S'rî
S'uka said: 'When the earth saw the kings busily engaged in
conquering her, she laughed and said: 'Ah, just see how these
kings, these playthings of death, wish to conquer
me!
S'rî
S'uka said: 'Seeing the kings busily engaged in conquering
her, laughed the earth and said: 'Ah, how these kings, these
playthings of death, wish to conquer me!
(Vedabase)
Text
2
This
lust of the rulers of man and even the wise is doomed to fail
with those kings who put their faith in this lump [of
earthly matter] that compares to bubbles [of foam on
water].
This
lust of the rulers of man and even the wise is doomed to
fail with those kings putting their faith in this lump
[of matter, the body] that compares to bubbles
[of foam on water]. (Vedabase)
Text
3-4
They may think:
'First of all conquering the division of six [the senses
and the mind], we will conquer the leading ministers, then
the advisors and then rid ourselves of the thorns [or the
thugs], the citizens, the friends and the elephant keepers.
This way we will step by step conquer the earth and her girdle
of seas', but thus being bound by the hopes in their heart,
they do not see their own finality [compare B.G
16:
13-18].
'First
of all conquering the division of six [the senses and
the mind], we will conquer the leading ministers, then
the advisors and then rid ourselves of the thorns [or
the thugs], the citizens, the friends and the elephant
keepers. This way will we, step by step conquer the earth
and her girdle of seas.' Thinking thus bound by the hopes in
their heart, they do not see their own finality [compare
B.G 16: 13-18]. (Vedabase)
Text
5
After having
conquered the lands by the sea they with all their might enter
the seas; what's the use of this kind of victory of
self-control? Spiritual liberation is the [actual]
fruit of self-control!
After
having conquered the lands at the sea they by their strength
enter the seas; what is the value of this victory of
self-control? Spiritual liberation is the [actual]
fruit of self-control!' (Vedabase)
Text
6
O son of the
Kurus[, she said:] 'Unintelligently they in that
struggle try to conquer me [for the sake of eternal
'fame'] while the Manus and their sons, all had to give it
up and had to leave [this world] the way they came
[viz. helplessly].
O
son of the Kurus [she said:] 'Unintelligently they
in that struggle try to conquer me [for their eternal
'fame'] while the Manus and their sons as well, all had
to give it up, leaving the way they came [viz.
helplessly]. (Vedabase)
Text
7
For my sake
conflict thus arises among materialistic persons, a conflict
wherein fathers fight with sons and sons with each other,
because in their striving for power their hearts are bound to
politics.
For
my sake so arises conflict among materialistic persons,
among fathers and sons and brothers as well, who in their
hearts are bound up politically to possess the power.
(Vedabase)
Text
8
Saying things
like: 'This for sure is my land and not yours, you fool', the
rulers of man thus quarreling kill each other and get killed
for my sake [compare e.g. 2.5:
13,
2.7:
42,
4.29:
5,
5.5:
8,
6.16:
41;
7.8:
7-10;
9.4:
2-12]
'This
sure is my land and not yours, you fool', thus speaking do
the rulers of man quarreling with each other kill and get
killed for my sake [compare e.g. 2.5: 13, 2.7: 42, 4.29:
5, 5.5: 8, 6.16: 41; 7.8: 7-10; 9.4: 2-12].
