Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 4
The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali
पूर्वं निर्जित्य षड्वर्गं जेष्यामो राजमन्त्रिण: । तत: सचिवपौराप्तकरीन्द्रानस्य कण्टकान् ॥ ३ ॥ एवं क्रमेण जेष्याम: पृथ्वीं सागरमेखलाम् । इत्याशाबद्धहृदया न पश्यन्त्यन्तिकेऽन्तकम् ॥ ४ ॥
pūrvaṁ nirjitya ṣaḍ-vargaṁ jeṣyāmo rāja-mantriṇaḥ tataḥ saciva-paurāpta- karīndrān asya kaṇṭakān
“Kings and politicians imagine: ‘First I will conquer my senses and mind; then I will subdue my chief ministers and rid myself of the thorn-pricks of my advisors, citizens, friends and relatives, as well as the keepers of my elephants. In this way I will gradually conquer the entire earth.’ Because the hearts of these leaders are bound by great expectations, they fail to see death waiting nearby.
To satisfy their greed for power, determined politicians, dictators and military leaders undergo severe austerities and sacrifice, with much self-discipline. Then they lead their great nations in a struggle to control the sea, land, air and space. Although the politicians and their followers will soon be dead — since birth and death are all inevitable in this world — they persist in their frenetic struggle for ephemeral glory.
FAQs
This verse describes people plotting step-by-step political domination, yet being so bound by hope that they fail to notice death approaching—highlighting the futility of material conquest in Kali Yuga.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī speaks these words to Mahārāja Parīkṣit while describing the mentality and degradation of people in Kali Yuga.
Prioritize inner victory over the ṣaḍ-varga (lust, anger, greed, illusion, pride, envy), and remember life’s uncertainty; align goals with bhakti and lasting spiritual progress rather than endless external “conquests.”