BY THE ANCIENT HINDUS. 



197 



fourth age, the Kaliyuga, in which we live. Though these 

 four ages or yugas are nowhere mentioned in the ancient 

 Yeclic literature, and though the constitution of the great or 

 Mahayuga is most probably an invention of a comparatively 

 later period — perhaps after the commencement of the 

 Kaliyuga had been connected with a certain date and the 

 other yugas had been reckoned backwards from that date — 

 it is a most singular phenomenon that many otherwise 

 enlightened Brahmans really believe that they possess records 

 from these previous three yugas. 



The assumption of the depravity of the existing Kaliyuga 

 and the superiority of the preceding ages is consoling to 

 the feeling of those who no longer occupy the same exalted 

 position as formerly, and who try to insinuate that the 

 cause of the loss of their prestige is neither due to their 

 own faults nor to the superiority of their rulers, but to the 

 decrees of fate, to which every one is subject. "We can here 

 dispense with the presumption that the arms of any 

 particular yuga are good or bad in the same proportion 

 as the yuga itself is good or bad, the more so as a good and 

 really auspicious age, from its intrinsic goodness, does not 

 require any weapons to protect it ; as in such a happy era 

 righteousness and prosperity prevail everywhere. 



But even in the Kaliyuga humanity is not so debased 

 that no voice is raised against the use of cruel and barbarous 

 weapons. On the other hand wherever and whenever arms 

 are used, the object of their use must have been to apply 

 force, either for offensive or defensive purposes. Remembering 

 this fact one need not wonder that but little humanity is as 

 a rule displayed in restraining the efficiency of weapons, 

 and though, as we shall see, the ancient Hindu law books 

 objected strongly to the use of certain arms, it is doubtful 

 whether this prohibition was in reality ever enforced, for there 

 exists a difference between uttering sentiments creditable to 

 humanity and enforcing them in practice. 