(Vedabase)
Text
9-13
Prithu,
Purûravâ,
Gâdhi,
Nahusha,
Bharata,
Kârtavîryârjuna,
Mândhâtâ,
Sagara,
Râma
[*],
Khathvânga,
Dhundhuhâ [or] Kuvalayâs'va
[9.6:
23-24],
Raghu [9.10:
1],
Trinabindu [9.2:
30],
Yayâti,
S'aryâti [9.3:
1],
S'antanu [9.22:
12-13],
Gaya [5.15:
6-13],
Bhagîratha [9.9:
2-17],
Kakutstha [9.6:
12],
Naishadha [Nala, 9.9:
16-17,
9.23:
20-21, from
the descendants of Nishadha, 9.12:
1], Nriga
[Nâbhâga, 10.64:
10],
Hiranyakas'ipu,
Vritra,
Râvana,
who made the whole world lament, Namuci
[8.11:
29-49],
S'ambara [10.36:
36],
Bhauma,
Hiranyâksha
and Târaka [8.10:
19-24], as
well as many other demons and kings of great control over
others, were each and everyone heroes who well informed were
unconquerable and subdued everyone. Living for me, o mighty
one, they expressed great possessiveness but, by the force of
Time being subjected to death, they failed to accomplish their
goals, all that remained of them are the historical accounts
[see also B.G. 4:
7].'
Prithu,
Purûravâ, Gâdhi, Nahusha, Bharata,
Kârtavîryârjuna,
Mândhâtâ, Sagara, Râma [*],
Khathvânga, Dhundhuhâ [or]
Kuvalayâs'va [9.6: 23-24], Raghu [9.10:
1], Trinabindu [9.2: 30], Yayâti,
S'aryâti [9.3: 1], S'antanu [9.22:
12-13], Gaya [5.15: 6-13], Bhagîratha
[9.9: 2-17], Kakutstha [9.6: 12], Naishadha
[Nala, 9.9: 16-17, 9.23: 20-21, from the descendants of
Nishadha, 9.12: 1], Nriga [Nâbhâga,
10.64: 10], Hiranyakas'ipu, Vritra, Râvana, who
made the whole world lament, Namuci [8.11: 29-49],
S'ambara [10.36: 36], Bhauma, Hiranyâksha and
Târaka [8.10: 19-24], as well as many other
demons and kings of great control over others, were each and
everyone heroes known with everything who unconquerable
conquered all. Living for me, o Mighty One, they expressed
great possessiveness and have, by the force of Time
subjected to death, not [as permanently or fully as the
Lord] accomplishing their goals, turned into mere
historical accounts [while He is still practiced
religiously, see also B.G. 4: 7].'
(Vedabase)
Text
14
[S'uka
continued:] These narrations that were related to you about
great kings who spread their fame in all worlds and then
departed, do not express the highest purpose; they, o mighty
one, are but a wealth of words [a backdrop] for
dilating on the renunciation and wisdom [of
God].
[S'uka
continued:] These narrations related to you of great
kings who spread their fame in all worlds and then departed,
do not express the highest purpose; they, o mighty one, are
but a wealth of words [a backdrop] to dilate on the
renunciation and wisdom [of God].
(Vedabase)
Text
15
It
is still the repeatedly discussing and singing about the
qualities of the Lord who is Praised in the Verses which
destroys everything inauspicious; he who desires Lord Krishna's
untainted devotional service should therefore forthwith engage
in regularly being of that listening.'
It
is still the always recounting and singing the qualities of
the Lord Praised in the Verses that destroys everything
inauspicious; he who desires untainted devotional service
unto Lord Krishna should indeed more and more regular be of
that hearing.' (Vedabase)
Text
16
The
honorable king [Parîkchit] said: 'By what means,
my Lord, do the people living in Kali-yuga eradicate the faults
that accumulate because of that age, please explain that
as-it-is to me.
The
honorable king [Parîkchit] said: 'By what
means, my Lord, do the people living in Kali-yuga eradicate
the faults accumulated of the time, please explain that
as-it-is to me. (Vedabase)
Text
17
[Explain
to me] the yugas, the duties prescribed for them,
and the time they last and find their end, and the Time itself
that constitutes the movement of the Controller, of Lord Vishnu
the Supreme Soul [see also
timequotes
page]'.
[Explain
to me] the yugas, the duties prescribed for them, and
the time they last and find their end, the Time that
represents the movement of the Controller, of Lord Vishnu
the Supreme Soul [see also timequotes page]'.
