Shloka 36
Yoga-Sleep, Cosmic Dissolution, and the Lotus of Creation
with Mārkaṇḍeya’s Vision
द्वाभ्यां धर्मः स्थितः पद्भ्यामधर्मस्त्रिभिरुत्थितः । विपर्ययशतैर्धर्मः क्षयमेति कलौ युगे
dvābhyāṃ dharmaḥ sthitaḥ padbhyāmadharmastribhirutthitaḥ | viparyayaśatairdharmaḥ kṣayameti kalau yuge
Dalam Kali-yuga, dharma hanya tegak pada dua kaki, sedangkan adharma bangkit pada tiga; dengan ratusan penyimpangan dan pembalikan, dharma beransur-ansur merosot menuju kebinasaan.
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa context)
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पद्भ्यामधर्मः = पद्भ्याम् + अधर्मः; अधर्मस्त्रिभिः = अधर्मः + त्रिभिः; त्रिभिरुत्थितः = त्रिभिः + उत्थितः; विपर्ययशतैर्धर्मः = विपर्ययशतैः + धर्मः; क्षयमेति = क्षयम् + एति.
FAQs
It is a metaphor of moral support: dharma is weakened and no longer fully upheld, indicating reduced stability of truthfulness, compassion, discipline, and other sustaining virtues in Kali-yuga.
The verse contrasts the weakening of righteousness with the growing strength of unrighteous tendencies, suggesting that harmful values become more established and socially supported in Kali-yuga.
It warns that moral confusion and distortions multiply in Kali-yuga, so one should consciously practice and protect dharma—through integrity, self-restraint, and right discernment—rather than drifting with prevailing reversals.