Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 40
Kali-yuga’s Degradation, the Advent of Kalki, and the Reset of the Yuga Cycle
राजन्नेते मया प्रोक्ता नरदेवास्तथापरे । भूमौ ममत्वं कृत्वान्ते हित्वेमां निधनं गता: ॥ ४० ॥
rājann ete mayā proktā nara-devās tathāpare bhūmau mamatvaṁ kṛtvānte hitvemāṁ nidhanaṁ gatāḥ
My dear King Parīkṣit, all these kings I have described, as well as all other human beings, come to this earth and stake their claims, but ultimately they all must give up this world and meet their destruction.
FAQs
This verse states that rulers who develop mamatva—thinking the earth is ‘mine’—ultimately must abandon it and meet death, highlighting the futility of possessive pride.
In the Kali-yuga context, Śukadeva illustrates that worldly sovereignty is temporary and often corrupted by possessiveness, guiding Parīkṣit toward renunciation and exclusive devotion to the Lord.
It encourages reducing ego-based ownership—of property, status, or control—and cultivating stewardship, humility, and devotion, remembering that everything material must be left behind.