Shloka 44
कृतयुगवर्णनम् तथा राजधर्मोपदेशः
Kṛtayuga Description and Instruction on Royal Dharma
ब्रह्मवध्यानुलिप्तानां तथा मिथ्याभिशंसिनाम् । नृपाणां पृथिवीपाल प्रतिगृह्नन्ति वै द्विजा:
brahmavadhyānuliptānāṁ tathā mithyābhiśaṁsinām | nṛpāṇāṁ pṛthivīpāla pratigṛhṇanti vai dvijāḥ ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच— ब्रह्मवध्यानुलिप्तानां तथा मिथ्याभिशंसिनाम् । नृपाणां पृथिवीपाल प्रतिगृह्णन्ति वै द्विजाः ॥ एष धर्मक्षयस्य लक्षणं, यत् लोभवशाद् धर्मधारिणोऽपि पतन्ति ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that social and religious order collapses when spiritual authorities accept patronage from unethical rulers. Greed and dependence on tainted wealth normalize grave sins (like brahma-hatyā) and falsehood, undermining dharma from both the throne and the altar.
Vaiśampāyana describes symptoms of an age of decline: rulers become sinful and deceitful, yet still obtain religious legitimacy because Brahmins accept their gifts. The statement functions as a moral diagnosis of deteriorating standards in governance and priestly integrity.