Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

None. Prabhupada never used it, but he never minded his disciples using this term. Its based in assumptions and deviant philos of some new age and hindu groups.

Because Lord Caitanya is considered a golden avatar, the time of His advent and perhaps subsequent time of influence are sometimes called "the golden age" by Gaudiya Vaishnavas. This was combined with Prabhupadas comments regarding the reign of Maharaja Priyavrata, when Earth was producing an abundance of her gifts and the now famous myth of "Golden Age" was born in Iskcon. And like most Iskcon myths, it is now considered a revealed Truth, not to be challenged by anyone. And new myths are still being created today. As Prabhupada said: "if it is not in my books, dont believe it".

11 Canto of Bhagavatam speaks in detail about this Kali yuga, but there is no mention of any type of Golden Age. Not until the Kali-yuga ends at least.

Is this idea of the Golden Age somehow related to the other common notion that Srila Prahbupadas books will be the "law books for the next 10,000 years?"

deena: It must have been a private revelation or a sastric source unknown to me. The only 10,000 years Kali period in sastra I known is this one:

http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/kaliyuga.htm#1

From VEDAs website:

Bhagavan Sri Krishna speaks to Srimati Ganga-devi:

Brahma-vaivarta Purana 4.129.59:

kaler daSa-sahasraaNi
madbhaktaaH saMti bhu-tale
ekavarNaa bhaviSyaMti
madbhakteSu gateSu ca

"For 10,000 years of Kali such devotees of Mine will be present on earth. After the departure of My devotees there will be only one varna [outcaste]."

there is no reference to it being "golden" is there in Brahma-vaivarta? It refers to first 10K of Kaliyuga, another few to go...

[quote][cite] deena:[/cite]Is this idea of the Golden Age somehow related to the other common notion that Srila Prahbupadas books will be the "law books for the next 10,000 years?"[/quote]

At one time an Indian life member in Africa made an enthusiastic comment that Prabhupadas books will be the "law books for the next 10,000 years". Devotees reported that story to Prabhupada and he liked it, so it was taken as a confirmation and prediction of things to come. Thus another Iskcon myth was born...

Nowadays if a devotee question any of such established Iskcon myths, he is seen as an offender by most devotees.

[quote][cite] Kula-pavana:[/cite][quote][cite] deena:[/cite]Is this idea of the Golden Age somehow related to the other common notion that Srila Prahbupadas books will be the "law books for the next 10,000 years?"[/quote]

At one time an Indian life member in Africa made an enthusiastic comment that Prabhupadas books will be the "law books for the next 10,000 years". Devotees reported that story to Prabhupada and he liked it, so it was taken as a confirmation and prediction of things to come. Thus another Iskcon myth was born...

Nowadays if a devotee question any of such established Iskcon myths, he is seen as an offender by most devotees.[/quote] and then it grew into yet another myth, "no more gurus for the next 10 000 years", and gurus of this statement are...?

Giriraja: ... As Your Divine Grace had said, that due to the sankirtana movement an auspicious atmosphere is being created all over the world. So is it not possible that at least for the time being things will improve?
Prabhupada: Oh, yes. Improve. Not for the time being. For ten thousand years.
Giriraja: Yes. Out of 427,000 years I was taking that 10,000 as for the time being.
Prabhupada: It is nothing sport.(?)
Tamala Krsna: Srila Prabhupada, where is the mention of that ten thousand years?
Prabhupada: That I have heard it. Maybe in the Bhagavata. Such a nice thing...

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation -- April 5, 1977, Bombay

It is very inconceivable, unbelievable and uncomprehensible how much causeless mercy has advented in this specific Kali Yuga in the form of the Holy Names of Nityananda and Gauranga. Actually when Their Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga disappeared around 500 years ago that should have been the end of the Golden Age of Kali Yuga and of all Yugas because according to the Shrimad Bhagavatam the Lord ascends to His own Abode taking back with Him pure religion, knowledge etc. But the Brahma Vaivarta Purana states that the Golden Age will go on for another 10,000 years. So the fulfillment of this prophecy is only possible if the direct absence of the manifested presence of Their Supreme Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga is compensated by the presence of the supremely merciful Holy Names of Nityananda and Gauranga which are totally non-different from Them, and which are according to Shrila Rupa Goswami in Namashtaka even more merciful the Their Lordships Themselves. Thus there remains no doubt that Their Golden Lordships Shri Shri Nityananda Gauranga will against manifest in the next 10,000 years in the form of Their Holy Names thus heralding the magnificent Golden Era of Kali Yuga which will be the time of the deliverance of the most fallen of all falen living entities.