In the age of virtue, Dharma, the embodiment of righteousness, stood firmly upon four legs: austerity, purity, compassion, and truth. But now, three of these legs—save for truth—had been broken by the rise of pride, attachment, and intoxication. Only truth remained, and Dharma was told to hold fast to this last support, for the age of Kali, rooted in falsehood, sought to seize even that. The earth herself, entrusted to bear the burdens of the world by the Lord, was once adorned everywhere by the noble footprints of the glorious one. Now, this virtuous lady, abandoned and afflicted, wept with tearful eyes. She lamented her fate: “Unworthy kings, disguised as rulers, and shudras will exploit me.” Moved by her sorrow, the great charioteer—King Parīkṣit—offered comfort to both Dharma and the earth. Resolute, he drew his sharp sword, determined to punish the very cause of unrighteousness. As Parīkṣit approached to strike down the offender, the one responsible for adharma cast aside the marks of royalty and, trembling with fear, bowed at the king’s feet, seeking refuge. Parīkṣit, ever compassionate to those in distress, did not slay the one who had fallen at his feet, recognizing him as one worthy of shelter. Smiling gently, the king spoke: “For you, who come in humility with hands joined, there is no fear from the illustrious descendants of Arjuna. But you must not remain in my kingdom, O companion of adharma. Wherever you dwell among men, a host of unrighteousness arises—greed, falsehood, theft, impiety, sin, deceit, quarrel, and hypocrisy. You must leave, and if you must abide anywhere, let it be only where dharma and truth are upheld, especially in those places where the wise worship the Lord of sacrifice through holy rites.” “For where Hari, the blessed Lord, is worshipped as the very form of sacrifice, He bestows auspiciousness upon His devotees. Like the air that pervades all, He is the soul of all beings, moving and unmoving.” Sūta continued the tale: Thus instructed by Parīkṣit, Kali, the spirit of the age, trembled with fear as the king stood before him, sword in hand. Kali pleaded, “O sovereign, wherever I may go by your command, I see you present, ever vigilant with your bow and arrows. Therefore, O upholder of righteousness, please designate a place for me to reside, where I may dwell in obedience to your order.” Hearing this, Parīkṣit assigned Kali to four places where irreligion prevails: gambling, drinking, illicit relations with women, and slaughter. Yet again Kali begged, and the king granted him gold as a fifth refuge. From gold arose falsehood, intoxication, desire, passion, and enmity. Thus, Parīkṣit gave Kali five places as his domains—sources of unrighteousness—and Kali abided there according to the king’s command. Therefore, it is said, anyone who seeks well-being should never go to these places, especially those devoted to righteousness, be they kings, leaders, or teachers. Parīkṣit then restored to Dharma the three lost legs—austerity, purity, and compassion—comforted him, and caused the earth to prosper. He took his place upon the royal throne, entrusted to him by his grandfather when the elder king retired to the forest. Now, this royal sage, radiant with the glory of the Kaurava line, ruled from Hastināpura, illustrious and sovereign. Such was the power of Parīkṣit, son of Abhimanyu, that while he protected the earth, all could perform the great sacrifices in peace. Like the sun shining from his celestial chariot, he had cast off all misfortune and enjoyed happiness side by side with Indra. On the duties of the people, it was said: A brāhmaṇa, if distressed, may maintain himself by trade or selling goods, or, in dire need, by the sword—but never by a base, dog-like livelihood. A kṣatriya, in hardship, may take up the work of a vaiśya or hunt, or even perform the duties of a brāhmaṇa—but never stoop to a blameworthy livelihood. A vaiśya may take up the work of a śūdra, and a śūdra may do menial crafts; but, once freed from hardship, none should seek a disreputable occupation. Each day, by studying the Vedas, offering gifts, and providing food as able, one should worship the gods, sages, ancestors, and all beings, for they are forms of the Lord. With wealth gained honestly and without oppression, one should support dependents and perform sacrifices, always by just means. One should not become attached to family, nor be careless even as a householder. The wise regard all that is perishable as already gone, even before it is lost. The meeting of sons, wives, and relatives is like travelers meeting on a journey; they part from the body as dreams depart from sleep. Thus, reflecting in this way, the liberated soul dwells in the household like a guest, unattached and free from possessiveness or ego. With devotion, performing prescribed duties for the Lord’s sake alone, one may remain at home, retire to the forest, or, if one has offspring, renounce and wander as a mendicant. But one whose mind clings to home, tormented by longing for children and wealth, infatuated with women, pitiable and deluded by thoughts of “mine” and “I,” is bound. Such a person laments, “Alas, my aged parents, my wife, my young sons and daughters—helpless and miserable without me—how will they live, afflicted by suffering?” Thus, with the heart seized by attachment and the mind unsatisfied, constantly brooding, such a one enters deep darkness at death. Sūta then spoke: Parīkṣit, though burned by the weapon of Aśvatthāmā while still in his mother’s womb, was saved by the wondrous grace of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Later, even when threatened by Takṣaka, born from the wrath of a brāhmaṇa, Parīkṣit was not bewildered by the pain of death, for his mind rested at the Lord’s feet. Having abandoned all attachments and understanding the state of the unconquered soul, the disciple of Vyāsa—Śukadeva—gave up his body in the waters of the Gaṅgā. For those who delight in the nectar of the Lord’s glorious stories, there is no confusion even at the time of death, for they remember His lotus feet. And so long as the great devotee, Parīkṣit, son of Abhimanyu, rules the earth, even though Kali is present everywhere, unrighteousness cannot prevail.