Vishnupurana 4.24

4.24.1

parāśara uvāca:
yo 'yaṃ ripuṃjayo nāma bārhadratho 'ntyas tasya muniko nāmāmātyo bhaviṣyati |
sa cainaṃ svāminaṃ hatvā svaputraṃ pradyotanāmānam abhiṣekṣyati |
tasyāpi pālako nāma putro bhavitā |
tataś ca viśākhayūpas tatputro janakas tasya ca nandivardhanaḥ |
ity ete 'ṣṭatriṃśaduttaram abdaśataṃ pañca pradyotāḥ pṛthivīṃ bhokṣyanti ||

THE last of the Vríhadratha dynasty, Ripunjaya, will have a minister named Sunika, who having killed his sovereign, will place his son Pradyota upon the throne: his son will be Pálaka; his son will be Viśákhayúpa; his son will be Janaka; and his son will be Nandivarddhana. These five kings of the house of Pradyota will reign over the earth for a hundred and thirty-eight years.

4.24.2

tataś ca śiśunāgas tatputraś ca kākavarṇo bhavitā |
tatputraḥ kṣemadharmā tasyāpi kṣatraujāḥ |
tatputro vidhisāras tataś cājātaśatruḥ |
tasmāc ca darbhako darbhakāc codayanaḥ |
tasmād api nandivardhanas tato mahānandī |
ity ete śaiśunāgā daśa bhūmipālās trīṇi varṣaśatāni dviṣaṣṭyadhikāni bhaviṣyanti ||

The next prince will be Śiśunaga; his son will be Kákavarńa; his son will be Kshemadharman; his son will be Kshatraujas; his son will be Vidmisára; his son will be Ájátaśatru; his son will be Dharbaka; his son will be Udayáśwa; his son will also be Nandivarddhana; and his son will be Mahánandi. These ten Śaiśunágas will be kings of the earth for three hundred and sixty-two years.

4.24.3

mahānandisutaḥ śūdrāgarbhodbhavo 'tilubdho mahāpadmo nandaḥ paraśurāma ivāparo 'khilakṣatrāntakārī bhavitā ||

The son of Mahánanda will be born of a woman of the Śúdra or servile class; his name will be Nanda, called Mahápadma, for he will be exceedingly avaricious. Like another Paraśuráma, he will be the annihilator of the Kshatriya race; for after him the kings of the earth will be Śúdras. He will bring the whole earth under one umbrella: he will have eight sons, Sumálya and others, who will reign after Mahápadma; and he and his sons will govern for a hundred years. The Brahman Kaut́ilya will root out the nine Nandas

4.24.4

tataḥprabhṛti śūdrā bhūmipālā bhaviṣyanti |
sa caikacchatrām anullaṅghitaśāsano mahāpadmaḥ pṛthivīṃ bhokṣyati ||

The son of Mahánanda will be born of a woman of the Śúdra or servile class; his name will be Nanda, called Mahápadma, for he will be exceedingly avaricious. Like another Paraśuráma, he will be the annihilator of the Kshatriya race; for after him the kings of the earth will be Śúdras. He will bring the whole earth under one umbrella: he will have eight sons, Sumálya and others, who will reign after Mahápadma; and he and his sons will govern for a hundred years. The Brahman Kaut́ilya will root out the nine Nandas

4.24.5

tasyāpy aṣṭau sutāḥ sumālyādyā bhavitāraḥ |
tasya ca mahāpadmasyānu pṛthivīṃ bhokṣyanti |
mahāpadmas tatputrāś ca ekaṃ varṣaśatam avanīpatayo bhaviṣyanti |
navaitān nandān kauṭilyo brāhmaṇaḥ samuddhariṣyati ||

The son of Mahánanda will be born of a woman of the Śúdra or servile class; his name will be Nanda, called Mahápadma, for he will be exceedingly avaricious. Like another Paraśuráma, he will be the annihilator of the Kshatriya race; for after him the kings of the earth will be Śúdras. He will bring the whole earth under one umbrella: he will have eight sons, Sumálya and others, who will reign after Mahápadma; and he and his sons will govern for a hundred years. The Brahman Kaut́ilya will root out the nine Nandas

4.24.6

teṣām abhāve mauryāḥ pṛthivīṃ bhokṣyanti |
kauṭilya eva candraguptaṃ rājye 'bhiṣekṣyati ||

Upon the cessation of the race of Nanda, the Mauryas will possess the earth, for Kant́ilya will place Chandragupta on the throne: his son will be Vindusára; his son will be Aśokavarddhana; his son will be Suyaśas; his son will be Daśaratha; his son will be Sangata; his son will be Śáliśúka; his son will be Somaśarmman; his son will be Saśadharman; and his successor will be Vrihadratha. These are the ten Mauryas, who will reign over the earth for a hundred and thirty-seven years.

4.24.7

tasyāpi putro bindusāro bhaviṣyati |
tasyāpy aśokavardhanas tataḥ suyaśās tato daśarathas tataḥ saṃgatas tataḥ śāliśūkas tasmāt somaśarmā tasmāc chatadhanvā |
tasyāpy'nu bṛhadrathanāmā bhavitā |
evaṃ mauryā daśa bhūpatayo bhaviṣyanti abdaśataṃ saptatriṃśaduttaram |
teṣām ante pṛthivīṃ śuṅgā bhokṣyanti ||

Upon the cessation of the race of Nanda, the Mauryas will possess the earth, for Kant́ilya will place Chandragupta on the throne: his son will be Vindusára; his son will be Aśokavarddhana; his son will be Suyaśas; his son will be Daśaratha; his son will be Sangata; his son will be Śáliśúka; his son will be Somaśarmman; his son will be Saśadharman; and his successor will be Vrihadratha. These are the ten Mauryas, who will reign over the earth for a hundred and thirty-seven years.

4.24.8

puṣyamitraḥ senāpatiḥ svāminaṃ hatvā rājyaṃ kariṣyati ||

The dynasty of the Śungas will next become possessed of the sovereignty; for Pushpamitra, the general of the last Maurya prince, will put his master to death, and ascend the throne: his son will be Agnimitra; his son will be Sujyesht́ha; his son will be Vasumitra; his son will be Árdraka; his son will be Pulindaka; his son will be Ghoshavasu; his son will be Vajramitra; his son will be Bhágavata; his son will be Devabhúti. These are the ten Śungas, who will govern the kingdom for a hundred and twelve years.

