Kalyug Started in 3508 BCE: Verified from Shankaracharya Texts
When Did Kalyug Begin? An Evidence-Based Timeline Backed by Shankaracharya Texts
Introduction
Kalyug, the current and final age in the cycle of four Yugas (Satya, Treta, Dwapar, Kalyug), is traditionally believed to be an age of decline in spiritual values. But when exactly did Kalyug begin? While many opinions and estimations exist, few are backed by verifiable, authoritative sources.
This article explores the authentic textual evidence provided by Shankaracharyas themselves, combined with straightforward historical calculations, to determine the true beginning of Kalyug and its current age.
Verifiable Sources
1. Shankaracharya’s Date of Birth
According to the book Jyotimaya Jyotirmath (written by the Shankaracharyas of Jyotirmath), Shankaracharya was born in 508 BCE.
- Reference: Jyotimaya Jyotirmath, Page 11
2. Kalyug’s Age at the Time of Shankaracharya's Birth
Another Shankaracharya-written text, Himalaya Tirth, clearly states that Shankaracharya was born 3000 years after the beginning of Kalyug.
- Reference: Himalaya Tirth, Page 42
Calculating the Start of Kalyug
If Shankaracharya was born 3000 years after the start of Kalyug, and his year of birth was 508 BCE, then:
Kalyug Start Year = 508 BCE – 3000 years = 3508 BCE
✅ Final Answer: Kalyug began in 3508 BCE.
When Did 5505 Years of Kalyug Complete?
To calculate when 5505 years of Kalyug elapsed:
- Years from 3508 BCE to 1 BCE = 3507 years
- Years from 1 CE to X year = Remaining years to reach 5505
So:
5505 – 3508 = 1997
✅ 5505 years of Kalyug completed in the year 1997 CE.
Current Age of Kalyug (as of 2025 CE)
- Years in BCE: 3508
- Years in CE (from 1 CE to 2025 CE): 2025
✅ Total = 3508 + 2025 = 5533 years
️ As of 2025, Kalyug is approximately 5533 years old.
Summary Table
| Event | Year |
|---|---|
| Start of Kalyug | 3508 BCE |
| Birth of Shankaracharya | 508 BCE |
| 5505 Years of Kalyug Completed | 1997 CE |
| Current Age of Kalyug (as of 2025) | 5533 Years |
Why This Matters
Understanding the true timeline of Kalyug:
- Validates scriptural chronology
- Refines our understanding of spiritual history
- Aligns with key revelations in the Kabir Sagar, which prophesies the descent of the Supreme God on Earth after the completion of 5505 years of Kalyug.
Most importantly, knowing that Kalyug began in 3508 BCE — not in 3102 BCE as popularly misbelieved — reshapes how we look at historical, spiritual, and cosmological timelines.
References
Jyotimaya Jyotirmath, Page 11
Himalaya Tirth, Page 42
FAQ:
Q1. When was Shankaracharya born?.
A1. Shankaracharya was born in 508 BCE.
Q2 How much Kalyug had passed when Shankaracharya was born?
A2. Kalyug had passed 3000 years when Shankaracharya was born in 508 BCE.
