Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 24
The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali
कलौ तु धर्मपादानां तुर्यांशोऽधर्महेतुभि: । एधमानै: क्षीयमाणो ह्यन्ते सोऽपि विनङ्क्ष्यति ॥ २४ ॥
kalau tu dharma-pādānāṁ turyāṁśo ’dharma-hetubhiḥ edhamānaiḥ kṣīyamāṇo hy ante so ’pi vinaṅkṣyati
En la Era de Kali sólo queda una cuarta parte de los principios religiosos. Ese último remanente disminuirá continuamente por los principios cada vez mayores de la irreligión y finalmente será destruido.
FAQs
This verse states that in Kali-yuga only one quarter of dharma remains, and even that gradually diminishes due to the growing causes of adharma, eventually disappearing at the end of the age.
In Bhagavata teaching, dharma is portrayed as a bull supported by four legs (virtues). Śukadeva uses this image to show how righteousness weakens across the ages, reaching only a quarter-strength in Kali-yuga.
Recognize the tendency toward adharma and consciously choose truthfulness, cleanliness, compassion, and self-discipline—while seeking shelter in devotional practice (bhakti) to remain steady amid Kali-yuga influences.