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{{short description|The second of the four yugas in Hinduism}}
'''Treta Yuga''' ({{lang-sa|त्रेतायुग|tretāyuga}}) is the second of the four [[yuga]]s, or ages of mankind, in the religion of [[Hinduism]]. It follows the [[Satya Yuga]] and is followed by the [[Dvapara Yuga]] and [[Kali Yuga]]. Treta means 'a collection of three arousing things' in Sanskrit, and is so called because during the Treta Yuga, there were two [[Dashavatara|Avatars of Vishnu]] that were seen, the sixth and seventh incarnations as [[Parashurama]] and [[Rama]], respectively. The name could also be derived from the fact that the Treta Yuga lasted 3,600 divine years, or 1,296,000 human years.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Knapp|first=Stephen|title=Timings of the Four Yugas|url=http://www.stephen-knapp.com/timings_of_the_four_yugas.htm|website=Stephen Knapp and His Books on Vedic Culture, Eastern Philosophy and Spirituality|access-date=2020-05-17}}</ref> The bull of [[Dharma]] symbolises that morality stood on three legs during this period. It had all four legs in the Satya Yuga and two in the succeeding Dvapara Yuga. Currently, in the immoral age of [[Kaliyuga|Kali]], it stands on one leg.<ref> [https://tamilandvedas.com/tag/four-yugas/]</ref>

== Characteristics ==
During the Treta Yuga, the power of humans diminishes slightly. Kings and Brahmins need to actively fulfill their desires instead of using mere fiat of will. People grow more materialistic and less inclined towards spirituality. Wars broke out frequently and climate changes became common place, giving rise to deserts and oceans.

Despite these seemingly negative effects, the Treta Yuga also brought knowledge of universal magnetism. This knowledge allowed humans to understand the forces of nature and the true nature of the universe. Agriculture and mining came into existence along with norms and rules to keep society under control.<ref>[https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/6639/treta-yuga]</ref>

[[Vishnu]]'s guardians [[Jaya-Vijaya]], were cursed by 4 kumara sages (Bramha's sons) to incarnate on [[Earth]] either 3 times as enemies of Lord [[Vishnu]] OR 10 times as devotees of Lord [[Vishnu]]. They chose to take birth on earth 3 times. In the first birth (During [[Satya Yuga]]), they were born as [[Hiranyakashipu]] and [[Hiranyaksha]]. In the second birth (During Treta Yuga), they were born as [[Ravana]] and [[Kumbhakarna]]. In the third birth (During [[Dwapara Yuga]]), they were born as [[Shishupala]] and [[Dantavakra]]. The references are from stories of [[Bhagavata Purana]].

==Avatars of Lord Vishnu during Treta Yuga==

===Parashurama===
{{Main|Parashurama}}

Vishnu incarnated as the [[Brahman]] [[Parashurama]] in this era because there were too many warlike [[Kshatriyas]] plaguing the Earth, and he therefore had to wipe out most of the world's warriors. However, some of the Kshatriyas survived or more were created, and their population grew again. Eventually, the avatara of Vishnu in Parashurama ended, though it is said that he continued to live on as a mighty warrior-hermit. He confronted [[Rama]], angrily, years later, before acknowledging the latter's supremacy and retiring. He lived on in the Dvapara Yuga, having a great duel with [[Bhishma]] for the sake of [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]. However he failed to defeat him and stopped fighting after he was forbidden by the divine sage [[Narada]] and his ancestors and learning that Bhishma had surpassed him in art of warfare. He mentored [[Drona|Dronacharya]], teacher of both the [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandava]]s. Parashurama also taught [[Karna]] but when he found out that Karna had lied about being a brahmana, he cursed Karna that his knowledge would fail him when he needed it the most. He is believed to be still alive today, doing penance on the [[Mahendragiri_(Odisha)|Mahendragiri]] mountain.

===Rama===
{{Main|Rama}}

The hallmark of this era was the rise of evil in the form of the demon king of Sri Lanka, [[Ravana]]. He conquered the three worlds namely, Earth, Heaven and the Netherworld ([[Patala]]) and terrorized everyone. Even the Devas were subordinate to him - his son [[Indrajit|Meghanada]] had earned the title ''Indrajit'' by defeating Indra, the King of heaven in battle; and even the [[Surya|Sun]] had to obey the king. In this scenario, Lord Vishnu incarnated himself as the son of King [[Dasharatha]] of the [[Suryavamsha|Suryavamshis]] or [[Ikshvaku dynasty]] and was named [[Rama]]. Due to his stepmother- Kaikai's wish, Rama was sent away to a forest in exile for 14 years, during which time he confronted and killed Ravana for kidnapping his wife, and thus restored peace on earth. He is said to have afterwards established Rama-rajya or Rama's Kingdom over the entire earth from his throne at [[Ayodhya]] for 11,000 years, before eventually returning to his [[Mahavishnu]] form.<ref>[http://lordrama.co.in/rama-rajya.html]</ref>

==See also==
*[[Yuga]]
*[[Vedic-Puranic_chronology|Vedic-Puranic Chronology]]
*[[List of numbers in Hindu scriptures]]
*[[Thretha Yukam]], its equivalent in Ayyavazhi

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Brahmanda}}

[[Category:Four Yugas]]
[[Category:Shabda]]

Treta Yuga - Revision history

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