Acharya Prashant explains that the four Yugas—Satya, Treta, Dwapar, and Kali—are not chronological periods on a calendar but represent specific states of the human mind. Satya Yuga occurs when the mind is completely centered in the self and the truth. Treta Yuga is characterized by the mind's identification with thoughts, Dwapar with the body, and Kali Yuga with the external world or Samsara. He emphasizes that an individual can experience Satya Yuga in the present moment by living a truth-centered life, rather than being condemned to a historical age of darkness. Regarding the Upanishadic context, Acharya Prashant describes how truth originates in the silence of Satya Yuga and finds poetic expression through the thoughts and language of seers in Treta Yuga. He notes that while silence is blissful for the seer, words and memory are necessary to communicate wisdom to students. Furthermore, he clarifies that mythological stories are intended for immature seekers to lead them toward the truth through narratives. He defines time as a measure of change within the mind; when the mind is tranquil and unchanging, time effectively stands still. Finally, he dismisses astronomical or physical interpretations of the Yugas, such as those involving galactic centers, as foolishness that distracts from the internal spiritual reality.
