Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 28
The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali
यदा कर्मसु काम्येषु भक्तिर्यशसि देहिनाम् । तदा त्रेता रजोवृत्तिरिति जानीहि बुद्धिमन् ॥ २८ ॥
yadā karmasu kāmyeṣu bhaktir yaśasi dehinām tadā tretā rajo-vṛttir iti jānīhi buddhiman
Hỡi bậc trí, khi chúng sinh tận tụy với bổn phận nhưng mang động cơ ham quả báo và tìm danh vọng, hãy biết đó là Treta-yuga, nơi tính chất dục vọng (rajas) nổi trội.
FAQs
Bhagavatam 12.3.28 says that when people become attached to desire-motivated works and to fame, passion (rajas) predominates—this is characteristic of Tretā-yuga.
Parīkṣit asked about the nature of the yugas and their signs; Śukadeva answers by giving behavioral markers—how people act and what they value—so the yuga can be understood.
Use it as a mirror: reduce fame-seeking and purely desire-driven activity, and redirect effort toward sāttvika living and bhakti—service to Bhagavān without selfish motive.