Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 35
Kali-yuga Dynasties and the Degradation of Kingship
प्रजाश्चाब्रह्मभूयिष्ठा: स्थापयिष्यति दुर्मति: । वीर्यवान् क्षत्रमुत्साद्य पद्मवत्यां स वै पुरि । अनुगङ्गमाप्रयागं गुप्तां भोक्ष्यति मेदिनीम् ॥ ३५ ॥
prajāś cābrahma-bhūyiṣṭhāḥ sthāpayiṣyati durmatiḥ vīryavān kṣatram utsādya padmavatyāṁ sa vai puri anu-gaṅgam ā-prayāgaṁ guptāṁ bhokṣyati medinīm
Le roi insensé Viśvasphūrji maintiendra tous les citoyens dans l'impiété et utilisera son pouvoir pour perturber complètement l'ordre des kṣatriyas. De sa capitale Padmavatī, il gouvernera cette partie de la terre s'étendant de la source du Gange jusqu'à Prayāga.
FAQs
This verse describes a wicked, powerful ruler who promotes a society largely devoid of brahminical qualities, destroys the kṣatriya order, and rules covertly—highlighting Kali-yuga’s political and spiritual degradation.
Śukadeva speaks these prophecies to show Parīkṣit the inevitable decline in Kali-yuga and to turn attention toward the timeless refuge—hearing and devotion to Bhagavān—rather than relying on worldly governance.
Recognize that social power can drift away from dharma; therefore cultivate brahminical virtues—truthfulness, self-control, compassion—and anchor life in śravaṇa and kīrtana (hearing and chanting) to remain spiritually protected.