Shloka 5
Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy (Śṛṅgi) and the Moral Crisis of Kali-yuga
तावत्कलिर्न प्रभवेत् प्रविष्टोऽपीह सर्वत: । यावदीशो महानुर्व्यामाभिमन्यव एकराट् ॥ ५ ॥
tāvat kalir na prabhavet praviṣṭo ’pīha sarvataḥ yāvad īśo mahān urvyām ābhimanyava eka-rāṭ
అభిమన్యుని మహాశక్తిమంతుడైన కుమారుడు ఈ భూమిపై ఏకరాటుగా సామ్రాట్గా ఉన్నంతకాలం, కలి సర్వత్ర ప్రవేశించినా ఇక్కడ ప్రభావం చూపలేడు.
As we have already explained, the personality of Kali had entered the jurisdiction of this earth long ago, and he was looking for an opportunity to spread his influence all over the world. But he could not do so satisfactorily due to the presence of Mahārāja Parīkṣit. That is the way of good government. The disturbing elements like the personality of Kali will always try to extend their nefarious activities, but it is the duty of the able state to check them by all means. Although Mahārāja Parīkṣit allotted places for the personality of Kali, at the same time he gave no chance for the citizens to be swayed by the personality of Kali.
FAQs
This verse says Kali had already entered everywhere, yet he could not become dominant as long as Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the righteous emperor, remained present to restrain him through dharmic rule.
Śukadeva identifies Parīkṣit by lineage—Abhimanyu’s son—to emphasize his royal legitimacy and his divinely protected role as the emperor whose presence checked Kali’s influence.
The shloka highlights that strong, principled leadership and personal discipline can curb Kali’s effects—by upholding truthfulness, cleanliness, mercy, and spiritual practice even when negative influences are widespread.