Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 4
Kali-yuga Dynasties and the Degradation of Kingship
शिशुनागस्ततो भाव्य: काकवर्णस्तु तत्सुत: । क्षेमधर्मा तस्य सुत: क्षेत्रज्ञ: क्षेमधर्मज: ॥ ४ ॥
śiśunāgas tato bhāvyaḥ kākavarṇas tu tat-sutaḥ kṣemadharmā tasya sutaḥ kṣetrajñaḥ kṣemadharma-jaḥ
नन्दिवर्धनात् शिशुनागो भाव्यः, तस्य पुत्रः काकवर्ण इति ख्यातः। काकवर्णस्य पुत्रः क्षेमधर्मा, तस्य पुत्रः क्षेत्रज्ञो भविष्यति।
FAQs
In Canto 12, Chapter 1, Śukadeva Gosvāmī lists the coming rulers of Kali-yuga in genealogical order, naming successive kings and their sons, as in this verse describing Śiśunāga and his descendants.
He was answering Parīkṣit’s inquiries about the nature of Kali-yuga and its effects, illustrating the age’s decline through foretold political lineages and the changing quality of leadership.
The verse reminds readers that worldly power and dynasties rapidly change; therefore one should seek lasting shelter in bhakti and spiritual practice rather than placing ultimate hope in political arrangements.