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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

12.1.37 12.1.39-40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.1.38

Ūti· What drives us to act

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.1.1-2inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तुल्यकाला इमे राजन् म्‍लेच्छप्रायाश्च भूभृत: ।

एतेऽधर्मानृतपरा: फल्गुदास्तीव्रमन्यव: ॥ ३८ ॥

tulya-kālā ime rājan

mleccha-prāyāś ca bhū-bhṛtaḥ

ete ’dharmānṛta-parāḥ

phalgu-dās tīvra-manyavaḥ

Translation

There will be many such uncivilized kings ruling at the same time, O King Parīkṣit, and they will all be uncharitable, possessed of fierce tempers, and great devotees of irreligion and falsity.

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.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Anger and Falsehood Corrupt Leadership

1
Many such uncivilized kings will rule at the same time.
2
They will be uncharitable and possessed of fierce tempers.
3
Their devotion will be directed toward irreligion and falsity rather than religious conduct and truth.

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

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 summary Back to this verse in chapter 12.1

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

tulya-kālāḥruling at the same time
imethese
rājanO King Parīkṣit
mleccha-prāyāḥmostly outcastes
caand
bhū-bhṛtaḥkings
etethese
adharmato irreligion

Key ideas in this verse

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

Ūti · The creative impetus
Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 12.1
In this verse: “devotees”, “devotion”
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 12.1
In this verse: “kings”
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 12.1
In this verse: “religious”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I have authority, do I become less generous, more angry or less truthful?

Practice

In one difficult conversation today, speak truthfully without giving way to a fierce temper.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAnger and Falsehood Corrupt LeadershipThis 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 12.1.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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