The Description of the Nature of the Four Yugas

Verse 1 (skanda.6.27.1)

ऋषय ऊचुः। चतुर्युगस्वरूपं तु माहात्म्यं चैव सूतज। प्रमाणं वद कार्त्स्न्येन परं कौतूहलं हि नः

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ| caturyugasvarūpaṁ tu māhātmyaṁ caiva sūtaja| pramāṇaṁ vada kārtsnyena paraṁ kautūhalaṁ hi naḥ

The sages said: O son of Suta, tell us in full the nature, the greatness, and the duration of the four yugas -- we are most curious.

Verse 2 (skanda.6.27.2)

सूत उवाच। इममर्थं पुरा पृष्टो वासवेन बृहस्पतिः। यथा प्रोवाच विप्रेंद्रास्तद्वो वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम्

sūta uvāca| imamarthaṁ purā pṛṣṭo vāsavena bṛhaspatiḥ| yathā provāca vipreṁdrāstadvo vakṣyāmi sāṁpratam

Suta said: O foremost brahmins, this matter was once asked by Vasava (Indra) of Brihaspati; as he answered, I shall now tell you.

Verse 3 (skanda.6.27.3)

पुरा शक्रं समासीनं सभायां त्रिदशैः सह। सह शच्या महात्मानमुपासांचक्रिरे सुराः

purā śakraṁ samāsīnaṁ sabhāyāṁ tridaśaiḥ saha| saha śacyā mahātmānamupāsāṁcakrire surāḥ

Formerly, the gods, together with the celestials, waited upon the great-souled Shakra, who together with Shachi sat in assembly.

Verse 4 (skanda.6.27.4)

गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव सिद्धविद्याधराश्च ये। गुह्यकाः किंनरा दैत्या राक्षसा उरगास्तथा

gandharvāpsarasaścaiva siddhavidyādharāśca ye| guhyakāḥ kiṁnarā daityā rākṣasā uragāstathā

Gandharvas and apsarases, siddhas and vidyadharas, guhyakas, kinnaras, daityas, rakshasas, and serpents were there.

Verse 5 (skanda.6.27.5)

कलाः काष्ठानिमेषाश्च नक्षत्राणि ग्रहास्तथा। सांगा वेदास्तथा मूर्तास्तीर्थान्यायतनानि च

kalāḥ kāṣṭhānimeṣāśca nakṣatrāṇi grahāstathā| sāṁgā vedāstathā mūrtāstīrthānyāyatanāni ca

The units of time -- kalas, kashthas, nimeshas -- the constellations, the planets, the Vedas with their limbs, and tirthas and shrines in personified form, were also present.

Verse 6 (skanda.6.27.6)

तथा चक्रुः कथाश्चित्रा देवदानवरक्षसाम्। राजर्षीणां पुराणानां ब्रह्मर्षीणां विशेषतः

tathā cakruḥ kathāścitrā devadānavarakṣasām| rājarṣīṇāṁ purāṇānāṁ brahmarṣīṇāṁ viśeṣataḥ

They told various wondrous tales of gods, demons, and rakshasas, of royal seers and ancient lore, and especially of brahmarshis.

Verse 7 (skanda.6.27.7)

कस्मिंश्चिदथ संप्राप्ते प्रस्तावे त्रिदशेश्वरः। पप्रच्छ विनयोपेतो विप्रश्रेष्ठं बृहस्पतिम्

kasmiṁścidatha saṁprāpte prastāve tridaśeśvaraḥ| papraccha vinayopeto vipraśreṣṭhaṁ bṛhaspatim

When a certain topic arose, the lord of the celestials, filled with humility, asked the excellent brahmin Brihaspati --

Verse 8 (skanda.6.27.8)

भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि प्रमाणं युगसंभवम्। माहात्म्यं च स्वरूपं च यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि

bhagavañchrotumicchāmi pramāṇaṁ yugasaṁbhavam| māhātmyaṁ ca svarūpaṁ ca yathāvadvaktumarhasi

'O lord, I wish to hear the measure of the arising of the yugas, and their greatness and their nature; please tell me as it truly is.'

Verse 9 (skanda.6.27.9)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच। अहं ते कीर्तयिष्यामि माहात्म्यं युगसंभवम्। यत्प्रमाणं स्वरूपं च शृणुष्वावहितः स्थितः

bṛhaspatiruvāca| ahaṁ te kīrtayiṣyāmi māhātmyaṁ yugasaṁbhavam| yatpramāṇaṁ svarūpaṁ ca śṛṇuṣvāvahitaḥ sthitaḥ

Brihaspati said: I shall declare to you the greatness of the arising of the yugas -- their measure and nature; listen attentively.

Verse 10 (skanda.6.27.10)

अष्टाविंशतिसहस्राणि लक्षाः सप्तदशैव तु। प्रमाणेन कृतं प्रोक्तं यत्र शुक्लो जनार्दनः

aṣṭāviṁśatisahasrāṇi lakṣāḥ saptadaśaiva tu| pramāṇena kṛtaṁ proktaṁ yatra śuklo janārdanaḥ

Twenty-eight thousand and seventeen lakh years is the declared measure of the Krita Yuga, in which Janardana is white in complexion.

Verse 11 (skanda.6.27.11)

चतुष्पादस्तथा धर्मः सुसंपूर्णा वसुन्धरा। कामक्रोधविनिर्मुक्ता भयद्वेषविवर्जिताः

catuṣpādastathā dharmaḥ susaṁpūrṇā vasundharā| kāmakrodhavinirmuktā bhayadveṣavivarjitāḥ

There, dharma stands on four feet, the earth is fully complete, and men are free from desire and anger, devoid of fear and hatred.

Verse 12 (skanda.6.27.12)

जनाश्चिरायुषस्तत्र शान्तात्मानो जितेन्द्रियाः। पञ्चतालप्रमाणाश्च दीप्तिमन्तो बहुश्रुताः

janāścirāyuṣastatra śāntātmāno jitendriyāḥ| pañcatālapramāṇāśca dīptimanto bahuśrutāḥ

People there are long-lived, tranquil of soul, masters of their senses, five talas in height, radiant, and widely learned.

