Eschatology

===Hinduism===
{{Main|Hindu eschatology|Kalki}}
{{further|Hindu units of time}}
The [[Vaishnavite]] tradition links contemporary Hindu eschatology to the figure of [[Kalki]], the tenth and last [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. Many Hindus believe that before [[Hindu units of time|the age]] draws to a close, Kalki will reincarnate as [[Shiva]] and simultaneously dissolve and regenerate the universe. In contrast, [[Shaivism|Shaivites]] hold the view that Shiva is incessantly destroying and creating the world.<ref>{{cite web |last1=BBC |title=Shiva |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/deities/shiva.shtml |website=bbc.co.ke |publisher=BBC |access-date=23 March 2021}}</ref>

In [[Hindu eschatology]], time is cyclic and consists of [[Kalpa (aeon)|kalpas]]. Each lasts 4.1–8.2 billion years, which is a period of one full day and night for [[Brahma]], who will be alive for 311 trillion, 40 billion years. Within a ''kalpa'' there are periods of [[Brahma|creation]], [[Vishnu|preservation]] and [[Shiva|decline]]. After this larger cycle, all of creation will contract to a [[Gravitational singularity|singularity]]{{Citation needed|date=November 2020|reason=Singularity is unsourced and probably someone's POV.}} and then again will expand from that single point, as the [[yuga|ages]] continue in a religious [[fractal]] pattern.<ref name="Hooper"/>{{Request quotation|date=October 2019}}

Within the current kalpa, there are four epochs that encompass the cycle. They progress from a beginning of complete purity to a descent into total corruption. The last of the four ages is [[Kali Yuga]] (which most Hindus believe is the current time), characterized by quarrel, hypocrisy, impiety, violence and decay. The four pillars of dharma will be reduced to one, with truth being all that remains.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.astrojyoti.com/vishnupurana.htm |title = Vishnu Purana |date = 5 October 2009 |publisher = Astrojyoti.com |access-date = 21 November 2011}}</ref> As written in the [[Bhagavad Gita|Gita]]:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja |url=http://archive.org/details/BhagavadGita_201806 |title=Srimad Bhagavad Gita |date=2000 |pages=232}}</ref>

<blockquote><poem>''Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānirbhavati Bhārata''
''Abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānam sṛjāmyaham''

O descendant of Bharata, whenever there is a decline of religion and an increase in irreligion, at that time I manifest My eternally perfect form in this mundane world.</poem></blockquote>

At this time of chaos, the final avatar, [[Kalki]], endowed with eight superhuman faculties will appear on a white horse. Kalki will amass an army to "establish righteousness upon the earth" and leave "the minds of the people as pure as crystal."

At the completion of [[Kali Yuga]], the next [[Yuga Cycle]] will begin with a new [[Satya Yuga]], in which all will once again be righteous with the reestablishment of dharma. This, in turn, will be followed by epochs of [[Treta Yuga]], [[Dvapara Yuga]] and again another Kali Yuga. This cycle will then repeat until the larger cycle of existence under [[Brahma]] returns to the [[Gravitational singularity|singularity]],{{Citation needed|date=November 2020|reason=Singularity is unsourced and probably someone's POV.}} and a new universe is born.<ref name="Brown">{{cite book|last1=Browne|first1=Sylvia|last2=Harrison|first2=Lindsay|title=End of Days: Predictions and Prophecies About the End of the World|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bAAOiMl1BIcC|year=2008|publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4406-3141-2}}</ref>
The cycle of [[Brahma|birth]], [[Vishnu|growth]], [[Shiva|decay]], and renewal at the individual level finds its echo in the cosmic order, yet is affected by vagueries of divine intervention in Vaishnavite belief.