In that Kaliyuga I was born in the city of Ayodhya in the body of a Shudra (a member of the labouring and artisan classes). A devotee of Shiva in thought, word and deed, I was a reviler of all other gods and arrogant too.

Intoxicated with the pride of wealth, I was most loquacious and savage of purpose and swollen with arrogance. Even though I lived in Raghunatha’s capital, I had at the time no knowledge of its glory.

It is only now that I have come to understand the influence of Ayodhya. Thus has it been sung by the Vedas, the Tantras and the Puranas that whoever in any life dwells in Ayodhya will surely become a votary of Rama.

It is only when Rama with bow in hand taken up his abode in a man’s heart that he knows the virtue of Ayodhya. That Kaliyuga, Garuda, was of terrible wickedness; every man and woman was a devotee of sin.

The sinfulness of that age stifled religion and all the sacred books disappeared; impostors invented and promulgated a number of heretical creeds.

The people were all over-mastered by delusion and all acts of piety were swallowed by greed. Now listen, all-wise mount of Hari, while I tell you something of what passes for righteousness in these evil times.

No regard is paid to the rules of caste and the four orders of life; men and women all delight in opposing the precepts of the Vedas. Brahmans sell the Vedas for a price and kings devour their subjects; no one respects the injunctions of revelation.