(Vedabase)
Text
18
S'rî
S'uka said: 'In Krita-yuga the people of the time maintain the
religion with all its four legs of truth
[satya], compassion [dayâ],
penance [tapas] and charity
[dâna, or also s'auca,
purification
[**],
compare 1.17:
24,
3.11:
21 and see
niyama].
S'rî
S'uka said: 'In Krita-yuga is by the people of the time the
religion maintained with all its four legs of truth
[satya], compassion [dayâ], penance
[tapas] and charity [dâna, or also s'auca,
purification [**], compare 1.17: 24, 3.11: 21 and
see niyama]. (Vedabase)
Text
19
The
[hamsa-]people [of that age] are
content, merciful, friendly,
peaceful, self-controlled, tolerant, satisfied within,
equal-minded and mostly ascetic [see also
3.13:
35 and
11.17:
10].
The
[hamsa-]people [then] are content, merciful,
friendly, peaceful, self-controlled, tolerant, satisfied
within, equal-minded and mostly ascetic [see also 3.13:
35 and 11.17: 10]. (Vedabase)
Text
20
In
Tretâ-yuga is one fourth of [the strength of each
of] the legs of dharma gradually lost because of opposite,
irreligious qualities: falsehood, violence,
dissatisfaction
and quarrel [compare 1.17:
25].
In
Tretâ-yuga is one fourth of [each of] the legs
of dharma gradually lost by the irreligious counterparts:
the falsehood, violence, dissatisfaction and quarrel
[compare 1.17: 25]. (Vedabase)
Text
21
They
are in that time devoted with rituals and penances, without any
excessive violence or wanton desires. Prospering in their
respect for the three Vedas they follow the three paths [of
regulating the religion, the economy and sense
gratification], and the four classes are predominantly
oriented on the brahminical, o King.
Then
devoted to rituals, penances, no excess of violence nor
wanton desire and the three ways [of regulating the
religion, the economy and the sense gratification], are
the four classes, prospering of the three Vedas,
predominantly brahminical, o King.
(Vedabase)
Text
22
The dharmic
qualities of austerity, compassion, truth and charity are in
Dvâpara-yuga reduced to one half because of the
adharma qualities of violence, discontent, lies and
hatred.
The
austerity, compassion, truth and charity of dharma are in
Dvâpara-yuga reduced to one half because of the
adharma qualities of violence, discontent, lies and hatred.
(Vedabase)
Text
23
One
is [in that age] of moral fiber and one loves the glory
and is absorbed in vedic study. One is opulent with large
families and joyful, and the four classes are for the greater
part of brahminical nobility.
One
is [in that age] of moral fiber, eager for glory,
absorbed in vedic study and opulent with large families and
joyful, with the four classes for the greater part being of
brahminical nobility. (Vedabase)
Text
24
Next
in Kali-yuga the legs of religiousness are decreasing to one
fourth because of an increase of adharmic principles
[compare
1.17:
25]
and that one fourth will in the end also be
destroyed.
Then
in Kali-yuga are because of the increase of adharmic
principles the legs of religiousness decreasing to one
fourth [of their strength, compare 1.17: 25] and
will in the end also that one fourth be destroyed.
(Vedabase)
Text
25
In that era the
people will be greedy, ill-mannered, lack in compassion, prone
to useless quarrel [politicizing], unfortunate,
obsessed with material desires and predominantly enslaved to
labor.
In
that will the people be greedy, ill-mannered, lacking in
compassion, prone to useless quarrel [politicizing],
unfortunate, obsessed with material desires and
predominantly be enslaved to [fruitive] labor.
(Vedabase)
Text
26
The
modes of the goodness, passion and ignorance of a person are
set in motion by the Time and are observed in different
combinations within the mind [***].
Impelled
by the power of time indeed are within a person's mind thus
[the gunas of] goodness, passion and ignorance
observed in their being mixed [***].
