The Return of the Krita Age and Markandeya's Counsel to Yudhishthira

Verse 1 (3.194.1)

ततश्चोरक्षयं कृत्वा द्विजेभ्यः पृथिवीमिमाम् । वाजिमेधे महायज्ञे विधिवत्कल्पयिष्यति ॥

tataścorakṣayaṃ kṛtvā dvijebhyaḥ pṛthivīmimām | vājimedhe mahāyajñe vidhivatkalpayiṣyati

"Then, having destroyed the thieves, he will duly bestow this earth on the brahmins at the great horse sacrifice.

Note on the text: Corrected ततश्चोरक्षयंकृत्वाद्विजेभ्यः → ततश्चोरक्षयं कृत्वा द्विजेभ्यः (word-spacing slips in Wikisource).

Verse 2 (3.194.2)

स्थापयित्वा च मर्यादाः स्वयंभुविहिताः शुभाः । पुनः पुण्ययशःकर्म जरया संश्रयिष्यति ॥

sthāpayitvā ca maryādāḥ svayaṃbhuvihitāḥ śubhāḥ | punaḥ puṇyayaśaḥkarma jarayā saṃśrayiṣyati

Having set in place the auspicious bounds ordained by the Self-born, he will, when old age comes upon him, turn once more to holy deeds that bring good fame.

Note on the text: पुनः पुण्ययशःकर्म जरया for vanaṃ puṇyayaśaḥkarmā jarāvān is a recension variant and is kept.

Verse 3 (3.194.3)

तच्छीलमनुवर्त्स्यन्ति मनुष्या लोकवासिनः । विप्रैश्चोरक्षये चैव कृते क्षेमं भविष्यति ॥

tacchīlamanuvartsyanti manuṣyā lokavāsinaḥ | vipraiścorakṣaye caiva kṛte kṣemaṃ bhaviṣyati

The people living in the world will follow his way of life, and when the thieves have been destroyed by the brahmins, there will be well-being in the Krita age.

Note on the text: Corrected तच्छीलमनुवर्स्यन्ति → तच्छीलमनुवर्त्स्यन्ति (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped त् in the future of anu-vṛt; the critical edition reads anuvartsyante) and कृतेक्षेमं → कृते क्षेमं (word-spacing slip).

Verse 4 (3.194.4)

कृष्णाजिनानि शक्तीश्च त्रिशूलान्यायुधानि च । स्थापयन्द्विजशार्दूलो देशेषु विजितेषु च ॥

kṛṣṇājināni śaktīśca triśūlānyāyudhāni ca | sthāpayandvijaśārdūlo deśeṣu vijiteṣu ca

That tiger among the twice-born will establish black antelope skins, spears, tridents and other weapons in the lands he has conquered.

Verse 5 (3.194.5)

संस्तूयमानो विप्रेन्द्रैर्मानयानो द्विजोत्तमान् । कल्की चरिष्यति महीं सदा दस्युवधे रतः ॥

saṃstūyamāno viprendrairmānayāno dvijottamān | kalkī cariṣyati mahīṃ sadā dasyuvadhe rataḥ

Praised by the foremost of brahmins and honouring the best of the twice-born, Kalki will roam the earth, ever intent on slaying robbers.

Note on the text: Corrected कल्कीचरिष्यति → कल्की चरिष्यति (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 6 (3.194.6)

हा मातस्तात पुत्रेति तास्ता वाचः सुदारुणाः । विक्रोशमानान्सुभृशं दस्यून्नेष्यति संक्षयम् ॥

hā mātastāta putreti tāstā vācaḥ sudāruṇāḥ | vikrośamānānsubhṛśaṃ dasyūnneṣyati saṃkṣayam

He will bring the robbers to destruction as they cry out bitterly in those terrible words, 'Ah mother! Ah father! Ah son!'

Note on the text: Corrected दस्यूननेष्यति → दस्यून्नेष्यति (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped virama; the critical edition reads dasyūn neṣyati). हा मातस्तात पुत्रेति for hā tāta hā sutety evaṃ is a recension variant.

Verse 7 (3.194.7)

ततोऽधर्मविनाशो वै धर्मवृद्धिश्च भारत । भविष्यति कृते प्राप्ते क्रियावांश्च जनस्तथा ॥

tato'dharmavināśo vai dharmavṛddhiśca bhārata | bhaviṣyati kṛte prāpte kriyāvāṃśca janastathā

Then, Bharata, with the coming of the Krita age, adharma will be destroyed and dharma will flourish, and people will be devoted to holy rites.

