Shloka 20
कलिस्वरूप-वर्णनम् एवं कालमान-प्रस्तावना
गृहान्ता द्रव्यसंघाता द्रव्यान्ता च तथा मतिः अर्थाश् चात्मोपभोगान्ता भविष्यन्ति कलौ युगे
gṛhāntā dravyasaṃghātā dravyāntā ca tathā matiḥ arthāś cātmopabhogāntā bhaviṣyanti kalau yuge
In the age of Kali, collections of wealth will find their end within the household itself; possessions will terminate in possessions alone. Even thought will conclude in material things, and all aims will culminate merely in one’s own enjoyment.
Sage Parāśara (teaching Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: What becomes the telos (end) of human aims in Kali-yuga
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: authoritative
Concept: In Kali-yuga, human thought and purpose contract into mere acquisition and self-enjoyment, obscuring higher puruṣārthas.
Vedantic Theme: Moksha
Application: Recenter goals on dharma and mokṣa through daily sādhana (japa, study, dana) and disciplined consumption.
Vishishtadvaita: Enjoyment (bhoga) is not the final end; the jīva’s fulfillment is śeṣatva—existing for the Lord—so artha/kāma must be subordinated to bhagavad-ārādhana.
Vishnu Form: Para-Brahman
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
It summarizes Kali-yuga as an era where human goals shrink from dharma and liberation toward household accumulation and personal pleasure, marking a clear decline in higher values.
He portrays a progressive narrowing: wealth becomes the final horizon, the mind fixates on material ends, and even ‘artha’ (aim/meaning) collapses into self-enjoyment rather than righteous or spiritual purpose.
By depicting Kali’s degeneration, the text implicitly points to Vishnu as the sustaining Supreme Reality and refuge beyond changing ages—one who restores order when dharma diminishes.