Shloka 7
Yuga-Dharma, Kalpa Measure, Purāṇa Definitions, and the Kali-Yuga Power of Nāma-Kīrtana
कृतान्ते क्षत्त्रियैर्विप्रा विट्शूद्राश्च जिता द्विजैः / शूरश्चातिबलो विष्णू रक्षांसि च जघान ह
kṛtānte kṣattriyairviprā viṭśūdrāśca jitā dvijaiḥ / śūraścātibalo viṣṇū rakṣāṃsi ca jaghāna ha
Au temps de Kṛtānta, la grande fin, les sages brāhmaanas furent dominés par les kṣatriyas, et les vaiśyas ainsi que les śūdras furent soumis par les dvijas. Alors le Seigneur Viṣṇu, héroïque et d’une puissance sans mesure, abattit les rākṣasas.
Lord Vishnu (narration to Garuda)
Concept: When varṇa-order and social balance are overturned and rākṣasic forces dominate, Viṣṇu intervenes to re-establish dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as dharma-saṃsthāpaka; preservation of loka-saṅgraha through divine governance.
Application: In times of disorder, uphold dharma through righteous leadership and restraint; seek refuge in Viṣṇu and resist ‘rākṣasa’ tendencies (cruelty, exploitation) in society and self.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Purva-khanda) yuga-varnana passages around 1.223; Garuda Purana dharma-protection and Viṣṇu avatāra motifs elsewhere in Purva-khanda
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛtānta marks a crisis-point where social and moral order collapses, serving as a narrative trigger for divine intervention to restore dharma.
Indirectly: by depicting Kṛtānta (Death/End) as a governing power over worldly order, it frames death as a decisive transition—after which dharma and adharma determine consequences described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.
Maintain dharma—self-restraint, truthfulness, and duty—especially in times of social conflict; the verse emphasizes that adharma ultimately invites correction and suffering.