Shloka 12
Hanūmān’s Embrace, Counsel, and Promise to Amplify Bhīma’s Battle-Roar
Gandhamādana Continuation
न तत्र धर्मा: सीदन्ति क्षीयन्ते न च वै प्रजा: । ततः कृतयुगं नाम कालेन गुणतां गतम्,उस समय धर्मका हास नहीं होता था। प्रजाका अर्थात् (माता-पिताके रहते हुए) संतानका नाश नहीं होता था। तदनन्तर कालक्रमसे उसमें गौणता आ गयी
na tatra dharmāḥ sīdanti kṣīyante na ca vai prajāḥ | tataḥ kṛtayugaṃ nāma kālena guṇatāṃ gatam ||
Pada yuga itu, dharma tidak merosot dan rakyat pun tidak melemah; anak-anak tidak binasa selagi ayah-ibu masih hidup. Namun kemudian, seiring berjalannya Kāla, zaman yang bernama Kṛta Yuga itu kehilangan keunggulan penuhnya dan menjadi sekunder dalam mutu.
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the idea that moral order (dharma) is strongest in the Kṛta Yuga, where social and familial stability prevail; yet even that ideal condition is not permanent, because time (kāla) inevitably brings diminution of excellence.
Bhīma is describing characteristics of the earliest age (Kṛta Yuga): dharma does not decline and the populace does not suffer premature loss, especially the unnatural death of children before parents. He then notes that, with the passage of time, that age’s superior quality waned.