Shloka 5
Supremacy of Hari-Bhakti in Kali-yuga; Warnings on Sensual Attachment; Praise of Brāhmaṇas, Purāṇa-Listening, and Gaṅgā
पुंसामेकेह वै साध्या हरिभक्तिः कलौ युगे । युगांतरेण धर्मा हि सेवितव्या नरेण हि
puṃsāmekeha vai sādhyā haribhaktiḥ kalau yuge | yugāṃtareṇa dharmā hi sevitavyā nareṇa hi
สำหรับมนุษย์ในโลกนี้ ในกาลียุค ภักติแด่พระหริเท่านั้นเป็นสิ่งพึงบรรลุ ส่วนในยุคอื่น ๆ มนุษย์พึงปฏิบัติธรรมวินัยนานาประการตามกาลสมัย
Unspecified (narratorial/teaching voice within Svarga-khaṇḍa; commonly transmitted in the Pulastya–Bhīṣma dialogue frame)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पुंसामेकेह = पुंसाम् + एक + इह; हरिभक्तिः = हरि + भक्तिः; युगांतरेण = युग + अन्तरेण (तत्पुरुष); सेवितव्या (IAST) → सेवितव्याः (agreeing with धर्माः).
FAQs
It teaches that haribhakti—devotion to Hari (Viṣṇu)—is the principal and sufficient sādhana to be pursued in Kali Yuga.
It implies that in other yugas (earlier ages), different dharmic disciplines or prescribed religious paths are emphasized and practiced, whereas Kali Yuga centers on bhakti.
It advises aligning one’s practice with the yuga-appropriate dharma: in Kali Yuga, prioritize sincere devotion to Hari over complex or difficult observances.