Q. From SB 1.4.14 we see that Srila Vyasadeva was born at the overlap of Treta and Dwapar yuga. From Srila Vyasadeva’s mother to Parikshit Maharaj, there were about 6 generations. My question is how did all of Dwapar yuga get get covered by the passing of 6 generations only? I believe Dwapar yuga is 864,000 years long and the age of people in Dwapar yuga in general was 10 times that of people in Kali yuga – around 1000 years. In that case the passing of six generations would cover only about 6000 years or so. But the six generations I mentioned above covered nearly 864,000 years. How is that possible?
The translation itself for SB 1.4.14 clearly indicates that Srila Vyasadeva was born when the second millenium overlapped the third – “Sukadeva Goswami said: When the second millennium overlapped the third, the great sage [Vyasadeva] was born to Parasura in the womb of Satyavati, the daughter of Vasu.”
In light of this, how can the length of Dwapar yuga be explained? The extent of the overlap is not mentioned and that could perhaps explain the extent of Dwapar yuga.Is that the explanation for my question?
If, however, Srila Vyasadeva was born at the sandhya of Dwapar and Kali yuga then does that mean that all these events – Krishna’s lilas, Mahabharata and many others took place in Kali yuga?
Answer by Romapada Swami: 1) Application of the term “Overlap” in this case-
In the 28th cycle of the four yugas in the life of Vaivasvata Manu, Krishna appears. During the particular Dvapara Yuga of that 28th cycle, the Dvapara and Treta Yugas change places. By definition, Treta means third and Dvapara means second, but in this cycle we understand that Dvapara Yuga has just finished and we are now in Kali Yuga. However, normally the order is Satya, Dvapara, Treta and Kali.
The use of the word “overlap” means they changed place, not that they literally overlapped as we commonly used the term. This fact is not commonly discussed, because we generally are dealing with our current cycle of 4 yugas. However, it is a technical fact.
2) The sequence of Vyasa’s appearance with Krishna’s –
Vyasa appeared in the third sandhya (sesa sandhya) or final sandhya of Dvapara Yuga. While Vyasa previously appeared at some point during the sesa sandhya of Dvapara Yuga, Krishna appeared some time after him, and then the Battle of Kuruksetra happened about 90 years into the time that Krishna was here, and then after Krishna had been here for 125 years He left, and then the prathama sandhya (first sandhya) of Kali Yuga began.
