Shloka 16
The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali
श्रीराजोवाच केनोपायेन भगवन् कलेर्दोषान् कलौ जना: । विधमिष्यन्त्युपचितांस्तन्मे ब्रूहि यथा मुने ॥ १६ ॥
śrī-rājovāca kenopāyena bhagavan kaler doṣān kalau janāḥ vidhamiṣyanty upacitāṁs tan me brūhi yathā mune
அரசன் பரீக்ஷித் கூறினார்—ஓ பகவனே! கலியுகத்தில் வாழும் மக்கள், இந்த யுகத்தின் சேர்க்கையான குற்றங்களையும் மாசுகளையும் எந்த வழியால் அகற்றுவர்? ஓ முனிவரே, தயை செய்து எனக்கு முறையாகச் சொல்லுங்கள்.
King Parīkṣit was a compassionate, saintly ruler. Thus, after hearing of the abominable qualities of the Age of Kali, he naturally inquired as to how those born in this age can free themselves of its inherent contamination.
FAQs
In this verse, King Parīkṣit asks the essential question—how people in Kali-yuga can dispel Kali’s accumulated faults—setting up the Bhagavatam’s teaching that a practical, accessible remedy exists (elaborated in the verses that follow in this chapter).
Hearing about the degraded conditions of Kali-yuga, Parīkṣit—concerned for the welfare of people—asks Śukadeva for the effective spiritual means to counteract Kali’s influence.
Adopt a conscious spiritual practice aimed at cleansing accumulated negativity—regular hearing, remembrance, and especially sincere devotion—seeking the specific, simple remedy the Bhagavatam presents in this section on Kali-yuga.