MAARKANDEYA presents MAHAABHAARATHAM

( The Y in this name is a consonant and is pronounced like 'y' in 'you'. )

See also the link manu.

'Yuga' means a particular varying span of time. According to our tradition, the time runs through four ages as following, starting with the age named Kritha. These four ages repeat in the same order.

The Kritha yuga consists of 17 28 000 years. ( Also called Sathya yuga)
The Thretha yuga consists of 12 96 000 years.
The Dvaapara yuga consists of 8 64 000 years.
The kali yuga consists of 4 32 000 years.
Note that the durations are in the ratio 4:3:2:1 .
It is said that the strength of Dharma reduces from the first age to the last age .
In the Kritha age, righteousness is complete, 100 % or four quadrants.
In the Thretha age,righteousness has three-fourths of its total strength,75 % or three quadrants.
In the Dvaapara age, righteousness has half its full strength, 50 % or two quadrants.
In the Kali age, righteousness has one-fourth of its full strength, 25 % or one quadrant.
Also, the life-span of the beings, their strength and height etc reduce as the ages change.

The four ages have their divine manifestation forms, named Kritha, Thretha, Dvaapara and Kali. In Mahaabhaaratham, Duryodhana was said to be a manifestation of Kali and Shakuni was a manifestation of Dvaapara.

"After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."