Shloka 17
Adhyātma-krama: Indriya–Manas–Buddhi–Ātman Hierarchy and Citta-Prasāda (आध्यात्मक्रमः)
अधर्मान्त्हिता वेदा वेदधर्मास्तथा55 श्रमा: । विक्रियन्ते स्वधर्मस्था: स्थावराणि चराणि च
adharmāntarhitā vedā vedadharmās tathāśramāḥ | vikriyante svadharmasthāḥ sthāvarāṇi carāṇi ca ||
व्यास ने कहा—जब अधर्म बढ़ता है, तब वेद मानो छिप जाते हैं; वैदिक धर्म और आश्रम-धर्म भी आच्छादित हो जाते हैं। तब जो स्थावर और जंगम प्राणी अपने स्वधर्म में स्थित रहते हैं, वे भी धर्म से विकृत हो जाते हैं; सर्वत्र विकार फैल जाता है।
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
When adharma dominates, not only human ethics but even the foundations of sacred authority (the Vedas), Vedic duties, and the āśrama-based social-spiritual order become obscured; as a result, beings deviate from their svadharma and widespread distortion arises.
Vyāsa is describing the symptoms of an age or condition of moral collapse: dharma-based institutions and teachings lose visibility and force, and the resulting confusion affects all living beings—immobile and mobile—who no longer remain steady in their proper nature and conduct.