King'," Benevolent Majesty! I am in trouble, my existence is fading and I am helpless. All the eras ( Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dvapara Yuga, and Kali Yuga ) are one and are necessary to be executed in proper order. All these eras did begin and ruled for glorious years and now it is the turn of my era to begin but my era is being prevented and skipped which is injustice happening to me. Please end the injustice, Kind King. Allow me to initiate my era and live in my luxurious form for long years."
The King fell into his web of sweet and innocent words and felt sympathy for him but the king was aware of the essence of his presence. The king spent enough time thinking about it and then he announced his decision to Kali in a gentle tone," I thought a lot about your situation and I came to realize that it is necessary to continue the circle in pre-determined order and you will be permitted to launch your era only if you agree on one condition. And the condition is that you won't harm innocent people and also you can't be everywhere. Do you agree? If not, then I am afraid that I can't accept your request."
Kali was impressed that he escaped his trap with the right amount of wittiness but Kali didn't lose his wit as he had another invisible trap laid already for him. Kali answered," I would be a fool if I don't accept your simple condition. I won't be everywhere but will be present in those places where; there is gambling, alcohol consumption, prostitution, immoral relations between men and women, and violence. "
The King responds," I will grant permission in the places that you mentioned and I hope you keep your word."
Kali speaks again," Gracious King If I could ask for one more location to reside." The King became alerted and was ready to object to his request politely as he was well aware of the tricky streak in his nature.
But before he could voice out his objection, Kali immediately silently swept him into his trap to prevent the target from escaping his grasp by using his manipulative convincing tone," Apology for asking for one more request but I have accepted your condition which keeps me bind to only dirty places, so I just wanted single good place for my presence. Is that too much to ask for? If it is, still I am daring to request as I have the right to reside in at least one good place like other eras."
Kali's shadow stealthily lingers around his shadow, about which the king is oblivious. Kali can sense the air of confusion and conflict, which already satisfies his essence. The King expresses his opinion, " I agree that you also are to be given good places like other eras but I can't afford to offer you a good number of bright places although I can't be inconsiderate to even not offer you one good place. So, I will grant this one last request. You can enter those 4 places and you are also allowed to reside in gold."
Kali plays the part of being thankful in front of the king while he is celebrating his victory inside, " Thank you, benevolent King. I am relieved that you offered me kindness by accepting my humble request. I shall retire if you allow me."
The King politely asked him to retire and gave a last reminder about their deal to which Kali simply nodded in agreement. Kali retired from there with a creepy and wide smile and waited for the right opportune time.
That time finally knocked at his door on a regular day, as the king was rummaging through his things randomly, his curiosity grew more as he found different items but one item completely enraptured him and that was his grandfather's golden crown found within an ancient box. The beauty of the golden crown glittering in its illustrious presence had enchanted the King and he wore the crown without giving any thought.
As soon as he wore the golden crown, his shadow turned a bit darker in shade and immediately The king's image popped up in Kali's thoughts and he smirked with an 'I knew this would work' gaze.
Kali's essence slowly sneaked into his crown without King's notice. Kali was able to enter because the crown was wrongly acquired and money and gold gained through wrong-doings brings Kali's attention and summons his essence. Still, he is restricted to the golden crown and can't seep into his mind yet but he knows the loophole to influence his mind by creating an illusion of Kali's voice as King's inner voice in King's eyes.
After a few days, the King went hunting in the bountiful jungle ( Forest) for the first time and shed a lot of animal blood, which stained the green grasses red. The animal's lifeless eyes haunted the sky but the king's heart didn't waver at all. This is the signal that Kali has finally spread his long tapering shadows over a wider area.
While journeying deep into the forest, the King somehow got separated from his army of soldiers, and the King was lost in the wide and silent jungle alone. And, he didn't have any knowledge about the pathway back home, so he wandered off into the forest to find his army or the way back home. After searching for hours, it was already afternoon time and he was hungry and thirsty.
The King walks in search of food and water to quench his thirst and hunger, then he encounters an ' Ashram' ( Monastery ) and he steps in.
As he stepped in, he noticed the Sage [Shamik Rishi] seated on the ground with his eyes completely shut, the king being unaware of the situation that the Sage is in Samadhi ( Deep meditation) accuses him of wrong behavior in his mind, which was Kali's doing. The King thinks, " How rude of him to behave like this in front of a King. He is ignoring my presence and he didn't even welcome the King. What a negligent behavior."
