Skanda Purana — Nagara Khanda, Shloka 16
स्वल्पायुषः सदा मर्त्या ब्रह्मन्कृतयुगे पुरा । त्रेतायां द्वापरे चैव किमु प्राप्ते कलौ युगे
svalpāyuṣaḥ sadā martyā brahmankṛtayuge purā | tretāyāṃ dvāpare caiva kimu prāpte kalau yuge
हे ब्राह्मण, मर्त्य सदा अल्पायुषीच आहेत—पूर्वी कृतयुगातही, तसेच त्रेता व द्वापरातही; मग आता कलियुग प्राप्त झाल्यावर तर काय सांगावे!
Aśvasena (continuing)
Listener: Bhartṛyajña
Scene: A contemplative tableau: the king reflects on the passing of ages—Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara, Kali—shown as four panels or symbolic shifts in light; the final panel (Kali) appears dimmer, prompting urgency.
FAQs
Because life is uncertain and brief, one should adopt dharma that is doable now, not postponed.
None named here; the emphasis is on time (yuga) and human limitation.
An implicit preference for concise observances suitable for limited lifespan, especially in Kali-yuga.