Verse 13 (skanda.6.27.13)

तत्र षोडशसाहस्रं बालत्वं जायते नृणाम्। ततश्च यौवनं प्रोक्तं द्वात्रिंशद्यावदेव हि

tatra ṣoḍaśasāhasraṁ bālatvaṁ jāyate nṛṇām| tataśca yauvanaṁ proktaṁ dvātriṁśadyāvadeva hi

There, boyhood lasts sixteen thousand years for men; after that, youth is declared to last until thirty-two thousand.

Verse 14 (skanda.6.27.14)

ततः परं च वार्द्धक्यं शनैः संजायते नृणाम्। लक्षांते परमं यावदन्येषामधिकं क्वचित्

tataḥ paraṁ ca vārddhakyaṁ śanaiḥ saṁjāyate nṛṇām| lakṣāṁte paramaṁ yāvadanyeṣāmadhikaṁ kvacit

After that, old age comes on gradually for men, lasting up to the end of a lakh of years; for some it is even more.

Verse 15 (skanda.6.27.15)

तत्र सत्त्वाश्च ये केचित्पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः। दैवीं वाचं प्रजल्पंति न विरोधं व्रजंति च

tatra sattvāśca ye kecitpaśavaḥ pakṣiṇo mṛgāḥ| daivīṁ vācaṁ prajalpaṁti na virodhaṁ vrajaṁti ca

There, whatever creatures exist -- beasts, birds, deer -- speak in a divine tongue, and never fall into mutual conflict.

Verse 16 (skanda.6.27.16)

क्रीडंति नकुलैः सर्पा बिडाला मूषकैः समम्। पञ्चाननैर्मृगा नित्यमुलूकाश्चापि वायसैः

krīḍaṁti nakulaiḥ sarpā biḍālā mūṣakaiḥ samam| pañcānanairmṛgā nityamulūkāścāpi vāyasaiḥ

Serpents play with mongooses, cats with mice, deer with lions, and owls with crows there.

Verse 17 (skanda.6.27.17)

अकृष्टा च मही सस्यं जनयत्यति भूरिशः। व्रीहिमुद्गयवप्रायं सुस्वादु बलवृद्धिदम्

akṛṣṭā ca mahī sasyaṁ janayatyati bhūriśaḥ| vrīhimudgayavaprāyaṁ susvādu balavṛddhidam

The uncultivated earth of itself produces grain in great abundance -- rice, mung beans, and barley mostly -- sweet and strength-giving.

Verse 18 (skanda.6.27.18)

सर्वर्तुफलिनो वृक्षाः सपुष्पफलधारिणः। सुपत्राः कंटकैर्हीनाः कल्पपादपसंनिभाः

sarvartuphalino vṛkṣāḥ sapuṣpaphaladhāriṇaḥ| supatrāḥ kaṁṭakairhīnāḥ kalpapādapasaṁnibhāḥ

Trees bear fruit in every season, laden with both flowers and fruit, well-leaved, thornless, resembling wish-fulfilling trees.

Verse 19 (skanda.6.27.19)

धेनवश्च प्रयच्छंति वांछितं स्वादु सत्पयः। सर्वेष्वपि हि कालेषु भूरि सर्प्पिःप्रदं नृणाम्

dhenavaśca prayacchaṁti vāṁchitaṁ svādu satpayaḥ| sarveṣvapi hi kāleṣu bhūri sarppiḥpradaṁ nṛṇām

Cows yield the sweet, desired milk, and at all times give abundant ghee to men.

Verse 20 (skanda.6.27.20)

न तत्र विधवा नारी जायते न च दुर्भगा। काकवंध्या सुतैर्हीना न च शीलविवर्जिता

na tatra vidhavā nārī jāyate na ca durbhagā| kākavaṁdhyā sutairhīnā na ca śīlavivarjitā

No woman there becomes a widow, or unfortunate; none is entirely childless, bereft of sons, or devoid of virtue.

Verse 21 (skanda.6.27.21)

यथाजन्म तथा मृत्युः क्रमात्संजायते नृणाम्। न वीक्षते पिता पुत्रं मृतं क्वापि कदाचन

yathājanma tathā mṛtyuḥ kramātsaṁjāyate nṛṇām| na vīkṣate pitā putraṁ mṛtaṁ kvāpi kadācana

Death occurs for men in the same order as their birth; a father never, anywhere, sees his son dead before him.

Verse 22 (skanda.6.27.22)

न प्रेतत्वं च लोकानां मृतानां तत्र जायते। न चापि नरके वासो न च रोगव्यथा क्वचित्

na pretatvaṁ ca lokānāṁ mṛtānāṁ tatra jāyate| na cāpi narake vāso na ca rogavyathā kvacit

No preta (ghost) state arises for the dead of that world; there is no dwelling in hell, nor any suffering from disease anywhere.

Verse 23 (skanda.6.27.23)

वेदांतगा द्विजाः सर्वे नित्यं स्वाध्यायशीलिनः। वेदव्याख्यानसंहृष्टा ब्रह्मज्ञानविचक्षणाः

vedāṁtagā dvijāḥ sarve nityaṁ svādhyāyaśīlinaḥ| vedavyākhyānasaṁhṛṣṭā brahmajñānavicakṣaṇāḥ

All the twice-born there are versed in the Vedanta, ever devoted to Vedic study, delighted in expounding the Veda, and skilled in the knowledge of Brahman.

Verse 24 (skanda.6.27.24)

क्षत्रियाश्चापि भूपालमेकं कृत्वा सुभक्तितः। तदादेशात्प्रभुंजंति महीं धर्मेण नित्यशः

kṣatriyāścāpi bhūpālamekaṁ kṛtvā subhaktitaḥ| tadādeśātprabhuṁjaṁti mahīṁ dharmeṇa nityaśaḥ

Kshatriyas too, having made one king their lord with true devotion, ever enjoy the earth righteously at his command.

Verse 25 (skanda.6.27.25)

वैश्या वैश्यजनार्हाणि चक्रुः कर्माणि भूरिशः। पशुपालनपूर्वाणि क्रयविक्रयजानि च

vaiśyā vaiśyajanārhāṇi cakruḥ karmāṇi bhūriśaḥ| paśupālanapūrvāṇi krayavikrayajāni ca

Vaishyas perform in abundance the deeds proper to their class -- chiefly cattle-rearing, and buying and selling.

