कृतयुगवर्णनम् तथा राजधर्मोपदेशः
Kṛtayuga Description and Instruction on Royal Dharma
भवन्ति षोडशे वर्षे नरा: पलितिनस्तथा । आयु:क्षयो मनुष्याणां क्षिप्रमेव प्रपद्यते,सोलहवें वर्षमें मनुष्योंक बाल पक जायँगे और उनकी आयु शीघ्र ही समाप्त हो जायगी
bhavanti ṣoḍaśe varṣe narāḥ palitinastathā | āyuḥ-kṣayo manuṣyāṇāṃ kṣipram eva prapadyate ||
وَیشَمپایَن نے کہا—سولہویں برس ہی میں لوگوں کے بال سفید ہو جائیں گے؛ اور انسانوں کی عمر تیزی سے گھٹ کر جلد ہی ختم ہو جائے گی۔
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse teaches impermanence and the ethical warning of societal decline: when dharma weakens, human vitality diminishes—symbolized by premature greying and shortened lifespan—urging vigilance, restraint, and righteous living.
Vaiśampāyana is describing ominous characteristics of a deteriorating age, presenting a prophecy-like depiction where human life becomes frail and brief, marking the broader theme of degeneration in later times.