Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 90
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
ततः परं कृतयुगे त्रेतायुगे त्रेतायां ध्यानमेव च । द्वापरे यज्ञमेवाहुर्दानमेकं कलौ युगे ॥ ९० ॥
tataḥ paraṃ kṛtayuge tretāyuge tretāyāṃ dhyānameva ca | dvāpare yajñamevāhurdānamekaṃ kalau yuge || 90 ||
Thereafter they declare that in the Kṛta Yuga the foremost practice is meditation (dhyāna); in the Tretā Yuga as well, meditation indeed. In the Dvāpara Yuga, they say sacrifice (yajña) is the chief means; while in the Kali Yuga, giving (dāna) alone is the principal dharma.
Suta (narrating the teaching in the Narada Purana’s discourse tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It summarizes yuga-dharma: the Narada Purana teaches that the most effective spiritual discipline changes with the age—meditation dominates earlier yugas, ritual sacrifice becomes central in Dvāpara, and accessible merit through charity is emphasized for Kali.
By highlighting Kali Yuga’s practical dharma (dāna), it supports a bhakti-oriented ethic: serving and supporting others becomes an easy, widely available offering that can be dedicated to the Lord, complementing devotion when elaborate austerities or sacrifices are difficult.
It indirectly points to Kalpa (ritual procedure) through the mention of yajña in Dvāpara, and to dharma-nīti (ethical duty) through dāna in Kali; the verse functions as a rule-of-thumb for choosing appropriate practice by yuga.