And thus, O bull of the Bharata race, the earth, to
the very coasts of the ocean, became filled with men
that were all long-lived. The Kshatriyas performed
great sacrifices bestowing much wealth. And the
Brahmanas also all studied the Vedas with their branches
and the Upanishads. And, O king, no Brahmana in
those days ever sold the Vedas (i.e., taught for money)
or ever read aloud the Vedas in the presence of a
Sudra. The Vaisyas, with the help of bullocks,
caused the earth to be tilled. And they never
yoked the cattle themselves. And they fed with
care all cattle that were lean. And men never
milked kine as long as the calves drank only the milk
of their dams (without having taken to grass or any
other food). And no merchant in those days ever
sold his articles by false scales. And, O tiger
among men, all persons, holding to the ways of virtue,
did everything with eyes set upon virtue. And,
O monarch, all the orders were mindful of their own
respective duties. Thus, O tiger among men, virtue
in those days never sustained any diminution.
And, O bull of the Bharata race, both kine and women
gave birth to their offspring at the proper time.
And trees bore flowers and fruit duly according to
the seasons. And thus, O king, the krita age
having then duly set in, the whole earth was filled
with numerous creatures.
“And, O bull of the Bharata race, when such
was the blessed state of the terrestrial world, the
Asuras, O lord of men, began to be born in kingly
lines. And the sons of Diti (Daityas) being repeatedly
defeated in war by the sons of Aditi (celestials)
and deprived also of sovereignty and heaven, began
to be incarnated on the earth. And, O king, the
Asuras being possessed of great powers, and desirous
of sovereignty began to be born on earth amongst various
creatures, such as kine, horses, asses, camels, buffaloes,
among creatures such as Rakshasas and others, and
among elephants and deer. And, O protector of
the earth, owing to those already born and to those
that were being born, the earth became incapable of
supporting herself. And amongst the sons of Diti
and of Danu, cast out of heaven, some were born on
the earth as kings of great pride and insolence.
Possessed of great energy, they covered the earth in
various shapes. Capable of oppressing all foes,
they filled the earth having the ocean for its boundaries.
And by their strength they began to oppress Brahmanas
and Kshatriyas and Vaisyas and Sudras and all other
creatures also. Terrifying and killing all creatures,
they traversed the earth, O king, in bands of hundreds
and thousands. Devoid of truth and virtue, proud
of their strength, and intoxicated with (the wine of)
insolence, they even insulted the great Rishis in their
hermitages.
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