संकल्पितेन मनसा वाचोक्तेन स्वकर्मणा
By the mind's intention, by spoken word, and by one's own actions,
आयुर्मेधा बलं रूपमारोग्यं धर्मशीलता
Lifespan, intelligence, strength, beauty, health, and righteousness,
वर्णाश्रमव्यवस्थानं तेषां ब्रह्मा तदाकरोत्
Brahmā then established for them the system of varṇas and āśramas.
परस्परविरोधेन मनुं ताः पुनरभ्ययुः
Through mutual conflict, those (beings) again approached Manu.
ध्यात्वा तु शतरूपायां पुत्रौ स उदपादयत्
Meditating, he begot two sons in Śatarūpā.
ततः प्रभृति राजान उत्पन्ना दण्डधारिणः
From that time onward, kings arose, bearers of the rod (of punishment).
प्रच्छन्न पापास्तैर्ये च न शक्यास्तु नराधिपैः
By them, the hidden sins—those which human rulers cannot restrain—
वर्णानां प्रविभागाश्च त्रेतायां संप्रकीर्त्तिताः
The divisions of the varṇas were proclaimed in the Tretā age.
यज्ञाः प्रवर्त्तिताश्चैव तदा ह्येव तु दैवतैः
And sacrifices were then set in motion by the gods themselves.
सार्द्धं विश्वभुजा चैव देवेन्द्रेण महौजसा
Together with Viśvabhuj and the mighty Indra, king of the gods.
सत्यं जपस्तपो दानं त्रेताया धर्म उच्यते
Truth, recitation, austerity, and giving—these are said to be the dharma of the Tretā age.
जायन्ते च तदा शूरा आयुष्मन्तो महाबलाः
Then are born heroes, long-lived and of great strength.
पद्मपत्रायताक्षाश्च पृथूरस्काः सुसंहताः
With eyes elongated like lotus petals, broad-chested, and well-built.
महाधनुर्द्धराश्चैव त्रेतायां चक्रवर्त्तिनः
And the bearers of great bows, universal emperors in the Tretā age.
न्यग्रोधौ तु स्मृतौ बाहू व्यामो न्यग्रोध उच्यते
In tradition, the arms are called nyagrodha; a span is called nyagrodha.
समोछ्रयपरीणाहो ज्ञेयो न्यग्रोधमण्डलः
Equal in height and breadth is known as the nyagrodha circle.
सप्तैतानि च रत्नानि सर्वेषां चक्रवर्तिनाम
And these seven jewels belong to all universal emperors.
केतुर्निधिश्च सप्तैव प्राणहीनानि चक्षते
The banner and the seven treasures, when lifeless, are so called.
मन्त्र्यश्वः कलभश्चैव प्राणिनः सप्त कीर्त्तिताः
The horse, the elephant, and likewise seven kinds of living beings are mentioned.
चतुर्दश विधेयानि सर्वेषां चक्रवर्त्तिनाम्
Fourteen are prescribed for all emperors.
मन्वन्तरेषु सर्वेषु अतीतानागतेष्विह
In all the Manvantaras, both past and future, here in this world,
त्रेतायुगे च तान्यत्र जायन्ते चक्रवर्त्तिनः
In the Treta age, those emperors are born there.
अत्यद्भुतानि चत्वारि बलं धर्मः सुखं धनम्
Four exceedingly wondrous things: strength, righteousness, happiness, and wealth.
अर्थो धर्मश्च कामश्च यशो विजय एव च
Prosperity, righteousness, desire, fame, and victory as well.
श्रुतेन तपसा चैव मुनीनभिभवन्ति वै
By learning and by austerity, indeed, they surpass the sages.
लक्षणैश्चैव जायन्ते शरीरस्थैरमानुषैः
They are born with marks, bodily and human.
ताम्रप्रभोष्टनेत्राश्च श्रीवत्साश्चैद्ध्वरोमशाः
Copper-hued lips and eyes, the mark of Śrīvatsa, and radiant hair.
न्यग्रोधपरिणाहाश्च सिंहस्कन्धास्तु मेहनाः
With the girth of a banyan tree, lion-like shoulders, and prominent genitalia.
पादयोश्चक्रमत्स्योन्तु शङ्खपद्मौ तुहस्तयोः
On their feet are the signs of wheels and fish; on their hands, conch and lotus.
असंगगतयस्तेषां चतस्रश्चक्रवर्त्तिनाम्
Among them, four emperors possess unattached qualities.