Verse 26 (skanda.6.27.26)

मुक्त्वैकां द्विजशुश्रूषा न शूद्रास्तत्र चक्रिरे। किंचित्कर्म सुरश्रेष्ठ श्रद्धया परया युताः

muktvaikāṁ dvijaśuśrūṣā na śūdrāstatra cakrire| kiṁcitkarma suraśreṣṭha śraddhayā parayā yutāḥ

O best of gods, except for service to the twice-born, shudras there perform no other work, being filled with the highest faith.

Verse 27 (skanda.6.27.27)

न तत्र चांत्यजो जज्ञे न च संकरसंभवः। नापवित्रो न वर्णानां पञ्चमो दृश्यते भुवि

na tatra cāṁtyajo jajñe na ca saṁkarasaṁbhavaḥ| nāpavitro na varṇānāṁ pañcamo dṛśyate bhuvi

No outcaste is born there, nor any mixed-caste birth; no impure fifth class among the varnas is seen upon the earth.

Verse 28 (skanda.6.27.28)

यजनं याजनं दानं व्रतं नियम एव च। तीर्थयात्रां नरास्तत्र निष्कामा एव कुर्वते

yajanaṁ yājanaṁ dānaṁ vrataṁ niyama eva ca| tīrthayātrāṁ narāstatra niṣkāmā eva kurvate

Men there perform sacrifice, officiate at sacrifice, give gifts, observe vows and rules, and undertake tirtha-pilgrimage, entirely free of desire.

Verse 29 (skanda.6.27.29)

एवंविधं सहस्राक्ष मया ते परिकीर्तितम्। आद्यं कृतयुगं पुण्यं सर्वलोकसुखावहम्

evaṁvidhaṁ sahasrākṣa mayā te parikīrtitam| ādyaṁ kṛtayugaṁ puṇyaṁ sarvalokasukhāvaham

Thus, O thousand-eyed one, I have described to you the first, meritorious Krita Yuga, bringing happiness to all the worlds.

Verse 30 (skanda.6.27.30)

ततस्त्रेतायुगं नाम द्वितीयं संप्रवर्तते। वर्षाणां षण्णवत्याढ्या लक्षा द्वादश संख्यया

tatastretāyugaṁ nāma dvitīyaṁ saṁpravartate| varṣāṇāṁ ṣaṇṇavatyāḍhyā lakṣā dvādaśa saṁkhyayā

Then follows the second yuga, named Treta, of twelve lakh and ninety-six thousand years in duration.

Verse 31 (skanda.6.27.31)

सोऽपि साक्षाजगन्नाथः श्वेतद्वीपाश्रयाश्रितः। तत्र रक्तत्वमायाति भगवान्गरुडध्वजः

so'pi sākṣājagannāthaḥ śvetadvīpāśrayāśritaḥ| tatra raktatvamāyāti bhagavāngaruḍadhvajaḥ

That same Lord of the World, dwelling in Shveta-dvipa, the Lord bearing the Garuda banner, becomes red in complexion there.

Verse 32 (skanda.6.27.32)

त्रिपादस्तत्र धर्मः स्यात्पादेनैकेन पातकम्। तेनापि जायते स्पर्द्धा वर्णानामितरेतरम्

tripādastatra dharmaḥ syātpādenaikena pātakam| tenāpi jāyate sparddhā varṇānāmitaretaram

Dharma there stands on three feet, and sin on one; from this too rivalry begins to arise among the classes.

Verse 33 (skanda.6.27.33)

ततः फलानि वांछंति तीर्थयात्रोद्भवानि ते। व्रतानां नियमानां च स्वर्गवासादिहेतवः

tataḥ phalāni vāṁchaṁti tīrthayātrodbhavāni te| vratānāṁ niyamānāṁ ca svargavāsādihetavaḥ

Then they begin to desire the fruits arising from tirtha-pilgrimage, vows, and observances, as means to dwelling in heaven and the like.

Verse 34 (skanda.6.27.34)

ततः कामवशान्मोहं सर्वे गच्छंति मानवाः। मोहाद्द्रोहं ततो गत्वा पापं कुर्वंत्यनुक्रमात्

tataḥ kāmavaśānmohaṁ sarve gacchaṁti mānavāḥ| mohāddrohaṁ tato gatvā pāpaṁ kurvaṁtyanukramāt

Then, overcome by desire, all men fall into delusion; from delusion they proceed to betrayal, and thence commit sin in due order.

Verse 35 (skanda.6.27.35)

ततस्तु रौरवादीनि नरकाणि यमः स्वयम्। सज्जीकरोति देवेन्द्र ह्येकविंशतिसंख्यया

tatastu rauravādīni narakāṇi yamaḥ svayam| sajjīkaroti devendra hyekaviṁśatisaṁkhyayā

Then, O lord of the gods, Yama himself readies the hells beginning with Raurava, twenty-one in number.

Verse 36 (skanda.6.27.36)

कर्मानुसारतस्तानि सेवयंति नराधमाः। केचिदन्ये महेन्द्रादिलोकान्मोक्षं तथा परे

karmānusāratastāni sevayaṁti narādhamāḥ| kecidanye mahendrādilokānmokṣaṁ tathā pare

According to their deeds, the basest of men undergo them; some others attain worlds like Mahendra's, and others liberation.

Verse 37 (skanda.6.27.37)

त्रिविधाः पुरुषास्तत्र श्रेष्ठाश्चाधममध्यमाः। त्रिविधानि च कर्माणि प्रकुर्वंति सुरेश्वर

trividhāḥ puruṣāstatra śreṣṭhāścādhamamadhyamāḥ| trividhāni ca karmāṇi prakurvaṁti sureśvara

O lord of the gods, three kinds of men exist there -- the best, the worst, and the middling -- and they perform three kinds of deeds.

Verse 38 (skanda.6.27.38)

उन्नतास्तालमात्रेण तेजोवीर्यसमन्विताः। चक्रुश्च कृषिकर्माणि वैश्याश्चैवान्नलिप्सया

unnatāstālamātreṇa tejovīryasamanvitāḥ| cakruśca kṛṣikarmāṇi vaiśyāścaivānnalipsayā

Men of a tala's height, endowed with vigor and strength, and vaishyas too, performed farming in their desire for food.

