As the ages of the world unfold, the Dvapara Yuga persists for a time, but its virtues eventually fade and perish as the Kali Yuga begins. With the coming of Kali, the earth is beset by drought, widespread death, and the relentless suffering caused by disease. Amidst these hardships, disillusionment grows among people, and from their despair arises a longing to understand how to escape the endless cycle of suffering. Yet, even in the Dvapara age, the seeds of ignorance are sown as people become aware of faults and shortcomings. Obstacles to understanding the sacred scriptures appear, and differences of opinion emerge regarding the sciences of wealth and reasoning. The Smṛti scriptures divide, and distinct traditions take shape, leading to confusion and fragmentation. Livelihood becomes a struggle, achieved only through difficult efforts of mind, action, and speech. Greed takes root as the prevailing norm, trade becomes the main occupation, and certainty about the true nature of things vanishes. The established classes and the stages of life fall into disorder, while desire and anger flourish. It is in these times that Vyasa, foreseeing the decline, divides the Veda into four parts during the Dvapara and subsequent ages, striving to preserve the knowledge. Yet, righteousness, though present in Dvapara, loses its essential qualities and becomes weakened. As the Dvapara Yuga draws to a close, in the age known as Tishya, the world witnesses a further descent. Violence, envy, falsehood, deceit, and the slaying of ascetics become widespread. This marks the complete collapse of righteousness, and dharma is severely diminished. With the onset of Kali, deadly disease becomes constant, hunger is ever-present, and fear pervades all. In the Tishya age, the power of memory fades from the world, and in Kali, even the elders sometimes die in childhood. The faults in the actions of Brahmins give rise to fear among the people, and attachment and greed take hold of all beings. A thousand years become the maximum span of human life, but even this is a shadow of former times. The strength and virtue of men, Kshatriyas, and the people in general decline, each group falling after the other. In the Kali age, life is reduced to the mere pursuit of sleeping, sitting, and eating, with virtue all but forgotten. At this time, people lacking in virtue come to prominence. The boundaries between classes erode—Shudras adopt the conduct of Brahmins, and Brahmins behave like Shudras. By the end of the age, servants are poorly maintained, and those skilled in deception abound. Wild beasts grow powerful, while cattle diminish in number. In the enveloping darkness, righteousness rooted in charity becomes rare and difficult to find. The earth yields little fruit, though in some places it still gives abundantly. People become preoccupied solely with protecting themselves. Even Shudras are addressed with respect by all, as the old order collapses. Women appear with loose hair, carrying sticks, reflecting the disorder of the times. Many take up the life of a renunciant, yet in this degraded age, everyone turns to trade, and all become merchants. The world fills with impostors, those who practice false disciplines and appear as hunters. People beg from one another, each stretching out their hands for alms. The spirit of reciprocity dies; no one returns favor for favor. The earth, once broad and full, becomes empty and desolate. Thieves abound, coveting others’ jewels and wives, as the age reaches its nadir. Thus, the story of the Dvapara and Kali Yugas is one of gradual decline, where righteousness and order give way to confusion, suffering, and the darkness of ignorance.