Shloka 26
Yuga-Dharma, Kalpa Measure, Purāṇa Definitions, and the Kali-Yuga Power of Nāma-Kīrtana
यदा लोभस्त्वसन्तोषो मानो दम्भश्च मत्सरः / कर्मणाञ्चापि काम्यानां द्वापरं तद्रजस्तमः
yadā lobhastvasantoṣo māno dambhaśca matsaraḥ / karmaṇāñcāpi kāmyānāṃ dvāparaṃ tadrajastamaḥ
إذا ظهرتِ الطمعُ وعدمُ القناعة، ومعهما الكِبرُ والرياءُ والحسد، وإذا اندفع الناسُ إلى الطقوسِ والأعمالِ الطامعةِ في الثمرة بدافع الشهوة، فذلك هو عصرُ الدفاپرا، تغلبُ عليه الراجسُ والتامس.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Rajas-tamas dominance manifests as lobha, asantoṣa, māna, dambha, matsara and attachment to kāmya actions.
Vedantic Theme: Guṇic bondage: tamas clouds discernment, rajas agitates desire; liberation requires sattva cultivation and transcendence of guṇas.
Application: Identify these vices as tamasic/rājasic symptoms; apply counter-practices—contentment, humility, honesty, generosity, and devotional remembrance.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana ethical catalogues of vices and their consequences
FAQs
This verse gives a diagnostic list—greed, discontent, pride, hypocrisy, and envy—showing how the yuga is recognized by the dominance of rajas and tamas and by a turn toward reward-seeking actions.
It links inner vices (lobha, dambha, matsara) with kāmya-karma—actions and rites performed primarily for personal gain—indicating a shift from duty-based dharma to desire-driven conduct.
Cultivate contentment and humility, reduce envy and perform duties with less attachment to results—transforming kāmya motivation into more sattvic, ethical action.