Kaalyug

"Society has poisoned itself, and is now choking and suffocating in its
own vomit. We are in the grip of our own social and physical collapse, of
our own doing and own making."

"The Dark Age of Kaal Yug is the dagger, and kings are the
butchers; righteous has sprouted wings and flown away. In
this dark night of falsehood, the moon of Truth is not visible
anywhere. I have searched in vain, and I am so confused. In
this darkness, I cannot see the way. In egotism, they cry out
in pain. Says Nanak, how will they be saved?" Guru Nanak, Raag
Maajh, ang 145, GURU GRANTH SAHIB

Is the above statement about world society particular to the 15th century, or is it equally
relevant to the conditions of life that we see around us today? All the same vices, injustices,
malpractises, that were present in the 15th century continue today. Indeed, they have
become much more sophisticated and multiple.

Mass murder; gambling; drug-taking; manipulation and distortion of the human body (e.g.
plastic implants); sexual perversion and promiscuity; violence; junk 'food' lifestyle; mass
killing and consumption of animals; trampling and destruction of the earth's environment
and ecology; administrative and institutional corruption; superstitions; idol and personworship;
materialism; vanity; greed; money and profit. All this continues in abundance
around us, in a what is a greedy, individualistic, money driven society. The world has not
changed. A few things in terms of law and order may have changed. However, overall
greed, gluttonous consumption, mass-scale violence by governments and people; mass
cruelty and killing of animals; destruction of natural land, trees and ecological biodiversity.
All of this continues apace with the full support and direction of the man-made law and manmade
governments; in the name of 'development' and 'progress'.

Even our supposed institutional defenders and champions of positive living - the
Gurdwaras, the Sikh schools, Sikh radio stations, Sikh media - have failed. They
too have chosen the popular path of maya (worldy attachment and populism);
rather the distinct independent path of Khaalsa principles.

"Man is awake and yet he is being robbed. The worst of it is , that he is enjoying it. He is
wearing the noose of worldy attachments around his neck and is becoming more and more
engrossed in them."
Parbhaatee, Guru Nanak Dev, ang 1333, GURU GRANTH SAHIB

Society has poisoned itself, and is now choking and suffocating in its own
vomit. We are in the grip of our own social and physical collapse, of our
own doing and own making. We are now witnessing the direct disasterous and
destructive effects of these on our very social and physical earthly being. "The
strings of his life are all tangled up; he is utterly helpless." Parbhatee, Guru Nanak, ang
1333, GURU GRANTH SAHIB ||

The vital chains of social respect, care and sharing that make a society function
and unite as a human family, are in open collapse everywhere. Drugs, guns, gang
violence, anti-social behaviour, individualism, self-glory, glamour and beauty -
these dominate our media, television, our public environment, our schools. Our
government makes not attempt to check or challenge them; and protect us from
them. Instead, we are left fully exposed and vulnerable to their powerful reach. They reach
into every aspect of our individual, working and family lives. We are infected, our children
are infected.