Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 39

The Earth Laughs at World-Conquering Kings; Yuga-Dharma and the Remedy for Kali

Devanagari script

नित्यमुद्विग्नमनसो दुर्भिक्षकरकर्शिता: । निरन्ने भूतले राजननावृष्टिभयातुरा: ॥ ३९ ॥ वासोऽन्नपानशयनव्यवायस्न‍ानभूषणै: । हीना: पिशाचसन्दर्शा भविष्यन्ति कलौ प्रजा: ॥ ४० ॥

Transliteration

nityam udvigna-manaso durbhikṣa-kara-karśitāḥ niranne bhū-tale rājan anāvṛṣṭi-bhayāturāḥ

Translation

在迦利时代，众生之心恒常不安。大王啊，他们因饥荒与赋税而消瘦，又常为无雨之惧所扰。衣食饮、安寝、房事、沐浴与饰物皆不足，渐渐显得如同鬼魅般憔悴。

Synonyms

• नित्यम्: always
• नित्यम्: क्रियाविशेषण (Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa/Adverbial)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय (Adverb)

• उद्विग्नमनसः: with anxious minds
• उद्विग्नमनसः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उद्विग्न (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त) + मनस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); कर्मधारयः (having agitated minds)

• दुर्भिक्षकरकर्शिताः: worn down by famine and taxes
• दुर्भिक्षकरकर्शिताः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दुर्भिक्ष (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक) + कर्शित (प्रातिपदिक; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः (emaciated by famine and taxes/levies)

• निरन्ने: when there is no food / in a foodless state
• निरन्ने: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निरन्न (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• भूतले: on the earth
• भूतले: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Location)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भूतल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति (7th/Locative), एकवचन (Singular)

• राजन्: O king
• राजन्: सम्बोधन (Sambodhana/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन-प्रथमा (Vocative), एकवचन (Singular)

• अनावृष्टिभयातुराः: distressed by fear of no rain
• अनावृष्टिभयातुराः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनावृष्टि (प्रातिपदिक) + भय (प्रातिपदिक) + आतुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), बहुवचन (Plural); तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः (distressed due to fear of drought)

Purport

The symptoms described here are already prevalent in many countries of the world and will gradually spread to other places engulfed by impiety and materialism.

Characters & Entities

• Parīkṣit Mahārāja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Kali Yuga suffering like famine and drought?

In 12.3.39, Śukadeva describes Kali-yuga people as constantly anxious, weakened by famine and oppressive taxes, and distressed by fear of drought and lack of rain.

Why did Shukadeva Goswami speak about Kali Yuga symptoms to King Parikshit?

Parīkṣit Mahārāja inquired about the future course of the ages; Śukadeva answers by listing Kali-yuga’s characteristics to awaken detachment and urgency for bhakti.

Practical application of this Kali Yuga verse in modern life?

Recognize anxiety and insecurity as Kali-yuga conditions and respond by simplifying life, cultivating faith, and prioritizing steady devotional practice (śravaṇa-kīrtana) over endless material solutions.