तस्मात्सर्व प्रयत्नेन तत्क्षेत्रं सेव्यमेव हि
Therefore, with all effort, this sacred field must indeed be served.
वापीकूपतडागेषु यत्रयत्र जलं द्विजाः
Wherever water is found in ponds, wells, or reservoirs, O twice-born,
किं य्रज्ञैः किं वृथा दानैः क व्रतैः किं जपैरपि
What is the use of sacrifices, what of fruitless gifts, what of vows, what even of recitations?
एतत्पवित्रमायुष्यं मांगल्यं पापनाशनम्
This is pure, life-giving, auspicious, and destroys sin.
प्रमाणं वद कार्त्स्न्येन परं कौतूहलं हि नः
Tell us in full the measure; our curiosity is indeed great.
यथा प्रोवाच विप्रेंद्रास्तद्वो वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम्
As the foremost of Brahmins spoke, so I will now tell you.
पुरा शक्रं समासीनं सभायां त्रिदशैः सह
Once, Indra was seated in the assembly together with the gods.
गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव सिद्धविद्याधराश्च ये
There were also Gandharvas, Apsarases, Siddhas, and Vidyadharas.
कलाः काष्ठानिमेषाश्च नक्षत्राणि ग्रहास्तथा
They discussed kalās, kāṣṭhas, nimeṣas, constellations, and planets as well.
तथा चक्रुः कथाश्चित्रा देवदानवरक्षसाम्
They also recounted wondrous tales of gods, demons, and rākṣasas.
कस्मिंश्चिदथ संप्राप्ते प्रस्तावे त्रिदशेश्वरः
Then, at a certain point in the conversation, the lord of the gods said:
भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि प्रमाणं युगसंभवम्
O venerable one, I wish to hear the measure of the origin of the yugas.
यत्प्रमाणं स्वरूपं च शृणुष्वावहितः स्थितः
What is its measure and form? Listen attentively as I explain.
अष्टाविंशतिसहस्राणि लक्षाः सप्तदशैव तु ६.२७.
There are twenty-eight thousand and exactly one hundred seventy thousand.
कामक्रोधविनिर्मुक्ता भयद्वेषविवर्जिताः पञ्चतालप्रमाणाश्च दीप्तिमन्तो बहुश्रुताः
Free from desire and anger, devoid of fear and hatred, their stature is five tālas, they are radiant and learned.
तत्र षोडशसाहस्रं बालत्वं जायते नृणाम्
There, among humans, sixteen thousand years is the duration of childhood.
ततः परं च वार्द्धक्यं शनैः संजायते नृणाम्
After that, old age gradually arises among humans.
तत्र सत्त्वाश्च ये केचित्पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः ॥ दैवीं वाचं प्रजल्पंति न विरोधं व्रजंति च ।ा
There, all beings—cattle, birds, and deer—speak in divine language and do not act in opposition.
धेनवश्च प्रयच्छंति वांछितं स्वादु सत्पयः
Cows give sweet, excellent milk as desired.
न तत्र विधवा नारी जायते न च दुर्भगा ६.२७.
There, no woman becomes a widow, nor is anyone unfortunate.
यथाजन्म तथा मृत्युः क्रमात्संजायते नृणाम्
Birth and death occur in order for humans, just as they are born.
न प्रेतत्वं च लोकानां मृतानां तत्र जायते
There is no state of pretas for the dead in that world.
वेदांतगा द्विजाः सर्वे नित्यं स्वाध्यायशीलिनः
All the twice-born were devoted to the study of the Vedas and engaged daily in self-study.
क्षत्रियाश्चापि भूपालमेकं कृत्वा सुभक्तितः
And the Kshatriyas, too, made one king with great devotion.
वैश्या वैश्यजनार्हाणि चक्रुः कर्माणि भूरिशः
The Vaishyas performed, in abundance, the duties appropriate to the community of Vaishyas.
मुक्त्वैकां द्विजशुश्रूषा न शूद्रास्तत्र चक्रिरे
Except for serving the twice-born, the Shudras did not perform any other acts there.
न तत्र चांत्यजो जज्ञे न च संकरसंभवः
There, no one of the lowest caste was born, nor was there any offspring from mixed unions.
यजनं याजनं दानं व्रतं नियम एव च
Sacrifice, officiating at sacrifices, giving, vows, and observances were practiced there.
एवंविधं सहस्राक्ष मया ते परिकीर्तितम्
O thousand-eyed one, I have thus described to you such a state.
ततस्त्रेतायुगं नाम द्वितीयं संप्रवर्तते ६.२७.
Then, the second age called Treta Yuga begins.