Shloka 20
Kali-yuga’s Degradation, the Advent of Kalki, and the Reset of the Yuga Cycle
अश्वमाशुगमारुह्य देवदत्तं जगत्पति: । असिनासाधुदमनमष्टैश्वर्यगुणान्वित: ॥ १९ ॥ विचरन्नाशुना क्षौण्यां हयेनाप्रतिमद्युति: । नृपलिङ्गच्छदो दस्यून्कोटिशो निहनिष्यति ॥ २० ॥
aśvam āśu-gam āruhya devadattaṁ jagat-patiḥ asināsādhu-damanam aṣṭaiśvarya-guṇānvitaḥ
Lord Kalki, the Lord of the universe, will mount His swift horse Devadatta and, sword in hand, race across the earth, revealing His eight mystic opulences and divine qualities. Shining with unequaled splendor, He will slay by the millions those thieves who dared to masquerade as kings.
These verses describe the thrilling pastimes of Lord Kalki. Anyone would be attracted by the sight of a powerful, beautiful man riding on a wonderful horse at lightning speed, chastising and devastating cruel, demonic people with the sword in His hand.
FAQs
This verse describes the Lord appearing as Kalki, mounting the swift horse Devadatta and wielding a sword to subdue the wicked at the end of Kali Yuga.
The sword signifies decisive divine intervention—Kalki’s mission is to chastise irreligious rulers and destroy rampant adharma when it becomes unbearable for the world.
It reminds a devotee that dharma is ultimately protected by the Lord; one should align with righteousness and devotion rather than the corrupt trends of Kali Yuga.