Shloka 2
Kali-yuga’s Degradation, the Advent of Kalki, and the Reset of the Yuga Cycle
वित्तमेव कलौ नृणां जन्माचारगुणोदय: । धर्मन्यायव्यवस्थायां कारणं बलमेव हि ॥ २ ॥
vittam eva kalau nṝṇāṁ janmācāra-guṇodayaḥ dharma-nyāya-vyavasthāyāṁ kāraṇaṁ balam eva hi
カリ・ユガでは、富だけが良い家柄・正しい振る舞い・優れた資質のしるしと見なされ、ダルマと正義の適用もただ力に基づいて行われる。
In the Age of Kali, a man is considered high class, middle class or low class merely according to his financial status, regardless of his knowledge, culture and behavior. In this age there are many great industrial and commercial cities with luxurious neighborhoods reserved for the wealthy. On beautiful tree-lined roads, within apparently aristocratic homes, it is not unusual to find many perverted, dishonest and sinful activities taking place. According to Vedic criteria, a man is considered high class if his behavior is enlightened, and his behavior is considered enlightened if his activities are dedicated to promoting the happiness of all creatures. Every living being is originally happy, because in all living bodies there is an eternal spiritual spark that partakes of the divine conscious nature of God. When our original spiritual awareness is revived, we become naturally blissful and satisfied in knowledge and peace. An enlightened, or educated, man should endeavor to revive his own spiritual understanding, and he should help others experience the same sublime consciousness.
FAQs
This verse states that in Kali-yuga people will judge birth, behavior, and even “good qualities” primarily by wealth, rather than by genuine character and virtue.
Śukadeva speaks to Parīkṣit to reveal the coming moral decline of Kali-yuga and to turn the king’s attention toward the timeless remedy—hearing and devotion to the Lord—rather than reliance on failing social systems.
Use this warning to measure yourself by integrity and devotion, not by status; seek guidance from śāstra and saintly association, and practice steady bhakti so your decisions are not driven by wealth or intimidation.