कल्की विष्णुयशा नाम द्विजः कालप्रचोदितः। उत्पत्स्यते महावीर्यो महाबुद्धिपराक्रमः
Kalki, bearing the fame of Vishnu, a Brahmin impelled by time, will be born—mighty in strength, wisdom, and valor.
संभूतः संभलग्रामे ब्राह्मणावसथे शुभे। `महात्मा वृत्तसंपन्नः प्रजानां हितकृन्नृप
He will be born in the pure abode of a Brahmin in the village of Shambhala, a great soul, endowed with good conduct, and a benefactor of the people, O king.
मनसा तस्य सर्वाणि वाहनान्यायुधानि च। उपस्तास्यन्ति योधाश्च शस्त्राणि कवचानि च
For him, all vehicles and weapons will appear by thought alone, as will warriors, arms, and armor.
स धर्मविजयी राजा चक्रवर्ती भविष्यति। सचेमं संकुलं लोकं प्रसादमुपनेष्यति
He will be a righteous conqueror, a universal emperor, and he will bring peace to this troubled world.
उत्थितो ब्राह्मणो दीप्तः क्षयान्तकृदुदारधीः। संक्षेपको हि सर्वस्य युगस्य परिवर्तकः
The Brahmin, arisen, blazing, possessing a mind vast and destructive of decay, is the summarizer of all, the turner of the ages.
स सर्वत्र गतान्क्षुद्रान्ब्राह्मणैः परिवारितः। उत्सादयिष्यति तदा सर्वम्लेच्छगणान्द्विजः
He, surrounded everywhere by Brahmins, will then drive out all the groups of foreigners.
ततश्चोरक्षयंकृत्वाद्विजेभ्यः पृथिवीमिमाम्। वाजिमेधे महायज्ञे विधिवत्कल्पयिष्यति
After destroying thieves, he will establish this earth for the twice-born, and duly arrange a great horse-sacrifice.
स्थापयित्वा च मर्यादाः स्वयंभुविहिताः शुभाः। पुनः पुण्ययशःकर्म जरया संश्रयिष्यति
Having set up auspicious boundaries ordained by the Self-born, he will again, through virtuous and renowned deeds, resort to old age.
तच्छीलमनुवर्स्यन्ति मनुष्या लोकवासिनः। विप्रैश्चोरक्षये चैव कृतेक्षेमं भविष्यति
People dwelling in the world will follow that conduct; and when the Brahmins have destroyed the thieves, prosperity will arise.
कृष्णाजिनानि शक्तीश्च त्रिशूलान्यायुधानि च। स्थापयन्द्विजशार्दूलो देशेषु विजितेषु च
The tiger among the twice-born, placing black deerskins, spears, tridents, and other weapons in the conquered lands,
संस्तूयमानो विप्रेन्द्रैर्मानयानो द्विजोत्तमान्। कल्कीचरिष्यति महीं सदा दस्युवधे रतः
Praised by the foremost Brahmins, honoring the best of the twice-born, Kalki will traverse the earth, always devoted to the destruction of evildoers.
हा मातस्तात पुत्रेति तास्ता वाचः सुदारुणाः। विक्रोशमानान्सुभृशं दस्यूननेष्यति संक्षयम्
‘Alas, mother! Father! Son!’—such harsh cries, uttered in distress, he will bring the evildoers to utter ruin.
ततोऽधऱ्मविनाशो वै धर्मवृद्धिश्च भारत। भविष्यति कृतेप्राप्ते क्रियावांश्च जनस्तथा
Then, O Bharata, unrighteousness will be destroyed and righteousness will increase; when the Krita age arrives, people will be devoted to right action.
आरामाश्चैव चैत्याश्च तटाकावसथास्तथा। पुष्करिण्यश्च विविधा देवतायतनानि च
There will be gardens, sanctuaries, ponds, dwellings, various lotus pools, and temples for the gods.
यज्ञक्रियाश्च विविधा भविष्यन्ति कृते युगे। ब्राह्मणाः साधवश्चैव मुनयश्च तपस्विनः
Various sacrificial rites will be performed in the Krita age; Brahmins, virtuous men, and ascetic sages will flourish.
