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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 2: The Symptoms of Kali-yuga
12.2.3212.2.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 12.2.33

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 12.2.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यस्मिन् कृष्णो दिवं यातस्तस्मिन्नेव तदाहनि ।

प्रतिपन्नं कलियुगमिति प्राहु: पुराविद: ॥ ३३ ॥

yasmin kṛṣṇo divaṁ yātas

tasminn eva tadāhani

pratipannaṁ kali-yugam

iti prāhuḥ purā-vidaḥ

Translation

Those who scientifically understand the past declare that on the very day that Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa departed for the spiritual world, the influence of the Age of Kali began.

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.

Kali Waits for Kṛṣṇa’s Departure

  1. 1

    Those who scientifically understand the past place the beginning of Kali’s influence on the very day Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa departed for the spiritual world.

  2. 2

    Technically, Kali-yuga was to begin while Lord Kṛṣṇa was still present on earth.

  3. 3

    Yet this fallen age had to wait meekly for the departure of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Although technically Kali-yuga was to begin during the time of Lord Kṛṣṇa’s presence on earth, this fallen age had to wait meekly for the departure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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

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:

In the order of Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali, the cycle of four ages rotates in the society of living entities in this universe. The chapter ends with a brief description of the future dynasties of the sun and moon coming from Vaivasvata Manu in the next Satya-yuga.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 12.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yasminon which
  2. kṛṣṇaḥLord Śrī Kṛṣṇa
  3. divamto the spiritual world
  4. yātaḥgone
  5. tasminon that
  6. evasame
  7. tadāthen
  8. ahaniday
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 12.2

    In this verse: “understand”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Kali’s need to wait reveal Kṛṣṇa’s supreme position?

Practice

Spend a minute honoring Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and expressing your wish to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKali Waits for Kṛṣṇa’s DepartureThis 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 12.2.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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