In conclusion, material creation is merely a temporary manifestation designed to allow conditioned souls, imprisoned in this material world, to attain liberation. This liberation will be more readily accessible to those who establish themselves in virtue, thus placing themselves under the protection of Vishnu. Through the adoption of spiritual principles, they will ascend to the kingdom of God, never to return to this grim material world.
When Lord Krishna appears in a galaxy, light appears, and when He departs, darkness ensues.
From the day Krishna, the Supreme Lord, left Earth in His original form, Kali, the Iron Age or Dark Age—the age of discord, hypocrisy, quarrels, indifference, decadence, and sin—which until then had been barely visible, unleashed its full creative power, creating the darkest conditions for those who lack true knowledge.
Kali's influence only affects those who have not fully developed their awareness of God. It is therefore possible to neutralize its hold by placing oneself entirely under the supreme protection of the Sovereign Lord, Krishna.
The age of Kali began immediately after the Battle of Kuruksetra, but it was unable to exert its influence due to the presence of the Lord. The Lord, however, eventually departed the planet in his spiritual and absolute body, after which the characteristics of the Iron Age began to appear.
The current era is marked by the characteristics of the Iron Age, the Dark Age, whose influence began to be felt at the time of the Battle of Kuruksetra, approximately 5,000 years ago. The original, authoritative holy scriptures on this matter teach us that this era, the Dark Age, is to continue for another 427,000 years.
Kali's defining traits—greed, duplicity, deceit, diplomatic maneuvering, nepotism, violence, and so on—are already prevalent today, and no one can imagine what tomorrow holds with the growing influence of the Iron Age, until the Day of Destruction. We already know that Kali directs his influence toward the so-called civilized unbelievers, and that those under the Lord's protection have nothing to fear from this terrible age.
Five thousand years ago, the Emperor of the World ruled his empire, which spanned the entire earth, with great skill. The whole world lived peacefully and happily. This happiness was due to the abundant production of natural resources: grains, fruits, milk, medicinal herbs, precious stones, minerals, and everything else required by humankind. Living beings were even free from all bodily suffering, mental disturbance, and any disturbance caused by natural phenomena or other living beings.
Because they thus experienced perfect happiness in every respect, the citizens felt no resentment toward the emperor, even though conflicts sometimes erupted between heads of state, motivated by political reasons and linked to the claim of absolute supremacy. These latter were duly trained to achieve the ultimate goal of existence. On the other hand, the people were also sufficiently enlightened not to dwell on futile disputes.