Shloka 10
Questions by the Sages of Naimiṣāraṇya (Śaunaka’s Inquiries and the Bhāgavata Thesis)
प्रायेणाल्पायुष: सभ्य कलावस्मिन् युगे जना: । मन्दा: सुमन्दमतयो मन्दभाग्या ह्युपद्रुता: ॥ १० ॥
prāyeṇālpāyuṣaḥ sabhya kalāv asmin yuge janāḥ mandāḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāḥ
โอ้ท่านผู้ทรงปัญญา ในยุคกาลีนี้ มนุษย์โดยมากมีอายุสั้น เป็นคนเฉื่อยชา ปัญญาทึบเขลา โชคไม่ดี และเหนือสิ่งอื่นใดถูกความเดือดร้อนรบกวนอยู่เสมอ
The devotees of the Lord are always anxious for the spiritual improvement of the general public. When the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya analyzed the state of affairs of the people in this Age of Kali, they foresaw that men would live short lives. In Kali-yuga, the duration of life is shortened not so much because of insufficient food but because of irregular habits. By keeping regular habits and eating simple food, any man can maintain his health. Overeating, over-sense gratification, overdependence on another’s mercy, and artificial standards of living sap the very vitality of human energy. Therefore the duration of life is shortened.
FAQs
In Bhagavatam 1.1.10, Suta Gosvami says that people in Kali Yuga are generally short-lived, spiritually lazy, misguided in intelligence, unfortunate, and constantly afflicted by disturbances.
He is setting the context for the sages at Naimisharanya: because Kali Yuga weakens human capacity and increases suffering, the most compassionate remedy is to hear and practice pure devotion through the Srimad Bhagavatam.
Recognize the limits of time and attention in Kali Yuga and prioritize daily bhakti practices—especially hearing Bhagavatam, chanting the holy name, and seeking guidance from sādhus—to stay steady amid constant distractions and anxieties.