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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
12.1.312.1.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.1.4

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

शिशुनागस्ततो भाव्य: काकवर्णस्तु तत्सुत: ।

क्षेमधर्मा तस्य सुत: क्षेत्रज्ञ: क्षेमधर्मज: ॥ ४ ॥

śiśunāgas tato bhāvyaḥ

kākavarṇas tu tat-sutaḥ

kṣemadharmā tasya sutaḥ

kṣetrajñaḥ kṣemadharma-jaḥ

Translation

Nandivardhana will have a son named Śiśunāga, and his son will be known as Kākavarṇa. The son of Kākavarṇa will be Kṣemadharmā, and the son of Kṣemadharmā will be Kṣetrajña.

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.

The Royal Line Continues Through Sons

  1. 1

    Nandivardhana will have a son named Śiśunāga.

  2. 2

    Śiśunāga’s son will be Kākavarṇa, whose son will be Kṣemadharmā.

  3. 3

    Kṣemadharmā’s son will be Kṣetrajña. The verse traces the royal line through successive father-and-son relationships.

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:

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. Next Śukadeva Gosvāmī explains the four varieties of material annihilation, and then he gives his final advice to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śiśunāgaḥŚiśunāga
  2. tataḥthen
  3. bhāvyaḥwill take birth
  4. kākavarṇaḥKākavarṇa
  5. tuand
  6. tat-sutaḥhis son
  7. kṣemadharmāKṣemadharmā
  8. tasyaof Kākavarṇa
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 12.1

    In this verse: “father-and-son”

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

Can I follow each father-and-son relationship without confusing the names?

Practice

Draw a simple chain from Nandivardhana to Kṣetrajña using the names in the translation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Royal Line Continues Through SonsThis 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 12.1.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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