4.24.9

asyātmajo 'gnimitras tasmāt sujyeṣṭhas tato vasumitras tasmād apy ardrakas tataḥ pulindakas tato ghoṣavasus tasmād api vajramitras tato bhāgavataḥ ||

The dynasty of the Śungas will next become possessed of the sovereignty; for Pushpamitra, the general of the last Maurya prince, will put his master to death, and ascend the throne: his son will be Agnimitra; his son will be Sujyesht́ha; his son will be Vasumitra; his son will be Árdraka; his son will be Pulindaka; his son will be Ghoshavasu; his son will be Vajramitra; his son will be Bhágavata; his son will be Devabhúti. These are the ten Śungas, who will govern the kingdom for a hundred and twelve years.

4.24.10

tasmād devabhūtiḥ |
ity ete daśa śuṅgā dvādaśottaraṃ varṣaśataṃ pṛthivīṃ bhokṣyanti |
tataḥ kaṇvān eṣā bhūr yāsyati ||

The dynasty of the Śungas will next become possessed of the sovereignty; for Pushpamitra, the general of the last Maurya prince, will put his master to death, and ascend the throne: his son will be Agnimitra; his son will be Sujyesht́ha; his son will be Vasumitra; his son will be Árdraka; his son will be Pulindaka; his son will be Ghoshavasu; his son will be Vajramitra; his son will be Bhágavata; his son will be Devabhúti. These are the ten Śungas, who will govern the kingdom for a hundred and twelve years.

4.24.11

devabhūtiṃ tu śuṅgarājānaṃ vyasaninaṃ tasyaivāmātyaḥ kaṇvo vasudevanāmā nipātya svayam avanīṃ bhokṣyate |
tasya putro bhūmitras tasyāpi nārāyaṇaḥ |
nārāyaṇasyātmajaḥ suśarmā |
ete kāṇvāyanāś catvāraḥ pañcacatvāriṃśad varṣāṇi bhūpatayo bhaviṣyanti |
suśarmāṇaṃ tu kāṇvaṃ svabhṛtyo balāt śiprakanāmā hatvāndhrajātīyo vasudhāṃ bhokṣyati |
tataś ca kṛṣṇanāmā tadbhrātā bhūpatir bhāvī |
tasya putraḥ śrīśātakarṇis tasyāpi pūrṇotsaṅgas tatputraś ca śātakarṇis tasmāc ca lambodaras tasmād divīlakas tato meghasvātis tataḥ paṭumān |
tataś cāriṣṭakarmā tato hālo hālāt pattalakas tataḥ pravilla senas tataḥ sundaraḥ śātakarṇī tasmāc cakoraḥ śātakarṇī tataḥ śivasvātis tataś ca gomatīputras tatputraḥ pulimān |
tasyāpi śātakarṇī tataḥ śivaśrīs tataḥ śivaskandhaḥ |
tasmād yajñaśrīs tato vijayas tataś candraśrīs tasyāpi pulomāviḥ |
evam ete triṃśac catvāry abdaśatāni ṣaṭpañcāśadadhikāni pṛthivīṃ bhokṣyanty āndhrabhṛtyāḥ ||

Devabhúti, the last Śunga prince, being addicted to, immoral indulgences, his minister, the Kańwa named Vasudeva will murder him, and usurp the kingdom: his son will be Bhúmimitra; his son will be Náráyańa; his son will be Suśarman. These four Káńwas will be kings of the earth for forty-five years.

Suśarman the Káńwa will be killed by a powerful servant named Śipraka, of the Ándhra tribe, who will become king, and found the Ándhrabhritya dynasty: he will be succeeded by his brother Krishńa; his son will be Śrí Śátakarńi; his son will be Púrnotsanga; his son will be Śátakarńi (2nd); his son will be Lambodara; his son will be Ivílaka; his son will be Meghaswáti; his son will be Patumat; his son will be Arisht́akarman; his son will be Hála; his son will be Tálaka; his son will be Pravilasena; his son will be Sundara, named Śátakarńi; his son will be Chakora Śátakarńi; his son will be Śivaswáti; his son will be Gomatiputra; his son will be Pulimat; his son will be Śivaśrí Śátakarńi; his son will be Śivaskandha; his son will be Yajnaśrí; his son will be Vijaya; his son will be Chandraśrí; his son will be Pulomárchish. These thirty Andhrabhritya kings will reign four hundred and fifty-six years.

4.24.12

saptābhīrāḥ daśa gardabhilāś ca bhūbhujo bhaviṣyanti |
tataḥ ṣoḍaśa śakā bhūpatayo bhavitāraḥ |
tataś cāṣṭau yavanāś caturdaśa tuṣārā muṇḍāś ca trayodaśa ekādaśa maunāḥ |
ete pṛthivīṃ trayodaśavarṣaśatāni navanavatyadhikāni bhokṣyanti ||

After these, various races will reign, as seven Ábhíras, ten Garddhabas, sixteen Śakas, eight Yavanas, fourteen Tusháras, thirteen Muńd́as, eleven Maunas, altogether seventy-nine princes, who will be sovereigns of the earth for one thousand three hundred and ninety years; and then eleven Pauras will be kings for three hundred years. When they are destroyed, the Kailakila Yavanas will be kings; the chief of whom will be Vindhyaśakti; his son will be Puranjaya; his son will be Rámachandra; his son will be Adharma, from whom will be Varánga, Kritanandana, Śudhinandi, Nandiyaśas, Śiśuka, and Pravíra; these will rule for a hundred and six years. From them will proceed thirteen sons;

4.24.13

tataś ca paurā ekādaśa bhūpatayo 'bdaśatāni trīṇi mahīṃ bhokṣyanti |
teṣūtsanneṣu kailakilā yavanā bhūpatayo bhaviṣyanty amūrdhābhiṣiktāḥ |
teṣāṃ vindhyaśaktiḥ ||

After these, various races will reign, as seven Ábhíras, ten Garddhabas, sixteen Śakas, eight Yavanas, fourteen Tusháras, thirteen Muńd́as, eleven Maunas, altogether seventy-nine princes, who will be sovereigns of the earth for one thousand three hundred and ninety years; and then eleven Pauras will be kings for three hundred years. When they are destroyed, the Kailakila Yavanas will be kings; the chief of whom will be Vindhyaśakti; his son will be Puranjaya; his son will be Rámachandra; his son will be Adharma, from whom will be Varánga, Kritanandana, Śudhinandi, Nandiyaśas, Śiśuka, and Pravíra; these will rule for a hundred and six years. From them will proceed thirteen sons;

