Shloka 23
आत्मदर्शन-उपदेशः (Ātma-darśana Upadeśa) — Mind, Senses, and the All-pervading Self
इतरेषु ससंध्येषु संध्यांशेषु ततस्त्रिषु । एक पादेन हीयन्ते सहस्राणि शतानि च,चतुष्पात् सकलो धर्म: सत्यं चैव कृते युगे । नाधर्मेणागम: कश्चित् परस्तस्य प्रवर्तते सत्ययुगमें सत्य और धर्मके चारों चरण मौजूद रहते हैं--उस समय सत्य और धर्मका पूरा-पूरा पालन होता है उस समय कोई भी धर्मशास्त्र अधर्मसे संयुक्त नहीं होता; उसका उत्तम रीतिसे पालन होता है
itareṣu sa-sandhyeṣu sandhyāṁśeṣu tataḥ triṣu | eka-pādena hīyante sahasrāṇi śatāni ca | catuṣpāt sakalo dharmaḥ satyaṁ caiva kṛte yuge | nādharmena āgamaḥ kaścit paratas tasya pravartate ||
Vyāsa said: In the other three transitional portions (the remaining yuga-junctions), thousands and hundreds diminish by one quarter each time. In the Kṛta Yuga, dharma stands complete on all four feet, and truth likewise prevails. In that age, no scriptural ordinance is mixed with unrighteousness; rather, it proceeds and is practiced in the highest and proper manner.
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a yuga-based model of ethical decline: dharma and truth are fully established in Kṛta Yuga (four complete quarters), while in later ages they diminish stepwise by one quarter. It also asserts that in the ideal age, authoritative teachings (āgama) are not tainted by adharma and are practiced correctly.
Vyāsa is explaining to his listener(s) the characteristics of the ages (yugas), contrasting the purity and completeness of Kṛta Yuga with the progressive reduction of dharma in the subsequent three periods, including their transitional junctions (sandhyās).