At midday, on the tranquil bank of a lake, a king encountered the son of a sage. As their eyes met, a profound unity arose, as if both gazes merged into one. In that very moment, simply by seeing the sage’s son, a surge of knowledge awakened within the king. The wise sage then spoke, imparting teachings: “To nourish unrighteousness through misplaced compassion, or to give equally without discernment or fear, has never happened, nor will it ever occur. One must punish the undeserving and honor the worthy. Truthfulness is the worship of the gods; self-control is the worship of the guru.” With these words, the sage bestowed his daughter upon the king and departed for home. Soon after, a rākṣasa appeared, eager to devour the king’s wife. For the sake of charity, this flesh-eater kept a twice-born boy, only seven years old. With the consent of his ministers, the rākṣasa gave a hundred thousand gold coins to the Brahmin. At the moment of death, the Brahmin’s son laughed loudly and then wept. Hearing this, the king addressed him, saying, “Listen, O Vetala, O Brahmin.” Understanding the situation, the middle son sought refuge with the king. Seeing the king, sword in hand and devoted to Shiva, he laughed. Thus concludes the nineteenth chapter, summarizing the history of the Kali age, within the section on the cycles of the Four Ages in the Pratisarga Parvan of the glorious Bhavishya Mahapurana. In the beautiful city of Vishala, there lived a great king named Vipulesha. In his village, a merchant constantly pursued trade for profit. To the merchant named Suvarna, his father gave wealth, but Suvarna, desiring more riches, remained there for a long time, consumed by greed. By the workings of fate, a distinguished Brahmin arrived at the house of Anangamanjari. After a sacrifice had concluded, a beautiful woman, the daughter, went to clean up. Her eyes, rolling from intoxication, she made an appointment with the Brahmin. Hearing her words, the Brahmin meditated upon her. At midnight, the woman, intent on the Brahmin’s arrival, waited for him. But the Brahmin did not come, prevented by fate, and the woman died at that moment. Seeing the beautiful-browed woman under the sway of death, the Brahmin himself approached death. Then Suvarna arrived and lamented for his beloved. Having spoken thus, the Vetala addressed King Vikrama. The woman, out of affection for the Brahmin, died and went to the city of the gods. The Brahmin, possessing the form of Brahma, is always to be honored by the merchant class. Yet the Brahmin did not obtain the woman; at that time, Hari granted her the path to heaven. Suvarna, realizing in his heart that his beloved was dear to Brahma, grieved. Thus ends the twentieth chapter, the summary of the Kali age’s history, in the section on the cycles of the Four Ages, within the Pratisarga Parvan of the glorious Bhavishya Mahapurana. Sūta continued: In the beautiful city of Jayasthala, there was a king named Vardhamāna. In his village lived a Brahmin, well-versed in the Vedas and their branches. He had four sons, each devoted to a different quarter of learning. By the force of fate, all four sons fell into poverty. They asked their father, “O dear father, tell us how our wealth was lost.” The father explained, “Gambling, the root of sin and great wickedness, causes loss of wealth. Through the influence of gambling, your possessions have been destroyed. O sons, seek a means of livelihood; follow your parents’ advice with discernment. O son, you are a libertine, associating with courtesans, which is most inauspicious.” Thus the stories unfold, each reflecting the trials and teachings of the Kali age, as preserved in the Bhavishya Mahapurana.