Shloka 7
Yuga-Dharma, Kalpa Measure, Purāṇa Definitions, and the Kali-Yuga Power of Nāma-Kīrtana
कृतान्ते क्षत्त्रियैर्विप्रा विट्शूद्राश्च जिता द्विजैः / शूरश्चातिबलो विष्णू रक्षांसि च जघान ह
kṛtānte kṣattriyairviprā viṭśūdrāśca jitā dvijaiḥ / śūraścātibalo viṣṇū rakṣāṃsi ca jaghāna ha
కృతాంతకాలమున క్షత్రియులు విప్ర ఋషులను అధిగమించిరి; వైశ్యశూద్రులు ద్విజులచే వశమయ్యిరి. అప్పుడు అతి వీరుడైన మహాబలుడు భగవాన్ విష్ణువు రాక్షసులను సంహరించెను.
Lord Vishnu (narration to Garuda)
Concept: When varṇa-order and social balance are overturned and rākṣasic forces dominate, Viṣṇu intervenes to re-establish dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Īśvara as dharma-saṃsthāpaka; preservation of loka-saṅgraha through divine governance.
Application: In times of disorder, uphold dharma through righteous leadership and restraint; seek refuge in Viṣṇu and resist ‘rākṣasa’ tendencies (cruelty, exploitation) in society and self.
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Related Themes: Garuda Purana (Purva-khanda) yuga-varnana passages around 1.223; Garuda Purana dharma-protection and Viṣṇu avatāra motifs elsewhere in Purva-khanda
FAQs
In this verse, Kṛtānta marks a crisis-point where social and moral order collapses, serving as a narrative trigger for divine intervention to restore dharma.
Indirectly: by depicting Kṛtānta (Death/End) as a governing power over worldly order, it frames death as a decisive transition—after which dharma and adharma determine consequences described elsewhere in the Garuda Purana.
Maintain dharma—self-restraint, truthfulness, and duty—especially in times of social conflict; the verse emphasizes that adharma ultimately invites correction and suffering.