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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 12.1.39-40

Who is speaking and story frame

स्त्रीबालगोद्विजघ्नाश्च परदारधनाद‍ृता: ।

उदितास्तमितप्राया अल्पसत्त्वाल्पकायुष: ॥ ३९ ॥

असंस्कृता: क्रियाहीना रजसा तमसावृता: ।

प्रजास्ते भक्षयिष्यन्ति म्‍लेच्छा राजन्यरूपिण: ॥ ४० ॥

strī-bāla-go-dvija-ghnāś ca

para-dāra-dhanādṛtāḥ

uditāsta-mita-prāyā

alpa-sattvālpakāyuṣaḥ

asaṁskṛtāḥ kriyā-hīnā

rajasā tamasāvṛtāḥ

prajās te bhakṣayiṣyanti

mlecchā rājanya-rūpiṇaḥ

Translation

These barbarians in the guise of kings will devour the citizenry, murdering innocent women, children, cows and brāhmaṇas and coveting the wives and property of other men. They will be erratic in their moods, have little strength of character and be very short-lived. Indeed, not purified by any Vedic rituals and lacking in the practice of regulative principles, they will be completely covered by the modes of passion and ignorance.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

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.

Royal Appearance Cannot Hide Fallen Conduct

  1. 1

    The purport calls these verses a concise, accurate description of the fallen leaders of this age. In the guise of kings, they will devour the citizenry, murdering innocent women, children, cows and brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    They will covet other men's wives and property. Their moods will be erratic, their strength of character small and their lives very short.

  3. 3

    Without purification through Vedic rituals or the practice of regulative principles, they will be completely covered by the modes of passion and ignorance.

Key points from the purport
  • These verses give a concise, accurate description of the fallen leaders of this age.

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

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 9.15.15

As stated elsewhere in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (12.1.40): Being unpurified, neglecting to discharge human duties properly, and being influenced by the modes of passion (rajas) and ignorance (tamas), unclean people (mlecchas), posing as members of the government (rājanya-rūpiṇaḥ), will swallow the citizens (prājas te bhakṣayiṣyanti).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. strīof women
  2. bālachildren
  3. gocows
  4. dvijaand brāhmaṇas
  5. ghnāḥthe murderers
  6. caand
  7. paraof other men
  8. dārathe wives
3

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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 12.1

    In this verse: “purified”, “purification”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 12.1

    In this verse: “principles”

  • 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

Do I judge leadership by outward position or by character and conduct?

Practice

Notice one desire today for something belonging to another person, and consciously refrain from feeding it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRoyal Appearance Cannot Hide Fallen ConductThis 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 12.1.39-40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.