Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 90
Yuga-Dharma Framework, Kali-Yuga Diagnosis, and the Hari-Nāma Remedy
Transition to Vedānta Inquiry
ततः परं कृतयुगे त्रेतायुगे त्रेतायां ध्यानमेव च । द्वापरे यज्ञमेवाहुर्दानमेकं कलौ युगे ॥ ९० ॥
tataḥ paraṃ kṛtayuge tretāyuge tretāyāṃ dhyānameva ca | dvāpare yajñamevāhurdānamekaṃ kalau yuge || 90 ||
其后，人们宣说：在克利多（Kṛta）时代，以禅定（dhyāna）为主要修持；在特雷塔（Tretā）时代亦唯禅定为先。在德瓦帕拉（Dvāpara）时代，称祭祀（yajña）为首要之道；而在迦梨（Kali）时代，唯有布施（dāna）为主要之法。
Suta (narrating the teaching in the Narada Purana’s discourse tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It summarizes yuga-dharma: the Narada Purana teaches that the most effective spiritual discipline changes with the age—meditation dominates earlier yugas, ritual sacrifice becomes central in Dvāpara, and accessible merit through charity is emphasized for Kali.
By highlighting Kali Yuga’s practical dharma (dāna), it supports a bhakti-oriented ethic: serving and supporting others becomes an easy, widely available offering that can be dedicated to the Lord, complementing devotion when elaborate austerities or sacrifices are difficult.
It indirectly points to Kalpa (ritual procedure) through the mention of yajña in Dvāpara, and to dharma-nīti (ethical duty) through dāna in Kali; the verse functions as a rule-of-thumb for choosing appropriate practice by yuga.