Dwapara Yuga, is the third out of four Yugas, or
ages, described in the scriptures of Hinduism. Dwapara in Sanskrit literally
means "two ahead", that is, something in the third place. The Dwapara
Yuga follows the Treta Yuga and precedes the Kali Yuga. According to the
Puranas, this yuga ended at the moment when Krishna returned to his eternal
abode of Vaikuntha. According to the Bhagavata Purana, the Dwapara Yuga lasts
864000 years or 2400 divine years.
There are only two pillars of religion during the Dwapara
Yuga: compassion and truthfulness. Vishnu assumes the colour yellow and the
Vedas are categorized into four parts: Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda and
Atharva Veda. During these times, the Brahmins are knowledgeable of two or
three of these but rarely have studied all the four Vedas thoroughly.
Accordingly, because of this categorization, different actions and activities
come into existence.
The roles of
the classes
All people in the Dwapara Yuga are desirous of
achievement of the scriptural dharma that is prescribed to each class, valiant,
courageous and competitive by nature and are engaged only in penance and
charity. They are kingly and pleasure-seeking. In this era, the divine
intellect ceases to exist, and it is therefore seldom that anyone is wholly
truthful. As a result of this life of deceit, people are plagued by ailments,
diseases and various types of desires. After suffering from these ailments,
people realize their misdeeds and perform penance. Some also organize Yagna
for material benefits as well as for divinity.
Brahmana
In this Yuga, the Brahmanas are involved in Yagna,
self-study and teaching activities. They attain celestial bliss by engaging in
penance, religion, control of senses, and restraint.
Kshatriya
The duties of Kshatriyas are the protection of
their subjects. In this era, they are humble and perform their duties by
controlling their senses. The Kshatriyas honestly execute all policies of law
and order without being angry or cruel. They are devoid of injustice towards
the ordinary citizens and consequently attain bliss.
The king avails the advice of the learned scholars
and accordingly maintains law and order in his empire. The king who is addicted
to vices will definitely end up defeated. That is why Yudhisthira never got
defeated as he had no vices despite being only a Rathi and other kings being
Atirathis and Maharathis, some Atimaharathis also. One or two or all from Saama,
Daana, Bheda, Danda, and Upeksha is/are brought into use and help attain
the desired. Kings are diligent in maintaining public decorum and order.
A few of the kings, however, plan a conspiracy
along with the scholars. Strong people execute work where execution of policies
is involved. The king appoints priests, etc. to perform religious activities,
economists and ministers to perform monetary activities, impotents to take care
of women, and cruel men to execute heinous activities.
There are two kshatriya dynasties, namely 'Surya
Vamsha' and 'Chandra Vamsha '.
Vaishya
Vaishyas are mostly landowners and merchants. The
duties of Vaishyas are trade and agriculture. Vaishyas attain higher planes
through charity and hospitality.
Shudra
The duty of Shudras is to perform tasks that demand highly physical work. Vedas says everyone is a born shudra and with their deeds, they can become a kshatriya, brahman, or vaishya.