Shloka 3
Yuga Order, Lifespan Measures, and Traits of Beings in Bhārata-varṣa
सूत उवाच । चत्वारि भारते वर्षे युगानि मुनिपुंगवाः । कृतं त्रेता द्वापरं च तिष्यं च द्विजसत्तमाः
sūta uvāca | catvāri bhārate varṣe yugāni munipuṃgavāḥ | kṛtaṃ tretā dvāparaṃ ca tiṣyaṃ ca dvijasattamāḥ
సూతుడు పలికెను—హే మునిపుంగవులారా, భారతవర్షంలో నాలుగు యుగములు ఉన్నాయి—కృత, త్రేతా, ద్వాపర మరియు తిష్య (కలి), హే ద్విజసత్తములారా.
Sūta
Concept: Time in Bhārata is structured into four yugas—Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Tiṣya (Kali)—each with distinct dharma-capacity and spiritual methods.
Application: Choose practices suited to the age and your strength: prioritize steady bhakti (japa, nāma, Ekādaśī discipline, sāttvika living) rather than heroic austerities beyond capacity.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Sūta sits poised with a manuscript, and above him a cosmic wheel displays four quadrants labeled Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Tiṣya, each quadrant showing a distinct atmosphere—golden serenity, sacrificial grandeur, temple devotion, and austere Kali twilight. The sages watch as if witnessing time itself turn, grounding their questions in an ordered cosmology.","primary_figures":["Sūta","Munipuṅgavas (sages)","Personified Kāla (symbolic, optional)"],"setting":"Forest teaching hall with a visionary yuga-cakra appearing in the sky like a mandala.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["antique gold","saffron","smoky violet","midnight blue","ivory"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Sūta enthroned on a low seat with gold halo, sages around; above, a large yuga-cakra mandala with four gold-leaf quadrants labeled Kṛta/Tretā/Dvāpara/Tiṣya; each quadrant contains miniature scenes (peaceful hermitage, grand yajña, temple worship, Kali twilight); rich reds/greens, ornate borders, heavy gold leaf detailing.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate circular yuga wheel floating in a pale sky; subtle seasonal cues per yuga; Sūta and sages rendered with refined features and soft shading; cool blues for Tiṣya, warm gold for Kṛta, balanced naturalism and lyrical calm.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold yuga mandala with thick black outlines; four panels with iconic motifs (yajña fire, temple lamp, ascetic silhouette); Sūta frontal, sages in rhythmic rows; strong reds/yellows/greens with deep blue accents.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: yuga-cakra as a floral mandala with lotus borders; central satsanga; quadrant motifs integrated into decorative patterns; deep blue ground with gold and ivory linework, peacocks and vines framing the cosmic cycle."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["tanpura drone","soft mridangam pulse (subtle)","temple bell punctuation","forest ambience","conch at section end"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: सूत उवाच → सूतः उवाच (विसर्ग-लोप/पदसन्धि). अन्यत्र स्पष्ट सन्धि-भेद आवश्यक नहीं।
FAQs
“Tiṣya” is a traditional alternate designation used in some Purāṇic sources for the Kali age, functioning here as a synonym for Kali-yuga.
It states that the cycle of four yugas—Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali (Tiṣya)—is recognized within Bhārata-varṣa.
By naming the yugas, the text frames human life within changing moral and spiritual conditions across time, encouraging appropriate dharmic and devotional practice suited to one’s age.