Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 20
Varṇāśrama-dharma as a Path to Bhakti
Yuga-dharma Origins, Universal Virtues, Brahmacarya and Gṛhastha Duties
अशौचमनृतं स्तेयं नास्तिक्यं शुष्कविग्रह: । काम: क्रोधश्च तर्षश्च स भावोऽन्त्यावसायिनाम् ॥ २० ॥
aśaucam anṛtaṁ steyaṁ nāstikyaṁ śuṣka-vigrahaḥ kāmaḥ krodhaś ca tarṣaś ca sa bhāvo ’ntyāvasāyinām
Kekotoran, ketidakjujuran, kecurian, tiada iman, pertengkaran sia-sia, nafsu, kemarahan dan ketamakan—itulah sifat mereka yang berada pada kedudukan paling rendah di luar sistem varṇāśrama.
Here the Lord describes those who reside outside the scientific social system called varṇāśrama. In Europe and America, we have practically observed that the standards of cleanliness are abominable even among so-called educated persons. Going without bathing and the use of indecent language are common. In the modern age people whimsically speak whatever they like, dispensing with all authority, and there is therefore very little truthfulness or true wisdom. Similarly, in both the capitalistic and communistic countries, everyone is busily engaged in stealing and robbing from everyone else in the name of business, taxation or outright crime. People are not confident of the kingdom of God nor of their own eternal nature, and thus their faith is very weak. Moreover, since modern human beings are not very interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness they constantly quarrel, bicker and fight over completely insignificant issues relating to the material body. Thus at the slightest provocation there are huge wars and massacres. Lust, anger and hankering have become practically unlimited in Kali-yuga. The symptoms and characteristics mentioned here can be abundantly observed throughout the world, wherever people have fallen away from the varṇāśrama system. Because of sinful habits such as animal killing, illicit sex, intoxication and gambling, the great majority of human beings have become caṇḍālas, or untouchables.
FAQs
In this verse, Lord Kṛṣṇa lists impurity, lying, theft, atheism, and dry quarrel—along with lust, anger, and greed—as traits of those who fall into the lowest, degraded way of life, hallmarking irreligious decline.
During the Uddhava-gītā teachings, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on dharma and human conduct, describing behaviors that lead to spiritual and social degradation so a sincere seeker can avoid them and remain on a sāttvika, devotional path.
Use this verse as a self-audit: practice truthfulness, cleanliness, and non-stealing; avoid cynical “dry” arguing; and reduce kāma–krodha–tarṣa through regulated habits, satsanga, and bhakti practices like nāma-japa and hearing Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.