Kali tugged his mind threads and placed a bowl of revenge boiling in his mind and his anger weighed more over understanding when he spotted a dead snake lying flat beside the Sage. He grabbed the snake in his hands and wrapped the lifeless snake around the Sage's neck. But the Sage stayed still like water with a graceful expression on his face.
Just then, the Sage's son [ Shringi ] returns ashram and as soon as he enters, he fumes out in anger upon witnessing the scene in front of him. He immediately removed the snake from his father's neck and pondered deeply about it," Who could do such a terrible act to my father? " Then he discovered the King around the ashram pacing here and there and he instantly knew that the King did it.
His anger intensified and he drew the King's attention as he cursed him with deep anger burning in his tone," I curse you that you will die within seven days by bite of Takshak Nag ( The King of Snakes) because you did the offensive act of placing a dead snake around his father's neck."
The King heard his curse clear and loud and this terrified his soul. After returning to his palace, he thought deeply and tried to think of any solution to this curse. But he didn't find any and decided to give up his throne to his son [ Janamejaya].
Meanwhile, Kali is spreading his sharp lingering shadows deep into the people's minds and materialistic things gained by ill-intent while celebrating the beginning of his reign and also his plans to completely rule over the world in the upcoming years ahead.
The King arrived at the bank of the Ganges while leaving the food, water, and all materialistic things way behind.
The King now realized," The Sage's son [ Shringi Rishi ] didn't curse me but gave me a blessing instead which was hidden in disguise till I finally figured out the truth. Because of him, I dared to free myself from sensual pleasures and led me here, otherwise, I wouldn't have even thought about Vairagya [ Let go]."
Though a lot of Saints visited him, sadly none of them could guarantee him getting ' Moksha' [Salvation] within the time interval of just 7 days. Out of spiritual inspiration, one sage [ Shukdev ji] visited him to offer him the Moksha he wished for.
The saint assures him," Son, there is no need to worry as it is completely useless. This restlessness will not let you be in peace and will also steal your 7 days from your life. I advise you to enjoy the remaining time by being observant of each second of your life. Experience the present moment and just worship ' The Almighty; The Creator'."
The King followed his advice and did what he said and also listened to The Bhagwat Purana [ Book of well-versed narration of various beautiful forms of the ' Lord Vishnu' upon the earth] for the whole next 7 days. The King's soul was enlightened by listening to the interesting and insightful stories present in the book and his fear of death vanished like it never existed.
Finally, he realized the ultimate truth of life and death, and that led him to give up his human body to attain 'Moksha'. Exactly as the curse's predicament, after 7 days, Takshak Nag appeared and bit the King's body after the soul had left the King's body.
At last, the King was blessed as he got seven days before his death. After learning about his death, he earned the meaning of Vairagya ( Let go ).
But when the King's son learned the truth regarding the cause of his father's death, he organized an event named 'The Great Snake Sacrifice' and sacrificed the snake to its death. All this happened because of the reign of anger, revenge, and ego over morality, and humanity. The Kali was successful in his well-executed plan and his era had already begun since the moment the King wore the golden crown and his power just increased and increased.
It is predicted that the future generations ahead will be surrounded by his presence as the evilness and darkness will reach their peak over the years and unthinkable worst conditions are yet to be seen by nature and people.
This is how Kaliyuga came into existence over the earth. But still, there is always a tiny strong thread of hope that binds the world together still in this present modern era. However, the darkness will find its way to increase its power to an immense degree and then we have to fight and pray to the Almighty to face that.
Till then, let's keep our hopes strong in our mind and soul."
Hrida mutters out loud," I didn't expect that I would find such a story like this. Isn't it, insightful? I think I am discovering the details about Kali, who was the shadow that we felt and saw when the darkness or evilness was roaming around.
I finally know now that I sighted Kali many times but he never talked to me though. Hope so he doesn't ever as being able to hear his talk is a bad occurrence. I feel exhausted and drowsy but it's already past 8 am. I shouldn't sleep right now, I won't... I – I...." Hrida instantly fell asleep while talking and the reason was these mischievous soft breezes that caved in her eyes and made the environment cozy enough to make her fall in the arms of sleep.