Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 24
Devas in Dvārakā, Brahmā’s Petition, and Uddhava’s Appeal
Prabhāsa Departure Set-Up
यानि ते चरितानीश मनुष्या: साधव: कलौ । शृण्वन्त: कीर्तयन्तश्च तरिष्यन्त्यञ्जसा तम: ॥ २४ ॥
yāni te caritānīśa manuṣyāḥ sādhavaḥ kalau śṛṇvantaḥ kīrtayantaś ca tariṣyanty añjasā tamaḥ
O Herr, im Kali-Zeitalter werden die frommen Heiligen, die Deine Lila hören und sie im Kīrtana verherrlichen, mühelos die Dunkelheit dieser Zeit überwinden.
Unfortunately, in Kali-yuga many persons are not attracted to the authorized Vedic literatures. Minimizing the transcendental process of hearing and chanting the glories of the Personality of Godhead, they prefer to listen to useless and whimsical vibrations on the radio and television, in newspapers and magazines, and so on. Rather than hear about Kṛṣṇa from the bona fide spiritual master, they endlessly give their own opinions about everything, until they are dragged away by the force of time. After studying the temporary, limited forms of the material world, they impatiently conclude that the Absolute Truth is formless. Such persons are actually worshiping Kṛṣṇa’s illusory energy, māyā, who has been authorized to kick their stubborn heads. If instead people hear directly about Kṛṣṇa from the bona fide sources, they will very easily solve all the problems of their lives. In Kali-yuga people are constantly suffering from many psychological, social, economic, historical, political and existential problems. But all these nightmarish problems can be removed as soon as one awakens to the transcendental reality of the Personality of Godhead, who is eternal, full of bliss and knowledge and beyond the bewildering manifestations of the material energy. The Lord appears within this universe so that people can observe, hear about and glorify His actual activities. In this difficult Age of Kali we should all seriously take advantage of this opportunity.
FAQs
This verse states that saintly people in Kali-yuga can easily cross the darkness of ignorance by hearing and glorifying the Lord’s pastimes.
Uddhava, speaking directly to Krishna, emphasizes bhakti—especially hearing and chanting Krishna-kathā—as the most effective and accessible rescue for people in Kali-yuga.
Regularly listen to Bhagavatam teachings and sincerely chant or speak the Lord’s names and pastimes; consistent devotional hearing and glorification is presented here as the direct way to overcome inner darkness.