इदानीमेकमेवास्ति श्रोतव्यं सूत सन्मते । तद्र हस्यमपि ब्रूहि यदि तेऽनुग्रहो भवेत् ११ ।
Now, O Sūta of good mentality, we have only one point to be clarified. If thou dost desire to bless us, please explain the same, though it be the secret of secrets.
At the advent of the terrible age of Kali men have become devoid of merits. They are engaged in evil ways of life. They have turned their faces from truthful avocations.
परापवादनिरताः परद्र व्याभिलाषिणः । परस्त्रीसक्तमनसः परहिंसापरायणाः १३ ।
They are engaged in caluminating others. They covet other men’s wealth. Their attention is diverted to other men’s wives. Injuring others has become their chief aim.
देहात्मदृष्टया मूढा नास्तिकाः पशुबुद्धयः । मातृपितृकृतद्वेषाः स्त्रीदेवाः कामकिंकराः १४ ।
They view the physical body as the soul, deluded as they are; they are atheists of mere brutish sense; they hate their parents; their wives are goddesses unto them; they are slaves to lust.
विप्रा लोभग्रहग्रस्ता वेदविक्रयजीविनः । धनार्जनार्थमभ्यस्तविद्या मदविमोहिताः १५ ।
Brahmins are in the clutches of greed, they sell Vedas for livelihood; they acquire learning as a means of earning money; they are deluded by their false pride.