Shloka 26
Yuga-Dharma, Kalpa Measure, Purāṇa Definitions, and the Kali-Yuga Power of Nāma-Kīrtana
यदा लोभस्त्वसन्तोषो मानो दम्भश्च मत्सरः / कर्मणाञ्चापि काम्यानां द्वापरं तद्रजस्तमः
yadā lobhastvasantoṣo māno dambhaśca matsaraḥ / karmaṇāñcāpi kāmyānāṃ dvāparaṃ tadrajastamaḥ
பேராசை, திருப்தியின்மை, அகந்தை, வஞ்சகம், பொறாமை எழுந்து, மக்கள் காம்ய கர்மங்களில் ஈடுபடும்போது, அதுவே த்வாபர யுகம்; ரஜஸ்-தமஸ் மேலோங்கும் யுகம்.
Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)
Concept: Rajas-tamas dominance manifests as lobha, asantoṣa, māna, dambha, matsara and attachment to kāmya actions.
Vedantic Theme: Guṇic bondage: tamas clouds discernment, rajas agitates desire; liberation requires sattva cultivation and transcendence of guṇas.
Application: Identify these vices as tamasic/rājasic symptoms; apply counter-practices—contentment, humility, honesty, generosity, and devotional remembrance.
Primary Rasa: bibhatsa
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana ethical catalogues of vices and their consequences
FAQs
This verse gives a diagnostic list—greed, discontent, pride, hypocrisy, and envy—showing how the yuga is recognized by the dominance of rajas and tamas and by a turn toward reward-seeking actions.
It links inner vices (lobha, dambha, matsara) with kāmya-karma—actions and rites performed primarily for personal gain—indicating a shift from duty-based dharma to desire-driven conduct.
Cultivate contentment and humility, reduce envy and perform duties with less attachment to results—transforming kāmya motivation into more sattvic, ethical action.