And they fed with care all cattle that were lean.
And men never milked kine as long as the calves drank only the milk of
their dams (without having taken to grass or any other food). And no
merchant in those days ever sold his articles by false scales. And, O
tiger among men, all persons, holding to the ways of virtue, did
everything with eyes set upon virtue. And, O monarch, all the orders were
mindful of their own respective duties. Thus, O tiger among men, virtue in
those days never sustained any diminution. And, O bull of the Bharata race,
both kine and women gave birth to their offspring at the proper time. And
trees bore flowers and fruit duly according to the seasons. And thus, O
king, the krita age having then duly set in, the whole earth was filled
with numerous creatures.
"And, O bull of the Bharata race, when such was the blessed state of the
terrestrial world, the Asuras, O lord of men, began to be born in kingly
lines. And the sons of Diti (Daityas) being repeatedly defeated in war by
the sons of Aditi (celestials) and deprived also of sovereignty and heaven,
began to be incarnated on the earth. And, O king, the Asuras being
possessed of great powers, and desirous of sovereignty began to be born on
earth amongst various creatures, such as kine, horses, asses, camels,
buffaloes, among creatures such as Rakshasas and others, and among
elephants and deer. And, O protector of the earth, owing to those already
born and to those that were being born, the earth became incapable of
supporting herself.
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