आश्रमा हतपाषण्डाः स्थिताः सत्ये जनास्तदा। जायन्ति सर्वभूतानि शुध्यमानानि चैव हि
Hermitages, free from heretics, will be established; people will be steadfast in truth, and all beings will be purified.
सर्वेष्वृतुषु राजेन्द्र सर्वं सस्यं भविष्यति। नरा दानेषु निरता व्रतेषु नियमेषु च
In all seasons, O king, all crops will thrive; men will be devoted to giving, to vows, and to discipline.
जपयज्ञपरा विप्रा धर्मकामा मुदा युताः। पालयिष्यन्ति राजानो धर्मेणेमां वसुंधराम्
Brahmins, intent on recitation and sacrifice, desiring righteousness and filled with joy, and kings will protect this earth by righteousness.
व्यवहाररता वैश्या भविष्यन्ति कृते युगे। षट्कर्मनिरता विप्राः क्षत्रिया रक्षणे रताः
Merchants will be devoted to business in the Krita age; Brahmins will be engaged in the six duties, and warriors will be devoted to protection.
शुश्रूषायां रताः शूद्रास्तथा वर्णत्रयस्य च। एष धर्मः कृतयुगे त्रेतायां द्वापरे तथा
Servants will be devoted to service of the three classes; this is the righteousness of the Krita age, and so also in Treta and Dvapara.
पश्चिमे युगकाले च यः स ते संप्रकीर्तितः। सर्वलोकस् विदिता युगसह्ख्या च पाण्डव
In the last period of the age, this is what has been declared to you; the count of the ages is known to all people, O Pandava.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातमतीतानागतं मया। वायुप्रोक्तमनुस्मृत्यपुराणमृषिसंस्तुतम्
All this, past and future, has been told to you by me, recalling what was spoken by Vayu, praised by sages in ancient times.
एवं संसारमार्गा मे बहुशश्चिरजीविनः। दृष्टाश्चैवानुभूताश्च किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि
In this way, O long-lived one, I have seen and experienced the many paths of worldly existence; what more do you wish to hear?
इदं चैवापरं भूयः सह भ्रातृभिरच्युत। धर्मसंशयमोक्षार्थं निबोध वचनं मम
And now, O Achyuta, together with your brothers, listen further to my words, which are meant to resolve your doubts about righteousness.
न तेऽन्यथाऽत्र विज्ञेयो धर्मो धर्मभृतांवर। धर्मात्मा हि सुखं राजन्प्रेत्य चेह च नन्दति
O best among upholders of virtue, righteousness is to be understood here in no other way; for the righteous soul, O king, rejoices both here and after death.
न ब्राह्मणे परिभवः कर्तव्यस्ते कदाचन। ब्राह्मणः कुपितोऽहन्यादपि लोकान्प्रतिज्ञया
You must never show contempt toward a Brahmin; for if angered, a Brahmin could destroy even worlds by his resolve.
मार्कण्डेयवचः श्रुत्वा कुरूणां प्रवरो नृपः। उवाच वचनं धीमान्परमं परमद्युतिः
Hearing the words of Markandeya, the foremost and most radiant king of the Kurus, wise among men, spoke these words:
एतच्छ्रुत्वा मया किं स्यात्कर्तव्यं मुनिसत्तम। कथं चायं जितोलोको रक्षितव्यो भविष्यति
Having heard this, O best of sages, what should I do? How shall this conquered world be protected?
कस्मिन्धर्मे मया स्थेयं प्रजाः संरक्षता मुने। कथंच वर्तमानो वै न च्यवेयं स्वधर्मतः
O sage, in which righteousness should I stand while protecting my subjects? And how, conducting myself thus, shall I not fall from my own duty?
दयावान्सर्वबूतेषु हितो रक्तोऽनसूयकः। उपत्यानामिव स्नेहात्प्रजानां रक्षणे रतः
One should be compassionate to all beings, devoted to their welfare, free from envy, and, like a father for his children, delight in protecting his subjects out of affection.