4.24.14

tataḥ puraṃjayas tato rāmacandras tasmād dharmo dharmād vaṅgaraḥ kṛtanandanaḥ suṣinandis tadbhrātā nandiyaśāḥ śiśukapravīrau caite varṣaśataṃ ṣaḍ varṣāṇi ca bhaviṣyanti |
tatas tatputrās trayodaśaite bāhlikāś ca trayaḥ |
tataḥ puṣyamitrapaṭumitrās trayodaśa mekalāś ca saptāndhrāḥ |
kosalāyāṃ tu navaiva bhūpatayo bhaviṣyanti |
naiṣadhās tu tāvanta eva ||

then three Báhlíkas, and Pushpamitra, and Pat́umitra, and others, to the number of thirteen, will rule over Mekala. There will be nine kings in the seven Koalas, and there will be as many Naishadha princes.

After these, various races will reign, as seven Ábhíras, ten Garddhabas, sixteen Śakas, eight Yavanas, fourteen Tusháras, thirteen Muńd́as, eleven Maunas, altogether seventy-nine princes, who will be sovereigns of the earth for one thousand three hundred and ninety years; and then eleven Pauras will be kings for three hundred years. When they are destroyed, the Kailakila Yavanas will be kings; the chief of whom will be Vindhyaśakti; his son will be Puranjaya; his son will be Rámachandra; his son will be Adharma, from whom will be Varánga, Kritanandana, Śudhinandi, Nandiyaśas, Śiśuka, and Pravíra; these will rule for a hundred and six years. From them will proceed thirteen sons;

4.24.15

māgadhāyāṃ tu viśvasphaṭikasaṃjño 'nyān varṇān kariṣyati |
kaivartapaṭupulindabrāhmaṇān rājye sthāpayiṣyati |
utsādyākhilakṣatrajātim |
nava nāgāḥ padmāvatyāṃ nāma puryāṃ mathurāyām anugaṅgāprayāgaṃ māgadhā guptāś ca bhokṣyanti |
kośalauḍrapuṇḍratāmraliptān samudrataṭapurīṃ ca devarakṣito rakṣiṣyati |
kaliṅgamāhiṣakamāhendrā bhaumāṃ guhāṃ bhokṣyanti |
naiṣadhanaimiṣikakālatoyān janapadān maṇidhānakavaṃśyā bhokṣyanti |
trairājyamūṣikajanapadān kanakāhvayā bhokṣyanti |
saurāṣṭrāvantiśūdrān arbudamarubhūmiviṣayāṃś ca vrātyā dvijābhīraśūdrādyā bhokṣyanti |
sindhutaṭadāvikorvīcandrabhāgākāśmīraviṣayāṃś ca vrātyā mlecchādayaḥ śūdrā bhokṣyanti |
ete ca tulyakālāḥ sarve pṛthivyāṃ bhūbhṛto bhaviṣyanti |
alpaprasādā bṛhatkopāḥ sarvakālam anṛtādharmarucayaḥ strībālagovadhakartāraḥ parasvādānarucayo 'lpasārā uditāstamitaprāyāḥ svalpāyuṣo mahecchā hy alpadharmāś ca bhaviṣyanti ||

In Magadhá a sovereign named Viśwasphat́ika will establish other tribes; he will extirpate the Kshatriya or martial race, and elevate fishermen, barbarians, and Brahmans, and other castes, to power. The nine Nágas will reign in Padmávati, Kántipuri, and Mathurá; and the Guptas of Magadhá along the Ganges to Prayága. A prince named Devarakshita will reign, in a city on the sea shore, over the Kośalas, Od́ras, Puńd́ras, and Támraliptas. The Guhas will possess Kálinga, Máhihaka, and the mountains of Mahendra. The race of Mańidhanu will occupy the countries of the Nishádas, Naimishikas, and Kálatoyas. The people called Kanakas will possess the Amazon country, and that called Múshika. Men of the three tribes, but degraded, and Ábhíras and Śúdras, will occupy Śaurásht́ra, Avanti, Śúra, Arbuda, and Marubhúmi: and Śúdras, outcastes, and barbarians will be masters of the banks of the Indus, Dárvika, the Chandrabhágá, and Káshmir.

These will all be contemporary monarchs, reigning over the earth; kings of churlish spirit, violent temper, and ever addicted to falsehood and wickedness. They will inflict death on women, children, and cows; they will seize upon the property of their subjects; they will be of limited power, and will for the most part rapidly rise and fall; their lives will be short, their desires insatiable, and they will display but little piety. The people of the various countries intermingling with them will follow their example, and the barbarians being powerful in the patronage of the princes, whilst purer tribes are neglected, the people will perish. Wealth and piety will decrease day by day, until the world will be wholly depraved. Then property alone will confer rank; wealth will be the only source of devotion; passion will be the sole bond of union between the sexes; falsehood will be the only means of success in litigation; and women will be objects merely of sensual gratification. Earth will be venerated but for its mineral treasures; the Brahmanical thread will constitute a Brahman; external types (as the staff and red garb) will be the only distinctions of the several orders of life; dishonesty will be the universal means of subsistence; weakness will be the cause of dependance; menace and presumption will be substituted for learning; liberality will be devotion; simple ablution will be purification; mutual assent will be marriage; fine clothes will be dignity; and water afar off will be esteemed a holy spring. Amidst all castes he who is the strongest will reign over a principality thus vitiated by many faults. The people, unable to bear the heavy burdens imposed upon them by their avaricious sovereigns, will take refuge amongst the valleys of the mountains, and will be glad to feed upon wild honey, herbs, roots, fruits, flowers, and leaves: their only covering will be the bark of trees, and they will be exposed to the cold, and wind, and sun, and rain. No man's life will exceed three and twenty years. Thus in the Kali age shall decay constantly proceed, until the human race approaches its annihilation.

