Shloka 22

The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali

Devanagari script

तप:सत्यदयादानेष्वर्धं ह्रस्वति द्वापरे । हिंसातुष्टय‍नृतद्वेषैर्धर्मस्याधर्मलक्षणै: ॥ २२ ॥

Transliteration

tapaḥ-satya-dayā-dāneṣv ardhaṁ hrasvati dvāpare hiṁsātuṣṭy-anṛta-dveṣair dharmasyādharma-lakṣaṇaiḥ

Translation

ద్వాపర యుగంలో తపస్సు, సత్యం, దయ మరియు దానం అనే ధర్మ గుణాలు, అధర్మ లక్షణాలైన అసంతృప్తి, అసత్యం, హింస మరియు ద్వేషం వల్ల సగానికి తగ్గిపోతాయి.

Synonyms

• तपः-सत्य-दया-दानॆषु: in austerity, truth, compassion, and charity
• तपः-सत्य-दया-दानॆषु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक) + सत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + दया (प्रातिपदिक) + दान (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग (समाहार-द्वन्द्व-एकवचन-आधारः), सप्तमी, बहुवचन-रूपेण (locative plural ending -eṣu); समाहार/इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः—‘तपः, सत्यं, दया, दानम्’ इत्येषु

• अर्धम्: half
• अर्धम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; क्रियापदेन सह ‘अर्धं (भागः)’

• ह्रस्वति: becomes reduced / diminishes
• ह्रस्वति: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ह्रस् (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• द्वापरे: in Dvāpara (yuga)
• द्वापरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्वापर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘द्वापरयुगे’ (locative of time)

• हिंसा-तुष्टि-अनृत-द्वेषैः: by violence, (misplaced) satisfaction, falsehood, and hatred
• हिंसा-तुष्टि-अनृत-द्वेषैः: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हिंसा (प्रातिपदिक) + तुष्टि (प्रातिपदिक) + अनृत (प्रातिपदिक) + द्वेष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः—‘हिंसा च तुष्टिः च अनृतं च द्वेषः च’

• धर्मस्य: of dharma
• धर्मस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: धर्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• अधर्म-लक्षणैः: as characteristics of adharma
• अधर्म-लक्षणैः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अधर्म (प्रातिपदिक) + लक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः—‘अधर्मस्य लक्षणानि’ (as marks of adharma); ‘हिंसादिभिः’ इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Mahārāja Parīkṣit

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about the decline of dharma in Dvāpara-yuga?

This verse states that in Dvāpara-yuga, austerity, truthfulness, mercy, and charity diminish to half their strength, while irreligion rises through violence, dissatisfaction, falsehood, and envy.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī describe yuga symptoms to King Parīkṣit?

Śukadeva explains the changing nature of dharma across the yugas so Parīkṣit Mahārāja can understand how spiritual principles decline over time and why pure devotion remains the essential refuge.

How can I apply this teaching about violence, falsehood, and envy in modern life?

Use the verse as a mirror: consciously cultivate truthfulness, compassion, contentment, and generosity, and reduce habits rooted in harm, dishonesty, and envy—thereby strengthening dharma in one’s personal conduct.