Verse 39 (skanda.6.27.39)

उप्तक्षेत्रं सकृच्चापि सप्तवारं लुनंति ते। यथर्तु फलिनो वृक्षा यथर्तु कुसुमान्विताः

uptakṣetraṁ sakṛccāpi saptavāraṁ lunaṁti te| yathartu phalino vṛkṣā yathartu kusumānvitāḥ

Having sown a field once, they reap it seven times; trees bear fruit according to the season, and flowers according to the season.

Verse 40 (skanda.6.27.40)

यथर्तु पत्रसंयुक्तास्तत्र स्युः सुमनोहराः। अग्निष्टोमादिका यज्ञाः प्रवर्तंते सहस्रशः

yathartu patrasaṁyuktāstatra syuḥ sumanoharāḥ| agniṣṭomādikā yajñāḥ pravartaṁte sahasraśaḥ

They bear leaves according to the season, most beautiful; and sacrifices like the Agnishtoma proceed by the thousands.

Verse 41 (skanda.6.27.41)

इतरेतरसंस्पर्धैः क्रियमाणा नृपोत्तमैः। ब्राह्मणैश्च सुरश्रेष्ठ स्वर्गलोकमभीप्सुभिः

itaretarasaṁspardhaiḥ kriyamāṇā nṛpottamaiḥ| brāhmaṇaiśca suraśreṣṭha svargalokamabhīpsubhiḥ

O best of gods, they are performed in mutual rivalry by excellent kings and by brahmins, all desiring the heavenly world.

Verse 42 (skanda.6.27.42)

तीर्थयात्रां व्रतं दानं नियमं संयमं तथा। परलोकमभीप्संतस्तत्र कुर्वंति मानवाः

tīrthayātrāṁ vrataṁ dānaṁ niyamaṁ saṁyamaṁ tathā| paralokamabhīpsaṁtastatra kurvaṁti mānavāḥ

Desiring the other world, men there perform tirtha-pilgrimage, vows, gifts, observance, and self-restraint.

Verse 43 (skanda.6.27.43)

सहस्रेण तु वर्षाणां तत्र स्याद्यौवनं नृणाम्। सहस्रपञ्चकं यावदूर्ध्वं वार्द्धकमुच्यते

sahasreṇa tu varṣāṇāṁ tatra syādyauvanaṁ nṛṇām| sahasrapañcakaṁ yāvadūrdhvaṁ vārddhakamucyate

There, youth lasts for men for a thousand years; beyond that, up to five thousand more, is called old age.

Verse 44 (skanda.6.27.44)

रजकश्चर्मकारश्च नटो बुरुड एव च। कैवर्त्तमेदभिल्लाश्च चंडालाः शूद्रमानवाः

rajakaścarmakāraśca naṭo buruḍa eva ca| kaivarttamedabhillāśca caṁḍālāḥ śūdramānavāḥ

Washermen, leatherworkers, actors, basket-weavers, fishermen, medaks, bhils, chandalas, and other lowly humans --

Verse 45 (skanda.6.27.45)

संभवंति युगे तस्मिन्यो निसंसर्गतो विभो। तथान्ये संख्यया हीना एतेभ्यो निंदिता नराः

saṁbhavaṁti yuge tasminyo nisaṁsargato vibho| tathānye saṁkhyayā hīnā etebhyo niṁditā narāḥ

O lord, these arise in that age from illicit mixing (of castes); and other men, fewer in number, even more despised than these, arise too.

Verse 46 (skanda.6.27.46)

इन्द्र उवाच। उत्पत्तिः कथमेतेषामंत्यजानां द्विजोत्तम। यथावद्वद कार्त्स्न्येन अत्र कौतूहलं महत्

indra uvāca| utpattiḥ kathameteṣāmaṁtyajānāṁ dvijottama| yathāvadvada kārtsnyena atra kautūhalaṁ mahat

Indra said: O best of brahmins, how do these outcastes arise? Tell me this fully and properly -- I am most curious about it.

Verse 47 (skanda.6.27.47)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच। एतेषामष्टधा सृष्टिर्जायतेंऽत्यजसंभवा। योनिदोषात्सुरश्रेष्ठ जातेर्वक्ष्याम्यहं स्फुटम्

bṛhaspatiruvāca| eteṣāmaṣṭadhā sṛṣṭirjāyateṁ'tyajasaṁbhavā| yonidoṣātsuraśreṣṭha jātervakṣyāmyahaṁ sphuṭam

Brihaspati said: O best of gods, the origin of these outcastes is eightfold, arising from a fault of the womb; I shall tell you their lineage clearly.

Verse 48 (skanda.6.27.48)

ब्राह्मण्यां क्षत्रियाज्जातः सूत इत्यभिधीयते। सूतेन रजकश्चैव रजकेन च चर्मकृत्

brāhmaṇyāṁ kṣatriyājjātaḥ sūta ityabhidhīyate| sūtena rajakaścaiva rajakena ca carmakṛt

One born to a brahmin woman by a kshatriya is called a Suta; from a Suta comes a washerman, and from a washerman a leatherworker.

Verse 49 (skanda.6.27.49)

चर्मकारेण संजज्ञे नटश्चांत्यजसंज्ञकः। चत्वारः क्षेत्रसंभूता एते क्षेत्रे द्विजन्मनाम्

carmakāreṇa saṁjajñe naṭaścāṁtyajasaṁjñakaḥ| catvāraḥ kṣetrasaṁbhūtā ete kṣetre dvijanmanām

From a leatherworker is born an actor, called an outcaste; these four arise from the wombs of twice-born women.

Verse 50 (skanda.6.27.50)

तथा च मागधो जज्ञे वैश्येन द्विजसंभवे। क्षेत्रे मागधवीर्येण बुरुडो मरुदुत्तम

tathā ca māgadho jajñe vaiśyena dvijasaṁbhave| kṣetre māgadhavīryeṇa buruḍo maruduttama

O best of the Maruts, likewise a Magadha is born to a vaishya woman by a brahmin, and from a Magadha's seed a buruda (basket-weaver) is born.

Verse 51 (skanda.6.27.51)

बुरुडेन च कैवर्तः कैवर्तेन च मेदकः। चत्वारो वैश्यसंभूता एते क्षेत्रे द्विजन्मनाम्। प्रजायन्ते सुरश्रेष्ठ सवकर्मसु गर्हिताः

buruḍena ca kaivartaḥ kaivartena ca medakaḥ| catvāro vaiśyasaṁbhūtā ete kṣetre dvijanmanām| prajāyante suraśreṣṭha savakarmasu garhitāḥ

From a buruda a Kaivarta is born, and from a Kaivarta a Medaka; these four, O best of gods, arise from a vaishya woman in a twice-born's womb, and are despised in their occupations.

