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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 1 · Chapter 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali
1.17.391.17.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.17.40

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.17.38inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अमूनि पञ्च स्थानानि ह्यधर्मप्रभव: कलि: ।

औत्तरेयेण दत्तानि न्यवसत् तन्निदेशकृत् ॥ ४० ॥

amūni pañca sthānāni

hy adharma-prabhavaḥ kaliḥ

auttareyeṇa dattāni

nyavasat tan-nideśa-kṛt

Translation

Thus the personality of Kali, by the directions of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the son of Uttarā, was allowed to live in those five places.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kali’s Influence Can Be Counteracted

  1. 1

    Kali was permitted to dwell in five places under Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s directions. His residence remained subject to the King’s order.

  2. 2

    The purport links the spread of Kali’s age with gold standardization. It describes falsity, intoxication, animal slaughter and prostitution as widespread consequences.

  3. 3

    Those concerned about society seek to drive out corruption. The purport emphasizes that everyone can take advantage of the suggested counteracting process.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus the Age of Kali began with gold standardization, and therefore falsity, intoxication, animal slaughter and prostitution are rampant all over the world, and the saner section is eager to drive out corruption.
  • The counteracting process is suggested above, and everyone can take advantage of this suggestion.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Moral alarm → Resolve. The king's duty is tested in a deteriorating age.

Chapters 16–17 of Canto 1: Parīkṣit confronts Kali. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali

Parīkṣit protects a cow and bull from abuse and restricts Kali to five places.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. amūniall those
  2. pañcafive
  3. sthānāniplaces
  4. hicertainly
  5. adharmairreligious principles
  6. prabhavaḥencouraging
  7. kaliḥthe Age of Kali
  8. auttareyeṇaby the son of Uttarā
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “king’s”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I only troubled by corruption, or am I willing to counteract it in my own conduct?

Practice

Notice one opportunity for falsehood today and deliberately choose an honest response.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

Quoted in 1 lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayKali’s Influence Can Be CounteractedThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 1.17.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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