The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali
तदा क्रियातपोनिष्ठा नातिहिंस्रा न लम्पटा: । त्रैवर्गिकास्त्रयीवृद्धा वर्णा ब्रह्मोत्तरा नृप ॥ २१ ॥
tadā kriyā-tapo-niṣṭhā nāti-hiṁsrā na lampaṭāḥ trai-vargikās trayī-vṛddhā varṇā brahmottarā nṛpa
王よ、トレーターの時代、人々は祭式の行と厳しい苦行に篤く、過度に暴力的でもなく、感官の享楽に溺れることもない。彼らの関心は主として三目的(トリ・ヴァルガ)――ダルマ、アルタ、カーマ――にあり、三ヴェーダの規定に従って繁栄を得る。この時代に社会は四ヴァルナに分かれるが、多くはブラーフマナである。
This verse describes a time when people were devoted to religious duties and austerity, avoided excessive violence and lust, lived according to Vedic guidance, and honored brāhmaṇas as leaders in spiritual culture.
In the context of describing Kali-yuga’s decline, Śukadeva contrasts it with earlier order—where spiritual leadership was respected—so Parīkṣit can understand how dharma deteriorates when brahminical virtues lose influence.
Practice steady discipline in spiritual duties (regular prayer, study, service) and voluntary restraint (simplicity, self-control), while avoiding harmful violence and exploitative sensuality—aligning daily life with dharma.