Note on the text: Corrected ततोऽधऱ्मविनाशो → ततोऽधर्मविनाशो (misprint in Wikisource; a wrong form of र) and कृतेप्राप्ते → कृते प्राप्ते (word-spacing slip).

Verse 8 (3.194.8)

आरामाश्चैव चैत्याश्च तटाकावसथास्तथा । पुष्करिण्यश्च विविधा देवतायतनानि च ॥

ārāmāścaiva caityāśca taṭākāvasathāstathā | puṣkariṇyaśca vividhā devatāyatanāni ca

Groves and shrines, tanks and rest-houses, pools of many kinds and temples of the gods

Note on the text: The first line is a recension variant of CE 3.189.8ab (taṭākāny avaṭās tathā); the second line is not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension; CE apparatus 3.189.8b*955).

Verse 9 (3.194.9)

यज्ञक्रियाश्च विविधा भविष्यन्ति कृते युगे । ब्राह्मणाः साधवश्चैव मुनयश्च तपस्विनः ॥

yajñakriyāśca vividhā bhaviṣyanti kṛte yuge | brāhmaṇāḥ sādhavaścaiva munayaśca tapasvinaḥ

and sacrifices of many kinds will appear in the Krita age. Brahmins will be virtuous, and sages devoted to austerity;

Note on the text: This verse is CE 3.189.8cd + 3.189.9ab (Wikisource divides the lines differently).

Verse 10 (3.194.10)

आश्रमा हतपाषण्डाः स्थिताः सत्ये जनास्तदा । जायन्ति सर्वभूतानि शुध्यमानानि चैव हि ॥

āśramā hatapāṣaṇḍāḥ sthitāḥ satye janāstadā | jāyanti sarvabhūtāni śudhyamānāni caiva hi

the hermitages will be rid of heretics, and the people then established in truth. All beings will be born pure.

Note on the text: This verse is CE 3.189.9cd + 3.189.10ab, with recension variants (हतपाषण्डाः for sahapāṣaṇḍāḥ; जायन्ति सर्वभूतानि शुध्यमानानि for jāsyanti sarvabījāni upyamānāni).

Verse 11 (3.194.11)

सर्वेष्वृतुषु राजेन्द्र सर्वं सस्यं भविष्यति । नरा दानेषु निरता व्रतेषु नियमेषु च ॥

sarveṣvṛtuṣu rājendra sarvaṃ sasyaṃ bhaviṣyati | narā dāneṣu niratā vrateṣu niyameṣu ca

In every season, king of kings, every crop will flourish. Men will be devoted to giving, to vows and to observances;

Note on the text: This verse is CE 3.189.10cd + 3.189.11ab (Wikisource divides the lines differently).

Verse 12 (3.194.12)

जपयज्ञपरा विप्रा धर्मकामा मुदा युताः । पालयिष्यन्ति राजानो धर्मेणेमां वसुंधराम् ॥

japayajñaparā viprā dharmakāmā mudā yutāḥ | pālayiṣyanti rājāno dharmeṇemāṃ vasuṃdharām

brahmins will be given to prayer and sacrifice, devoted to dharma and full of joy, and kings will rule this earth by dharma.

Note on the text: This verse is CE 3.189.11cd + 11ef (Wikisource divides the lines differently).

Verse 13 (3.194.13)

व्यवहाररता वैश्या भविष्यन्ति कृते युगे । षट्कर्मनिरता विप्राः क्षत्रिया रक्षणे रताः ॥

vyavahāraratā vaiśyā bhaviṣyanti kṛte yuge | ṣaṭkarmaniratā viprāḥ kṣatriyā rakṣaṇe ratāḥ

In the Krita age vaishyas will be devoted to trade, brahmins to their six duties and kshatriyas to protection,

Verse 14 (3.194.14)

शुश्रूषायां रताः शूद्रास्तथा वर्णत्रयस्य च । एष धर्मः कृतयुगे त्रेतायां द्वापरे तथा ॥

śuśrūṣāyāṃ ratāḥ śūdrāstathā varṇatrayasya ca | eṣa dharmaḥ kṛtayuge tretāyāṃ dvāpare tathā

and shudras to the service of the three classes. This is dharma in the Krita age, and in the Treta and the Dvapara as well,

Note on the text: This verse is CE 3.189.13ab + 13cd (Wikisource divides the critical edition's three-line verse across this verse and the next).

