O King, what I am about to recount is a secret of the gods, seldom revealed among men. Yet, after bowing in reverence to the Self-born, I shall share it with you. Long ago, Jamadagni’s mighty son—Parashurama—cleansed the earth of Kshatriyas not once, but twenty-one times. After this great act, he withdrew to the lofty heights of Mount Mahendra, there to perform austere penance. In that era, the world had been left bereft of Kshatriyas by Bhargava’s wrath. At this time, women of the Kshatriya lineage, yearning for sons, approached the Brahmanas, seeking to restore their noble line. The Brahmanas, steadfast in their vows, united with these women at the proper time—not out of desire, nor at improper seasons, but in accordance with dharma. From these unions, thousands of Kshatriya children were conceived at once. Thus, the Kshatriya women gave birth to sons—and daughters too—who surpassed even their ancestors in strength. In this way, the Kshatriya order was restored by the Brahmanas, through their ascetic discipline and righteous action. These children, born and raised in righteousness, were blessed with long lives. From them, all four orders of society arose once more, with the Brahmins at their head. The women, too, approached their husbands only at the proper season, never out of untimely desire; the same was true for all creatures, even those born in animal wombs. In this way, wives were approached at the right time, and, living righteously, people flourished for hundreds and thousands of years. All were devoted to religious vows and duty, and men were entirely free from afflictions and disease. Once more, the Kshatriyas filled the earth—this vast land surrounded by the ocean, with all its elephants, mountains, forests, and cities. When the Kshatriya order ruled righteously, the Brahmins and all the other orders found supreme happiness. The kings, having cast aside faults born of desire and anger, administered justice with fairness, protecting their subjects with care. While the Kshatriyas upheld righteousness, Indra, the thousand-eyed lord, sent timely rains, nourishing all life. No child died prematurely in those days, O King, nor did anyone approach a woman before she had reached her youth. Thus, with people blessed with long lives, the earth became filled to the brim. The Kshatriyas performed great sacrifices, giving abundant gifts, while the Brahmins diligently studied the Vedas in all their fullness, together with the Upanishads. The Brahmins did not sell the Vedas, nor did they recite them before Shudras. The Vaishyas tilled the land with oxen, yoking only healthy cows to the plough and caring for the weak ones. Cows were never milked for froth or for calves alone, and merchants did not use false measures in trade. All people acted with righteousness, devoted to their duties, and regarded only dharma as their aim. Each order was engaged in its own proper work, and so righteousness was never diminished anywhere. At the proper time, cows gave birth, women conceived, and trees blossomed and bore fruit in their seasons. Thus, as the Krita Yuga proceeded in perfect order, the entire earth became abundantly filled with living beings. Yet, O King, as humanity flourished, the Asuras were born into the royal lineages. The Daityas, having been defeated again and again by the Adityas and cast down from heaven, took birth on earth, seeking to regain their lost divinity. These ascetic Asuras were born among all living creatures—among cows and horses, camels, buffaloes, carnivorous beasts, elephants, and wild animals. With so many beings born and yet to be born, the earth herself could no longer bear their weight. Then, kings arose who were proud and mighty—sons of Diti and Danu—fallen from their celestial realms and reborn here below. Arrogant and powerful, they took on many forms and roamed the earth, slaying their enemies. With their strength, they oppressed Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and tormented other beings as well. Terrifying all creatures, they wandered the earth in their hundreds of thousands, sowing fear and disorder. They assaulted great sages in their forest hermitages, intoxicated by pride and power, acting out of unrighteousness. As the earth was thus oppressed by these mighty Asuras, swollen with strength and arrogance, she could bear it no longer. Neither the hosts of beings, nor the Nagas, nor even the mountains could support the burden of the earth, overrun by the Danavas. In her distress and fear, the earth sought refuge with Brahma, the grandsire of all beings. Surrounded by the blessed gods, sages, and great seers, she approached Brahma—the imperishable creator of the worlds—honored by Gandharvas, Apsaras, and those singing his praises. With joy and reverence, she bowed before him. In the presence of all the guardians of the worlds, the earth, seeking refuge, made her plea to the grandsire, as all the assembled beings looked on.