(Vedabase)
Text
27
When
the mind, the intelligence and the senses flourish in the mode
of goodness, that time of taking pleasure in knowledge and
austerity should be understood as the time of
Krita.
When
the mind, the intelligence and the senses are predominantly
manifest in the mode of goodness, should that time of taking
pleasure in knowledge and austerity be understood as the
time of Krita. (Vedabase)
Text
28
O
intelligent one, when the conditioned souls in their duties are
of ulterior motives and in their devotional service strive for
honor, that predominance of passion must be considered the time
of Tretâ.
O
intelligent one, when the conditioned souls in their duties
are of ulterior motives and devoted in service strive for
honor, should you understand that predominance of passion as
the time of Tretâ. (Vedabase)
Text
29
When
greed and dissatisfaction, false pride, envy and hypocrisy are
seen everywhere and what one does is dominated by selfhood one
speaks with that [predominance of] passion and
ignorance of the time of Dvâpara.
When
greed and dissatisfaction, false pride, envy and hypocrisy
are evident and selfhood dominates the actions is that
[predominance of] passion and ignorance the time of
Dvâpara. (Vedabase)
Text
30
When
there is deceit, false testimony, sloth and drowsiness,
violence, depression, lamentation and delusion, fear and
poverty is that time remembered as Kali, the time of
ignorance.
When
there in the mode of ignorance is deceit, false testimony,
sloth and drowsiness, violence, depression, lamentation and
delusion, fear and poverty is that time remembered as Kali.
(Vedabase)
Text
31
As
a consequence the mortals will be shortsighted, unfortunate,
eating too much, lusty and poverty-stricken and the women will
act on their own accord and be unchaste.
As
a consequence will the mortals be shortsighted, unfortunate,
eating too much, lusty, lacking in wealth and will the women
acting on their own accord be unchaste.
(Vedabase)
Text
32
The populated
areas will be dominated by impious people [or thieves],
the vedic scriptures will be slighted by false doctrines
[heretics], the political leaders will devour the
people and the twice-born ones will be dedicated to their
bellies and genitals.
The
populated areas will be dominated by impious people [or
thieves], the vedic scriptures will be slighted by false
doctrines [heretics], the political leaders will
devour the people and the twiceborn ones will be dedicated
to their bellies and genitals. (Vedabase)
Text
33
The youngsters
[students] will averse to vows be impure in their
engagements, the householders will [with what they
claim] tend to be beggars, the withdrawn ones [the
middle-aged with no nature left to retreat into] will be
city-dwellers and the renounced order will greedily endeavor
for financial profits [be engaged in
'reli-business'].
The
youngsters [students] will be strange to vows and be
unclean, the householders [advertising themselves]
will tend to be beggars, the withdrawn ones [the
middle-aged with no nature left to retreat in] will be
city-dwellers and the renounced order will be eager in
financial matters [in 'reli-business'].
(Vedabase)
Text
34
Smaller in size
and voracious having many children [the women will
have] lost their timidity and constantly speak harshly and
with great audacity be as deceitful as thieves.
Short
statured and voracious having many children [will the
women] loose their timidity and constantly speaking
harshly with great audacity deceitfully be like thieves.
(Vedabase)
Text
35
The merchants
will for no reason be of cheating so that their business
dealings are truly miserly and the people will consider a
degraded occupation [like e.g. in the sex industry or
gambling business] a good job.
The
merchants will, for no reason full of cheating, in their
business dealings be truly miserly and the people will
consider a degraded occupation [like e.g. in the
sex-industry] a good job. (Vedabase)
Text
36
Servants will
abandon a master lacking in property even if he is the best one
around, masters will abandon a handicapped servant even when he
belonged to the family for generations and cows will be
[killed] when they have stopped giving
milk.
Servants
will abandon a master lacking in property even if he is of
the best of all, masters will abandon a handicapped servant
even when he belonged to the family for generations and cows
will be [killed] when they have stopped giving milk.