Verse 52 (skanda.6.27.52)

तथा शूद्रेण संजज्ञे ब्राह्मण्यां सुरसत्तम। भिल्लाख्यश्चापि भिल्लेन चंडालश्च प्रजायते

tathā śūdreṇa saṁjajñe brāhmaṇyāṁ surasattama| bhillākhyaścāpi bhillena caṁḍālaśca prajāyate

O best of gods, likewise, by a shudra upon a brahmin woman, one called a Bhilla is born; and from a Bhilla a Chandala is born.

Verse 53 (skanda.6.27.53)

एतौ द्वावपि शूद्रेण भवतो द्विजसंभवे। क्षेत्रे सर्वसुराधीश सत्यमेतन्मयोदितम्

etau dvāvapi śūdreṇa bhavato dvijasaṁbhave| kṣetre sarvasurādhīśa satyametanmayoditam

O lord of all gods, both of these arise through a shudra upon a twice-born woman's womb -- this truth I have declared to you.

Verse 54 (skanda.6.27.54)

एतत्त्रेतायुगे प्रोक्तं मया ते सुरसत्तम। आकर्णय प्रयत्नेन द्वापरस्याधुना स्थितिम्

etattretāyuge proktaṁ mayā te surasattama| ākarṇaya prayatnena dvāparasyādhunā sthitim

This has been declared to you, O best of gods, concerning the Treta Yuga; now hear attentively the condition of the Dvapara.

Verse 55 (skanda.6.27.55)

लक्षाष्टकप्रमाणेन तद्युगं परिकीर्तितम्। चतुःषष्टिसहस्राणि वर्षाणां परिसंख्यया। कपिशो जायते तत्र भगवान्गरुडध्वजः

lakṣāṣṭakapramāṇena tadyugaṁ parikīrtitam| catuḥṣaṣṭisahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṁ parisaṁkhyayā| kapiśo jāyate tatra bhagavāngaruḍadhvajaḥ

That yuga is proclaimed to be of eight lakh and sixty-four thousand years' duration; there the Lord bearing the Garuda banner becomes tawny in complexion.

Verse 56 (skanda.6.27.56)

द्वौ पादौ चैव धर्मस्य द्वौ पापस्य व्यवस्थितौ। तत्र स्याद्यौवनं नृणां गते वर्षशतेऽखिले

dvau pādau caiva dharmasya dvau pāpasya vyavasthitau| tatra syādyauvanaṁ nṛṇāṁ gate varṣaśate'khile

There two feet belong to dharma, and two to sin; there, youth for men comes only after a full hundred years have passed.

Verse 57 (skanda.6.27.57)

ततोऽन्यैः समतिक्रांतैर्वार्धक्यं पञ्चभिः शतैः। तत्र सत्यानृता लोका देवा भूपास्तथा परे

tato'nyaiḥ samatikrāṁtairvārdhakyaṁ pañcabhiḥ śataiḥ| tatra satyānṛtā lokā devā bhūpāstathā pare

After another five hundred years have passed, old age comes; there people, gods, kings, and others are a mixture of truth and falsehood.

Verse 58 (skanda.6.27.58)

नार्यश्चापि सुरश्रेष्ठ तत्स्वरूपाः प्रकीर्तिताः। पंचहस्तप्रमाणेन चतुर्हस्तास्तथा परं

nāryaścāpi suraśreṣṭha tatsvarūpāḥ prakīrtitāḥ| paṁcahastapramāṇena caturhastāstathā paraṁ

O best of gods, women too are described as of that same mixed nature -- some five hastas in height, others four hastas.

Verse 59 (skanda.6.27.59)

नातिरूपेण संयुक्ता न च रूपविवर्जिताः। अव्यक्तजल्पकाश्चापि पशवः पक्षिणो मृगाः

nātirūpeṇa saṁyuktā na ca rūpavivarjitāḥ| avyaktajalpakāścāpi paśavaḥ pakṣiṇo mṛgāḥ

They are neither excessively beautiful nor devoid of beauty; and beasts, birds, and deer speak in an indistinct tongue.

Verse 60 (skanda.6.27.60)

नातिपुष्पफलैर्युक्ता वृक्षाश्चापि सुरेश्वर। सस्यानि तानि जायन्ते तत्र चोप्तानि कर्षुकैः

nātipuṣpaphalairyuktā vṛkṣāścāpi sureśvara| sasyāni tāni jāyante tatra coptāni karṣukaiḥ

O lord of the gods, trees too are not richly laden with flowers and fruit; crops there grow only when sown by farmers.

Verse 61 (skanda.6.27.61)

वर्षंति जलदाः कामं भवन्त्योषधयोऽखिलाः। यत्किंचिद्भूतले ज्ञानं शास्त्रं वा सुरसत्तम। तत्तत्र समभावेन न सत्यं नैव चानृतम्

varṣaṁti jaladāḥ kāmaṁ bhavantyoṣadhayo'khilāḥ| yatkiṁcidbhūtale jñānaṁ śāstraṁ vā surasattama| tattatra samabhāvena na satyaṁ naiva cānṛtam

The clouds rain as desired, and all the herbs grow; O best of gods, whatever knowledge or scripture exists on earth is there in equal balance -- neither wholly true nor wholly false.

Verse 62 (skanda.6.27.62)

तीर्थानां च मखानां च द्वापरे सुरसत्तम। फलं भावानुरूपेण दानानां च प्रजायते

tīrthānāṁ ca makhānāṁ ca dvāpare surasattama| phalaṁ bhāvānurūpeṇa dānānāṁ ca prajāyate

O best of gods, in the Dvapara, the fruit of tirthas, sacrifices, and gifts arises in proportion to the inner disposition of the doer.

Verse 63 (skanda.6.27.63)

एतत्तव समाख्यातं युगं द्वापरसंज्ञकम्। मया सर्वं सुराधीश यथादृष्टं यथा श्रुतम्

etattava samākhyātaṁ yugaṁ dvāparasaṁjñakam| mayā sarvaṁ surādhīśa yathādṛṣṭaṁ yathā śrutam

O lord of the gods, this has all been declared to you, the yuga named Dvapara, exactly as I have seen and heard it.