4.24.16

taiś ca vimiśrā janapadās tacchīlavartino rājāśrayaśuṣmiṇo mlecchācāryāś ca viparyayeṇa vartamānāḥ prajāḥ kṣapayiṣyanti |
tataś cānudinam alpālpahrāsavyavacchedād dharmārthayor jagataḥ saṃkṣayo bhaviṣyati ||

These will all be contemporary monarchs, reigning over the earth; kings of churlish spirit, violent temper, and ever addicted to falsehood and wickedness. They will inflict death on women, children, and cows; they will seize upon the property of their subjects; they will be of limited power, and will for the most part rapidly rise and fall; their lives will be short, their desires insatiable, and they will display but little piety. The people of the various countries intermingling with them will follow their example, and the barbarians being powerful in the patronage of the princes, whilst purer tribes are neglected, the people will perish. Wealth and piety will decrease day by day, until the world will be wholly depraved. Then property alone will confer rank; wealth will be the only source of devotion; passion will be the sole bond of union between the sexes; falsehood will be the only means of success in litigation; and women will be objects merely of sensual gratification. Earth will be venerated but for its mineral treasures; the Brahmanical thread will constitute a Brahman; external types (as the staff and red garb) will be the only distinctions of the several orders of life; dishonesty will be the universal means of subsistence; weakness will be the cause of dependance; menace and presumption will be substituted for learning; liberality will be devotion; simple ablution will be purification; mutual assent will be marriage; fine clothes will be dignity; and water afar off will be esteemed a holy spring. Amidst all castes he who is the strongest will reign over a principality thus vitiated by many faults. The people, unable to bear the heavy burdens imposed upon them by their avaricious sovereigns, will take refuge amongst the valleys of the mountains, and will be glad to feed upon wild honey, herbs, roots, fruits, flowers, and leaves: their only covering will be the bark of trees, and they will be exposed to the cold, and wind, and sun, and rain. No man's life will exceed three and twenty years. Thus in the Kali age shall decay constantly proceed, until the human race approaches its annihilation.

4.24.17

tataś cārtha evābhijanahetuḥ |
dhanam evāśeṣadharmahetuḥ |
abhirucir eva dāmpatyasaṃbandhahetuḥ |
strītvam evopabhogahetuḥ |
anṛtam eva vyavahārajayahetuḥ |
ratnatāmrabhāgitaiva pṛthivīhetuḥ |
brahmasūtram eva vipratvahetuḥ |
liṅgadhāraṇam evāśramahetuḥ |
anyāya eva vṛttihetuḥ ||

These will all be contemporary monarchs, reigning over the earth; kings of churlish spirit, violent temper, and ever addicted to falsehood and wickedness. They will inflict death on women, children, and cows; they will seize upon the property of their subjects; they will be of limited power, and will for the most part rapidly rise and fall; their lives will be short, their desires insatiable, and they will display but little piety. The people of the various countries intermingling with them will follow their example, and the barbarians being powerful in the patronage of the princes, whilst purer tribes are neglected, the people will perish. Wealth and piety will decrease day by day, until the world will be wholly depraved. Then property alone will confer rank; wealth will be the only source of devotion; passion will be the sole bond of union between the sexes; falsehood will be the only means of success in litigation; and women will be objects merely of sensual gratification. Earth will be venerated but for its mineral treasures; the Brahmanical thread will constitute a Brahman; external types (as the staff and red garb) will be the only distinctions of the several orders of life; dishonesty will be the universal means of subsistence; weakness will be the cause of dependance; menace and presumption will be substituted for learning; liberality will be devotion; simple ablution will be purification; mutual assent will be marriage; fine clothes will be dignity; and water afar off will be esteemed a holy spring. Amidst all castes he who is the strongest will reign over a principality thus vitiated by many faults. The people, unable to bear the heavy burdens imposed upon them by their avaricious sovereigns, will take refuge amongst the valleys of the mountains, and will be glad to feed upon wild honey, herbs, roots, fruits, flowers, and leaves: their only covering will be the bark of trees, and they will be exposed to the cold, and wind, and sun, and rain. No man's life will exceed three and twenty years. Thus in the Kali age shall decay constantly proceed, until the human race approaches its annihilation.

4.24.18

daurbalyam evāvṛttihetuḥ |
bhayagarbhoccāraṇam eva pāṇḍityahetuḥ |
āḍhyataiva sādhutvahetuḥ ||

These will all be contemporary monarchs, reigning over the earth; kings of churlish spirit, violent temper, and ever addicted to falsehood and wickedness. They will inflict death on women, children, and cows; they will seize upon the property of their subjects; they will be of limited power, and will for the most part rapidly rise and fall; their lives will be short, their desires insatiable, and they will display but little piety. The people of the various countries intermingling with them will follow their example, and the barbarians being powerful in the patronage of the princes, whilst purer tribes are neglected, the people will perish. Wealth and piety will decrease day by day, until the world will be wholly depraved. Then property alone will confer rank; wealth will be the only source of devotion; passion will be the sole bond of union between the sexes; falsehood will be the only means of success in litigation; and women will be objects merely of sensual gratification. Earth will be venerated but for its mineral treasures; the Brahmanical thread will constitute a Brahman; external types (as the staff and red garb) will be the only distinctions of the several orders of life; dishonesty will be the universal means of subsistence; weakness will be the cause of dependance; menace and presumption will be substituted for learning; liberality will be devotion; simple ablution will be purification; mutual assent will be marriage; fine clothes will be dignity; and water afar off will be esteemed a holy spring. Amidst all castes he who is the strongest will reign over a principality thus vitiated by many faults. The people, unable to bear the heavy burdens imposed upon them by their avaricious sovereigns, will take refuge amongst the valleys of the mountains, and will be glad to feed upon wild honey, herbs, roots, fruits, flowers, and leaves: their only covering will be the bark of trees, and they will be exposed to the cold, and wind, and sun, and rain. No man's life will exceed three and twenty years. Thus in the Kali age shall decay constantly proceed, until the human race approaches its annihilation.

