Yugas are emblematic of the cyclical nature of time, marking different “ages” of human civilizations. The four Yugas—Satya Yuga (the Golden Age), Treta Yuga (Silver Age), Dvapara Yuga (Bronze Age), and Kali Yuga (the Iron Age)—operate in cyclical patterns, akin to the waxing and waning of the moon. Each Yuga signifies stages of evolution, and while scholars debate their durations, the ratio of the ages from Satya Yuga to Kali Yuga is said to be 4:3:2:1
The Srimad Bhagavatam suggests that each yuga has a different duration: Satya Yuga lasts 1,728,000 years, Treta Yuga lasts 1,296,000 years, Dvapara Yuga lasts 864,000 years, and Kali Yuga lasts 432,000 years. According to this interpretation, each yuga signifies a gradual decline in wisdom, knowledge, intellect, and spirituality. This cycle then resets and repeats.