Verse 15 (3.194.15)

पश्चिमे युगकाले च यः स ते संप्रकीर्तितः । सर्वलोकस्य विदिता युगसंख्या च पाण्डव ॥

paścime yugakāle ca yaḥ sa te saṃprakīrtitaḥ | sarvalokasya viditā yugasaṃkhyā ca pāṇḍava

and of the last age, as I have described it to you. The reckoning of the ages, known to all the world, son of Pandu,

Note on the text: Corrected सर्वलोकस् → सर्वलोकस्य and युगसह्ख्या → युगसंख्या (misprints in Wikisource; a dropped य, and ह्ख for ंख; the critical edition reads sarvalokasya and yugasaṃkhyā). This verse is CE 3.189.13ef + 3.189.14ab.

Verse 16 (3.194.16)

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातमतीतानागतं मया । वायुप्रोक्तमनुस्मृत्य पुराणमृषिसंस्तुतम् ॥

etatte sarvamākhyātamatītānāgataṃ mayā | vāyuproktamanusmṛtya purāṇamṛṣisaṃstutam

all this, past and future, I have told you, calling to mind the ancient lore proclaimed by Vayu and praised by the seers.

Note on the text: Corrected वायुप्रोक्तमनुस्मृत्यपुराणमृषिसंस्तुतम् → वायुप्रोक्तमनुस्मृत्य पुराणमृषिसंस्तुतम् (word-spacing slip in Wikisource). This verse is CE 3.189.14cd + 14ef.

Verse 17 (3.194.17)

एवं संसारमार्गा मे बहुशश्चिरजीविनः । दृष्टाश्चैवानुभूताश्च किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥

evaṃ saṃsāramārgā me bahuśaścirajīvinaḥ | dṛṣṭāścaivānubhūtāśca kiṃ bhūyaḥ śrotumicchasi

Thus have I, who live so long, seen and experienced the paths of worldly existence many times. What more do you wish to hear?

Note on the text: The second line (किं भूयः श्रोतुमिच्छसि for tāṃs te kathitavān aham) and चिरजीविनः for cirajīvinā are recension variants and are kept.

Verse 18 (3.194.18)

इदं चैवापरं भूयः सह भ्रातृभिरच्युत । धर्मसंशयमोक्षार्थं निबोध वचनं मम ॥

idaṃ caivāparaṃ bhūyaḥ saha bhrātṛbhiracyuta | dharmasaṃśayamokṣārthaṃ nibodha vacanaṃ mama

And now, unfallen one, hear from me, together with your brothers, one more word, to free you from doubt about dharma.

Verse 19 (3.194.19)

न तेऽन्यथाऽत्र विज्ञेयो धर्मो धर्मभृतांवर । धर्मात्मा हि सुखं राजन्प्रेत्य चेह च नन्दति ॥

na te'nyathā'tra vijñeyo dharmo dharmabhṛtāṃvara | dharmātmā hi sukhaṃ rājanpretya ceha ca nandati

You must not understand dharma otherwise than this, best of those who uphold dharma; for the righteous man, king, is happy both here and after death.

Note on the text: The first line is a recension variant of CE 3.189.17ab (dharme tvayātmā saṃyojyo nityaṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ vara); the second line is CE 3.189.17cd.

Verse 20 (3.194.20)

न ब्राह्मणे परिभवः कर्तव्यस्ते कदाचन । ब्राह्मणः कुपितो हन्यादपि लोकान्प्रतिज्ञया ॥

na brāhmaṇe paribhavaḥ kartavyaste kadācana | brāhmaṇaḥ kupito hanyādapi lokānpratijñayā

Never treat a brahmin with contempt; for a brahmin, when angered, could destroy even worlds by his vow."

Note on the text: Corrected कुपितोऽहन्यादपि → कुपितो हन्यादपि (misprint in Wikisource; a stray avagraha that turns the optative हन्यात् into a non-word; the critical edition reads ruṣito hanyād). This verse is CE 3.189.18cd + 18ef; Wikisource does not have 18ab (nibodha ca śubhāṃ vāṇīṃ yāṃ pravakṣyāmi te 'nagha), and its verse is complete without it.

Verse 21 (3.194.21)

मार्कण्डेयवचः श्रुत्वा कुरूणां प्रवरो नृपः । उवाच वचनं धीमान्परमं परमद्युतिः ॥

mārkaṇḍeyavacaḥ śrutvā kurūṇāṃ pravaro nṛpaḥ | uvāca vacanaṃ dhīmānparamaṃ paramadyutiḥ

Having heard Markandeya's words, the wise and most glorious king, foremost of the Kurus, spoke these excellent words:

Verse 22 (3.194.22)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा मया किं स्यात्कर्तव्यं मुनिसत्तम । कथं चायं जितो लोको रक्षितव्यो भविष्यति ॥

etacchrutvā mayā kiṃ syātkartavyaṃ munisattama | kathaṃ cāyaṃ jito loko rakṣitavyo bhaviṣyati

"Having heard this, best of sages, what should I do? And how is this world that I have won to be protected?

