O noble one, in the divine reckoning of time, a year is understood as composed of twelve months belonging to the gods. These measurements of time have been revealed by those who truly perceive reality. After the Kṛta age, the wise speak of the Dvāpara age, and then, in due order, they recognize Kali as the last of the ages. In the age known as Kṛta, O brāhmaṇa, all beings were esteemed as equal to the gods themselves. There was no division of the Vedas then; all lived in harmony, wholly devoted to Nārāyaṇa, their hearts fixed upon austerity and meditation. Their minds rested in righteousness, untouched by envy or deceit. They were accomplished in the study of the Vedas, discerning the meanings of all the scriptures, and, united with the fruits of desirelessness, they attained the supreme state. Now, listen as I declare to you the dharmas of the Tretā age. In this age, Hari takes on a reddish hue, and people begin to experience some hardship. Yet, they remain devoted to truth and vows, intent on meditation and contemplation. As Tretā advances, Hari’s hue becomes yellow, and the Veda is divided. The classes, beginning with the brāhmaṇas, arise, and some among them develop faults such as passion and others. Some become desirous of wealth and various objects, and some harbor impure thoughts. Because of the growing influence of unrighteousness, people diminish in virtue. Seeing a few devoted to righteousness, others become envious of them. When the Kali age arrives, righteousness stands on only one foot. In this age, whoever, regardless of status, is devoted to righteousness and performs sacrificial rites becomes the object of envy. Upon seeing a man devoted to virtue, all become envious, and calamities arise as unrighteousness prevails. In Kali, people’s lifespans become short. O best among those who know righteousness, describe Kali in detail—what will be the food and conduct in that age? I will explain to you, just as it is, the laws of Kali. Know that Kali is exceedingly dreadful, a mixture of all sins. When the terrible age of Kali arrives, the twice-born will turn away from the Vedas. Scholars will become corrupted by vain pride and lack truthfulness. All people will be greedy for unrighteousness and devoted to falsehood. Because of their brief lifespans, O twice-born, there will be no real acquisition of knowledge. Transgression will incline all people toward sin. Deluded and absorbed in desire and anger, they will be tormented by useless anxieties. The excellent will become lowly, and the lowly will become regarded as excellent. People will be oppressed by excessive taxes. Even husbands will pursue adulterous conduct with other women; all will be engaged with others’ wives and covetous of others’ wealth. O brāhmaṇa, in this dreadful age, all people will be devoted to sin. On the banks of rivers, with spades, they will uproot medicinal plants. Women will desire courtesans and those of charming appearance and conduct. Some will sell the Vedas, and the twice-born will delight in the ways of Shudras. Thus, the Kali age will be marked by confusion and decline, a time when righteousness diminishes and unrighteousness prevails.