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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

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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 2: The Symptoms of Kali-yuga

12.2.17 12.2.19-20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.2.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.2.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

शम्भलग्राममुख्यस्य ब्राह्मणस्य महात्मन: ।

भवने विष्णुयशस: कल्कि: प्रादुर्भविष्यति ॥ १८ ॥

śambhala-grāma-mukhyasya

brāhmaṇasya mahātmanaḥ

bhavane viṣṇuyaśasaḥ

kalkiḥ prādurbhaviṣyati

Translation

Lord Kalki will appear in the home of the most eminent brāhmaṇa of Śambhala village, the great soul Viṣṇuyaśā.

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.

Kalki Will Appear in Viṣṇuyaśā's Home

1
Lord Kalki will appear in Śambhala village.
2
His appearance will take place in the home of Viṣṇuyaśā.
3
Viṣṇuyaśā is described as a great soul and the village's most eminent brāhmaṇa.

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 2: The Symptoms of Kali-yuga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He will appear in the village Śambhala, in the home of the exalted brāhmaṇa Viṣṇuyaśā, and will take the name Kalki. He will mount His horse Devadatta and, taking His sword in hand, will roam about the earth killing millions of bandits in the guise of kings.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 12.2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

śambhala-grāmain the village Śambhala
mukhyasyaof the chief citizen
brāhmaṇasyaof the brāhmaṇa
mahā-ātmanaḥthe great soul
bhavanein the home
viṣṇuyaśasaḥof Viṣṇuyaśā
kalkiḥLord Kalki
prādurbhaviṣyatiwill appear

Key ideas in this verse

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

Īśānukathā · The science of God
Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What details does this verse give me to remember about Lord Kalki's future appearance?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, then recall the village and the person whose home the Lord will appear in.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKalki Will Appear in Viṣṇuyaśā's HomeThis 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 12.2.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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