03.148
Vaiśampāyana said.
After being thus addressed, the mighty-armed and illustrious Bhīmasena bowed down with affection to his brother, his mind delighted, and then spoke gently to Hanuman, the lord of the monkeys. (03-148-1)
There is none more fortunate than I, for I have seen you, O noble one. I have received very great favor and satisfaction from seeing you. (03-148-2)
Thus, O noble one, I wish you would now do what is most dear to me. That form of yours which existed when you leaped over the ocean, the abode of makaras, O hero—that incomparable form I wish to behold. (03-148-3)
"Thus I shall be pleased and shall have faith in your words." Thus addressed, the radiant Hari laughed and said. (03-148-4)
That form is not possible for you to see, nor for anyone else. For at that time, a different state prevails; that is not the present (now). (03-148-5)
There was a different age in the Kṛta Yuga, another in the Tretā Yuga, and another in the Dvāpara; now, this is the time of destruction—my form is not as it was then. (03-148-6)
Earth, rivers, mountains, rocks, perfected beings, gods, and great sages all follow time, just as all things do in every age; indeed, strength, bodies, and powers diminish and arise. (03-148-7)
Therefore, enough of you beholding that form, O best of the Kurus. I follow the age; for time is indeed difficult to overcome. (3-148-8)
Bhīma said.
Tell me the number of yugas, the conduct appropriate to each yuga, the aspects of dharma, kāma, and artha, as well as the body, energy, and existence and non-existence. (03-148-9)
Hanuman said.
The age known as Kṛta, dear one, is when Dharma is eternal; in that supreme age, what has been done alone should not be done again. (03-148-10)
There, dharmas do not decline nor do creatures diminish; therefore, that period is called Kṛta Yuga, having attained a state of excellence by time. (03-148-11)
Gods, demons, gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, and serpents — in the Kṛta yuga, O dear one, buying and selling did not exist at that time. (03-148-12)
There were neither reciters of Sāma, Yajur, and Ṛg Vedas nor ritual actions nor human activities. There, the fruit was attained through contemplation; righteousness and renunciation alone prevailed. (03-148-13)
At that junction of the ages, there were no diseases, no decline of the senses, no envy, no weeping, no arrogance, and no malice. (03-148-14)
There is no conflict; from where could there be sloth? There is no hatred, nor any distortion. There is no fear, nor affliction, nor jealousy, nor envy. (03-148-15)
Then, the supreme Brahman, which is the highest goal of yogins—the pure Nārāyaṇa, the Self of all beings—manifested at that time. (03-148-16)
In the Kṛta Yuga, brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras, marked by the qualities of that age, were all born as people devoted to their own respective duties. (03-148-17)
At that time, when everyone belonged to the same order of life, had the same conduct, knowledge, and great strength, the castes, all performing the same actions, attained their duties. (03-148-18)
Those endowed with one Veda have only one mantra, ritual, and action; but those who possess only one Veda (their) duties are distinct, following only one (specific) duty. (03-148-19)
By action performed with observance of the four āśramas, at the proper time, and without attachment to the desired fruit, they attain the highest state. (03-148-20)
This dharma, endowed with self-union and marked by the Kṛta age, is eternally established with its fourfold foundation in the Kṛta Yuga for the four varṇas. (03-148-21)
This is called the Kṛta Yuga, free from the three guṇas. Know also the Tretā Yuga, in which the sacrificial ritual is performed. (03-148-22)
Dharma decreases by a quarter, Acyuta (Vishnu) becomes tinged with redness, and people remain steadfast in practicing truth and performing their duties. (03-148-23)
From then sacrifices began, as well as duties and various rituals. In the Tretā Yuga, mental resolutions, actions, gifts, and the arising of their results came into being. (03-148-24)
People devoted to austerity and gifts, firmly established in their own dharma and engaged in actions, did not stray from dharma; such people existed in the Tretā Yuga. (03-148-25)
In the Dvāpara age as well, righteousness prevails in two parts. Viṣṇu assumes a yellow hue, and the Veda becomes fourfold. (03-148-26)
Thereafter, there were others—the knowers of the four Vedas, the knowers of the three Vedas, likewise others; the knowers of two Vedas, the knowers of one Veda, and also those not versed in hymns, and still others. (03-148-27)
Thus, in the various differing scriptures, action is directed in many ways. The people engaged in penance and gifts also become rajasic in nature. (03-148-28)
From ignorance regarding the one Veda, many Vedas were made. With the loss of truth here, only someone abides in truth. (03-148-29)
For those who fell away from truth, many diseases arose. Desires and afflictions, too, then were caused by the deities. (03-148-30)
Those by whom, being greatly afflicted, humans perform severe austerities, and others, desiring desires or heaven, perform sacrifices. (03-148-31)
Thus, on reaching the Dvāpara age, people decline due to unrighteousness. O son of Kuntī, in the Kali era, righteousness stands on only one foot. (03-148-32)
When the age of darkness arrives, Keśava takes the form of Kṛṣṇa; Vedic conduct and the practices of dharma and sacrifice decline also. (03-148-33)
Distresses, diseases, sloth, faults, anger and the like also occur, as well as disturbances, afflictions, and diseases. (03-148-34)
As the ages revolve, dharma declines again and again. But when dharma declines, the world, too, withdraws again. (03-148-35)
When the world declines, the qualities that sustain it are destroyed. The righteous codes created at the end of an age distort requests. (03-148-36)
This age named Kali-yuga, which will commence shortly; the long-lived beings perform the succession of the yugas. (3-148-37)
O subduer of enemies, that eagerness of yours for understanding me—what significance does unfavorable things hold for a person of knowledge? (03-148-38)
All this which you asked me about has been told to you; the number of yugas, O mighty-armed one. Be well, attain welfare, now go. (03-148-39)
