Shloka 44
कलिस्वरूप-वर्णनम् एवं कालमान-प्रस्तावना
यदा यदा हि पाषण्डवृद्धिर् मैत्रेय लक्ष्यते तदा तदा कलेर् वृद्धिर् अनुमेया विचक्षणैः
yadā yadā hi pāṣaṇḍavṛddhir maitreya lakṣyate tadā tadā kaler vṛddhir anumeyā vicakṣaṇaiḥ
ਹੇ ਮੈਤ੍ਰੇਯ, ਜਦੋਂ ਜਦੋਂ ਪਾਖੰਡ ਦਾ ਉਭਾਰ—ਧਰਮ ਨੂੰ ਘੁਲਾਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਧੋਖੇਬਾਜ਼ ਮਤ ਤੇ ਚਾਲ-ਚਲਨ—ਦਿਸੇ, ਤਦੋਂ ਤਦੋਂ ਵਿਵੇਕੀ ਲੋਕ ਸਮਝਣ ਕਿ ਕਲੀ ਦੀ ਵਾਧਾ ਹੋ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।
Sage Parāśara (addressing Maitreya)
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: How to recognize the increase (vृद्धि) of Kali in society
Teaching: Ethical
Quality: revealing
Concept: The rise of pāṣaṇḍa is a diagnostic sign by which the wise infer Kali’s growing dominance.
Vedantic Theme: Dharma
Application: Practice viveka: test teachings and conduct against śruti-smṛti; seek authentic sampradāya guidance and avoid dharma-eroding shortcuts.
Vishishtadvaita: Affirms śāstra-prāmāṇya (scriptural authority) and the need for right conduct as an expression of true devotion to the Supreme.
Bhakti Type: Shanta
FAQs
This verse treats the rise of pāṣaṇḍa—religious and ethical distortions that erode dharma—as a clear symptom by which discerning people recognize Kali’s growing influence.
Parāśara frames Kali not only as a time-period but as a strengthening force seen through observable markers—chiefly the spread of dharma-opposing beliefs and behaviors.
By mapping moral disorder to yuga-dynamics, the text implies that dharma’s true measure and restoration ultimately rest under Vishnu’s supreme governance across cosmic time.