Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.534

c8.534

3) The caturyuga scheme. A caturyuga consists of the four yugas, namely Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali yugas. At the end of each Caturyuga, the Vedas perish Then the “Saptarṣis” (seven sages) come down from heaven to the earth and restore them again. Manu who is the propounder of Dharma śāstra, is also born in every Kṛtayuga. The Devas of each Manvantaram feed upon the share of Havis (offerings at sacrifices) of the yāga till the end of that Manvantara. During the whole period of the Manvantara, the earth is protected and preserved by the sons of Manu and their descendants. Thus Manu, the Saptarṣis, Devas, Indra and the Kings who are the sons of Manu are the authorities of the Manvantara. After 14 Manvantaras a Kalpa of about 1,000 yugas, comes to an end. After that there is a night extending over the same period in duration. At that time Mahāviṣṇu sleeps on his bed Ananta in the ocean of deluge. After that, he wakes up again and performs creation. Manus, Kings, Indra, Devas and Saptarṣis are the Sāttvika aspects of Mahāviṣṇu, who performs the work of protecting the world. In Kṛta yuga, Mahāviṣṇu assumes the form of Kapila and others and preaches "Paramajñāna". In Tretā yuga he assumes the form of an emperor and destroys the wicked people. In Dvāpara yuga, he assumes the form of Vyāsa and after dividing the Veda into 4 sections, classifies each of the sections into the various branches. At the end of Kaliyuga, Mahāviṣṇu assumes the form of Kalki and restores the vicious to the path of righteousness. This is the "Caturyuga scheme" of Mahāviṣṇu. (Viṣṇu Purāṇa, Part III, Chapter 2).