Markandeya Recounts Kalki and the Yugas

Markandeya had finished his counsel. Now he spoke of what was to come. “After exterminating the rakshasas, he will hand over the earth to the brahmanas at a great horse sacrifice. Having established the sacred limits decreed by the self-creating one, the performer of holy and famous deeds will retire to the forest when he attains old age.” The “he” was Kalki — a brahmana, supreme among brahmanas, who would roam the earth always engaged in the killing of dasyus (robbers and barbarians). When he exterminated them, terrible lamentations would be heard: “Alas, father!” and “Alas, son!” When krita yuga (the golden age) arrived, adharma would be destroyed and dharma would flourish. People would again follow rituals. There would be groves, sanctuaries, large ponds, temples, and many sacrifices. Brahmanas would be righteous. Hermits would be ascetics. Hermitages earlier occupied by wretches would have subjects engaged in truth. All seeds sown would grow. Every crop would grow in every season. Men would be devoted to donations, vows, and rites. Brahmanas would happily engage in meditation and sacrifices. Kings would govern the earth in accordance with dharma. In krita yuga, vaishyas would be engaged in trade, brahmanas in their six tasks, and kshatriyas in offering protection. Shudras would devote themselves to servitude of the three varnas. “This will be the nature of dharma in krita yuga, treta and dvapara and in the last period of the yuga,” Markandeya said. “I have recounted this to you. O Pandava! The numbers of the yugas are known to all the worlds. Thus have I told you everything about the past and the future, as I remember it. This is the Purana recounted by Vayu, lauded by the rishis. Though I am immortal, I have witnessed and experienced many courses of life in the world. I have told you about them.”