— without potency; — those of the Vedic class; — serpents bereft of venom; — like; — in the Satya age and the rest; — fruitful; — they were; — in the Kali age; — they; — dead, lifeless; — as if
The Vedic class of mantras are without potency, like serpents bereft of venom; fruitful in the Satya age and the rest, in the Kali age they are as if dead.