adharmābhibhavāt kṛiṣhṇa praduṣhyanti kula-striyaḥ
strīṣhu duṣhṭāsu vārṣhṇeya jāyate varṇa-saṅkaraḥ
adharma — irreligion;
abhibhavāt — preponderance;
kṛiṣhṇa — Shree Krishna;
praduṣhyanti — become immoral;
kula-striyaḥ — women of the family;
strīṣhu — of women;
duṣhṭāsu — become immoral;
vārṣhṇeya — descendant of Vrishni;
jāyate — are born;
varṇa-saṅkaraḥ — unwanted progeny
This verse talks about the negative consequences of moral decay in society, especially during times of conflict. Here’s a breakdown of what it means:
1. **Moral Decline:** The verse mentions 'irreligion' or 'adharma'. This refers to actions that go against moral or ethical standards. When people stop following these important principles, the community suffers.
2. **Impact on Families:** It highlights that when the family structure is threatened, particularly with the involvement of immoral behavior, the women in those families also suffer and may lose their dignity. The phrase 'women of the family' shows how family values are linked to the behavior of women, and when those values crumble, it can lead to chaos.
3. **Unwanted Children:** The term 'varna-sankara' refers to unwanted or mixed population that arises when the social order breaks down due to unethical behavior. This could mean children born in situations where there are no proper family values or support, leading to a generation struggling with identity and purpose.
4. **Offerings to Ancestors:** The verse explains that part of maintaining family values involves honoring your ancestors. Families traditionally offer food and water to their forefathers as a sign of respect and remembrance. It’s believed that doing this can help them in the afterlife if they are suffering due to past actions.
5. **Help for Ancestors:** Sometimes, ancestors may be in distress or even exist as spirits without a physical form because of their sins. When living family members perform rituals and offer food to them, it is said to help free them from suffering. This practice is a way to uphold family traditions and honor those who came before.
6. **Importance of Devotion:** The interpretation mentions that those who engage in devotional activities, or serve deities like Vishnu, can help their ancestors without following all these traditional rituals. Simply being devoted and serving helps not just oneself but many generations of ancestors, freeing them from suffering.
7. **Community Responsibility:** Finally, the verse serves as a reminder of community responsibility. When individuals act out of greed or selfish desires, they not only harm themselves but also affect their families and the larger society. Thus, the importance of keeping family traditions alive and doing right by one's ancestors is emphasized.
In everyday terms, this verse warns us about the dangers of losing our moral compass and how it can lead to family breakdowns, where people forget to honor their roots and ancestors. It stresses the importance of being mindful of our actions and their long-term impacts on our families and communities.