Dr. Radhakrishnan on "Kalki or Future of Civilization"

Summary

This essay discusses Dr. Radhakrishnan’s reflections on the mythological figure of Kalki and its implications for the future of civilisation. In traditional Hindu lore, Kalki is the tenth avatāra destined to appear at the end of the current age to restore righteousness. Radhakrishnan interprets this symbol not as a literal apocalyptic event but as a metaphor for moral renewal. The author summarises Radhakrishnan’s diagnosis of contemporary civilisation. He warns that humanity’s technological prowess has outstripped its moral development, leading to the threat of self‑destruction through war and ecological crisis. Radhakrishnan argues that mere political reforms or economic programmes cannot avert this danger; what is needed is a profound transformation of consciousness. The figure of Kalki represents the awakening of the divine within humanity, a renewal of values such as justice, compassion and self‑restraint. The article examines how Radhakrishnan links this renewal to a synthesis of spiritual traditions. He draws from Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity to suggest that all great religions envisage a future in which humanity realises its spiritual potential. The Kalki myth thus serves as a call for individuals to become agents of change by cultivating inner purity and engaging in selfless action. The author notes that Radhakrishnan rejects fatalism: the future is not predetermined by cosmic cycles but shaped by human choices. In assessing Radhakrishnan’s argument, the article emphasises his concern that scientific and material progress must be guided by ethical wisdom. He calls for education that fosters character and for leaders who embody spiritual ideals. The myth of Kalki, when understood symbolically, becomes a reminder that civilisation’s survival depends on moral courage and a reorientation toward higher values.