(Vedabase)
Text
37
In Kali-yuga
men under the control of women will be wretched and forsake the
association of their own family members, friends, brothers and
father, in favor of an upon their sexuality based friendship
with the sisters and brothers of his wife's
family.
In
Kali-yuga will men controlled by women be wretched, and,
giving up on their immediate relatives, friends, brothers
and fathers, in a sexual conception of friendship on a
regular basis associate with the sisters and brothers of
their wives. (Vedabase)
Text
38
Labor minded
people will for their living appearing as renunciates acquire
funds religiously and climbing a high seat speak about the
religious principles without any sense of duty concerning the
knowledge [of sacrificing, or false
preachers...].
Laborminded
people will for their living, appearing as renunciates,
acquire funds religiously and climbing a high seat speak
about the religious principles without any sense of duty in
the knowledge [of sacrificing, or false
preachers...]. (Vedabase)
Text
39-40
With their
minds constantly upset, troubled by taxes and famine in times
of scarcity with droughts on the surface of the earth, they
will, being troubled by countless worries, live in fear.
Lacking in clothing, food, drink, rest, change, bathing and
personal ornaments the people of Kali-yuga will appear like
ghostly creatures.
With
their minds constantly upset, troubled by taxes and famine
in times of scarcity with droughts on the surface of the
earth, will they anxiously live in fear. Lacking in
clothing, food, drink, rest, change, bathing and personal
ornaments will the people in Kali-yuga appear just like
ghostly creatures. (Vedabase)
Text
41
In the age of
Kali one will even over a single coin develop enmity
[5.14
and 5.14:
26].
Rejecting friendly relations one will kill oneself and even
kill one's relatives.
In
the age of Kali will one even for a small coin develop
enmity [5.14 and 5.14: 26] abandoning friendly
relations and even killing one's own relatives and oneself.
(Vedabase)
Text
42
Not even born
in a decent family one will protect the elderly, the parents,
the wife and the children; simply in support of the petty
self-interest of one's own belly and genitals.
Not
even born of a proper family will men protect the elderly,
the parents, the wife and the children; simply in support of
the petty interest of their own bellies and genitals.
(Vedabase)
Text
43
O King, in
Kali-yuga the mortals will predominanly be of sacrifice for
atheistic reasons with their intelligence which factually
originated from The Infallible One, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead who is the Supreme Spiritual Master of the three worlds
and at whose feet the various masters bow down.
O
King, in Kali-yuga will the mortals mostly atheistically
offer in sacrifice with their intelligence being diverted
from The Infallible One, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
who is the Supreme Spiritual Master of the three worlds to
whose feet the various masters do bow.
(Vedabase)
Text
44
In Kali-yuga
the people do not worship Him unto whom a person dying, in
distress collapsing and with a faltering voice helplessly
chanting His name, is freed from the chains of karma and
achieves the topmost destination [see also B.G.
8:
10 and
6.2].
In
Kali-yuga are the people not of worship for Him unto whom a
person dying, in distress collapsing with a faltering voice
helplessly chanting His name, is freed from the chains of
karma and achieves the topmost destination [see also
B.G. 8: 10 and 6.2]. (Vedabase)
Text
45
The things, the
place and the individual nature of man are as a result of
Kali-yuga all faulty, but when one installs Bhagavân, the
Supreme Personality in one's heart, He takes it all
away.
The
things, the place and the individual nature of men are as a
result of Kali-yuga all faulty, but Bhagavân, the
Supreme Personality installed in the heart takes it all
away. (Vedabase)
Text
46
Of those human
beings who but even heard, glorified, meditated, worshiped or
venerated the Supreme Lord, the inauspicious which accumulated
from a thousand births in their hearts is cleansed
away.
Of
the human beings who but even heard, glorified, meditated,
worshiped or venerated the Supreme Lord, is the inauspicious
in their hearts of a thousand births cleansed away.
