The modern West accords great preeminence to “History”, and therein situates, for the most part, the essence and meaning of humanity. Classical India on the contrary perceives history to be merely the manifestation, with innumerable forms, of archetypes situated on a different level, and for this reason has taken no interest in memorizing the succession of material events. Instead of conceiving of time as linear and neutral, as the scientific vision does, India regards it as qualified and cyclical. Time can only be measured based on natural cycles, and as such it is logical that it adopt a cyclical form on all levels. One of these cycles is formed of the four eras (known in Greco-Roman antiquity as the Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron ages) throughout which, while life becomes less simple, there is a progressive degeneration in the character of humanity. According to Hindu tradition, we find ourselves at present in the Kali Yuga, or “Age of conflicts”, where the basest passions of men are dominant, t the detriment of virtue (dharma). Nevertheless, living in the Dark Age also has unexpected advantages.