Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 20
Kali-yuga Dynasties and the Degradation of Kingship
हत्वा काण्वं सुशर्माणं तद् भृत्यो वृषलो बली । गां भोक्ष्यत्यन्ध्रजातीय: कञ्चित् कालमसत्तम: ॥ २० ॥
hatvā kāṇvaṁ suśarmāṇaṁ tad-bhṛtyo vṛṣalo balī gāṁ bhokṣyaty andhra-jātīyaḥ kañcit kālam asattamaḥ
କାଣ୍ୱମାନଙ୍କ ଶେଷ ରାଜା ସୁଶର୍ମାଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କର ନିଜ ଭୃତ୍ୟ ବଳୀ—ଆନ୍ଧ୍ର ଜାତିର ଏକ ନୀଚ ଶୂଦ୍ର—ହତ୍ୟା କରିବ। ଏହି ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ପତିତ ମହାରାଜ ବଳୀ କିଛି କାଳ ପୃଥିବୀ ଉପରେ ଅଧିକାର ରଖିବ।
Here is a further description of how uncultured men infiltrated government administration. The so-called king named Balī is described as asattama, a most impious, uncultured man.
FAQs
This verse foretells that dynastic rule will collapse into betrayal and usurpation—even a king’s own servant can seize the throne—showing how adharma replaces noble leadership in Kali Yuga.
Śukadeva uses this as a concrete prophecy: after the Kāṇvas, power shifts to new groups and unqualified rulers, illustrating the social and moral upheaval characteristic of Kali Yuga.
Worldly power structures are unstable in Kali Yuga; therefore, one should place faith in bhakti and dharma rather than expecting lasting security from political rulers.