treta-leven

ZILVEREN TIJDVAK
Het Mentale Yuga

2 tot 1 miljoen jaar geleden
Srimad Bhagavatam (11.5, 11.14.12, 11.17.13, 12.3.20...)
Padma Purāṇa (7.26.6-9)
Vayu Puraṇa (57-59)
Mahabharata

Average height is 6.5m
Lifespan of people: 10,000 years !
Rishis live "as long as there is a body".
"Their eyes were as large as lotus petals. Their chests were broad, and their bodies were well-built. They were vigorous and capable of slaying lions. They walked majestically like the elephants in a rut. They wielded great bows. They were endowed with all good characteristics."

Rain !
In Satya-yuga (or Greek Golden Age, governed by Kronos/Saturn) there were no seasons, only one everlasting Spring! In Treta-yuga however (Silver Age in Greece as well, governed by Zeus/Jupiter, who is Indra in Hinduism...) thick rain clouds appeared in the sky, and it began to rain! There were four seasons now: Spring, Summer, Autums and Winter.

Agriculture !
This rain fostered the growth of various trees. People started to live on the fruits of these trees. Suffering from hunger and thirst - as the whishing trees withered away - they had gone to Brahma/Indra in search of a solution. Brahma milked the earth, so that trees, herbs and foodgrains might grow afresh. The trees also provided honey, and barks for clothing! In this age oceans and deserts, as well as agriculture and cities were formed. Of the metals hidden deep in nature, copper was discovered!

Science ! Art !
Arts, crafts, laws and sciences were created, as well as the four varnas and four ashramas. In Greece a.o. Demeter/Ceres was teaching, in India besides Indra and Manu, also the Saptarishi and other sages... During the time of Lord Rama, large ocean going ships were built, and pilgrims taught the art of sacrifice in far off lands.

The houses that men built were known as 'shalas'. This is because they were modelled on trees. The branches of a tree ('shakha') spread out in all directions... The palaces were called 'prasada', the word signifying that these dwellings pleased the mind.

barkcloth

Castes !
The four social orders were manifested from the universal form of the Supreme Lord.
- Brahmanas appeared from the Lord’s face
- Kshatriyas from His arms
- Vaishyas from the Lord’s thighs
- Shudras from the legs of that mighty form

Each social division was recognized by its particular duties and behavior. This meant that everyone was a part of the Lord’s universal form, and that they were Divine in their internal and essential nature. It also meant that according to their natural talents, interests and proclivities [neigingen], everyone had a part to play through which was the function of a harmonious social body.

Kshatriyas obeyed the (advice of) Brahmaṇas, Vaishyas obeyed Kshatriyas, Shuuras followed Vaishyas. People cooperated and collaborated with one another. Their activities were auspicious. Their holy rites and duties of castes and stages of life too were auspicious, in thought, mind, words and actions. Thus, in Treta-age their activities remained unimpaired. People were equally endowed with the same span of life, good intellect, strength, beauty, health and righteousness.

~bron~