The ascetics, living simply on what they could glean—grains, roots, fruits, vegetables, and water—regarded these humble offerings as their true wealth. Their lives were guided by the highest virtues: non-injury, freedom from greed, austerity, compassion for all living beings, and unwavering self-restraint. Such qualities, rare and difficult to attain, formed the very root of eternal Dharma. Among those who upheld these ideals were illustrious royal sages: Priyavrata, Uttānapāda, Dhruva, Medhātithi, and Vasu, as well as Prājīnabarhi, Parjanya, Havirdhāna, and others—kings of great might and enduring fame. In ancient times, the entire universe itself was brought forth by Brahmā through the power of austerity. Sacrifice in those days was composed of both substance and mantra, while austerity found its essence in fasting. The highest Brahmanical action was seen as the conquest of nature through renunciation and detachment. Yet, even in those sacred times, a great dispute arose concerning the true initiation into knowledge. When Dharma’s power prevailed and the dispute was settled, the sages, recognizing their defeat, departed from the assembly. Then the gods themselves completed the sacrifice. From that moment, the tradition of sacrifice evolved along with the changing ages. As the Tretā age waned and the Dvāpara age began, the practices of the earlier era faded away. The order of castes mingled, and the proper duties were reversed. In Dvāpara, actions became mixed with passion and darkness. Confusion grew, and with it, the practices of old perished as the Kali age approached. In the Kali age, the Veda and tradition assumed dual forms, and the essence of Dharma became uncertain and difficult to grasp. Differences of opinion multiplied, causing confusion and debate among seekers. The causes and effects of actions became unclear, and from these divided views, a multitude of scriptures came into being. The Dvāpara age saw a decline in both wisdom and lifespan, and the sacred teachings became scattered. Mantras and Brāhmaṇa texts were rearranged, tones and syllables altered; some traditions remained common, while others changed as opinions diverged. New paths were proposed, while some opposed these innovations. The once-unified Ādhvaryava tradition split in two, and its procedures became increasingly confused. In the Dvāpara age, rituals were performed amidst this confusion, with differing views causing further division. The tradition survived for a time, but ultimately perished in the Kali age. With Kali’s onset, drought, death, and the pain of disease afflicted all beings. Disillusioned by suffering, people began to seek liberation from their woes. Yet, even as inquiry into liberation arose, so too did ignorance, as faults and shortcomings became ever more visible in the Dvāpara age. Obstacles to understanding the scriptures multiplied. Divergent views appeared on the sciences of wealth and reasoning, and the Smṛti scriptures fractured into separate traditions. Livelihood became difficult, requiring effort in mind, action, and speech. Greed became commonplace, trade the chief occupation, and certainty about the true nature of things faded. The established classes and stages of life were destroyed, and desire and anger grew rampant, marking the decline of Dharma in the age of confusion.