Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 30
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्याः शूद्रा धर्मपराङ्मुखाः । घोरे कलियुगे प्राप्ते द्विजा वेदपराङ्मुखाः ॥ ३० ॥
brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyāḥ śūdrā dharmaparāṅmukhāḥ | ghore kaliyuge prāpte dvijā vedaparāṅmukhāḥ || 30 ||
ঘোৰ কলিযুগ আহিলে ব্ৰাহ্মণ, ক্ষত্ৰিয়, বৈশ্য আৰু শূদ্ৰসকল ধৰ্মৰ পৰা পৰাংমুখ হয়; আৰু দ্বিজসকল বেদৰ পৰাও বিমুখ হয়।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in dialogue on Kali-yuga characteristics)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It warns that Kali-yuga is marked by a widespread turning away from dharma and, specifically among the dvijas, a loss of reverence for Vedic authority—signaling the need to consciously restore righteousness through disciplined practice.
By describing the collapse of dharma and Vedic commitment, the verse frames Kali-yuga as an age where inner sincerity and steady devotional orientation become essential supports for spiritual life when social and scriptural observances are neglected.
The verse points to the neglect of Veda itself, implying decline in traditional Vedic learning systems that depend on Vedāṅgas such as Śikṣā (phonetics) and Vyākaraṇa (grammar) for correct study, recitation, and transmission.