Shloka 18
Hanūmān’s Embrace, Counsel, and Promise to Amplify Bhīma’s Battle-Roar
Gandhamādana Continuation
ब्राह्मणा: क्षत्रिया वैश्या: शूद्राश्न॒ कृतलक्षणा: । कृते युगे समभवन् स्वकर्मनिरता: प्रजा:,ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय, वैश्य और शूद्र सभी शम-दम आदि स्वभावसिद्ध शुभ लक्षणोंसे सम्पन्न थे। सत्ययुगमें समस्त प्रजा अपने-अपने कर्तव्यकर्मोंमें तत्पर रहती थी
brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrāś ca kṛtalakṣaṇāḥ | kṛte yuge samabhavan svakarmaniratāḥ prajāḥ ||
Bhīma disse: “Na Yuga Kṛta (Satya), brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas e śūdras—todos eram dotados das devidas qualidades auspiciosas, como śama e dama. Naquela era, o povo como um todo vivia devotado aos seus deveres prescritos, cada qual firme no trabalho próprio de sua condição.”
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents the Kṛta Yuga as an ethical ideal: all social groups are described as naturally possessing virtuous qualities and remaining devoted to their own dharmic responsibilities (svakarma). The emphasis is on inner virtue and faithful performance of duty as the foundation of social harmony.
Bhīma is speaking and describing the character of the Kṛta (Satya) Yuga. He contrasts (implicitly) an earlier age of righteousness—where all varṇas were marked by good qualities and dutiful conduct—with later ages where such steadiness in dharma declines.