Verse 64 (skanda.6.27.64)

शृणुष्वावहितो भूत्वा वदतो मम सांप्रतम्। रौद्रं कलियुगंनाम यत्र कृष्णो जनार्दनः

śṛṇuṣvāvahito bhūtvā vadato mama sāṁpratam| raudraṁ kaliyugaṁnāma yatra kṛṣṇo janārdanaḥ

Listen attentively to what I now say -- the terrible age called Kali, in which Janardana is Krishna, dark of complexion.

Verse 65 (skanda.6.27.65)

द्वात्रिंशच्च सहस्राणि वर्षाणां कथितं विभो। तथा लक्षचतुष्केण साधुलोकविवर्जितम्

dvātriṁśacca sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṁ kathitaṁ vibho| tathā lakṣacatuṣkeṇa sādhulokavivarjitam

O lord, its declared duration is four lakh and thirty-two thousand years, and it is devoid of good people.

Verse 66 (skanda.6.27.66)

तत्रैकपादयुक्तश्च धर्मः पापं त्रिभिः स्मृतम्। पूर्वार्धेभ्यः परं सर्वं संभविष्यति पातकम्

tatraikapādayuktaśca dharmaḥ pāpaṁ tribhiḥ smṛtam| pūrvārdhebhyaḥ paraṁ sarvaṁ saṁbhaviṣyati pātakam

There dharma has but one foot, and sin is remembered as having three; beyond its first half, all that follows will be entirely sin.

Verse 67 (skanda.6.27.67)

न शृण्वंति पितुः पुत्रा न स्नुषा भ्रातरो न च। न भृत्या न कलत्राणि यत्र द्वेषः परस्परम्

na śṛṇvaṁti pituḥ putrā na snuṣā bhrātaro na ca| na bhṛtyā na kalatrāṇi yatra dveṣaḥ parasparam

Sons will not heed their fathers there, nor daughters-in-law, nor brothers, nor servants, nor wives -- there will be mutual hatred everywhere.

Verse 68 (skanda.6.27.68)

यत्र षोडशमे वर्षे नराः पलितयौवनाः। तत्र द्वादशमे वर्षे गर्भं धास्यति चांगना

yatra ṣoḍaśame varṣe narāḥ palitayauvanāḥ| tatra dvādaśame varṣe garbhaṁ dhāsyati cāṁganā

Where, at the sixteenth year, men will already appear gray-haired as if aged, there a woman will conceive as early as her twelfth year.

Verse 69 (skanda.6.27.69)

आयुः परं मनुष्याणां शतसंख्यं सुरेश्वर। नागानां च तरूणां च वर्षाणां यत्र नाधिकम्

āyuḥ paraṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ śatasaṁkhyaṁ sureśvara| nāgānāṁ ca tarūṇāṁ ca varṣāṇāṁ yatra nādhikam

O lord of the gods, the maximum lifespan of men will be a hundred years; and for serpents and trees, their years will not exceed that.

Verse 70 (skanda.6.27.70)

द्वात्रिंशद्धयमुख्यानां चतुर्विंशतिः खरोष्ट्रयोः। अजानां षोडश प्रोक्तं शुनां द्वादशसंख्यया

dvātriṁśaddhayamukhyānāṁ caturviṁśatiḥ kharoṣṭrayoḥ| ajānāṁ ṣoḍaśa proktaṁ śunāṁ dvādaśasaṁkhyayā

For the best of horses, thirty-two years; for donkeys and camels, twenty-four; for goats, sixteen is declared; and for dogs, twelve years.

Verse 71 (skanda.6.27.71)

चतुष्पदानामन्येषां विंशतिः पंचभिर्युता। यत्र काकाश्च गृध्राश्च कौशिकाश्चिरजीविनः

catuṣpadānāmanyeṣāṁ viṁśatiḥ paṁcabhiryutā| yatra kākāśca gṛdhrāśca kauśikāścirajīvinaḥ

For other quadrupeds, twenty-five years; where crows, vultures, and owls alone will be long-lived.

Verse 72 (skanda.6.27.72)

तथा पापपरा लोका दुःस्थिताश्च विशेषतः। तथा कण्टकिनो वृक्षा रूक्षाः पुष्पफलच्युताः। सेवितास्तेऽपि गृध्राद्यैर्यत्र च्छायाविवर्जिताः

tathā pāpaparā lokā duḥsthitāśca viśeṣataḥ| tathā kaṇṭakino vṛkṣā rūkṣāḥ puṣpaphalacyutāḥ| sevitāste'pi gṛdhrādyairyatra cchāyāvivarjitāḥ

And people will be especially given to sin and afflicted; and trees will be thorny, harsh, shedding their flowers and fruit, frequented even by vultures, and devoid of shade.

Verse 73 (skanda.6.27.73)

यत्र धर्मो ह्यधर्मेण पीड्यते सुरसत्तम। असत्येन तथा सत्यं भूपाश्चौरैः सदैव तु

yatra dharmo hyadharmeṇa pīḍyate surasattama| asatyena tathā satyaṁ bhūpāścauraiḥ sadaiva tu

O best of gods, where dharma will be oppressed by adharma, truth by falsehood, and kings ever by thieves.

Verse 74 (skanda.6.27.74)

गुरवश्च तथा शिष्यैः स्त्रीभिश्च पुरुषाधमाः। स्वामिनो भृत्यवर्गैश्च मूर्खैश्चापि बहुश्रुताः

guravaśca tathā śiṣyaiḥ strībhiśca puruṣādhamāḥ| svāmino bhṛtyavargaiśca mūrkhaiścāpi bahuśrutāḥ

Gurus will be oppressed by their disciples, base men by women; masters by their servants, and the learned even by fools.

Verse 75 (skanda.6.27.75)

यत्र सीदंति धर्मिष्ठा नराः सत्यपरायणाः। दान्ता विवेकिनः शान्तास्तथा परहिते रताः

yatra sīdaṁti dharmiṣṭhā narāḥ satyaparāyaṇāḥ| dāntā vivekinaḥ śāntāstathā parahite ratāḥ

Where righteous men, devoted to truth, self-controlled, discerning, tranquil, and devoted to others' welfare, will languish.

