They allow themselves to be worshipped by the Brahmans and ruin themselves in this world and the next. As for the Brahmans themselves, they are unlettered, grasping and lascivious, reprobate and stupid and the husbands of lewd outcastes.

Shudras, on the other hand, indulge in all sorts of prayers and penances and vows and expound the Puranas from an exalted seat. Everybody follows a course of conduct of his own imagination, and the endless perversions of morality are beyond all description.

In the Kaliyuga there ensues a confusion of castes (due to promiscuous intermarriage) leading to universal lawlessness. Men practise sin and reap its reward – pain, terror, sickness, sorrow and bereavement.

Overcome by delusion, men walk out on the path of devotion to Hari, the path of dispassion and wisdom, the way approved by the Vedas, but invent diverse heresies of their own.

The so-called recluses build themselves houses and furnish them at considerable expense; having been wiped out by their sensuality, abstinence is no more to be seen in them. Ascetics amass wealth and householders go penniless; the freaks of the Kaliyuga, my son, are beyond all description.

Men drive out their wives, well-born and virtuous though they are, and bring home servant girls, violating all laws of decent behaviour. Sons respect their parents so long only as they see not a woman’s face.

From the time when they take a fancy to their wife’s kinsfolk they begin to regard their own family as enemies. Kings, addicted to sin and with no regard for virtue, ever oppress their subjects with unmerited punishments.