Shloka 44
Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy (Śṛṅgi) and the Moral Crisis of Kali-yuga
तदद्य न: पापमुपैत्यनन्वयं यन्नष्टनाथस्य वसोर्विलुम्पकात् । परस्परं घ्नन्ति शपन्ति वृञ्जते पशून् स्त्रियोऽर्थान् पुरुदस्यवो जना: ॥ ४४ ॥
tad adya naḥ pāpam upaity ananvayaṁ yan naṣṭa-nāthasya vasor vilumpakāt parasparaṁ ghnanti śapanti vṛñjate paśūn striyo ’rthān puru-dasyavo janāḥ
Today unbroken sin will come upon us, for when the people lose their protector, rogues plunder their wealth. Then men will kill and curse one another, and many bandits will steal animals, women, and property; for these sins we shall be held responsible.
The word naḥ (we) is very significant in this verse. The sage rightly takes the responsibility of the brāhmaṇas as a community for killing monarchical government and thus giving an opportunity to the so-called democrats, who are generally plunderers of the wealth of the state subjects. The so-called democrats capture the administrative machine without assuming responsibility for the prosperous condition of the citizens. Everyone captures the post for personal gratification, and thus instead of one king, a number of irresponsible kings grow up to tax the citizens. It is foretold herein that in the absence of good monarchical government, everyone will be the cause of disturbance for others by plundering riches, animals, women, etc.
FAQs
This verse describes people in an unprotected society becoming like great thieves—killing, cursing, and forcibly taking cattle, women, and wealth—showing moral collapse as a hallmark of Kali-yuga.
The verse implies that when righteous leadership and protection (nātha) are absent, plunderers thrive and ordinary people turn against one another, leading to lawlessness and exploitation.
It urges cultivating dharma—self-restraint, respect for others’ property and dignity, and support for righteous governance and spiritual values—so society does not degrade into exploitation.