Verse 76 (skanda.6.27.76)

आधयो व्याधयश्चैव तथा पीडा महाद्भुता। सदैव संस्थिता यत्र साधुपीडनवांछया

ādhayo vyādhayaścaiva tathā pīḍā mahādbhutā| sadaiva saṁsthitā yatra sādhupīḍanavāṁchayā

Where mental and physical afflictions, and wondrous, great suffering, will ever be present, with the desire to torment the good.

Verse 77 (skanda.6.27.77)

अल्पायुषस्तथा मर्त्या जायंते वर्णसंकरात्। ये केचन प्रजीवंति दुःखेन ते समन्विताः

alpāyuṣastathā martyā jāyaṁte varṇasaṁkarāt| ye kecana prajīvaṁti duḥkhena te samanvitāḥ

Short-lived mortals will be born from the mixing of castes; whoever manage to live on will do so accompanied by suffering.

Verse 78 (skanda.6.27.78)

न वर्षति घनः काले संप्राप्तेऽपि यथोचिते। न सस्यं स्यात्सुवृष्टेऽपि कर्षुकस्यापि वांछितम्

na varṣati ghanaḥ kāle saṁprāpte'pi yathocite| na sasyaṁ syātsuvṛṣṭe'pi karṣukasyāpi vāṁchitam

The rain-cloud will not rain even when the proper season has come; even with good rain there will be no grain as the farmer desires.

Verse 79 (skanda.6.27.79)

न च क्षीरप्रदा गावो यद्यपि स्युः सुपोषिताः। न भवंति प्रभूताश्च यत्नेनापि सुरक्षिताः

na ca kṣīrapradā gāvo yadyapi syuḥ supoṣitāḥ| na bhavaṁti prabhūtāśca yatnenāpi surakṣitāḥ

Cows, even if well-nourished, will not yield milk; nor will they multiply, even if carefully protected.

Verse 80 (skanda.6.27.80)

आविकानां तथोष्ट्रीणां यत्र क्षीरप्रशंसकाः। लोका भवंति निःश्रीकास्तथा ये च मलिम्लुचाः

āvikānāṁ tathoṣṭrīṇāṁ yatra kṣīrapraśaṁsakāḥ| lokā bhavaṁti niḥśrīkāstathā ye ca malimlucāḥ

Where those who praise the milk of ewes and she-camels will become bereft of fortune, and thieves likewise.

Verse 81 (skanda.6.27.81)

तथा तपस्विनः शूद्राः शूद्रा धर्मपरायणाः। शूद्रा वेदविचारज्ञा यज्ञकर्मणि चोद्यताः

tathā tapasvinaḥ śūdrāḥ śūdrā dharmaparāyaṇāḥ| śūdrā vedavicārajñā yajñakarmaṇi codyatāḥ

Shudras will be ascetics, shudras devoted to dharma, shudras versed in Vedic discourse, and engaged in sacrificial rites.

Verse 82 (skanda.6.27.82)

शूद्राः प्रतिग्रहीतारः शूद्रा दानप्रदास्तथा। शूद्राश्चापि तथा वन्द्याः शूद्रास्तीर्थेषु संस्थिताः

śūdrāḥ pratigrahītāraḥ śūdrā dānapradāstathā| śūdrāścāpi tathā vandyāḥ śūdrāstīrtheṣu saṁsthitāḥ

Shudras will be recipients of gifts, and shudras givers of gifts likewise; shudras will be venerated, and shudras established at tirthas.

Verse 83 (skanda.6.27.83)

पंचगर्तान्खनंत्येव मृत्युकाले नराधमाः। शिरसा हस्तपादाभ्यां मोहात्संनष्टचेतनाः

paṁcagartānkhanaṁtyeva mṛtyukāle narādhamāḥ| śirasā hastapādābhyāṁ mohātsaṁnaṣṭacetanāḥ

At the time of death, base men, their consciousness lost to delusion, will dig five pits with their head, hands, and feet.

Verse 84 (skanda.6.27.84)

वेदविक्रयकर्तारो ब्राह्मणाः शौचवर्जिताः

vedavikrayakartāro brāhmaṇāḥ śaucavarjitāḥ

Brahmins will be sellers of the Veda, devoid of purity.

Verse 85 (skanda.6.27.85)

स्वाध्यायरहिताश्चैव शूद्रान्ननिरताः सदा। असत्प्रतिग्रहाः प्रायो जिह्वालौल्यसमुत्सुकाः

svādhyāyarahitāścaiva śūdrānnaniratāḥ sadā| asatpratigrahāḥ prāyo jihvālaulyasamutsukāḥ

Devoid of Vedic study, ever intent on eating food from shudras, they will mostly accept improper gifts, eager for the pleasures of the tongue.

Verse 86 (skanda.6.27.86)

पाखंडिनो विकर्मस्थाः परदारोपजीविनः। कार्यकारणमाश्रित्य यत्र स्नेहः प्रजायते

pākhaṁḍino vikarmasthāḥ paradāropajīvinaḥ| kāryakāraṇamāśritya yatra snehaḥ prajāyate

They will be heretics, engaged in forbidden acts, living off others' wives; where affection too will arise only when grounded in some purpose or gain.

Verse 87 (skanda.6.27.87)

न स्वभावात्सहस्राक्ष कथंचिदपि देहिनाम्। यास्यंति म्लेच्छभावं च सर्वे वर्णा द्विजातयः

na svabhāvātsahasrākṣa kathaṁcidapi dehinām| yāsyaṁti mlecchabhāvaṁ ca sarve varṇā dvijātayaḥ

O thousand-eyed one, no embodied being will feel natural affection in any way; and all the twice-born of every varna will take on a barbarian nature.

Verse 88 (skanda.6.27.88)

नष्टोत्सवाविधर्माणो नित्यं संकरकारकाः। सार्धहस्तत्रयाः पूर्वं भविष्यंति युगादितः

naṣṭotsavāvidharmāṇo nityaṁ saṁkarakārakāḥ| sārdhahastatrayāḥ pūrvaṁ bhaviṣyaṁti yugāditaḥ

Devoid of festivals, unrighteous, ever causing intermixture of castes -- men will at first, from the beginning of the age, be three and a half hastas tall.

