Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 87
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
यदा प्रजा न यक्ष्यंति न होष्यंति द्विजातयः । तदैव तु कलेर्वृद्धिरनुमेया विचक्षणैः ॥ ८७ ॥
yadā prajā na yakṣyaṃti na hoṣyaṃti dvijātayaḥ | tadaiva tu kalervṛddhiranumeyā vicakṣaṇaiḥ || 87 ||
यदा प्रजा न यक्ष्यन्ति, न च द्विजातयः होत्राग्नीन् धारयिष्यन्ति; तदैव कलेर्वृद्धिः निश्चिता, इति विचक्षणैः ज्ञेयम्।
Narada (teaching in a Kali-yuga diagnostic context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhayanaka
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
It presents a clear diagnostic sign of Kali-yuga’s dominance: when society abandons yajña and the twice-born neglect homa/agnihotra, dharma weakens and Kali’s influence becomes evident.
By highlighting the collapse of sacrificial discipline, it implicitly points to the Kali-yuga need for steadier inner religion—especially devotion and remembrance of the Lord—when elaborate Vedic rites are neglected or become difficult to sustain.
Ritual practice (Kalpa/Śrauta-Smārta procedure) is central: the verse references yajña and homa, implying knowledge of proper fire-ritual maintenance, oblation rules, and the dvija’s prescribed duties.