The Great Liberation Tantra (1884) - Page 8

The four Vedas were revealed, reinforced by all duties,

Where the rules of castes and stages of life were firmly established. (19)

By such prescribed yoga, sacrifices, and other deeds, people on earth,

Satisfying the gods and ancestors, were righteous in the Satya age. (20)

Through private study of the scriptures, meditation, and austerity, through compassion and charity, they mastered their senses;

They were of great strength, great power, great character, and valor. (21)

Mortals who visited temples were like gods, firm in their vows,

All devoted to truth and duty, virtuous, and truthful. (22)

...By you, the people were saved. Likewise, in the present Kali age, where a sinner promotes evil deeds, humans must be uplifted by you, who are compassionate. This is the intention. (18)

"Revealed," and so on. "Reinforced" means those in which all duties were increased. (19)

"By such prescribed," and so on. In the Satya age, on the earth, righteous humans were those who satisfied or pleased the gods and ancestors through sacrifices and other rituals prescribed by the Vedas, which serve as means of salvation. (20)

"Private study," and so on. "Private study" is the study of the Vedas. "Meditation" is contemplation of the Supreme Self. "Austerity" is penance like krichchhra and chandrayana specific forms of fasting/atonement. "Compassion" is the desire to destroy others' suffering without cause. "Charity" is the offering of wealth acquired justly to a worthy recipient. By all these, humans were distinguished. "Mastered senses" means they controlled their eyes and other senses. "Great strength" means great capability. "Great power" means great influence or great brilliance. "Great character and valor" means they possessed great business-like focus and heroism. (21)

"Visited temples" means those who go to houses of God. "Mortals," although subject to death, were "like gods," meaning slightly less than gods; they were equal to gods. (22)