An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s9.311.2

c5.s9.311.2

When they had taken their seats, the *devarshi* Nārada also came to visit them. *Yudhishṭhira*, mentioning the happiness of the impious *Dhārtarāshṭras*, asked Mārkaṇḍeya about the results of men's acts. Mārkaṇḍeya, after having described the *Kṛta* age and the subsequent deterioration, answered the question (III, 183).—§§ 454-5: *Brāhmaṇamāhātmya - kathana* (q.v.).—§ 456: *Sārasvati-Tārkshya-saṃvāda* (q.v.).—§ 457: *Vaivasvatopākhyāna* (q.v.).—§ 458: *Yudhishṭhira*, saying that Mārkaṇḍeya alone worships *Brahmán* at the time of the great dissolution, when he sleeps in a lotus flower, and when he awakes to recreate the world, asked him to explain the causes of things. Mārkaṇḍeya said: Janārdana attired in yellow robes is the great creator of everything. After the dissolution, creation again comes to life. *Kṛta yuga* = 4,000 years + dawn 400 years + eve 400 years; *Tretā yuga* = 3,000 + 300 + 300; *Dvāpara yuga* = 2,000 + 200 + 200; *Kali yuga* = 1,000 + 100 + 100; altogether a cycle of *yugas* = 12,000 years. After the *Kali* yuga is over, the *Kṛta* yuga comes again. One thousand cycles constitute a day of *Brahmán*. Description of *Kali* yuga (*b*). Then comes a long drought, and seven suns drink up all water and reduce wood and grass to ashes. Then the *Saṃvartaka* fire with wind penetrates into *Rasātala* and terrifies the gods, *Dānavas*, and *Yakshas*, and consumes this world with gods, *Asuras*, *Gandharvas*, *Yakshas*, *Uragas*, and *Rākshasas*.