Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
धर्मो विवृद्धिमायाति काले कस्मिंस्चिदुत्तम । तथा विनासमायाति धर्म्म एव महीतले ॥ ३ ॥
dharmo vivṛddhimāyāti kāle kasmiṃsciduttama | tathā vināsamāyāti dharmma eva mahītale || 3 ||
हे उत्तम, काले कस्मिंश्चिद् धर्मो विवृद्धिमायाति। तथा महीतले धर्म एव विनाशमायाति॥
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
FAQs
It teaches that Dharma is not static in the world; it waxes and wanes with time, urging seekers to consciously uphold righteousness even when societal conditions weaken it.
By noting Dharma’s decline on earth, it implies the need for steady inner practice; in Narada Purana’s spirit, devotion to Vishnu becomes a stabilizing refuge when external Dharma deteriorates.
The verse foregrounds Kāla (time) as a governing factor in dharmic conditions—an idea aligned with Jyotiṣa (Vedic astrology/timekeeping) for choosing proper times (kāla) for rites and disciplined conduct.