Shloka 31
Parīkṣit Confronts Kali; Dharma and Bhūmi Lament Kṛṣṇa’s Departure
आत्मानं चानुशोचामि भवन्तं चामरोत्तमम् । देवान् पितृनृषीन् साधून् सर्वान् वर्णांस्तथाश्रमान् ॥ ३१ ॥
ātmānaṁ cānuśocāmi bhavantaṁ cāmarottamam devān pitṝn ṛṣīn sādhūn sarvān varṇāṁs tathāśramān
Ako’y nagdadalamhati para sa aking sarili at para rin sa iyo, O pinakamainam sa mga deva; gayundin para sa lahat ng mga deva, sa mga ninuno sa Pitṛloka, sa mga ṛṣi, sa mga sādhū-bhakta ng Panginoon, at sa lahat ng taong sumusunod sa kaayusan ng varṇa at āśrama sa lipunan ng tao.
To effect the perfection of human life there is cooperation between men and demigods, sages, denizens of the Pitṛloka, devotees of the Lord and the scientific system of varṇa and āśrama orders of life. The distinction between human life and animal life therefore begins with the scientific system of varṇa and āśrama, guided by the experience of the sages in relation with the demigods, gradually rising to the summit of reestablishing our eternal relation with the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. When God-made varṇāśrama-dharma, which is strictly meant for developing animal consciousness into human consciousness and human consciousness into godly consciousness, is broken by advancement of foolishness, the whole system of peaceful and progressive life is at once disturbed. In the Age of Kali, the first attack of the venomous snake strikes against the God-made varṇāśrama-dharma, and thus a person properly qualified as a brāhmaṇa is called a śūdra, and a śūdra by qualification is passing as a brāhmaṇa, all on a false birthright claim. To become a brāhmaṇa by a birthright claim is not at all bona fide, although it may be a fulfillment of one of the conditions. But the real qualification of a brāhmaṇa is to control the mind and the senses, and to cultivate tolerance, simplicity, cleanliness, knowledge, truthfulness, devotion and faith in the Vedic wisdom. In the present age, consideration of the necessary qualification is being neglected, and the false birthright claim is being supported even by a popular, sophisticated poet, the author of Rāma-carita-mānasa.
FAQs
In this verse, Dharma mourns for all varṇas and āśramas, indicating that when irreligion rises, the entire structure of righteous living and spiritual discipline becomes endangered.
After being harmed in Kali’s age, Dharma expresses compassion and sorrow—not only for his own condition, but for the wider suffering that will spread to devas, ancestors, sages, saints, and human society when dharma is attacked.
Protect and practice dharma through truthfulness, cleanliness, mercy, and austerity, and support genuine spiritual culture—because personal integrity strengthens society’s spiritual health.