In ages past, there were great souls—righteous beings, steadfast in truth. It was taught that by upholding one's own supreme duty, one would be freed from all fear. There came a seeker who, bowing in humility, approached the best of the twice-born and inquired about the duties that governed the ages. With reverence, he also bowed to the god Īśāna, asking about the eternal dharmas of the different yugas. But the wise one replied, "O Pārtha, I cannot speak of these matters to you in full detail." Still, he revealed: "The third age is known as Dvāpara, and the fourth is called Kali. In the Dvāpara age, sacrifice alone is declared as the path; in the Kali age, charity alone prevails. In Dvāpara, Vishnu is the deity most revered; in Kali, it is Rudra, the great lord. Yet, the blessed Rudra, bearer of the Pinaka bow, is worshipped in all four ages." He spoke of a time called the Tishya age, when only a fragment of existence remained, its essence barely preserved. In that pristine Krita age, all creatures were ever satisfied, always joyful, delighting in pleasures. They shared equal lifespan, happiness, and beauty. Their minds were firm in meditation and austerity, devoted above all to Mahadeva. They lived without homes, dwelling in mountains and by the oceans, free from possessions. But when that state of perfection faded, another form of perfection arose. Clouds gathered, thunder rolled, and rain began to fall. Then, trees appeared, serving as houses for the people. At the dawn of the Treta age, people lived from these trees. Suddenly, passion and greed arose among them. As these qualities grew, all those trees, once their homes, perished. Those who remained truthful reflected on the lost perfection. For them, clothes, fruits, and ornaments were produced. Honey of great potency, pure and unadulterated, was found in every hive, delighting and nourishing all, keeping them free from disease. Yet, they began to seize the trees and honey by force. With the loss of honey, the wish-fulfilling trees too vanished here and there. Oppressed by dualities, people created boundaries and enclosures. When the honey and the wish-fulfilling trees were lost, another means of livelihood arose: abundant rain began to fall. Rivers filled with water, and from the union of water and earth, herbs sprang forth. Trees and shrubs appeared, bearing flowers and fruit in their seasons. This unfolding was destined, not merely a result of the Tretā age. Now, trees, shrubs, and herbs were taken by force, each according to their strength. By the command of the Grandfather, Pṛthu milked the earth, extracting treasures and riches through the power of time. Brahmā then created the kṣatriyas for the welfare of the brāhmaṇas, and established the performance of sacrifice, free from the killing of animals. Yet, as time passed, passion, greed, conflict, and uncertainty about dharma arose. To preserve knowledge, Vyāsa divided the Veda into four parts in the Dvāpara and subsequent ages. Thus, the story of the ages unfolded, each marked by changes in virtue, practice, and the very nature of the earth and its people.