4.24.19

snānam eva prasādhanahetuḥ |
dānam eva dharmahetuḥ |
svīkaraṇam eva vivāhahetuḥ |
sadveśadhāry eva pātram |
dūrāyatanodakam eva tīrtham |
ity evam anekadoṣottare bhūmaṇḍale sarvavarṇeṣv eva yo yo balavān sa sa bhūpatir bhaviṣyati |
evaṃ cātilubdhakarabhārāsahāḥ śailānām antaradroṇīḥ prajāḥ saṃśrayiṣyanti |
madhuśākamūlaphalapattrapuṣpādyāhārāś ca bhaviṣyanti |
taruvalkalacīraprāvaraṇāś cātibahuprajāḥ śītavātātapavarṣasahā bhaviṣyanti |
na ca kaścit trayoviṃśativarṣāṇi jīviṣyati anavarataṃ cātra kaliyuge kṣayam āyāty akhila evaiṣa janaḥ kṣayam upaiṣyati ||

These will all be contemporary monarchs, reigning over the earth; kings of churlish spirit, violent temper, and ever addicted to falsehood and wickedness. They will inflict death on women, children, and cows; they will seize upon the property of their subjects; they will be of limited power, and will for the most part rapidly rise and fall; their lives will be short, their desires insatiable, and they will display but little piety. The people of the various countries intermingling with them will follow their example, and the barbarians being powerful in the patronage of the princes, whilst purer tribes are neglected, the people will perish. Wealth and piety will decrease day by day, until the world will be wholly depraved. Then property alone will confer rank; wealth will be the only source of devotion; passion will be the sole bond of union between the sexes; falsehood will be the only means of success in litigation; and women will be objects merely of sensual gratification. Earth will be venerated but for its mineral treasures; the Brahmanical thread will constitute a Brahman; external types (as the staff and red garb) will be the only distinctions of the several orders of life; dishonesty will be the universal means of subsistence; weakness will be the cause of dependance; menace and presumption will be substituted for learning; liberality will be devotion; simple ablution will be purification; mutual assent will be marriage; fine clothes will be dignity; and water afar off will be esteemed a holy spring. Amidst all castes he who is the strongest will reign over a principality thus vitiated by many faults. The people, unable to bear the heavy burdens imposed upon them by their avaricious sovereigns, will take refuge amongst the valleys of the mountains, and will be glad to feed upon wild honey, herbs, roots, fruits, flowers, and leaves: their only covering will be the bark of trees, and they will be exposed to the cold, and wind, and sun, and rain. No man's life will exceed three and twenty years. Thus in the Kali age shall decay constantly proceed, until the human race approaches its annihilation.

4.24.20

śrautasmārtadharme viplavam atyantam upagate kṣīṇaprāye ca kalāv aśeṣajagatsraṣṭuś carācaraguror ādimayasyāntamayasya sarvamayasya brahmamayasyātmarūpiṇo bhagavato vāsudevasyāṃśaḥ śambalagrāmapradhānabrāhmaṇaviṣṇuyaśaso gṛhe 'ṣṭaguṇarddhisamanvitaḥ kalkirūpī jagaty atrāvatīrya sakalamlecchadasyuduṣṭācaraṇacetasām aśeṣāṇām aparicchinnamāhātmyaśaktiḥ kṣayaṃ kariṣyati |
svadharmeṣu cākhilaṃ jagat saṃsthāpayiṣyati |
anantaraṃ cāśeṣakaler avasāne niśāvasānaprabuddhānāṃ teṣām eva janapadānām amalasphaṭikaviśuddhā matayo bhaviṣyanti ||

When the practices taught by the Vedas and the institutes of law shall nearly have ceased, and the close of the Kali age shall be nigh, a portion of that divine being who exists of his own spiritual nature in the character of Brahma, and who is the beginning and the end, and who comprehends all things, shall descend upon earth: he will be born in the family of Vishńuyaśas, an eminent Brahman of Sambhala village, as Kalki, endowed with the eight superhuman faculties. By his irresistible might he will destroy all the Mlechchhas and thieves, and all whose minds are devoted to iniquity. He will then reestablish righteousness upon earth; and the minds of those who live at the end of the Kali age shall be awakened, and shall be as pellucid as crystal. The men who are thus changed by virtue of that peculiar time shall be as the seeds of human beings, and shall give birth to a race who shall follow the laws of the Krita age, or age of purity. As it is said; "When the sun and moon, and the lunar asterism Tishya, and the planet Jupiter, are in one mansion, the Krita age shall return."

4.24.21

teṣāṃ ca bījabhūtānām aśeṣamanuṣyāṇāṃ pariṇatānām api tatkālakṛtānām apatyaprasūtir bhaviṣyati |
tāni ca tadapatyāni kṛtayugadharmānusārīṇy eva bhaviṣyantīti ||

When the practices taught by the Vedas and the institutes of law shall nearly have ceased, and the close of the Kali age shall be nigh, a portion of that divine being who exists of his own spiritual nature in the character of Brahma, and who is the beginning and the end, and who comprehends all things, shall descend upon earth: he will be born in the family of Vishńuyaśas, an eminent Brahman of Sambhala village, as Kalki, endowed with the eight superhuman faculties. By his irresistible might he will destroy all the Mlechchhas and thieves, and all whose minds are devoted to iniquity. He will then reestablish righteousness upon earth; and the minds of those who live at the end of the Kali age shall be awakened, and shall be as pellucid as crystal. The men who are thus changed by virtue of that peculiar time shall be as the seeds of human beings, and shall give birth to a race who shall follow the laws of the Krita age, or age of purity. As it is said; "When the sun and moon, and the lunar asterism Tishya, and the planet Jupiter, are in one mansion, the Krita age shall return."

4.24.21.p1

atrocyate |

When the practices taught by the Vedas and the institutes of law shall nearly have ceased, and the close of the Kali age shall be nigh, a portion of that divine being who exists of his own spiritual nature in the character of Brahma, and who is the beginning and the end, and who comprehends all things, shall descend upon earth: he will be born in the family of Vishńuyaśas, an eminent Brahman of Sambhala village, as Kalki, endowed with the eight superhuman faculties. By his irresistible might he will destroy all the Mlechchhas and thieves, and all whose minds are devoted to iniquity. He will then reestablish righteousness upon earth; and the minds of those who live at the end of the Kali age shall be awakened, and shall be as pellucid as crystal. The men who are thus changed by virtue of that peculiar time shall be as the seeds of human beings, and shall give birth to a race who shall follow the laws of the Krita age, or age of purity. As it is said; "When the sun and moon, and the lunar asterism Tishya, and the planet Jupiter, are in one mansion, the Krita age shall return."

