Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 34
The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali
ह्रस्वकाया महाहारा भूर्यपत्या गतह्रिय: । शश्वत्कटुकभाषिण्यश्चौर्यमायोरुसाहसा: ॥ ३४ ॥
hrasva-kāyā mahāhārā bhūry-apatyā gata-hriyaḥ śaśvat kaṭuka-bhāṣiṇyaś caurya-māyoru-sāhasāḥ
Women will become much smaller in size, and they will eat too much, have more children than they can properly take care of, and lose all shyness. They will always speak harshly and will exhibit qualities of thievery, deceit and unrestrained audacity.
FAQs
This verse lists Kali-yuga tendencies such as loss of modesty, harsh speech, and increasing deceit, theft, and reckless behavior, presented as signs of dharmic decline.
Śukadeva speaks to Parīkṣit to forewarn him about the nature of Kali-yuga, so a sincere seeker can recognize degradation and take shelter of bhakti rather than be carried away by the age’s influences.
Use it as a mirror for self-correction: cultivate modesty, truthful speech, and integrity, and counter Kali-yuga habits by steady sādhana—hearing and chanting the Lord’s names and living by dharma.