According to human reckoning, thirty crores of years are declared in the scriptures. Of this vast span, there is a particular period of twenty thousand years—slightly more, never less—that is especially noted. This era, known as a Manvantara, along with the cycles of the yugas, has thus been described. Now, let me speak further about what remains to be told of the Treta Yuga, and also about the Dvapara and Kali Yugas that follow. These two yugas, which come in order after Treta, have not yet been recounted to you. At the dawn of the Treta Yuga, Manu and the seven great sages were present. It was during this time that the sacred connection with wives was established, the daily Agnihotra sacrifice was set in motion, and the collections of the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas were organized and maintained. The dharma handed down through tradition, along with the characteristics of proper conduct, was firmly established. This was a time when truthfulness, celibacy, study of the scriptures, and austerity were deeply practiced. In this first Treta Yuga, both Manu and the seven sages experienced the manifestation of sacred mantras—such as the Taraka mantra and others. These mantras arose among all living beings, leading to the appearance of various perfections and spiritual accomplishments. The mantras manifested to them once again through divine inspiration. The seven sages taught these mantras, and Manu himself proclaimed the traditional dharma. However, as the human lifespan became restricted, these practices continued into the Dvapara Yugas as well. The divine beings—without beginning or end—were originally created by the Self-born Lord. Although the essential meaning of the Vedic doctrines remains the same, their expressions change with each yuga. During this time, the Shudras performed service-sacrifices, while the best among the twice-born engaged in recitation-sacrifices. All were active in rites, fruitful in offspring, prosperous, and happy. The Shudras followed the Vaishyas, and there was mutual devotion among all. By the intention of the mind, the spoken word, and one’s own actions, people attained lifespan, intelligence, strength, beauty, health, and righteousness. Then, Brahmā established for them the system of varṇas (social divisions) and āśramas (stages of life). Yet, through mutual conflict, the beings once again approached Manu for guidance. Deep in meditation, Manu begot two sons through Śatarūpā. From that time onward, kings arose—those who bear the rod of punishment and uphold order. By their authority, even the hidden sins that human rulers cannot restrain were checked. The divisions of the varṇas were thus proclaimed in the Treta age, and the gods themselves set the sacrifices in motion, together with Viśvabhuj and the mighty Indra, king of the gods. Truth, recitation, austerity, and giving are said to be the dharma of the Treta age. During this age, heroes were born—long-lived and of great strength, with eyes elongated like lotus petals, broad chests, and well-built bodies. These were the bearers of great bows, the universal emperors of the Treta age. In tradition, the measurement of the arms is called nyagrodha, and a span is likewise called nyagrodha. When the height and breadth are equal, it is known as the nyagrodha circle. All universal emperors possessed seven jewels, and the banner along with these seven treasures—when lifeless—are so called. Among the treasures, the horse, the elephant, and seven kinds of living beings are mentioned. For all emperors, fourteen are prescribed as their possessions. Thus unfolded the sacred order and the glories of the Treta Yuga, as established by the great sages and Manu, under the guidance of the divine.