1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 12 · The Age of Deterioration · 13 chapters

12345678910111213

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
12.1.3412.1.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.1.35

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.1.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

प्रजाश्चाब्रह्मभूयिष्ठा: स्थापयिष्यति दुर्मति: ।

वीर्यवान् क्षत्रमुत्साद्य पद्मवत्यां स वै पुरि ।

अनुगङ्गमाप्रयागं गुप्तां भोक्ष्यति मेदिनीम् ॥ ३५ ॥

prajāś cābrahma-bhūyiṣṭhāḥ

sthāpayiṣyati durmatiḥ

vīryavān kṣatram utsādya

padmavatyāṁ sa vai puri

anu-gaṅgam ā-prayāgaṁ

guptāṁ bhokṣyati medinīm

Translation

Foolish King Viśvasphūrji will maintain all the citizens in ungodliness and will use his power to completely disrupt the kṣatriya order. From his capital of Padmavatī he will rule that part of the earth extending from the source of the Gaṅgā to Prayāga.

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.

Power Without Godliness Disrupts Society

  1. 1

    Viśvasphūrji is described as foolish, despite his power. He will maintain the citizens in ungodliness.

  2. 2

    He will use his power to completely disrupt the kṣatriya order.

  3. 3

    From his capital of Padmavatī, he will rule the land extending from the source of the Gaṅgā to Prayāga.

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:

After this, different regions will be ruled over at the same time by seven Andhra kings, seven Kauśalas, the kings of Vidūra, and the Niṣadhas. Then the power of rulership in the countries of Magadha and so forth will fall to kings who are no better than śūdras and mlecchas and are totally absorbed in irreligion.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prajāḥthe citizens
  2. caand
  3. abrahmaunbrahminical
  4. bhūyiṣṭhāḥpredominantly
  5. sthāpayiṣyatihe will make
  6. durmatiḥthe unintelligent (Viśvasphūrji)
  7. vīrya-vānpowerful
  8. kṣatramthe kṣatriya class
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 12.1

    In this verse: “king”, “citizens”

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

Does my use of influence encourage godliness or weaken it?

Practice

In one decision affecting someone else today, choose what supports godly conduct rather than merely asserting your power.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPower Without Godliness Disrupts SocietyThis 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 12.1.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories