Shloka 31

Yuga-Dharma, Kalpa Measure, Purāṇa Definitions, and the Kali-Yuga Power of Nāma-Kīrtana

Devanagari script

त्यक्ष्यन्ति भृत्याश्च पतिं तापसस्त्यक्ष्यति व्रतम् / शूद्राः प्रतिग्रहिष्यन्ति वैश्या व्रतपरायणः

Transliteration

tyakṣyanti bhṛtyāśca patiṃ tāpasastyakṣyati vratam / śūdrāḥ pratigrahiṣyanti vaiśyā vrataparāyaṇaḥ

Translation

Kẻ hầu sẽ bỏ chủ; người khổ hạnh sẽ bỏ giới nguyện của mình. Hạng Śūdra sẽ bắt đầu nhận lễ vật (với tư cách người thọ nhận), còn hạng Vaiśya sẽ trở nên chuyên tâm vào các giới nguyện và nghi lễ.

Word by Word

• त्यक्ष्यन्ति: will abandon
• त्यक्ष्यन्ति: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन (3rd person, Pl.)

• भृत्याः: servants
• भृत्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भृत्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (Masculine, Nom., Pl.)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयबोधक-अव्यय (conjunction: 'and')

• पतिम्: master, husband
• पतिम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Masculine, Acc., Sg.)

• तापसः: an ascetic
• तापसः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तापस (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (Masculine, Nom., Sg.)

• त्यक्ष्यति: will abandon
• त्यक्ष्यति: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: त्यज् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन (3rd person, Sg.)

• व्रतम्: vow, observance
• व्रतम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (Neuter, Acc., Sg.)

• शूद्राः: Śūdras
• शूद्राः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शूद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (Masculine, Nom., Pl.)

• प्रतिग्रहिष्यन्ति: will accept (gifts)
• प्रतिग्रहिष्यन्ति: Kriya (Predicate/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति + ग्रह् (धातु)
• Form: लृट् (Simple Future), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन (3rd person, Pl.); उपसर्गयुक्त-धातु (with preverb prati-)

• वैश्याः: Vaiśyas
• वैश्याः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वैश्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन (Masculine, Nom., Pl.)

• व्रत-परायणः: devoted to vows
• व्रत-परायणः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + परायण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (as transmitted); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (Masculine, Nom., Sg.; 'devoted to vows')

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (speaking to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Kali is marked by breakdown of fidelity and vows, and by varṇa/role inversions in gift economy and observance.

Vedantic Theme: Svadharma-kṣaya: when role-based duties collapse, rajas-tamas dominate and social harmony (loka-saṅgraha) weakens; yet the verse also hints at fluidity of practice (vaiśya vowfulness).

Application: Strengthen commitments (workplace ethics, mentorship, service); keep personal vows; practice dana with discernment; prioritize character over status in spiritual discipline.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: bhayanaka

Secondary Rasa: karuna

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana: Kali symptoms sequence 1.223.27-31

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Shudras
• Vaishyas
• tapasvins (ascetics)

FAQs

What is the importance of Kali Yuga social signs in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a diagnostic marker of dharma’s decline—showing how loyalty, discipline (vrata), and traditional ethical roles become inverted, signaling a broader weakening of righteous conduct.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul in the Garuda Purana?

By warning that vows and right conduct deteriorate in Kali Yuga, it indirectly stresses that neglecting dharma and vrata increases negative karma, which the Garuda Purana links to harsher post-death consequences and remedial rites.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Treat commitments as sacred: maintain personal vows (truthfulness, restraint, charity), uphold responsibility in relationships and work, and support ethical giving—so social confusion does not become personal moral collapse.