124 OF THE YUGAS.

7. A space of time equal to one Divine Age, is divided into four ages, supposed to be in constant revolution like the Seasons of the year. These periods probably refer to imaginary dates of some remote conjunctions of the heavenly bodies, assumed by ancient Astronomers merely to assist their computations; but which has given rise to the absurd, indecent, and monstrous fables with which the Puranas abound, and which are received among the people as solemn realities. These യുഗങ്ങൾ are named കൃതയുഗം, ത്രെതായുഗം, ദ്വാപരയുഗം, കലിയുഗം; answering to the Golden, Silver, Brazen and Iron ages of European Mythology. The fourth, കലിയുഗം, in which we live, embraces a period of 432,000 years, of which, to the current year A. D. 1840-1, 4941 have elapsed.