625:13 The complaints of the prevalence of heterodox doctrines, and neglect of the practices of the Vedas, which recur in the Bhágavata and our text, indicate a period of change in the condition of the Hindu religion, which it would be important to verify. If reference is made to Buddhism, to which in some respects the allusions especially apply, it would probably denote a period not long subsequent to the Christian era; but it is more likely to be of a later date, or in the eighth and ninth centuries, when Śankara is said to have reformed a variety of corrupt practices, and given rise to others. See As. Res. vol. XVI. p. la.

625:14 Crotolaria juncea.

625:15 The silk cotton, Bombax heptaphylla.

625:16 The expression Kwachil-loka, 'a certain place,' is explained by the commentator, Kíkat́a, &c.; confirming the inference that Buddhism is especially aimed at in the previous passages; for Kíkat́a, or south Behar, is the scene of Śákya's earliest and most successful labours.

625:17 Several of the Puráńas contain allusions to the degeneracy of the Kali age, p. 626 but none afford more copious details. The description in the Bhágavata is much shorter; that of the Váyu is much the same, and employs many of the same verses and illustrations.

626:18 This might be suspected of being said ironically, referring to what had been just observed of places where a religion prevailed that required neither study nor sacrifice. The commentator, however, understands it literally, and asserts that allusion is here made to the Vaishńava faith, in which devotion to Vishńu or Krishńa, and the mere repetition of his name, are equally efficacious in the Kali age with the penances and sacrifices of the preceding ages: therefore he concludes the Kali, by this one property, is the best of all the ages. This interpretation is confirmed by the following chapter.

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Hinduism

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