4.24.22

yadā candraś ca sūryaś ca yadā tiṣyabṛhaspatī
ekarāśau sameṣyanti bhaviṣyati tadā kṛtam //

When the practices taught by the Vedas and the institutes of law shall nearly have ceased, and the close of the Kali age shall be nigh, a portion of that divine being who exists of his own spiritual nature in the character of Brahma, and who is the beginning and the end, and who comprehends all things, shall descend upon earth: he will be born in the family of Vishńuyaśas, an eminent Brahman of Sambhala village, as Kalki, endowed with the eight superhuman faculties. By his irresistible might he will destroy all the Mlechchhas and thieves, and all whose minds are devoted to iniquity. He will then reestablish righteousness upon earth; and the minds of those who live at the end of the Kali age shall be awakened, and shall be as pellucid as crystal. The men who are thus changed by virtue of that peculiar time shall be as the seeds of human beings, and shall give birth to a race who shall follow the laws of the Krita age, or age of purity. As it is said; "When the sun and moon, and the lunar asterism Tishya, and the planet Jupiter, are in one mansion, the Krita age shall return."

4.24.23

atītā vartamānāś ca tathaivānāgatāś ca ye
ete vaṃśeṣu bhūpālāḥ kathitā munisattama //

Thus, most excellent Muni, the kings who are past, who are present, and who are to be, have been enumerated. From the birth of Paríkshit to the coronation of Nanda it is to be known that 1015 years have elapsed. When the two first stars of the seven Rishis (the great Bear)

4.24.24

yāvat parīkṣito janma yāvan nandābhiṣecanam
etad varṣasahasraṃ tu jñeyaṃ pañcadaśottaram //

Thus, most excellent Muni, the kings who are past, who are present, and who are to be, have been enumerated. From the birth of Paríkshit to the coronation of Nanda it is to be known that 1015 years have elapsed. When the two first stars of the seven Rishis (the great Bear)

4.24.25

saptarṣīṇāṃ tu yau pūrvau dṛśyete uditau divi
tayos tu madhye nakṣatraṃ dṛśyate yat samaṃ niśi
tena saptarṣayo yuktās tiṣṭhanty abdaśataṃ nṛṇām //

Thus, most excellent Muni, the kings who are past, who are present, and who are to be, have been enumerated. From the birth of Paríkshit to the coronation of Nanda it is to be known that 1015 years have elapsed. When the two first stars of the seven Rishis (the great Bear)

rise in the heavens, and some lunar asterism is seen at night at an equal distance between them, then the seven Rishis continue stationary in that conjunction for a hundred years of men. At the birth of Paríkshit they were in Maghá, and the Kali age then commenced, which consists of 1200 (divine) years. When the portion of Vishńu (that had been born from Vasudeva) returned to heaven, then the Kali age commenced. As long as the earth was touched by his sacred feet, the Kali age could not affect it. As soon as the incarnation of the eternal Vishńu had departed, the son of Dharma, Yudhisht́hira, with his brethren, abdicated the sovereignty. Observing unpropitious portents, consequent upon Krishńa's disappearance, he placed Paríkshit upon the throne. When the seven Rishis are in Purváshád́há, then Nanda will begin to reign, and thenceforward the influence of the Kali will augment.

4.24.26

te tu pārīkṣite kāle maghāsv āsan dvijottama
tadā pravṛttaś ca kalir dvādaśābdaśatātmakaḥ //

rise in the heavens, and some lunar asterism is seen at night at an equal distance between them, then the seven Rishis continue stationary in that conjunction for a hundred years of men. At the birth of Paríkshit they were in Maghá, and the Kali age then commenced, which consists of 1200 (divine) years. When the portion of Vishńu (that had been born from Vasudeva) returned to heaven, then the Kali age commenced. As long as the earth was touched by his sacred feet, the Kali age could not affect it. As soon as the incarnation of the eternal Vishńu had departed, the son of Dharma, Yudhisht́hira, with his brethren, abdicated the sovereignty. Observing unpropitious portents, consequent upon Krishńa's disappearance, he placed Paríkshit upon the throne. When the seven Rishis are in Purváshád́há, then Nanda will begin to reign, and thenceforward the influence of the Kali will augment.

4.24.27

yadaiva bhagavadviṣṇor aṃśo yāto divaṃ dvija
vasudevakulodbhūtas tadaivātrāgataḥ kaliḥ //

rise in the heavens, and some lunar asterism is seen at night at an equal distance between them, then the seven Rishis continue stationary in that conjunction for a hundred years of men. At the birth of Paríkshit they were in Maghá, and the Kali age then commenced, which consists of 1200 (divine) years. When the portion of Vishńu (that had been born from Vasudeva) returned to heaven, then the Kali age commenced. As long as the earth was touched by his sacred feet, the Kali age could not affect it. As soon as the incarnation of the eternal Vishńu had departed, the son of Dharma, Yudhisht́hira, with his brethren, abdicated the sovereignty. Observing unpropitious portents, consequent upon Krishńa's disappearance, he placed Paríkshit upon the throne. When the seven Rishis are in Purváshád́há, then Nanda will begin to reign, and thenceforward the influence of the Kali will augment.

4.24.28

yāvat sa pādapadmābhyāṃ pasparśemāṃ vasuṃdharām
tāvat pṛthvīpariṣvaṅge samartho nābhavat kaliḥ //

rise in the heavens, and some lunar asterism is seen at night at an equal distance between them, then the seven Rishis continue stationary in that conjunction for a hundred years of men. At the birth of Paríkshit they were in Maghá, and the Kali age then commenced, which consists of 1200 (divine) years. When the portion of Vishńu (that had been born from Vasudeva) returned to heaven, then the Kali age commenced. As long as the earth was touched by his sacred feet, the Kali age could not affect it. As soon as the incarnation of the eternal Vishńu had departed, the son of Dharma, Yudhisht́hira, with his brethren, abdicated the sovereignty. Observing unpropitious portents, consequent upon Krishńa's disappearance, he placed Paríkshit upon the throne. When the seven Rishis are in Purváshád́há, then Nanda will begin to reign, and thenceforward the influence of the Kali will augment.

4.24.29

gate sanātanasyāṃśe viṣṇos tatra bhuvo divam
tatyāja sānujo rājyaṃ dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ //

rise in the heavens, and some lunar asterism is seen at night at an equal distance between them, then the seven Rishis continue stationary in that conjunction for a hundred years of men. At the birth of Paríkshit they were in Maghá, and the Kali age then commenced, which consists of 1200 (divine) years. When the portion of Vishńu (that had been born from Vasudeva) returned to heaven, then the Kali age commenced. As long as the earth was touched by his sacred feet, the Kali age could not affect it. As soon as the incarnation of the eternal Vishńu had departed, the son of Dharma, Yudhisht́hira, with his brethren, abdicated the sovereignty. Observing unpropitious portents, consequent upon Krishńa's disappearance, he placed Paríkshit upon the throne. When the seven Rishis are in Purváshád́há, then Nanda will begin to reign, and thenceforward the influence of the Kali will augment.

