Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 11
The Curse on the Yadus Begins: Kṛṣṇa’s Plan to Withdraw His Dynasty
कर्माणि पुण्यनिवहानि सुमङ्गलानि गायज्जगत्कलिमलापहराणि कृत्वा । कालात्मना निवसता यदुदेवगेहे पिण्डारकं समगमन् मुनयो निसृष्टा: ॥ ११ ॥ विश्वामित्रोऽसित: कण्वो दुर्वासा भृगुरङ्गिरा: । कश्यपो वामदेवोऽत्रिर्वसिष्ठो नारदादय: ॥ १२ ॥
karmāni puṇya-nivahāni su-maṅgalāni gāyaj-jagat-kali-malāpaharāṇi kṛtvā kālātmanā nivasatā yadu-deva-gehe piṇḍārakaṁ samagaman munayo nisṛṣṭāḥ
The sages performed, in the home of Vasudeva, chief of the Yadus, sacrificial rites that bestow abundant merit and supreme auspiciousness, and that, when merely sung and recounted, remove the sins of Kali-yuga for the whole world. There the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa was residing as Time personified. When the ceremonies were completed and the Lord respectfully sent the sages on their way, they departed for the holy place called Piṇḍāraka. Among them were Viśvāmitra, Asita, Kaṇva, Durvāsā, Bhṛgu, Aṅgirā, Kaśyapa, Vāmadeva, Atri, Vasiṣṭha, along with Nārada and others.
In this verse, Śukadeva Gosvāmī begins to narrate the story of the brahminical curse that arose against the Yadu dynasty by the Lord’s desire. According to Śrīdhara Svāmī, certain religious rituals, such as the aśvamedha-yajña, generate pious reactions. On the other hand, activities such as caring for one’s children give immediate pleasure in the present only, whereas rituals performed as atonement take away sinful reactions. But the religious activities mentioned in verse 11, which are indicated by the words karmāṇi puṇya-nivahāni su-maṅgalāni gāyaj-jagat-kali-malāpaharāṇi, were pious in all respects. They produced abundant pious results and great joy and were so potent that merely glorifying these rituals relieves one from all the sinful reactions of Kali-yuga.
FAQs
This verse states that auspicious deeds—especially the singing and narration of such divine acts—remove the impurity of Kali from the world.
They were gathered there by divine arrangement, impelled by Time (kāla), with the Lord residing among the Yadus—setting the stage for the events leading to the Yadu dynasty’s conclusion.
Regularly hear, chant, and share Bhagavata-kathā and engage in auspicious devotional activities, as these purify the mind and counteract Kali-yuga’s influence.