Srimad Bhagavatam — Prathama Skandha, Shloka 45
Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy (Śṛṅgi) and the Moral Crisis of Kali-yuga
तदार्यधर्म: प्रविलीयते नृणां वर्णाश्रमाचारयुतस्त्रयीमय: । ततोऽर्थकामाभिनिवेशितात्मनां शुनां कपीनामिव वर्णसङ्कर: ॥ ४५ ॥
tadārya-dharmaḥ pravilīyate nṛṇāṁ varṇāśramācāra-yutas trayīmayaḥ tato ’rtha-kāmābhiniveśitātmanāṁ śunāṁ kapīnām iva varṇa-saṅkaraḥ
At that time the people in general will fall systematically from the path of a progressive civilization in respect to the qualitative engagements of the castes and the orders of society and the Vedic injunctions. Thus they will be more attracted to economic development for sense gratification, and as a result there will be an unwanted population on the level of dogs and monkeys.
It is foretold herein that in the absence of a monarchical regime, the general mass of people will be an unwanted population like dogs and monkeys. As the monkeys are too sexually inclined and dogs are shameless in sexual intercourse, the general mass of population born of illegitimate connection will systematically go astray from the Vedic way of good manners and qualitative engagements in the castes and orders of life.
FAQs
This verse says that when people become absorbed in wealth (artha) and sense pleasure (kāma), the noble Vedic dharma grounded in varṇāśrama conduct dissolves, leading to social confusion (varṇa-saṅkara).
In the context of Parīkṣit’s imminent death and the onset of Kali-yuga influences, Śukadeva explains how dharma deteriorates when society abandons Vedic discipline and becomes driven by material aims.
Prioritize dharma—self-discipline, truthfulness, and spiritual practice—over constant pursuit of money and pleasure, because unchecked material fixation leads to personal and social instability.