Stages of Civilization

Stages of Civilization

After the advent of Lord Shiva* 7000 years ago there was rapid acceleration of development in the plain lands of the Himalayas and around the ancient world. Agriculture was flourishing, boats were sailing and initiat trade was carried out over vast stretches of lands reaching India, China, Mesopotamia and Central Asia. Cities were laid out with water systems, there were musicians and dancers, sages carried on their religious rituals, tantrics meditated and practiced and taught yoga practices. Medicine including surgery was developing, people specialized in skills such as pottery, weaving, working copper, iron, and bronze. Early writing started and developed with time. The wheel was invented and brought about a revolutionary change in transportation. Every 200 years there were some major new inventions.

Population increased more rapidly; 7000 years ago there were about 5 million people in the world. After 1000 years the population increased to 7million and by 5000 years ago it doubled to 14 million. The furtile Himalayan foothills had the highest population density in ancient times. (The northern plains of India are still the densest populated in the world) Here is where the four major races, the Mongolian, Aryan, Austric and Negro races mingled.

<<In ancient times, up until the Stone Age, humans could not dig wells and depended upon natural sources of water. As such, human habitation started from springs, fountains, waterfalls, rivers, etc >>

<<Human civilization is created in, and moves along, river valleys. Like a river, human civilization also has three stages – hill stage, plain stage and delta stage. From the hill stage, it moves to the plain stage and from the plain stage to the delta stage. A civilization starts in the hill stage, develops in the plain stage, and matures in the delta stage. >>

<<Civilization is a collection of usages, manners, etiquette, formalities, ideologies and love. The culture of the entire humanity is the same, but civilization varies from society to society. >> <<The relation between man and man, man and woman, individual and collective requirements, individual and collective responsibilities – how to move singularly and collectively – the collection of all these is civilization.>>

As human beings evolved individually and collectively they realized their dharma more and more. Dharma is a Sam’skrta word with root verb ‘dri’ (to hold, sustain) as root plus suffix ‘man’ and means ‘that which sustains an entity’. The highest nature of human beings is their dharma which has the Supreme as the constant guide and final goal.

*Please note that Lord Shiva according to Shrii Shrii Anandamurti (aka Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar) was born in the Himalayan hills 7000 years ago and in course of time due to his contribution to human civilization he became to be worshiped as a God. His pervasive influence lingers on religiously and spiritually.

Text in brackets by Shrii P R Sarkar