पूर्णे वर्षसहस्रे वै परमायुस्तदा नृणाम्
When a thousand years are completed, that is then the highest lifespan for humans.
उत्सीदन्ति नराश्चैव क्षत्रियाश्च विशः क्रमात्
Men and Kshatriyas and the people in general decline, one after another.
भवन्तीह कलौ तस्मिञ्छयनासनभोजनैः
In that Kali age, people live for the sake of sleeping, sitting, and eating.
गुणहीनाः प्रजाश्चैव तदा वै संप्रवर्त्तते
At that time, people lacking in virtue arise.
शूद्राश्च ब्राह्मणाचाराः शूद्राचाराश्च ब्राह्मणाः
Shudras adopt the conduct of Brahmins, and Brahmins adopt the conduct of Shudras.
भृत्या एते ह्यसुभृतो युगान्ते समवस्थिते
At the end of the age, these servants are indeed poorly maintained.
मायाविन्यो भविष्यन्ति युगान्ते मुनिसत्तम
At the end of the age, O best of sages, there will be those skilled in deception.
श्वापदप्रबलत्वं च गवां चैव ह्युपक्षयः
Wild beasts will become powerful, and there will be a decline in cattle.
तदा धर्मो महोदर्के दुर्लभो दानमूलवान्
Then, in great darkness, righteousness rooted in charity will be hard to find.
तदा ह्यल्पफला भूमिः क्वचिच्चापि महाफला
At that time, the earth will yield little fruit, though in some places it will bear abundantly.
युगान्ते च भविष्यन्ति स्वरक्षणपरायणाः
At the end of the age, people will be devoted only to protecting themselves.
शूद्राभिवादिनः सर्वे युगान्ते द्विजसत्तमाः
At the end of the age, O best of twice-born, all will address even Shudras with respect.
प्रमदाः केशशूलाश्च युगान्ते समुपस्थिते
When the end of the age arrives, women will have loose hair and carry sticks.
यतयश्च भविष्यन्ति बहवो ऽस्मिन्कलौ युगे
In this Kali age, there will be many who take up the life of a renunciant.
सर्वे वाणिजकाश्चा पि भविष्यन्त्यधमे युगे
In the degraded age, all will become merchants.
कुशीलचर्यापाखण्डैर्व्याधरूपैः समावृतम्
The world will be filled with impostors practicing false disciplines, appearing as hunters.
बाहुयाचनको लोको भविष्यति परस्परम्
People will beg from one another, each extending their arms for alms.
न कृते प्रतिकर्त्ता च युगे क्षीणे भविष्यति
When the age declines, there will be no one to return a favor for a favor.
ततः शून्य वसुमती भविष्यति वसुन्धरा
Then the earth, the broad land, will become empty.
हर्त्तारः पररत्नानां परदारविमर्शकाः
There will be thieves of others’ jewels and those who covet others’ wives.
प्रनष्टचेष्टना धूर्त्ता मुक्तकेशास्त्त्वशूलिनः
Rogues will lose all restraint, with loose hair and carrying clubs.
शुक्लदन्ता जिताक्षाश्च मुण्डाः काषायवाससः
With white teeth, skilled at dice, shaven-headed, and wearing ochre robes.
सस्यचोरा भविष्यन्ति तथा चैलापहारिणः
There will be thieves of crops and also of garments.
ज्ञानकर्मम्युपरते लोके निष्क्रियतां गते
When knowledge and action have ceased, the world will become inactive.
अभीक्ष्णं क्षेममारोग्यं सामर्थ्यं दुर्लभं तथा
Constant well-being, health, and capability become rare.
दुःखेनाभिप्लुतानां च परमायुः शतं तदा
For those overwhelmed by suffering, the highest lifespan at that time is one hundred years.
तत्सीदन्ते तथा यज्ञाः केवलाधर्मपीडिताः
Thus, sacrifices fail, afflicted solely by unrighteousness.
वेदविक्रयिमश्चन्ये तीर्थविक्रयिणो ऽपरे
Some sell the Vedas, others sell holy places.
उत्पद्यन्ते तदा ते वै संप्राप्ते तु कलौ युगे
Such people arise then, when the Kali age arrives.
यजन्ते चाश्वमेधेन राजानः शूद्रयोनयः
Kings of Shudra birth perform the Ashvamedha sacrifice.