no doubt also in
this. O bull of Bharata's race, that Krita, Treta, Dwapara, and Kali, as
regards their setting in, are all dependent on the king's conduct. When
such a season of misery as has been described by thee sets in, the
righteous should support life by the aid of judgment. In this connection
is cited the old story of the discourse between Viswamitra and the
Chandala in a hamlet inhabited by Chandalas. Towards the end of Treta and
the beginning of Dwapara, a frightful drought occurred, extending over
twelve years, in consequence of what the gods had ordained. At that time
which was the end of Treta and the commencement of Dwapara, when the
period came for many creatures superannuated by age to lay down their
lives, the thousand-eyed deity of heaven poured no rain. The planet
Vrihaspati began to move in a retrograde course, and Soma abandoning his
own orbit, receded towards the south. Not even could a dew-drop be seen,
what need then be said of clouds gathering together? The rivers all
shrank into narrow streamlets. Everywhere lakes and wells and springs
disappeared and lost their beauty in consequence of that order of things
which the gods brought about. Water having become scarce, the places set
up by charity for its distribution became desolate.[427] The Brahmanas
abstained from sacrifices and recitation of the Vedas. They no longer
uttered Vashats and performed other propitiatory rites. Agriculture and
keep of cattle were given up. Markets and shops were abandoned. Stakes
for tethering sacrificial animals disappeared. People no longer collected
diverse kinds of articles for sacrifices. All festivals and amusements
perished. Everywhere heaps of bones were visible and every place
resounded with the shrill cries and yells of fierce creatures.[428] The
cities and towns of the earth became empty of inhabitants. Villages and
hamlets were burnt down. Some afflicted by robbers, some by weapons, and
some by bad kings, and in fear of one another, began to fly away. Temples
and places of worship became desolate. They that were aged were forcibly
turned out of their houses. Kine and goats and sheep and buffaloes fought
(for food) and perished in large numbers. The Brahmanas began to die on
all sides. Protection was at an end. Herbs and plants were dried up. The
earth became shorn of all her beauty and exceedingly awful like the trees
in a crematorium. In that period of terror, when righteousness was
nowhere, O Yudhishthir