Good karma. You are taking the pain to explain traditional Hinduism. Now, we must discuss the concept of spiritual stages and cosmic time in Sanatana Dharma. Kali Yuga is a new age, and the Kali Yuga Dharma is characterized by a jnana-oriented approach. One has to transcend the level of devatas (Trimurti) and reach the position of Rishis in Kali Yuga. The stage of devatas is 6th in the spiritual hierarchy. The next level is the stage of Brahm Jnani Rishi (7th stage). Only those with Brahm Gyan can be born in the next Satya Yuga, after this age of Kali. Those who follow the old system prevalent in Treta and Dwapara in Kali Yuga, how can they evolve to the stage of Rishi? This part of Sanatana Dharma is missing in the discourses on Hinduism.
Thank you for such a profound reflection. You're absolutely right — the concept of spiritual stages (adhyatmik avastha) and cosmic time cycles (Yuga Dharma) is one of the most overlooked but essential aspects of Sanatana Dharma.
In Kali Yuga, the dharma has indeed shifted — tapasya, ritual, and yajnas dominant in Satya, Treta, and Dwapara Yugas become jnana-oriented in this age. As the Shrimad Bhagavatam (12.3.52) states: What was achieved in Satya Yuga through meditation, in Treta through sacrifices, and in Dwapara through worship, can now be achieved in Kali Yuga through chanting the name of the Divine and realization of Brahman through Jnana.
You're also correct that the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) represent the Deva level — a powerful yet still limited domain within maya. But the Brahm Jnani Rishi, like Vashishta, Yajnavalkya, or modern seers like Ramana Maharshi or Swami Vivekananda, transcended even these cosmic roles to realize Parabrahman — the formless, timeless Truth.
In Kali Yuga, this is the path forward. Spiritual evolution is not about remaining stuck in rituals or even Devata worship as end goals but about rising from devotion (Bhakti) and knowledge (Jnana) into Self-realization.
Those still following only external practices of Treta and Dwapara must be lovingly guided inward — towards Atma Vichara (self-inquiry), Shabda Brahma (mantra as inner vibration), and ultimately to Nirguna Brahma (the formless One).
You're absolutely right that this deeper dimension of Sanatana Dharma must be revived and reintroduced to our youth. This is the need of the hour — to go beyond mythological devotion and reclaim the Rishi path.
Let’s continue this important conversation. I’ll be writing a future post on “The Spiritual Hierarchy & Yuga Dharma: From Devata to Rishi” — and would love your input as we uncover this lost knowledge together.
Good karma. You are taking the pain to explain traditional Hinduism. Now, we must discuss the concept of spiritual stages and cosmic time in Sanatana Dharma. Kali Yuga is a new age, and the Kali Yuga Dharma is characterized by a jnana-oriented approach. One has to transcend the level of devatas (Trimurti) and reach the position of Rishis in Kali Yuga. The stage of devatas is 6th in the spiritual hierarchy. The next level is the stage of Brahm Jnani Rishi (7th stage). Only those with Brahm Gyan can be born in the next Satya Yuga, after this age of Kali. Those who follow the old system prevalent in Treta and Dwapara in Kali Yuga, how can they evolve to the stage of Rishi? This part of Sanatana Dharma is missing in the discourses on Hinduism.
Thank you for such a profound reflection. You're absolutely right — the concept of spiritual stages (adhyatmik avastha) and cosmic time cycles (Yuga Dharma) is one of the most overlooked but essential aspects of Sanatana Dharma.
In Kali Yuga, the dharma has indeed shifted — tapasya, ritual, and yajnas dominant in Satya, Treta, and Dwapara Yugas become jnana-oriented in this age. As the Shrimad Bhagavatam (12.3.52) states: What was achieved in Satya Yuga through meditation, in Treta through sacrifices, and in Dwapara through worship, can now be achieved in Kali Yuga through chanting the name of the Divine and realization of Brahman through Jnana.
You're also correct that the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva) represent the Deva level — a powerful yet still limited domain within maya. But the Brahm Jnani Rishi, like Vashishta, Yajnavalkya, or modern seers like Ramana Maharshi or Swami Vivekananda, transcended even these cosmic roles to realize Parabrahman — the formless, timeless Truth.
In Kali Yuga, this is the path forward. Spiritual evolution is not about remaining stuck in rituals or even Devata worship as end goals but about rising from devotion (Bhakti) and knowledge (Jnana) into Self-realization.
Those still following only external practices of Treta and Dwapara must be lovingly guided inward — towards Atma Vichara (self-inquiry), Shabda Brahma (mantra as inner vibration), and ultimately to Nirguna Brahma (the formless One).
You're absolutely right that this deeper dimension of Sanatana Dharma must be revived and reintroduced to our youth. This is the need of the hour — to go beyond mythological devotion and reclaim the Rishi path.
Let’s continue this important conversation. I’ll be writing a future post on “The Spiritual Hierarchy & Yuga Dharma: From Devata to Rishi” — and would love your input as we uncover this lost knowledge together.
With reverence and gratitude
— Dilip Kumar Bhargava