Note on the text: Removed the backtick and quote marks around this verse (Wikisource's mark for an inserted passage) and corrected जितोलोको → जितो लोको (word-spacing slip). Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension; CE apparatus 3.189.20d*957, where it carries its own heading for Yudhishthira). Wikisource prints no heading; the question is Yudhishthira's.

Verse 23 (3.194.23)

कस्मिन्धर्मे मया स्थेयं प्रजाः संरक्षता मुने । कथं च वर्तमानो वै न च्यवेयं स्वधर्मतः ॥

kasmindharme mayā stheyaṃ prajāḥ saṃrakṣatā mune | kathaṃ ca vartamāno vai na cyaveyaṃ svadharmataḥ

In what dharma should I abide while protecting my subjects, sage? And how should I conduct myself so as not to fall from my own dharma?"

Note on the text: Corrected कथंच → कथं च (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 24 (3.194.24)

दयावान्सर्वभूतेषु हितो रक्तोऽनसूयकः । अपत्यानामिव स्नेहात्प्रजानां रक्षणे रतः ॥

dayāvānsarvabhūteṣu hito rakto'nasūyakaḥ | apatyānāmiva snehātprajānāṃ rakṣaṇe rataḥ

"Be compassionate to all beings, kind, loving and free of envy, intent on protecting your subjects with affection as though they were your own children.

Note on the text: Corrected सर्वबूतेषु → सर्वभूतेषु and उपत्यानामिव → अपत्यानामिव (misprints in Wikisource; ब for भ, and उ for अ; the critical edition reads sarvabhūteṣu and apatyānām iva). This verse is CE 3.189.21ab + 21cd (Wikisource divides the critical edition's three-line verse across this verse and the next); स्नेहात् for sveṣāṃ is a recension variant.

Verse 25 (3.194.25)

चर धर्मं त्यजाधर्मं पितॄन्पूर्वाननुस्मर । प्रमादाद्यत्कृतं तेऽभूत्सम्यग्ज्ञानेन तज्जय ॥

cara dharmaṃ tyajādharmaṃ pitṝnpūrvānanusmara | pramādādyatkṛtaṃ te'bhūtsamyagjñānena tajjaya

Practise dharma and shun adharma; remember your forefathers. Whatever you have done through heedlessness, overcome it by right knowledge.

Note on the text: This verse is CE 3.189.21ef + 3.189.22ab, with recension variants (पितॄन्पूर्वाननुस्मर for pitṝn devāṃś ca pūjaya; सम्यग्ज्ञानेन for saṃyag dānena, which the Wikisource commentary records as another reading).

Verse 26 (3.194.26)

अलं ते मानमाश्रित्य सततं प्रियवाग्भव । विजित्य पृथिवीं सर्वां मोदमानः सुखी भव ॥

alaṃ te mānamāśritya satataṃ priyavāgbhava | vijitya pṛthivīṃ sarvāṃ modamānaḥ sukhī bhava

Have done with leaning on pride; be ever gentle of speech. Conquer the whole earth and live happily, rejoicing.

Note on the text: This verse is CE 3.189.22cd + 3.189.23ab; प्रियवाग्भव for paravān bhava is a recension variant.

Verse 27 (3.194.27)

एष भूतो भविष्यश्च धर्मस्ते समुदीरितः । न तेऽस्त्यविदितं किंचिदतीतानागतं भुवि ॥

eṣa bhūto bhaviṣyaśca dharmaste samudīritaḥ | na te'styaviditaṃ kiṃcidatītānāgataṃ bhuvi

This is the dharma, of the past and of the future, that I have declared to you. There is nothing on earth, past or yet to come, that is unknown to you.

Note on the text: This verse is CE 3.189.23cd + 3.189.24ab (Wikisource divides the lines differently).

Verse 28 (3.194.28)

तस्मादिमं परिक्लेशं त्वं तात हृदि मा कृथाः । प्राज्ञास्तात न मुह्यन्ति कालेनापि प्रपीडिताः ॥

tasmādimaṃ parikleśaṃ tvaṃ tāta hṛdi mā kṛthāḥ | prājñāstāta na muhyanti kālenāpi prapīḍitāḥ

Therefore, my son, do not take this hardship to heart. The wise, my son, are not bewildered even when oppressed by time.

Note on the text: The first line is CE 3.189.24cd; the second line is not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension; CE apparatus 3.189.24d*958).

