Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 39
The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali
नित्यमुद्विग्नमनसो दुर्भिक्षकरकर्शिता: । निरन्ने भूतले राजननावृष्टिभयातुरा: ॥ ३९ ॥ वासोऽन्नपानशयनव्यवायस्नानभूषणै: । हीना: पिशाचसन्दर्शा भविष्यन्ति कलौ प्रजा: ॥ ४० ॥
nityam udvigna-manaso durbhikṣa-kara-karśitāḥ niranne bhū-tale rājan anāvṛṣṭi-bhayāturāḥ
In the Age of Kali, people’s minds will always be agitated. They will become emaciated by famine and taxation, my dear King, and will always be disturbed by fear of drought. They will lack adequate clothing, food and drink, will be unable to properly rest, have sex or bathe themselves, and will have no ornaments to decorate their bodies. In fact, the people of Kali-yuga will gradually come to appear like ghostly, haunted creatures.
The symptoms described here are already prevalent in many countries of the world and will gradually spread to other places engulfed by impiety and materialism.
FAQs
In 12.3.39, Śukadeva describes Kali-yuga people as constantly anxious, weakened by famine and oppressive taxes, and distressed by fear of drought and lack of rain.
Parīkṣit Mahārāja inquired about the future course of the ages; Śukadeva answers by listing Kali-yuga’s characteristics to awaken detachment and urgency for bhakti.
Recognize anxiety and insecurity as Kali-yuga conditions and respond by simplifying life, cultivating faith, and prioritizing steady devotional practice (śravaṇa-kīrtana) over endless material solutions.