4.24.30

viparītāni dṛṣṭvā ca nimittāni sa pāṇḍavaḥ
yāte kṛṣṇe cakārātha so 'bhiṣekaṃ parīkṣitaḥ //

rise in the heavens, and some lunar asterism is seen at night at an equal distance between them, then the seven Rishis continue stationary in that conjunction for a hundred years of men. At the birth of Paríkshit they were in Maghá, and the Kali age then commenced, which consists of 1200 (divine) years. When the portion of Vishńu (that had been born from Vasudeva) returned to heaven, then the Kali age commenced. As long as the earth was touched by his sacred feet, the Kali age could not affect it. As soon as the incarnation of the eternal Vishńu had departed, the son of Dharma, Yudhisht́hira, with his brethren, abdicated the sovereignty. Observing unpropitious portents, consequent upon Krishńa's disappearance, he placed Paríkshit upon the throne. When the seven Rishis are in Purváshád́há, then Nanda will begin to reign, and thenceforward the influence of the Kali will augment.

4.24.31

prayāsyanti yadā caite pūrvāṣāḍhāṃ maharṣayaḥ
tadā nandāt prabhṛty eṣa kalir vṛddhiṃ gamiṣyati //

rise in the heavens, and some lunar asterism is seen at night at an equal distance between them, then the seven Rishis continue stationary in that conjunction for a hundred years of men. At the birth of Paríkshit they were in Maghá, and the Kali age then commenced, which consists of 1200 (divine) years. When the portion of Vishńu (that had been born from Vasudeva) returned to heaven, then the Kali age commenced. As long as the earth was touched by his sacred feet, the Kali age could not affect it. As soon as the incarnation of the eternal Vishńu had departed, the son of Dharma, Yudhisht́hira, with his brethren, abdicated the sovereignty. Observing unpropitious portents, consequent upon Krishńa's disappearance, he placed Paríkshit upon the throne. When the seven Rishis are in Purváshád́há, then Nanda will begin to reign, and thenceforward the influence of the Kali will augment.

4.24.32

yasmin kṛṣṇo divaṃ yātas tasminn eva tadāhani
pratipannaṃ kaliyugaṃ tasya saṃkhyāṃ nibodha me //

The day that Krishńa shall have departed from the earth will be the first of the Kali age, the duration of which you shall hear; it will continue for 360,000 years of mortals. After twelve hundred divine years shall have elapsed, the Krita age shall be renewed.

4.24.33

trīṇi lakṣāṇi varṣāṇāṃ dvija mānuṣasaṃkhyayā
ṣaṣṭiṃ caiva sahasrāṇi bhaviṣyaty eṣa vai kaliḥ //

The day that Krishńa shall have departed from the earth will be the first of the Kali age, the duration of which you shall hear; it will continue for 360,000 years of mortals. After twelve hundred divine years shall have elapsed, the Krita age shall be renewed.

4.24.34

śatāni tāni divyāni sapta pañca ca saṃkhyayā
niḥśeṣeṇa tatas tasmin bhaviṣyati punaḥ kṛtam //

The day that Krishńa shall have departed from the earth will be the first of the Kali age, the duration of which you shall hear; it will continue for 360,000 years of mortals. After twelve hundred divine years shall have elapsed, the Krita age shall be renewed.

4.24.35

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrāś ca dvijasattama
yuge yuge mahātmānaḥ samatītāḥ sahasraśaḥ //

Thus age after age Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śúdras, excellent Brahman, men of great souls, have passed away by thousands; whose names and tribes and families I have not enumerated to you, from their great number, and the repetition of appellations it would involve. Two persons, Devápi of the race of Puru, and Maru of the family of Ikshwáku, through the force of devotion continue alive throughout the whole four ages, residing at the village of Kalápa: they will return hither in the beginning of the Krita age, and, becoming members of the family of the Manu, give origin to the Kshatriya dynasties. In this manner the earth is possessed through every series of the three first ages, the Krita, Treta, and Dwápara, by the sons of the Manu; and some remain in the Kali age, to serve as the rudiments of renewed generations, in the same way as Devápi and Maru are still in existence.

4.24.36

bahutvān nāmadheyānāṃ parisaṃkhyā kule kule
punaruktabahutvāt tu na mayā parikīrtitā //

Thus age after age Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śúdras, excellent Brahman, men of great souls, have passed away by thousands; whose names and tribes and families I have not enumerated to you, from their great number, and the repetition of appellations it would involve. Two persons, Devápi of the race of Puru, and Maru of the family of Ikshwáku, through the force of devotion continue alive throughout the whole four ages, residing at the village of Kalápa: they will return hither in the beginning of the Krita age, and, becoming members of the family of the Manu, give origin to the Kshatriya dynasties. In this manner the earth is possessed through every series of the three first ages, the Krita, Treta, and Dwápara, by the sons of the Manu; and some remain in the Kali age, to serve as the rudiments of renewed generations, in the same way as Devápi and Maru are still in existence.

4.24.37

devāpiḥ pauravo rājā maruś cekṣvākuvaṃśajaḥ
mahāyogabalopetau kalāpagrāmasaṃśrayau //

Thus age after age Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śúdras, excellent Brahman, men of great souls, have passed away by thousands; whose names and tribes and families I have not enumerated to you, from their great number, and the repetition of appellations it would involve. Two persons, Devápi of the race of Puru, and Maru of the family of Ikshwáku, through the force of devotion continue alive throughout the whole four ages, residing at the village of Kalápa: they will return hither in the beginning of the Krita age, and, becoming members of the family of the Manu, give origin to the Kshatriya dynasties. In this manner the earth is possessed through every series of the three first ages, the Krita, Treta, and Dwápara, by the sons of the Manu; and some remain in the Kali age, to serve as the rudiments of renewed generations, in the same way as Devápi and Maru are still in existence.

