There are descriptions in religious texts and Puranas regarding the final stage of Kali Yuga. According to these descriptions, as the peak of Kali Yuga approaches, concepts such as religion, truth, compassion, purity, forgiveness gradually decline, and human lifespan also decreases.
The question arises as to what the end of Kali Yuga will be like: will seas and rivers dry up? And what will be the greatest question—how will the incarnation of God Vishnu as Kalki occur amidst this universal lawlessness? The following narrative presents the last time of Kali Yuga, as described in the Puranas.
When the age of 20 becomes a sign of old age
In religious scriptures, the final stage of Kali Yuga is depicted as extremely grim. There is a belief that during this period, people's lifespans will steadily shorten. If today the age of 20 is considered the beginning of youth, then at the final stage of Kali Yuga, this age will be viewed as being close to the end of life.
It is said that signs of premature aging will begin to appear in people. Hair will start turning gray at an early age, and physical strength will rapidly weaken. That is, at the moment when today's youth thinks about building a career and a future, the person will already be close to the end of their existence.
Weakening of relationships and family
Sacred texts also contain descriptions of the decline of social and family values in the last times of Kali Yuga. Qualities such as religion, truth, purity, compassion, forgiveness, and self-control gradually disappear. Trust and respect between spouses also decrease.
People begin to prioritize egoism and personal desires over relationships. Wealth and personal gain are valued more than family. Religious descriptions even assert that recognition of good character will then be determined not by a person's behavior, but by whether they have money.
Wealth will become the main measure
In the final phase of Kali Yuga, money will become the main criterion for prestige. The more money a person has, the more influential and virtuous society considers them. The status of their family and lineage will also be determined by their financial situation. Meanwhile, poor people will be considered unworthy and humiliated.
For money, people will turn against their own relatives and friends. Greed will increase to such an extent that a person will not make any concessions for their own egoism.
Dominance of lawlessness over religion
It is asserted that the number of people observing religion in the last times of Kali Yuga will be extremely low. People may talk about the provisions of religious texts and Vedas, but their lives will not conform to these principles. Some religious teachers will use people for their own interests. They will speak of knowledge, but their behavior will lack religion and virtue. Meanwhile, cunning, greedy, and selfish people will be considered wise and successful. Even grain growth on the earth will become difficult.
The Puranas also describe natural imbalance in the final stage of Kali Yuga. It is believed that the fertility of the land will decrease, affecting food production. Rains will become irregular, and the climate will be disrupted. There will be intense heat in some places and severe cold in others. Storms, floods, and other natural disasters may increase. Some religious descriptions even state that the intensity of the sun will increase so much that rivers and seas will begin to dry up.
Local ponds will gain importance instead of holy places
Religious descriptions related to the end of Kali Yuga also mention that people's religious faith and traditions will undergo changes such that they will begin to forget the significance of sacred shrines. People will start considering small bodies of water near them as sacred instead of distant holy rivers and pilgrimage sites. This description points not only to geographical changes but also to shifts in human mindset and religious values at that time.
Kali Purusha will become the main symbol of Kali Yuga
In religious beliefs, Kali Purusha is considered the symbol of the lawlessness and vices of Kali Yuga. As lawlessness grows, the power of Kali will increase. Her influence will begin to affect people's thoughts and behavior. People will gradually start following the path of greed, anger, violence, deceit, and egoism. It is said that Kali Purusha will gain the greatest power precisely from lawlessness. The more lawlessness there is, the stronger her influence.
The incarnation of God Kalki will come
However, Sanatana tradition always states that whenever lawlessness increases, God incarnates to restore religion. At the end of Kali Yuga, the incarnation of God Vishnu as Kalki is expected. According to religious texts, when lawlessness reaches its peak and religion is almost gone, God Kalki will appear, destroy the lawlessness, and re-establish religion. It is believed that God Kalki will appear riding a white horse called Devadatta. He will hold a sword in his hand to destroy lawlessness and tyranny.
