WHO IS SENIOR? A story from chapter 18 of the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya In ancient times a group of sages met together on the bank of the Ganges to discuss about the topics of Krishna. When the great sage Markandeya Rishi, who was seven kalpas old, arrived, everyone offered him obeisances and a seat of respect. [One kalpa is about 4.32 billion years.] Markandeya Rishi then noticed the young boy Parashara sitting on the lap of his father. Although the boy was only seven years old, Markandeya got down and offered his obeisances to the young boy. Seeing this, all the assembled sages became surprised and confused. Parashara jumped up and fell at the feet of the elderly Rishi Markandeya. Markandeya then lifted the boy up and said, "You are older than all of us, therefore we worship you. Please tell us your age." The young Parashara replied, "What mystery is this? Markandeya Rishi is seven kalpas old, whereas I am a mere boy of seven years." markandeyo 'tha vihasan prāha ...