4.24.38

kṛte yuga ihāgatya kṣatraprāvartakau hi tau
bhaviṣyato manor vaṃśabījabhūtau vyavasthitau //

Thus age after age Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śúdras, excellent Brahman, men of great souls, have passed away by thousands; whose names and tribes and families I have not enumerated to you, from their great number, and the repetition of appellations it would involve. Two persons, Devápi of the race of Puru, and Maru of the family of Ikshwáku, through the force of devotion continue alive throughout the whole four ages, residing at the village of Kalápa: they will return hither in the beginning of the Krita age, and, becoming members of the family of the Manu, give origin to the Kshatriya dynasties. In this manner the earth is possessed through every series of the three first ages, the Krita, Treta, and Dwápara, by the sons of the Manu; and some remain in the Kali age, to serve as the rudiments of renewed generations, in the same way as Devápi and Maru are still in existence.

4.24.39

etena kramayogena manuputrair vasuṃdharā
kṛtatretādisaṃjñāni yugāni trīṇi bhujyate //

Thus age after age Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śúdras, excellent Brahman, men of great souls, have passed away by thousands; whose names and tribes and families I have not enumerated to you, from their great number, and the repetition of appellations it would involve. Two persons, Devápi of the race of Puru, and Maru of the family of Ikshwáku, through the force of devotion continue alive throughout the whole four ages, residing at the village of Kalápa: they will return hither in the beginning of the Krita age, and, becoming members of the family of the Manu, give origin to the Kshatriya dynasties. In this manner the earth is possessed through every series of the three first ages, the Krita, Treta, and Dwápara, by the sons of the Manu; and some remain in the Kali age, to serve as the rudiments of renewed generations, in the same way as Devápi and Maru are still in existence.

4.24.40

kalau tu bījabhūtās te kecit tiṣṭhanti bhūtale
yathaiva devāpimarū sāmprataṃ samavasthitau //

Thus age after age Brahmans, Kshatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śúdras, excellent Brahman, men of great souls, have passed away by thousands; whose names and tribes and families I have not enumerated to you, from their great number, and the repetition of appellations it would involve. Two persons, Devápi of the race of Puru, and Maru of the family of Ikshwáku, through the force of devotion continue alive throughout the whole four ages, residing at the village of Kalápa: they will return hither in the beginning of the Krita age, and, becoming members of the family of the Manu, give origin to the Kshatriya dynasties. In this manner the earth is possessed through every series of the three first ages, the Krita, Treta, and Dwápara, by the sons of the Manu; and some remain in the Kali age, to serve as the rudiments of renewed generations, in the same way as Devápi and Maru are still in existence.

4.24.41

eṣa tūddeśato vaṃśas tavokto bhūbhujāṃ mayā
nikhilo gadituṃ śakyo naiva janmaśatair api //

I have now given you a summary account of the sovereigns of the earth; to recapitulate the whole would be impossible even in a hundred lives. These and other kings, who with perishable frames have possessed this ever-during world, and who, blinded with deceptive notions of individual occupation, have indulged the feeling that suggests, "This earth is mine--it is my son's--it belongs to my dynasty," have all passed away. So, many who reigned before them, many who succeeded them, and many who are yet to come, have ceased, or will cease, to be. Earth laughs, as if smiling with autumnal flowers, to behold her kings unable to effect the subjugation of themselves. I will repeat to you, Maitreya, the stanzas that were chanted by Earth, and which the Muni Asita communicated to Janaka, whose banner was virtue. "How great is the folly of princes, who are endowed with the faculty of reason, to cherish the confidence of ambition, when they themselves are but foam upon the wave. Before they have subdued themselves, they seek to reduce their ministers, their servants, their subjects, under their authority; they then endeavour to overcome their foes. 'Thus,' say they, 'will we conquer the ocean-circled earth;' and, intent upon their project, behold not death, which is not far off. But what mighty matter is the subjugation of the sea-girt earth to one who can subdue himself. Emancipation from existence is the fruit of self-control. It is through infatuation that kings desire to possess me, whom their predecessors have been forced to leave, whom their fathers have not retained. Beguiled by the selfish love of sway, fathers contend with sons, and brothers with brothers, for my possession. Foolishness has been the character of every king who has boasted, 'All this earth is mine--every thing is mine--it will be in my house for ever;' for he is dead. How is it possible that such vain desires should survive in the hearts of his descendants, who have seen their progenitor, absorbed by the thirst of dominion, compelled to relinquish me, whom he called his own, and tread the path of dissolution? When I hear a king sending word to another by his ambassador, 'This earth is mine; immediately resign your pretensions to it;' I am moved to violent laughter at first, but it soon subsides in pity for the infatuated fool."

4.24.42

ete cānye ca bhūpālā yair atra kṣitimaṇḍale
kṛtaṃ mamatvaṃ mohāndhair nitye 'nityakalevaraiḥ //

I have now given you a summary account of the sovereigns of the earth; to recapitulate the whole would be impossible even in a hundred lives. These and other kings, who with perishable frames have possessed this ever-during world, and who, blinded with deceptive notions of individual occupation, have indulged the feeling that suggests, "This earth is mine--it is my son's--it belongs to my dynasty," have all passed away. So, many who reigned before them, many who succeeded them, and many who are yet to come, have ceased, or will cease, to be. Earth laughs, as if smiling with autumnal flowers, to behold her kings unable to effect the subjugation of themselves. I will repeat to you, Maitreya, the stanzas that were chanted by Earth, and which the Muni Asita communicated to Janaka, whose banner was virtue. "How great is the folly of princes, who are endowed with the faculty of reason, to cherish the confidence of ambition, when they themselves are but foam upon the wave. Before they have subdued themselves, they seek to reduce their ministers, their servants, their subjects, under their authority; they then endeavour to overcome their foes. 'Thus,' say they, 'will we conquer the ocean-circled earth;' and, intent upon their project, behold not death, which is not far off. But what mighty matter is the subjugation of the sea-girt earth to one who can subdue himself. Emancipation from existence is the fruit of self-control. It is through infatuation that kings desire to possess me, whom their predecessors have been forced to leave, whom their fathers have not retained. Beguiled by the selfish love of sway, fathers contend with sons, and brothers with brothers, for my possession. Foolishness has been the character of every king who has boasted, 'All this earth is mine--every thing is mine--it will be in my house for ever;' for he is dead. How is it possible that such vain desires should survive in the hearts of his descendants, who have seen their progenitor, absorbed by the thirst of dominion, compelled to relinquish me, whom he called his own, and tread the path of dissolution? When I hear a king sending word to another by his ambassador, 'This earth is mine; immediately resign your pretensions to it;' I am moved to violent laughter at first, but it soon subsides in pity for the infatuated fool."