Verse 89 (skanda.6.27.89)

ततो ह्रासं प्रयास्यंति वृद्धिं याति कलौ युगे। भविष्यंति ततश्चांते मनुष्या बिलशायिनः

tato hrāsaṁ prayāsyaṁti vṛddhiṁ yāti kalau yuge| bhaviṣyaṁti tataścāṁte manuṣyā bilaśāyinaḥ

Then they will decrease in height, as the Kali age advances; and at the very end, men will become dwellers in burrows.

Verse 90 (skanda.6.27.90)

अल्पत्वाद्दुर्लभत्वाच्च अशक्ता गृहकर्मणि। भविष्यंत्यफला यज्ञास्तथा वेदव्रतानि च

alpatvāddurlabhatvācca aśaktā gṛhakarmaṇi| bhaviṣyaṁtyaphalā yajñāstathā vedavratāni ca

Because of their smallness and scarcity, incapable of household duties, sacrifices and Vedic vows too will become fruitless.

Verse 91 (skanda.6.27.91)

नियमाः संयमाः सर्वे मंत्रवादास्तथैव च। तीर्थानि म्लेच्छसंस्पर्शाद्दूषितानि शतक्रतो

niyamāḥ saṁyamāḥ sarve maṁtravādāstathaiva ca| tīrthāni mlecchasaṁsparśāddūṣitāni śatakrato

O Shatakratu, all observances, restraints, and mantric practices, as well as tirthas, will be corrupted by contact with mlecchas.

Verse 92 (skanda.6.27.92)

स्वस्वभावविहीनानि हीनानि च तथा जलैः। कुत्सिता मंत्रवादा ये कुत्सिताश्च तपस्विनः

svasvabhāvavihīnāni hīnāni ca tathā jalaiḥ| kutsitā maṁtravādā ye kutsitāśca tapasvinaḥ

They will be devoid of their proper nature, and diminished even in their waters; mantric rites will be despised, and ascetics too will be despised.

Verse 93 (skanda.6.27.93)

तत्र ते संभविष्यंति कुत्सिता ये च मानवाः। कुलीनमपि संत्यज्य वरं रूपवयोन्वितम्

tatra te saṁbhaviṣyaṁti kutsitā ye ca mānavāḥ| kulīnamapi saṁtyajya varaṁ rūpavayonvitam

Despicable men will be born there; and, forsaking even a well-born groom endowed with beauty and youth --

Verse 94 (skanda.6.27.94)

वित्तलोभात्प्रदास्यंति कुत्सिताय नराः सुताम्। कन्यकाः प्रसविष्यंति कन्यकाः सुरतोत्सुकाः

vittalobhātpradāsyaṁti kutsitāya narāḥ sutām| kanyakāḥ prasaviṣyaṁti kanyakāḥ suratotsukāḥ

men, out of greed for wealth, will give their daughters to despicable men. Girls will bear (further) girls already eager for lovemaking.

Verse 95 (skanda.6.27.95)

कन्यकाः प्रकरिष्यंति पुरुषैः सह संगतिम्। भर्तारं वंचयिष्यंति कुलीना अपि योषितः

kanyakāḥ prakariṣyaṁti puruṣaiḥ saha saṁgatim| bhartāraṁ vaṁcayiṣyaṁti kulīnā api yoṣitaḥ

Girls will consort with men freely; even well-born women will deceive their husbands.

Verse 96 (skanda.6.27.96)

सर्वकृत्येषु दुःशीलाः सुयत्नेनापि रक्षिताः। निर्दयाश्चापि भूपालाः पीडयिष्यंति कर्षुकान्

sarvakṛtyeṣu duḥśīlāḥ suyatnenāpi rakṣitāḥ| nirdayāścāpi bhūpālāḥ pīḍayiṣyaṁti karṣukān

Ill-behaved women in all their duties, even when carefully guarded; and merciless kings will oppress the farmers.

Verse 97 (skanda.6.27.97)

पीडयिष्यंति निर्दोषान्वित्तलोभादसंशयम्। वधार्हमपि संप्राप्य वित्तलोभान्मलिम्लुचम्

pīḍayiṣyaṁti nirdoṣānvittalobhādasaṁśayam| vadhārhamapi saṁprāpya vittalobhānmalimlucam

Out of greed for wealth they will oppress the innocent, without doubt; and, catching a thief deserving death, out of greed for wealth --

Verse 98 (skanda.6.27.98)

संत्यक्ष्यंति युगे तस्मिन्प्राणिद्रोहेऽपि वर्तिनम्। क्षात्रधर्मं परित्यज्य करिष्यंति तथा रणम्

saṁtyakṣyaṁti yuge tasminprāṇidrohe'pi vartinam| kṣātradharmaṁ parityajya kariṣyaṁti tathā raṇam

they will spare him even though he continues to harm living beings, in that age; and, abandoning the duty of the kshatriya, they will wage war for other ends.

Verse 99 (skanda.6.27.99)

बृहस्पतिरुवाच। एतद्वः सर्वमाख्यातं युगानां लक्षणं मया। प्रमाणं च सुरश्रेष्ठ चतुर्णामप्यसंशयम्

bṛhaspatiruvāca| etadvaḥ sarvamākhyātaṁ yugānāṁ lakṣaṇaṁ mayā| pramāṇaṁ ca suraśreṣṭha caturṇāmapyasaṁśayam

Brihaspati said: O best of gods, all this has been related to you by me -- the characteristics of the yugas, and the measure of all four, without doubt.

Verse 100 (skanda.6.27.100)

यश्चैतत्कीर्तयेन्मर्त्यः सदैव सुसमाहितः। स नूनं मुच्यते पापादाजन्ममरणांतिकात्

yaścaitatkīrtayenmartyaḥ sadaiva susamāhitaḥ| sa nūnaṁ mucyate pāpādājanmamaraṇāṁtikāt

Whatever mortal recites this, ever with a composed mind, is surely freed from sin from birth to the very end of life.

Verse 101 (skanda.6.27.101)

शृणुयाद्वा नरो यश्च श्रद्धापूतेन चेतसा। सोऽपि मुच्येन्न सन्देहः पापाच्च दिवसोद्भवात्

śṛṇuyādvā naro yaśca śraddhāpūtena cetasā| so'pi mucyenna sandehaḥ pāpācca divasodbhavāt

And whatever man hears it with a heart purified by faith, he too is freed, without doubt, from the sin arising even that very day.