(Vedabase)
Text
47
Just as the
discoloration one finds in gold because of other metals is
undone by fire are the same way the impurities of mind of the
yogis undone by Lord Vishnu residing in the
soul.
Just
as the discoloration found in gold due to other metals is
undone by fire are the same way the impurities of mind of
the yogîs undone by Lord Vishnu entering [stepping
forward in] the soul. (Vedabase)
Text
48
Knowledge
['demigod worship'], penance, arresting one's breath,
friendship, bathing in holy waters, vows, charity and praying
with prayer beads gives not as much purification of mind as is
achieved with Him, the Unlimited Personality of Godhead present
in the heart.
Knowledge
['demigod worship'], penance, halting the breath,
friendship, bathing in holy waters, vows, charity and doing
the rosary gives not such a complete purification of mind as
one can achieve with Him, the Unlimited Personality of
Godhead, present in the heart. (Vedabase)
Text
49
Therefore o
King do your utmost best to establish Lord Kes'ava in your
heart; the moment you die [here after this week] you
will thus concentrated attain the highest
destination.
Therefore
with all your being o King, fix Lord Kes'ava within your
heart; upon dying [here after this week] will you
thus concentrated go to the highest destination.
(Vedabase)
Text
50
The Supreme
Lord meditated upon by those who are dying is the Supreme
Controller, the Soul and Shelter of All, who leads them to
their true identity, my dearest.
The
Supreme Lord meditated upon by those who are dying is the
Supreme Controller, the Soul and Shelter of All who leads
them to their own true identity, my dearest.
(Vedabase)
Text
51
In the ocean of
faults that is Kali-yuga, there is luckily one great good
quality: just by chanting about Krishna [see
bhajans]
one can, liberated from material bondage, attain the kingdom of
heaven [see also bhâgavata
dharma
and kîrtana].
In
the ocean of faults that is Kali-yuga, there is luckily one
great good quality: just by chanting about Krishna [see
bhajans] can one, liberated from the material bondage,
go to the kingdom of heaven [see also bhâgavata
dharma and kîrtana]. (Vedabase)
Text
52
The same result
in Satya-yuga achieved by meditating on Vishnu, in
Tretâ-yuga achieved by worshiping with sacrifices and in
Dvâpara-yuga achieved by serving the lotus feet [of
Him as a King], is in Kali-yuga achieved by singing about
the Lord [see also 11.5:
38-40].'
The
same result in Satya-yuga achieved by meditating on Vishnu,
in Tretâ-yuga by worshiping with sacrifices and in
Dvâpara-yuga by serving the lotus feet [of Him as
a King], is in Kali-yuga achieved by singing about the
Lord [see also 11.5:
38-40].
(Vedabase)
*
According to S'rîla S'rîdhara Svâmî,
and as confirmed by S'rîla Vis'vanâtha
Cakravartî Thhâkura, the king Râma mentioned
here is not the incarnation of Godhead Râmacandra. This
is corroborated by the M.W. dictionary mentioning the demigod
Varuna, writers, teachers and other great personalities
addressed with that name. Probably is Bhârgava also known
as Us'anâ meant who most powerful formed a dynasty
descending from the sages Bhrigu and Mârkandeya [see:
9.16:
32
and 4.1:
45].
**
In the M.W. dictionary three meanings are given for the word
dâna: 1. donating, giving gifts 2. sharing or
communicating and 3. purification. The last meaning confirms
the use of the term s'auca in the First Canto of
S'rîmad-Bhâgavatam as the fourth leg of the bull of
religion. This alternative definition of the word
dânam is confirmed by S'rîla
Vis'vanâtha Cakravartî Thhâkura.
***
The paramparâ adds to this: 'The particular age
represented by goodness (Satya), passion (Tretâ), passion
and ignorance (Dvâpara) or ignorance (Kali) exists within
each of the other ages as a
subfactor.'