Shloka 57
Mahālakṣmī’s Forms, Brahmā’s Fourfold Origin, Vāyu’s Names and Soteriology, and Bhāratī’s Manifestations
यतः कलिश्चाधिकः स्यादतो दुः खीति स स्मृतः / दैत्यानां पुण्यपापाभ्यां दुः ख मेवोत्तरोत्तरम्
yataḥ kaliścādhikaḥ syādato duḥ khīti sa smṛtaḥ / daityānāṃ puṇyapāpābhyāṃ duḥ kha mevottarottaram
यतः कलिः प्रबलतरो भवति तस्माद् दुःखयुग इति स्मृतः। दैत्यानां पुण्यपापयोः संयोगेन दुःखमेवोत्तरोत्तरं वर्धते॥
Lord Vishnu (in dialogue with Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: In Kali’s predominance, duhkha is remembered as characteristic; for daityas, even the oscillation of punya and papa yields increasing suffering.
Vedantic Theme: Samsara’s duhkha intensifies with tamas/rajas dominance; karmic mixtures do not guarantee sukha when the underlying disposition is asuric.
Application: Do not rely on mixed merit for lasting well-being; cultivate sattva and bhakti to transcend Kali’s pressures and reduce harm-causing tendencies.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana Kali-yuga and papa-pradhana outcomes (general parallel); Garuda Purana contrasts of deva/daitya dispositions and their fruits (general parallel)
FAQs
This verse frames Kali Yuga as the time when disorder predominates, making suffering the defining experience; it motivates stricter ethical conduct and remedial dharma in this age.
It states that even when merit and sin both operate, those with Daitya-like tendencies experience a compounding rise of duḥkha—karma ripens as progressively intensifying suffering.
Reduce causes of duḥkha by emphasizing sattvic conduct—truthfulness, restraint, charity, and devotion—so that karma trends toward relief rather than escalating distress in Kali Yuga.