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

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Canto 12 · The Age of Deterioration · 13 chapters

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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 12 · Chapter 1: The Degraded Dynasties of Kali-yuga
12.1.1-212.1.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.1.3

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.1.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नन्दिवर्धनस्तत्पुत्र: पञ्च प्रद्योतना इमे ।

अष्टत्रिंशोत्तरशतं भोक्ष्यन्ति पृथिवीं नृपा: ॥ ३ ॥

nandivardhanas tat-putraḥ

pañca pradyotanā ime

aṣṭa-triṁśottara-śataṁ

bhokṣyanti pṛthivīṁ nṛpāḥ

Translation

The son of Rājaka will be Nandivardhana, and thus in the Pradyotana dynasty there will be five kings, who will enjoy the earth for 138 years.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Dynasty’s Rule Has a Measured Span

  1. 1

    Nandivardhana will be the son of Rājaka.

  2. 2

    The Pradyotana dynasty will consist of five kings.

  3. 3

    Together, these kings will enjoy the earth for 138 years. The verse gives a definite span for their rule.

How it feels

Civilizational dread → Dispassion. Social and cosmic impermanence expose the limits of worldly plans.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 12: The deterioration of Kali and universal dissolution. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: The Degraded Dynasties of Kali-yuga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The Twelfth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam begins with Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī predicting the kings of the earth who will appear in the future during the Age of Kali. Then he gives a description of the numerous faults of the age, after which the presiding goddess of the earth sarcastically berates the foolish members of the kingly order who perpetually try to conquer her.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nandivardhanaḥNandivardhana
  2. tat-putraḥhis son
  3. pañcafive
  4. pradyotanāḥPradyotanas
  5. imethese
  6. aṣṭa-triṁśathirty-eight
  7. uttaraincreased by
  8. śatamone hundred
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.1

    In this verse: “kings”

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

What does this measured span help me notice about the duration of royal power?

Practice

Write down the dynasty’s name, its five kings in total, and its 138-year span.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Dynasty’s Rule Has a Measured SpanThis 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 12.1.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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