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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 · Text 12.2.23

Who is speaking and story frame

यदावतीर्णो भगवान् कल्किर्धर्मपतिर्हरि: ।

कृतं भविष्यति तदा प्रजासूतिश्च सात्त्विकी ॥ २३ ॥

yadāvatīrṇo bhagavān

kalkir dharma-patir hariḥ

kṛtaṁ bhaviṣyati tadā

prajā-sūtiś ca sāttvikī

Translation

When the Supreme Lord has appeared on earth as Kalki, the maintainer of religion, Satya-yuga will begin, and human society will bring forth progeny in the mode of goodness.

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 Supreme Lord Restores Religion

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord appears on earth as Kalki, the maintainer of religion.

  2. 2

    When He appears, Satya-yuga will begin.

  3. 3

    Human society will then bring forth progeny in the mode of goodness.

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 2: The Symptoms of Kali-yuga

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

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. Then the signs of the next Satya-yuga will begin to appear.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadāwhen
  2. avatīrṇaḥincarnates
  3. bhagavānthe Supreme Lord
  4. kalkiḥKalki
  5. dharma-patiḥthe master of religion
  6. hariḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  7. kṛtamSatya-yuga
  8. bhaviṣyatiwill begin
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 12.2

    In this verse: “religion”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the Lord’s role as maintainer of religion strengthen your trust in Him?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and offer a short prayer honoring the Lord as the maintainer of religion.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Restores ReligionThis 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 12.2.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.