दिव्यैर्द्वादशभिर्ज्ञेयं वत्सरैस्तत्र सत्तम
O noble one, there, a year is to be understood as consisting of twelve divine months.
कालतो वेदितव्यानि इत्युक्तं तत्त्वा दर्शिभिः
These measures of time are to be known as declared by those who perceive the truth.
ततश्च द्वापरं प्राहुः कलिमन्त्यं विदुः क्रमात्
Thereafter, they speak of the Dvāpara age, and then, in order, they know Kali as the last.
नासन्कृतयुगे विप्र सर्वे देवसमाः स्मृताः
O brāhmaṇa, in the Kṛta age, all were regarded as equal to the gods.
वेदानां च विभागश्च न युगे कृतसंज्ञके
And there was no division of the Vedas in the age known as Kṛta.
सदा नारायणपरास्तपोध्यानपरायणाः
They were always devoted to Nārāyaṇa, intent on austerity and meditation.
धर्मसाधनचित्ताश्च गतासूया अदांभिकाः
Their minds were set on the practice of righteousness, free from envy and deceit.
वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नाः सर्वशास्त्रविचक्षणाः
They were accomplished in the study of the Vedas, and discerning in all the scriptures.
अकामफलसंयोगाः प्रयान्ति परमां गतिम्
United with the fruit of desirelessness, they attain the supreme state.
त्रेताधर्मान्प्रवक्ष्यामि शृणुष्व सुसमाहितः
I will now declare to you the dharmas of the Tretā age; listen attentively.
हरिस्तु रक्तातां याति किञ्चित्क्लेशान्विता जनाः
Hari assumes a reddish hue, and people become somewhat afflicted with hardship.
सत्यव्रता ध्यानपराः सदाध्यानपरायणाः
They are devoted to truth and vows, intent on meditation, always dedicated to contemplation.
हरिः पीतत्वमायाति वेदश्चापि विभज्यते
Hari takes on a yellow hue, and the Veda is also divided.
ब्राह्मणाद्याश्च वर्णाः स्युः केचिद्रागादिदुर्गुणाः
The classes beginning with brāhmaṇas arise, and some possess faults such as passion and others.
केचिद्धनादिकामाश्च केचित्कल्मषचेतसः
Some are desirous of wealth and other objects, and some have impure minds.
अधर्मस्य प्रभावेण क्षीयन्ते च प्रजास्तथा
Due to the influence of unrighteousness, people likewise diminish.
केचित्पुण्यरतान् दृष्ट्वा असूयां विप्र कुर्वते
Seeing some devoted to virtue, O brāhmaṇa, others become envious.
धर्मः कलियुगे प्राप्ते पादेनैकेन वर्तते
When the Kali age arrives, righteousness remains only in one foot.
यः कश्चिदपि धर्मात्मा यज्ञाचारान्करोति च
Whoever, even anyone at all, is devoted to righteousness and performs sacrificial rites—
नरं धर्मरतं दृष्ट्वा सर्वे ऽसूयां प्रकुर्वते
Upon seeing a man devoted to righteousness, all become envious of him.
उपद्रवा भविष्यन्ति ह्यधर्मस्य प्रवतनात्
Indeed, calamities will arise from the prevalence of unrighteousness.
प्रजाश्चाल्पायुषः सर्वा भविष्यन्ति कलौ युगे
And in the Kali age, all people will have short lifespans.
कलिं विस्तरतो ब्रूहि त्वं हि धर्मविदां वरः
Describe Kali in detail, for you are the best among those who know righteousness.
किमाहाराः किमाचाराः भविष्यन्ति कलौ युगे
What will be the food and conduct in the Kali age?
कलिधर्मान्प्रवक्ष्यामि विस्तरेण यथातथम्
I will declare in detail, just as it is, the laws of Kali.
तस्मात्कलिर्महाघोरः सर्वपातकसंकरः
Therefore, Kali is exceedingly dreadful, a mixture of all sins.
घोरे कलियुगे प्राप्ते द्विजा वेदपराङ्मुखाः
When the terrible age of Kali arrives, the twice-born will turn away from the Vedas.
वृथाहॄङ्कारदुष्टाश्च सत्यहीनाश्च पण्डिताः
Scholars will be corrupted by vain pride and devoid of truthfulness.
अधर्मलोलुपाः सर्वले तथा वैतंहिका नराः
All people will be greedy for unrighteousness and devoted to falsehood.
अल्पायुष्ट्वान्मनुष्याणां न विद्याग्रहणं द्विज
Because of the short lifespan of humans, O twice-born, there will be no acquisition of knowledge.