Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 21
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
Wahai Raja, pada Tretā-yuga manusia berpegang teguh pada upacara dan tapa; mereka tidak terlalu ganas dan tidak juga tenggelam dalam nafsu. Tumpuan mereka terutama pada tri-varga—dharma, artha dan kama—dan dengan mengikuti ketetapan tiga Veda mereka memperoleh kemakmuran. Walaupun masyarakat terbahagi kepada empat varna, kebanyakannya ialah brāhmaṇa.
FAQs
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.