Once again, the Kshatriya order came to rule the earth, which was encircled by the vast ocean and adorned with elephants, mountains, forests, and bustling cities. When the Kshatriyas governed righteously, all the Brahmins and the other social orders flourished, attaining the highest happiness. The kings, having purified themselves of faults born from desire and anger, dispensed justice fairly, punishing only those who deserved it, and thereby protected their subjects. During this time, as the Kshatriyas remained steadfast in righteousness, Indra, the thousand-eyed lord, sent rain at the right times and places, nourishing the land and its people. No child died prematurely, and none approached women who had not yet reached youth. Thus, O descendant of Bharata, the people enjoyed long lives, and the earth, bounded by the ocean, became densely populated. The Kshatriyas performed grand sacrifices, offering abundant gifts, while the Brahmins devoted themselves to studying the Vedas in their entirety, including the Upanishads. Brahmins did not sell the Vedas, nor did they recite them before Shudras. The Vaishyas diligently tilled the land with oxen, yoking only healthy cows to the plough and caring for the weak ones. Men refrained from milking cows for froth or calves, and merchants did not use false measures in trade. People, O tiger among men, performed their actions with righteousness, devoted to their duties and regarding only righteousness. All orders, O ruler of men, engaged in their own proper duties, so that righteousness never diminished anywhere. Cows gave birth at the proper time, women conceived as nature intended, and trees bore flowers and fruits in their seasons. Thus, as the Krita Yuga progressed rightly, the earth became abundantly filled with countless living beings. In this flourishing world of humans, O bull among the Bharatas, the Asuras were born in the lineages of kings. These Daityas, having been repeatedly defeated in battle by the Adityas, and deprived of their sovereignty and cast down from heaven, took birth here on earth. Desiring divinity among the gods, these ascetic Asuras were born among living beings—among cows and horses, camels, buffaloes, carnivorous creatures, elephants, and wild animals. With those already born and those continuously being born, the earth herself could not bear the weight of so many beings. Then, some kings were born who were full of great pride—sons of Diti and Danu—who had fallen from their worlds and now lived here. Mighty and arrogant, assuming various forms, these slayers of enemies roamed across the earth, bounded by the ocean. Using their strength, they oppressed Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, tormenting other beings as well. Terrifying and striking fear into all groups of creatures, they wandered everywhere upon the earth in their hundreds of thousands. They assaulted great sages living in hermitages, intoxicated by pride and power, acting unrighteously. As the earth was oppressed by these mighty Asuras, swollen with strength and power, she approached Brahma for refuge. Neither the hosts of beings, nor the Nagas, nor the mountains could bear the earth, overrun by the Danavas through force. Afflicted and weighed down by fear, the earth sought shelter with the god, the grandsire of all beings. Surrounded by blessed gods, sages, and great seers, she beheld Brahma, the imperishable creator of the worlds. Honored by Gandharvas, Apsaras, and those singing praises, and joyfully worshipped, she approached and bowed to him. Seeking refuge, the earth made her request to him in the presence of all the guardians of the worlds. O King, the task of the earth, which pertains to the primordial Self, was already known beforehand by the supreme Lord, the self-born. For what reason would the Creator of the world not be aware of everything that arises in the minds of all the worlds of gods and asuras? Then, the Lord of beings, Shambhu, the ruler and origin of all creatures, addressed the earth: “O Earth, for the purpose for which you have come to me, I will accordingly engage all the dwellers of heaven.” Having spoken thus, Brahma released the earth and instructed all the wise gods, the creator of beings himself. He said, “To lighten the burden of this earth, descend in separate portions; be born here, concealing your true forms.” In the same way, Brahma assembled the hosts of Gandharvas and Apsarases and spoke meaningful words to them as well. All the gods headed by Indra, having heard the words of their preceptor, accepted them as true, beneficial, and wholesome. Prepared to descend to earth in their own portions, all the gods approached Narayana, the slayer of enemies, who dwells in Vaikuntha. He who holds the discus and mace in his hands, wears yellow garments, shines with a radiant glow, whose navel is like a lotus, who destroys the enemies of the gods, and whose eyes are wide and beautiful—they approached him, ready to fulfill the task of lightening the earth’s burden.