They are possessed also of deep knowledge of the Sankhya philosophy.  They are preceptors of the scriptures on duty and it is they that introduce the duties of the religion of Nivritti and cause them to flow in the worlds.  From Unmanifest (Prakriti) has flowed Consciousness and the three great attributes (of Sattwa, Rajas, and Tamas).  Transcending Prakriti is he called Kshetrajna.  That Kshetrajna is myself.  The path of those that are wedded to Karma emerging out of Ahankara is fraught with return.  One cannot, by that path, reach the spot whence there is no return.  Different creatures have been created with different ends.  Some are intended for the path of Pravritti and some for that of Nivritti.  According to the path that a creature follows is the reward that he enjoys.  This Brahman is the master of all the worlds.  Endued with puissance it is he that creates the universe.[1848] He is your mother and father, and he is your grandfather.  At my command, he will be the giver of boons unto all creatures.  His son Rudra, who has sprung from his brow at his command, will, endued with puissance, uphold all created beings.  Go ye to your respective jurisdictions, and seek, according to the ordinances, the good of the worlds.  Let all the scriptural acts flow in all the worlds.  Let there be no delay in this.  Ye foremost of celestials, do ye ordain the acts of all creatures and the ends that they are to attain therefore.  Do ye appoint also the limits of the periods for which all creatures are to live.  This present epoch that has been set to run is the foremost of all epochs and should be known by the name of Krita.  In this Yuga living creatures should not be slain in the sacrifices that may be performed.  It should be as I ordain and let it not be otherwise.  In this age, ye celestials, Righteousness will flourish in its entirety.[1849] After this age will come the epoch called Treta.  The Vedas, in that Yuga, will lose one quarter.  Only three of them will exist.  In the sacrifice that will be performed in that age, animals, after dedication with the aid of sacred mantras, will be slain.  As regards Righteousness again, it will lose one quarter; only three quarters thereof will flourish.  On the expiration of the Treta will come the mixed Yuga known by the name of Dwapara.  In that Yuga, Righteousness will lose two quarters and only two quarters thereof will flourish.  Upon the expiration of Dwapara the Yuga that will set in will be called Kali yuga which will come under the influence of Tisya constellation.  Righteousness will lose full three quarters.  Only a quarter thereof will exist in all places.

“’When the great God said these words, the deities and the celestial Rishis addressed him and said, If only a fourth part of Righteousness is to exist in that age in every place, tell us O holy one, whither shall we then go and what shall we do!

“’The blessed and holy one said, Ye foremost of celestials, ye should, in that age, repair to such places where the Vedas and sacrifices and Penances and Truth and Self-restraint, accompanied by duties fraught with compassion for all creatures, will still continue to flourish.  Sin will never be able to touch you at all!