Verse 29 (3.194.29)

एष कालो महाबाहो अपि सर्वदिवौकसाम् । मुह्यन्ति हि प्रजास्तात कालेनापि प्रचोदिताः ॥

eṣa kālo mahābāho api sarvadivaukasām | muhyanti hi prajāstāta kālenāpi pracoditāḥ

Such is time, mighty-armed one, even for all who dwell in heaven; creatures are bewildered, my son, when driven on by time.

Note on the text: Corrected सर्वदिबौकसाम् → सर्वदिवौकसाम् (misprint in Wikisource; ब for व; the critical edition reads sarvadivaukasām).

Verse 30 (3.194.30)

मा च तेऽत्र विशङ्का भूद्यन्मयोक्तं तवानघ । अतिशङ्क्य वचो ह्येतद्धर्मलोपो भवेत्तव ॥

mā ca te'tra viśaṅkā bhūdyanmayoktaṃ tavānagha | atiśaṅkya vaco hyetaddharmalopo bhavettava

Let there be no misgiving in you, sinless one, about what I have told you; if you doubt these words, your dharma will suffer.

Verse 31 (3.194.31)

जातोसि प्रथिते वंशे कुरूणां भरतर्षभ । कर्मणा मनसा वाचा सर्वमेतत्समाचर ॥

jātosi prathite vaṃśe kurūṇāṃ bharatarṣabha | karmaṇā manasā vācā sarvametatsamācara

You were born in the famous line of the Kurus, bull of the Bharatas; carry out all this in deed, thought and word."

Verse 32 (3.194.32)

यत्त्वयोक्तं द्विजश्रेष्ठ वाक्यं श्रुतिमनोहरम् । तथा करिष्ये यत्नेन भवतः शासनं विभो ॥

yattvayoktaṃ dvijaśreṣṭha vākyaṃ śrutimanoharam | tathā kariṣye yatnena bhavataḥ śāsanaṃ vibho

"Best of brahmins, the counsel you have given, so pleasing to the ear, your command, lord, I shall carry out with all care.

Verse 33 (3.194.33)

न मे लोभोस्ति विप्रेन्द्र न भयं न च मत्सरः । करिष्यामि हि तत्सर्वमुक्तं यत्ते मयि प्रभो ॥

na me lobhosti viprendra na bhayaṃ na ca matsaraḥ | kariṣyāmi hi tatsarvamuktaṃ yatte mayi prabho

I have no greed, foremost of brahmins, no fear and no envy; I shall do all that you have told me, lord."

Note on the text: Corrected विप्रेन्द्रन → विप्रेन्द्र न (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 34 (3.194.34)

श्रुत्वा तु वचनं तस्य पाण्डवस्य यशस्विनः । संहृष्टाः पाण्डवा राजन्सहिताः शार्ङ्गधन्वना ॥

śrutvā tu vacanaṃ tasya pāṇḍavasya yaśasvinaḥ | saṃhṛṣṭāḥ pāṇḍavā rājansahitāḥ śārṅgadhanvanā

Hearing the words of the illustrious son of Pandu, king, the Pandavas rejoiced, together with the bearer of the Sharnga bow,

Note on the text: Corrected संहृष्टः → संहृष्टाः and सहिता → सहिताः (misprints in Wikisource; the plural agreeing with पाण्डवाः, as in the critical edition's prahṛṣṭāḥ … sahitāḥ). संहृष्टाः and यशस्विनः for prahṛṣṭāḥ and mahātmanaḥ are recension variants.

Verse 35 (3.194.35)

विप्रर्षभाश्च ते सर्वे ये तत्रासन्समागताः । तथा कथां शुभां श्रुत्वा मार्कण्डेयस्य धीमतः । विस्मिताः समपद्यन्त पुराणस्य निवेदनात् ॥

viprarṣabhāśca te sarve ye tatrāsansamāgatāḥ | tathā kathāṃ śubhāṃ śrutvā mārkaṇḍeyasya dhīmataḥ | vismitāḥ samapadyanta purāṇasya nivedanāt

and so did all the bulls among brahmins who had gathered there. Having heard that auspicious tale of the wise Markandeya, they were filled with wonder at his telling of the ancient lore.

Note on the text: Corrected विप्र्रषभाश्च → विप्रर्षभाश्च, रमार्कण्डेयस्य धमतः → मार्कण्डेयस्य धीमतः, विस्मिता → विस्मिताः and पुराणस् → पुराणस्य (misprints in Wikisource; a misplaced र, a stray र and a dropped ी, a dropped visarga, and a dropped य; the critical edition reads viprarṣabhāś, mārkaṇḍeyasya dhīmataḥ, vismitāḥ and purāṇasya). Three-line verse: the first line is not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension; CE apparatus 3.189.30d*959); the other two lines are CE 3.189.31.